RED Sub 1680 bug....

[Jetkopite]

Hi guys I wanted to ask here with regards to the above reference..

I am starting to get the bug for Vintage Rolex, I already have a lovely 1980's GMT Master 16750 and Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch and now I have the bug for the Submariner RED 1680 but would like it to be my birth year (1975) if possible...

I have looked around and found lots of info on this amazing piece but also love to hear from you the experts about this watch and what to look for when looking...

Also would love to see all your gorgeous pics of your REDs

[Frogman4me]

Well your taste in watches is great. A 1680 red would compliment your collection very well. My advice would be to do a lot of research and buy the best example you can afford from a trusted seller.

[Jetkopite]

Thats gorgeous David love it... By the way why do most have their 1680's on straps instead of the Oyster?? Ive noticed that..

[Frogman4me]

Originally Posted by Jetkopite

Thats gorgeous David love it... By the way why do most have their 1680's on straps instead of the Oyster?? Ive noticed that..

Thank you.

Some don't like the folded link bracelet (I don't mind at all) and possibly don't want to buy a solid 93150. Also the vintage leather just looks great and is very comfortable to wear and doesn't cost too much so you can have multiple strap colors and use them interchangeably between most sports models. This is why we love drilled lug holes .

[waspy1]

I think the transition to white sub was around 1973 so prob won't find a birth year red from 75


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[Vincent65]

You should be able to get a MKVI (up to about 4.0 mil serial no. which is the last Red dial version) Red 1680 dial from 1975, but it's at the tail-end of the production of Reds.

Take your time, do some research (look at hundreds) and get the best possible (as near to original condition and configuration) as possible. Buy from a knowledgeable and trusted seller - see thread/list here in the vintage forum - and you won't go wrong.

Here's mine: MKIV from 1970 (2.63XXXX), with B&P

Good luck!

[stmoore]

1680 mk4

[Jetkopite]

Originally Posted by Vincent65

You should be able to get a MKVI (up to about 4.0 mil serial no. which is the last Red dial version) Red 1680 dial from 1975, but it's at the tail-end of the production of Reds.

Take your time, do some research (look at hundreds) and get the best possible (as near to original condition and configuration) as possible. Buy from a knowledgeable and trusted seller - see thread/list here in the vintage forum - and you won't go wrong.

Here's mine: MKIV from 1970 (2.63XXXX), with B&P

Good luck!

Thanks guys for the info and Karl I am drooling at that lovely RED of yours like I always do when you put pics up... Did you get yours with box and papers?? I read somewhere its worth paying a little extra for the B & P?? I am still in 2 minds about this as I wouldnt be looking to sell it BUT when I pass it down maybe worth it in the future if it is a full set??

[Jetkopite]

Ooops Karl just saw you got it with B & P... :-)

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by waspy1

I think the transition to white sub was around 1973 so prob won't find a birth year red from 75


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+1

Latest Red I have seen was a late 1974....you were born a year too late!

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by Jetkopite

Ooops Karl just saw you got it with B & P... :-)

Thanks, and yes, with B&P! I wasn't looking for that, per se, but it was the best one available at the time that I could find, so I paid the extra for the set. Nice to have the double punched papers, and US Navy provenance.

[Jetkopite]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

+1

Latest Red I have seen was a late 1974....you were born a year too late!

Hey John I have seen some REDs with a 1975 year on Chrono24?? Im not so sure how genuine they are if couple of you guys already mentioned that REDs where not after 1974??? Might have to re think the birth year perhaps??

[Tudor66]

My RedSub purchase lined up with a personal accomplishment/milestone. It's a watch I had wanted to own after owning quite a few other submariners.

--I basically wanted a very good condition dial, hands, etc. I didn't care if it was meters or feet first.
--The original band is very light, I recommend getting 93150 submariner band for any redsub for daily wear.
--Having the box/papers is a nice bonus if you can find a fullset, but you don't wear box and papers- You wear the watch...!
--As others have reminded me, the best part about owning a RedSub is wearing it everyday...It's my most comfortable wearing watch!

Good luck,

[Jetkopite]

Originally Posted by Tudor66

My RedSub purchase lined up with a personal accomplishment/milestone. It's a watch I had wanted to own after owning quite a few other submariners.

--I basically wanted a very good condition dial, hands, etc. I didn't care if it was meters or feet first.
--The original band is very light, I recommend getting 93150 submariner band for any redsub for daily wear.
--Having the box/papers is a nice bonus if you can find a fullset, but you don't wear box and papers- You wear the watch...!
--As others have reminded me, the best part about owning a RedSub is wearing it everyday...It's my most comfortable wearing watch!

Good luck,

Wow Al thats a real beauty also like the rest of the guys here.. I am looking exactly the same as you wrote and willing to wait like I did with 16750 to find the near perfect one for me.. Wont be cheap but hey you get what you pay for in life..

[cruvon]

All the best with your search, it's surely a happy watch to wear. As others have already rightly mentioned, buy the best example you can find from a reliable source and make sure you ask the knowledgeable members here for advice; moreso if you are a newbie!

Mines a MK6 from 73-74

[Robbyvm]

Great choise ! Good luck with the hunt

My '69 MKI

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Jetkopite

Hey John I have seen some REDs with a 1975 year on Chrono24?? Im not so sure how genuine they are if couple of you guys already mentioned that REDs where not after 1974??? Might have to re think the birth year perhaps??

Generally speaking, I was under the impression that most experts accepted Red subs fell in the category of a lower serial number than 4m.......

[omitohud]

Better stay off 75 reds just to be safe. Here is mine mark III m 1st tropical.



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[Jetkopite]

Might have to re asses and look at REDs around the 1970 mark perhaps?? Loving the REDs pics guys.. Making me drool looking at them..

[jdmi32]

When I first started my search for a 1680, it was for the white version as I couldn't justify the premium for the red. Well we all know how that line of reasoning sometimes goes right out the window...

[Jetkopite]

Originally Posted by jdmi32

When I first started my search for a 1680, it was for the white version as I couldn't justify the premium for the red. Well we all know how that line of reasoning sometimes goes right out the window...

WOW Ky thats one of the nicest ones I have seen so far and there has been some lovely ones... What year is that Red and where did you purchase it if you dont mind me asking?

[CrownMe]

Once the Red 1680 bug bites it will never go away until you own one. Find the right one and you will never wanna sell it

[jdmi32]

Originally Posted by Jetkopite

WOW Ky thats one of the nicest ones I have seen so far and there has been some lovely ones... What year is that Red and where did you purchase it if you dont mind me asking?

Thanks Al. It's a 71 MKV, purchased from Andrew Shear.

[cwilson13]

Red is right!

[bertberr]

JDMI32 - good to see another Mk.V on here, I was beginning to think I had the only one! Most to seem to be Mk1-3 and Mk.IV's, with a few Mk.VI's as well.

cwilson13 - that strap looks interesting - any chance of another pic showing a little more of it? Thanks