Another Red Sub....is this a decent piece?

[ADINVA]

Greatly appreciate all comments on this 1680 Red Sub. 1970 Mark IV, serial number is 25xxxxx. This Red Sub comes with recently serviced RSC paper. As expected in RSC servicing, unfortunately, the crystal, crown and possibly hands are replaced. Bracelet is the comfy and studier 93150 with 580 end links.

As much as I tried to study the insert, I still can't determine whether this insert is period correct for this Mark IV Red Sub.

The case had been polished and it is especially obvious on the top crown guard (uneven crown guards). I think, overall, the case had not been excessively polished.

Comments welcome and greatly appreciated.

[southtexas]

I think case looks pretty good! Hard to tell on hands, but they look like a close match from these pics? Hands are known to age at a different rate than dial plots in some cases. The insert is period correct in my opinion. Dial looks nice and clean, no obvious chipping of the hash marks from removal. Seemingly the pearl is later addition, but that wouldn't bother me a bit.

I think it's a nice piece, and good to have an RSC paper (when did they service it?). Depending on price, I'd say go for it.

[GeoGio Greece]

Post some pictures with the hands at 9.20 as to show prints of dial fully.

In general it looks clean and nice.As said, it all depends on the price.

[thomaspp]

Looks quite nice. Does the pearl glow?

[Coffee]

Gorgeous red sub

[swish77]

Nice overall, but those crown guards would be a deal-breaker for me. They look bizarre and misshapen.

[joli160]

Originally Posted by swish77

Nice overall, but those crown guards would be a deal-breaker for me. They look bizarre and misshapen.

x2

[Brianmac 883]

Originally Posted by swish77

Nice overall, but those crown guards would be a deal-breaker for me. They look bizarre and misshapen.

I guess I'll never understand the "vintage" psychology. To me, this is a beautiful watch... nice case, lovely patina, great dial... and people are worried about the shape of the crown guards??? To each his own, I guess, but I'd wear that watch proudly if I could afford it.

[landroverking]

Overall nice, the crown guards do look a bit over done.

[Qinhan]

Originally Posted by Brianmac 883

I guess I'll never understand the "vintage" psychology. To me, this is a beautiful watch... nice case, lovely patina, great dial... and people are worried about the shape of the crown guards??? To each his own, I guess, but I'd wear that watch proudly if I could afford it.

Agreed.

[madmax21]

The case looks good it's definitely not over-polished. As for the Hands its a little difficult to tell but they look OK, I think the pieces solid piece.

[ADINVA]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for all the comments so far.

The pearl still glows faintly under charged. I believe the pearl has been replaced. The insert is naturally fading to a lighter shade grey. Any experts can verify whether this is period correct? It does not bother me but just good to know if this is period correct.

This Red Sub was last serviced at RSC HK in 2013 and still keeps amazing time. This is what fascinate me greatly about vintage Rolex. Despite the watch being more than 40 years old, it still keeps running like it was born yesterday! Amazing quality, workmanship that can stand the test of time.

I do like this Red Sub a lot and am not concerned with the crown guards. It is not that obvious unless examined closely. I just regard this as a slight "handicap" but nevertheless, it is a fine piece given the age.

I am sending this straight into the vault and will not be wearing it for at least the next 12 months. I envy those vintage pieces with nice custard yellow patina. Would like to see more "greying" in this Sub and hence the lock-in.

[southtexas]

Yes the insert is correct. The CGs don't bother me either. I think you may need to keep it away from light for a bit longer than 12 months to substantially affect the patina color, however. On the other hand, my red sub can confirm that it will rapidly lighten when worn regularly.

I bought mine after almost 40 years in a safe, and it lightened dramatically in the first 12 months of my wearing it daily. Interestingly, the hands were much lighter than the dial when it came out of the safe, but now they're almost a perfect match.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ADINVA]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Yes the insert is correct. The CGs don't bother me either. I think you may need to keep it away from light for a bit longer than 12 months to substantially affect the patina color, however. On the other hand, my red sub can confirm that it will rapidly lighten when worn regularly.

I bought mine after almost 40 years in a safe, and it lightened dramatically in the first 12 months of my wearing it daily. Interestingly, the hands were much lighter than the dial when it came out of the safe, but now they're almost a perfect match.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lighten dramatically when exposed to sunlight...oh dear. Good that they are a perfect match now. I really envy and love those with light custard patina. It is like ageing gracefully. Thanks for the tip.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Brianmac 883

I guess I'll never understand the "vintage" psychology. To me, this is a beautiful watch... nice case, lovely patina, great dial... and people are worried about the shape of the crown guards??? To each his own, I guess, but I'd wear that watch proudly if I could afford it.

Well, at this price point, it definitely matters. Keep in mind that the people who are into these very expensive vintage watches are anal. EVERYTHING matters. There are guys here who will debate tiny font on dial text, whether a crown should have one dot or two, whether a microscopic chip at the edge of a dial should diminish value by thousands of dollars, whether a bezel insert is a MKI, MKII or MKIII, etc ... The list goes on and on.

So, yes, something as strikingly visible as way over-polished crown guards is very important, even if the asking price is reasonable. Still, there is only one real criterion, and that is if the buyer is happy. So, go for it!

[sea-dweller]

Very nice!

[Brianmac 883]

Originally Posted by swish77

Well, at this price point, it definitely matters. Keep in mind that the people who are into these very expensive vintage watches are anal. EVERYTHING matters. There are guys here who will debate tiny font on dial text, whether a crown should have one dot or two, whether a microscopic chip at the edge of a dial should diminish value by thousands of dollars, whether a bezel insert is a MKI, MKII or MKIII, etc ... The list goes on and on.

So, yes, something as strikingly visible as way over-polished crown guards is very important, even if the asking price is reasonable. Still, there is only one real criterion, and that is if the buyer is happy. So, go for it!

Point well taken. I guess I failed to acknowledge that there are "collectors" to whom every detail is important rather than people like me who just prefer to wear vintage timepieces rather than modern ones. If I had that watch, I'd wear it regularly, enjoy the hell out of it and not fret about the crown guards. But then, I'm not a collector. And yes, I think "anal" is exactly the right word!

[ADINVA]

It would be awesome to have a perfect piece but price has sky-rocketed a lot. :)

[Black Bay Dan]

Vintage Rolex are in many ways a lot like classic cars. Some people want them factory fresh (restored), some want them with everything untouched and original down to the original tyres and exhaust pipes (survivor cars), and then others just want a decent classic for everyday use and not fret that every component is either mint or original.

Watch looks great to me.

Dan