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Antarctic Jamie · 15 November 2016, 11:30 PM

A friend recently inherited this Sub from father-in-law who was known to have had it since the 1980s. There are some concerns he may have 'traded' it at some point and so I'm after some thoughts on whether it's genuine.

The first strange thing is that the bezel is bi-directional and has no ratchet or click, it just turns smoothly in both directions with a small resistance - have never heard of that on a Rolex. It also has quite a fine, almost sharp edge to the outside of the bezel ring.

It also has a really pronounced crystal that is several mm above the bezel.

Very grateful for any thoughts or input. I found one similar looking photo on the Internet but no real reference to a Sub with bi-directional bezel anywhere.

Many thanks. Photos attached.

Fredrik · 16 November 2016, 05:56 AM

It looks like a 1680 submariner. It has an "auto-lock" revolving bezel(as Rolex called it). You press down on it to rotate it and it is bi-directional. The plastic crystal is called a top-hat, yours look heavily polished or perhaps non-original. The bracelet is the original as far as I can see.

Tools · 16 November 2016, 07:22 AM

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alwayshere · 16 November 2016, 08:51 AM

in other words, OP, the watch looks good so far.

Haywood_Milton · 16 November 2016, 08:56 AM

Yes, bezel functions as it should for a 1680/0.

Haywood

sfc rick · 16 November 2016, 12:50 PM

Yes it's good. The bezel operates in both directions during that era of Submariner production.

SSD · 16 November 2016, 01:35 PM

Good? It's awesome!!!

Antarctic Jamie · 20 November 2016, 03:01 AM

Thanks all for info, much appreciated.

strafer_kid · 20 November 2016, 06:41 AM

Nice 1680!

htbilgic · 20 November 2016, 09:35 AM

It's fake. I'll pay you $100 to take it off your hands.

Just kidding! :)

That's a solid 1680. Enjoy it in good health!

J!m · 20 November 2016, 01:00 PM

Rare early 93150 bracelet too!

Certainly worth restoring with some nos parts with a competent smith.

Enjoy it!

Craft&Tailored · 20 November 2016, 03:21 PM

Watch is solid! Great inheritance!

Rolex fan 61 · 21 November 2016, 01:46 AM

Very nice

onthedial · 23 November 2016, 04:57 PM

@AntarcticJamie
Looks like there could be some lume deterioration at the 9 hour marker, although it's tough to say with the limited pics. Even so, it's a great looking 1680. 👏👏👏
-----------
Instagram: @onthedial

15 November 2016, 11:30 PM	#1
Antarctic Jamie "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 6	Early 1980s Sub - bi-directional bezel? Help! A friend recently inherited this Sub from father-in-law who was known to have had it since the 1980s. There are some concerns he may have 'traded' it at some point and so I'm after some thoughts on whether it's genuine. The first strange thing is that the bezel is bi-directional and has no ratchet or click, it just turns smoothly in both directions with a small resistance - have never heard of that on a Rolex. It also has quite a fine, almost sharp edge to the outside of the bezel ring. It also has a really pronounced crystal that is several mm above the bezel. Very grateful for any thoughts or input. I found one similar looking photo on the Internet but no real reference to a Sub with bi-directional bezel anywhere. Many thanks. Photos attached. Attached Images

16 November 2016, 07:22 AM	#3
Tools TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 43,681	[ __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

16 November 2016, 08:56 AM	#5
Haywood_Milton "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Real Name: Yes, it is ! Location: Cheshire & Mersey Watch: Military issue Sub Posts: 1,333	Yes, bezel functions as it should for a 1680/0. Haywood __________________ Comex:5513,5514,1665x2,16800x2,16600 Mil sub:5517x2,5513x9,5512 Submariner:6536/1x2,5508,5513 PCG u/line & double SWISS (America's Cup),5513 giltx2, 5513 m-firstx2,5513 gloss WGx2,1680 Red,1680 White Mk1 & Mk2 Sea-Dweller:1665 DRSDx3,Great Whitex3 GMT-Master:6542x2 (1 Bakelite),1675x8 (2 gilt), 16750 & SeaKing 116710LN Explorer:1016x6 (1 gilt),5500x3,14270 Blackout, Orange 1655 x4 Milgauss 1019x3 Cosmo 6263 *RNCD DSSD 116660.

16 November 2016, 01:35 PM	#7
SSD "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Jamie Location: Georgia Watch: Stainless Sub Date Posts: 3,023	Good? It's awesome!!! __________________ SUBMARINER OWNERS' CLUB ESTABLISHED 1953 TRF Member # 5464

16 November 2016, 05:56 AM	#2
Fredrik 2025 TitaniumYM Pledge Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sweden Watch: 1680 Posts: 1,891	It looks like a 1680 submariner. It has an "auto-lock" revolving bezel(as Rolex called it). You press down on it to rotate it and it is bi-directional. The plastic crystal is called a top-hat, yours look heavily polished or perhaps non-original. The bracelet is the original as far as I can see.

16 November 2016, 08:51 AM	#4
alwayshere "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 1,573	in other words, OP, the watch looks good so far.

16 November 2016, 12:50 PM	#6
sfc rick "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Real Name: Rickey Higgins Location: Huntington, TX Watch: 1680 Sub in white Posts: 354	Yes it's good. The bezel operates in both directions during that era of Submariner production.

20 November 2016, 03:01 AM	#8
Antarctic Jamie "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 6	Thanks all for info, much appreciated.

20 November 2016, 06:41 AM	#9
strafer_kid "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Kenny Location: northern ireland Watch: SDs, Subs & GMTs Posts: 5,147	Nice 1680!

20 November 2016, 09:35 AM	#10
htbilgic "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Chicago Watch: Doxa Pro 300 NoT Posts: 535	It's fake. I'll pay you $100 to take it off your hands. Just kidding! :) That's a solid 1680. Enjoy it in good health!

20 November 2016, 01:00 PM	#11
J!m "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Real Name: Jim Location: Connecticut Watch: this! Hold my beer Posts: 2,839	Rare early 93150 bracelet too! Certainly worth restoring with some nos parts with a competent smith. Enjoy it!

20 November 2016, 03:21 PM	#12
Craft&Tailored "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,254	Watch is solid! Great inheritance!

21 November 2016, 01:46 AM	#13
Rolex fan 61 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: UK Posts: 1,262	Very nice

23 November 2016, 04:57 PM	#14
onthedial "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Los Angeles Watch: IG @onthedial Posts: 587	@AntarcticJamie Looks like there could be some lume deterioration at the 9 hour marker, although it's tough to say with the limited pics. Even so, it's a great looking 1680. 👏👏👏 ----------- Instagram: @onthedial

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