What to do with 1680 sub

[Blithej]

Hi all, I registered for this forum over a year ago but this is my first post here. A few years ago my father passed away and I subsequently came into possession of a Rolex watch that he had bought in Switzerland sometime during the 1970s. About a year ago I posted some pictures of the watch on another watch forum and was a little overwhelmed by responses I received with conflicting opinions on what to do with the watch, the money needed, work, etc. Keep in mind I am a college student so funds are albeit limited and my knowledge of watches is very, very limited. So I decided to just store the watch and come back to it later. Now I am back home for the summer with some free time and some extra cash to spend so I thought getting back to the Rolex would be a good idea.

From what I was told, the watch is a Meters first Red Submariner. The original bezel insert was lost and the watch's service history is a complete mystery to me although it was suggested the watch was probably serviced at some point. As I understand, originality is where the value lies in this watch. Being a heirloom, I would never sell this watch but I would love for it to retain it's value as much as possible. I know that a period correct bezel would be expensive and hard to find, but I understand I could always just get a replacement bezel insert and source the correct bezel later down the road. My goal is to get this watch fixed up a bit so that I could wear it. So I welcome all opinions and would love to get some advice on my course of action.

Here are a few pictures that I have. I can always take more if needed. I apologize for the photos as all I have is my phone to take them.

[Bk100]

Now that's cool !

Looks like a MK II dial .....

Personally , I'd service the movement and replace the crystal and gaskets , get an insert .
Less than a thousand bucks probably ....
Put it on a NATO strap.
Don't polish it or attempt a "restoration".
Keep the original twin-lock tube/crown - don't go swimming with it .
That's it .

When you graduate from college and have some money , I'd get a correct bracelet ....

Enjoy !

Here's mine , before and after ....

[Bk100]

S

[Bk100]

D

[springer]

Looks like you have a nice, original vintage Submariner. A complete service to include a crystal should not be that expensive. I would recommend that the crown tube and winding crown be replaced if necessary - whether it be with an original twinlock or the the improved triplock version which many of the vintage Subs have these days. There is no reason the watch should not be waterproof - it is a diving watch - why risk water damage whether you dive or not !!! An original bezel insert, based on condition can get rather expensive depending on the condition. There are other Rolex Submariner bezel inserts available, service inserts and later 1680 inserts, that are considerably less expensive that a period correct insert. I would also have the hands repaired or replaced with a set of vintage tritium hands vs a newer set of luminova hands.

Good luck.

[Beaumont Miller II]

Originally Posted by springer

Looks like you have a nice, original vintage Submariner. A complete service to include a crystal should not be that expensive. I would recommend that the crown tube and winding crown be replaced if necessary - whether it be with an original twinlock or the the improved triplock version which many of the vintage Subs have these days. There is no reason the watch should not be waterproof - it is a diving watch - why risk water damage whether you dive or not !!! An original bezel insert, based on condition can get rather expensive depending on the condition. There are other Rolex Submariner bezel inserts available, service inserts and later 1680 inserts, that are considerably less expensive that a period correct insert. I would also have the hands repaired or replace them with a set of vintage tritium hands which will not glow in darkness.

Good luck.

x2

[Vincent65]

I agree with the above - although I'd maybe even leave the hands alone, too.

[The_Walrus]

I agree with Vincent. Those hands add character and charm and as you said originality is where the values lies.
A service and new crystal. Be sure that the dial remains untouched.

[red98a4ss]

I would just buy a bezel for cheap get a NATO strap and wear it don't forget to insure it.

[PoderEsBueno]

Great watch you got there. Full service would be nice including new crystal and gaskets. I wouldn't touch the hands at this point. See if it keeps bothering you too much, you can find better condition matching hands in future. Try hunting for a period correct old looking insert which also match the character of the case. It will suit better than a new looking service insert imho. Good luck

[JerimiahLee]

Originally Posted by springer

Looks like you have a nice, original vintage Submariner. A complete service to include a crystal should not be that expensive. I would recommend that the crown tube and winding crown be replaced if necessary - whether it be with an original twinlock or the the improved triplock version which many of the vintage Subs have these days. There is no reason the watch should not be waterproof - it is a diving watch - why risk water damage whether you dive or not !!! An original bezel insert, based on condition can get rather expensive depending on the condition. There are other Rolex Submariner bezel inserts available, service inserts and later 1680 inserts, that are considerably less expensive that a period correct insert. I would also have the hands repaired or replaced with a set of vintage tritium hands vs a newer set of luminova hands.

Good luck.

Agreed.


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[watchcrank]

+another :-) Nice heirloom. m

[springer]

There seems to be multiple opinions regarding the "hands" on this watch so let me further expand my opinion on replacing or repairing the hands which are a serviceable part of the watch.

Two of the hands appear to be salvageable - which would be determined upon examination once removed from the watch. The third hand, the hour hand, is severely damaged and appears to be falling apart. It needs replaced or repaired. It my opinion, it doesn't add any more character to the watch than the old, worn-out crystal which has served the watch well for many decades. I would not have the watch repaired and chance having the tritium flaking off the hour hand at a later date which could cause damage to the watch internally.

[shane0mack]

Originally Posted by springer

There seems to be multiple opinions regarding the "hands" on this watch so let me further expand my opinion on replacing or repairing the hands which are a serviceable part of the watch.

Two of the hands appear to be salvageable - which would be determined upon examination once removed from the watch. The third hand, the hour hand, is severely damaged and appears to be falling apart. It needs replaced or repaired. It my opinion, it doesn't add any more character to the watch than the old, worn-out crystal which has served the watch well for many decades. I would not have the watch repaired and chance having the tritium flaking off the hour hand at a later date which could cause damage to the watch internally.

I agree, John. Well done stabilization of the hands is probably an ideal long term solution. If nothing is done, they will likely degrade further and then you're stuck looking for a matching set of hands. In which case, you can always look for matching hands anyway after the current ones are stabilized.

[Blithej]

Hi all,

I appreciate all your replies. So from what I understand I need to get this watch serviced but make sure that the case and dial are not touched. What to do with the hands seems to be a bit more complex which I guess that can be decided in person by a specialist when i get this serviced. Can anyone recommend anyone who could do the work necessary on this watch? Preferably in Southern California.

Thank you!

[pdoukas]

ABC Watchwerks in LA comes to mind


Sent from my mobile device. Please excuse spelling, punctuation, and brevity.

[BH13GMT]

Bob Ridley comes well recommended on this forum

http://www.watchmakers.com

[Blithej]

Alright, thank you guys for all the advice. I will look into ABC Watchwerks and Bob Ridley.

One of you commented about getting a bracelet for this watch but I actually have one that I believe came with the watch. I just had to rummage around for a while to find it, here are some more mediocre photos. The numbers read "380 7836".

[RC2]

Nice band. Probably did come with it. Usually a band 9315 came with the divers extension but a lot of different bands came with watches in the 70s so most likely that is it. Awesome memento.


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[azguy]

Call ABC watchwerks and make an appointment and walk the watch in there for a professionals opinion.

They have serviced all 3 of these and while yours needs more care, they will do a great job and probably will have or can source a nice faded bezel for the watch. I'd have them look for a nice 9315 folded link for the watch too.

I think you'll be between $1,000 and $1,500 before you are done.

[Andy5513]

Sorry about your dad.

I would definitely get it to one of the indy watch restorers mentioned above, and get the watch serviced, and I would even say lightly polished. The hands could be re-lumed to match the nice color of the dial markers.

The watch is awesome, and can be worth $10k, so treat it nicely and wear it well!