So You Want To Add A Red Sub To Your Collection! : )

[JohnBaker3]

Hey Guys:

About 6 years ago, I picked of a 1970 Red Sub with a Mk 4 dial. Didn't know much about it, but I really liked the vintage look and the price was not too bad...

After it arrived, I realized it needed a pearl in the insert and the bracelet wasn't period correct. A few weeks later, I was able to source the "correct" parts and started wearing it with pride...

Then about 3 years later, I traded it for a newer ROLEX and regretted it from day one...

Fast forward 6 years and I wanted to replace the missing watch from the lineup and started looking. Since I knew a little more this time, I went about it a little differently. I made a checklist of everything I thought it should have and started looking everywhere on the internet...

Right off the bat I couldn't believe the price spreads on the listed REDS. Then it dawned on me, the more correct parts on the watch, the higher the price!

Well, duh!!

Anyway, there are lots of sellers that could care less how incorrect their piece is, they will get as much as they can for as little they can offer...there are also some ethical dealers that don't play games...

It took me about 3 months to find a great piece and the price reflected what I wanted; the only thing that needed to be corrected was the Triplock; I replaced it with the proper Twinlock originally found on this 1970 Mk 4...

I had both parts in stock and now the watch is perfect!

To help out anyone else with this same adventure, here is my checklist:

0) Serial number range of 2.1 to 3.99 million
1) Fat font bezel insert
2) Mk 1 thru 6 dials
3) Top hat crystal with cyclops magnifier
4) Twin lock crown for watches before late 1972
5) 9315 SS Bracelet

Bonus points for dials without any issues; nice creamy lumes; color matches of the hands, pearl, and lumes; dial hands with no corrosion; no scratches on the crystal; bezel insert in good condition with a pearl; correct crown; box and papers....

Good luck and be sure you are getting the watch you are paying for. I learned a lot by looking at over 50 listings on eBay and dealers on the net. Here is a great reference on the Red 1680's:

http://rolexpassionreport.com/174/ev...iner-ref-1680/

Be safe!

[1675-David]

Thats a great looking watch, extra bonus points for that great looking case.

[Weetos]

Cracking looking watch, those Fat Fonts are to die for.

[KBM]

Congrats on finding the one! Enjoy!

[brandrea]

Congratulations John, I salute your efforts

I admittedly don’t have the wherewithal to go down the vintage rabbit hole on my own, but it tempts me

[cts]

That’s a winner my friend!!! Love my 72’…

[JohnBaker3]

Thanks guys for the nice comments!

Once you go vintage, you never come back!!

The look, the feel, and the sense that you are a custodian of Rolex history makes it all worthwhile!!

Be safe and keep on watching!!

[mountainjogger]

Simply awesome. Congrats.

[davie489]

I need a top hat Crystal like that ! I have a service one with bevelled edge and it annoys me.
Great watch! Also yes sold all my modern pieces for vintage

[Dan S]

Great post, John. I'm sure many people will appreciate your contribution.

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Great post, John. I'm sure many people will appreciate your contribution.

Thanks Dan; Good luck on your hunt for the perfect vintage!

[springer]

Welcome back John, and it's nice to see you and your new little friend here in the vintage section again!!!

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by springer

Welcome back John, and it's nice to see you and your new little friend here in the vintage section again!!!

Hey John:

Life is great when you have good friends and good watches to keep you company!

Be safe!

[swish77]

Very nice! Congrats!

I think another important factor when searching for a red Sub is the actual red on the dial. They are not all equal, and with misleading photo saturation quite prevalent online, it's important to see the watch in person.

I've seen quite a few red Subs with faded and/or underwhelming red on the dial, and I've seen others where the red really pops. I've found that MK5s seem to be less vibrant than other types, for whatever reason.

Most guys might not care and just want any red Sub, as long as overall condition is good. For me, I think that if you're paying so much more money just for that one little line of red text, I want it to pop off my dial.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by swish77

I've seen quite a few red Subs with faded and/or underwhelming red on the dial, and I've seen others where the red really pops. I've found that MK5s seem to be less vibrant than other types, for whatever reason.

All red subs have the word Submariner printed twice, first in white then on top in red, with the exception of the Mk5 where the red text is printed directly onto the matt dial. The Mk5, because of this, usually has a less vibrant Submariner text.

[wristaficionado]

Congrats, she's a beaut!!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

All red subs have the word Submariner printed twice, first in white then on top in red, with the exception of the Mk5 where the red text is printed directly onto the matt dial. The Mk5, because of this, usually has a less vibrant Submariner text.

Yes, but the red can also fade. Same with DRSDs. I've owned two in my life, and one was far more vibrant.

My point is, much better to see red Subs (and DRSDs) in person and in different lighting to determine the true color, assuming that's an important characteristic for a buyer. Maybe it's not a big deal to a lot of guys.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by swish77

Yes, but the red can also fade. Same with DRSDs. I've owned two in my life, and one was far more vibrant.

My point is, much better to see red Subs (and DRSDs) in person .

Sage advice, it's very easy to turn up the saturation on a line of text in an online sales image

[Jackie Daytona]

Beautiful watch. Congrats!