Rolex 1680 case engravings

[Alexander88]

Dear Forum,

An old friend of mine has a Submariner 1680 from 1978.
I'm thinking of buying the watch.
I looked at the watch in real life. The dial and bezel are original. The certificate too. In itself, the watch is coherent.
What bothers me are the engravings on the case.
I have seen "Typeface C" on all 1680s of this period without exception.
The engravings here don't match.
Actually, I assume that there can be no exceptions here.
I don't want to imply anything here, the watch is supposed to be first-hand, the other parts fit. The owner is a valued friend of mine.
I would appreciate any comments on the matter. Maybe one of the old hands has seen something like this before.


Best regards

Alex

Alex

[baumare]

I don’t like the engraving, and also no signs of wear between the lugs

[Alexander88]

Thank you for your answer.
You can't see it in the pictures. There is already some corrosion on the case, wear marks are also present.
I will still refrain from buying it. The engravings do not seem to match the usual typefaces. Unless someone with a lot of experience can convince me otherwise.

[PVR]

No they are no good. Pass on case alone.

[swish77]

Can we see the rest of the watch?

[Alexander88]

Of course. The watch is not mine. Unfortunately, I don't have any better photos (and I always have to reduce the size of the pictures for the forum).
Certificate is from the same dealer as the box(Santarelli).
Watermark, ageing of the glue, smell... All authentic.
The only thing that really bothers me are the engravings.

[TuRo]

Yes, I see why you are a bit quizzical.

Not seen these engravings on a 1680......Esp the extended and droopy flick on the top of the 1 of 1680, the 5s are usually canted right and different shape and the 2s are odd too.

Here are two typical 1978 - 1680 engravings :

Rolex Submariner Date
£15,996
https://chrono24.app/rolex/rolex-sub...GB&SETCURR=GBP
Rolex Submariner Date
£13,730
https://chrono24.app/rolex/submarine...GB&SETCURR=GBP

[Alexander88]

Yes, typical typeface C. I haven't seen this kind of engraving either.
Interesting what the reason for this is....

[Filipão]

Below my 5 mil.

Dot before 1680 happens sometimes when engraver is placing pantograph.

[Dan S]

Sorry, not the greatest photos, but if this helps, here are the engravings from my 5.28M 1680. They seem similar to Felipe's at first glance.

[swaini3]

Agree with others, engravings no good IMO. It will be nice to see detailed pictures of the certificate.

[Alexander88]

Thank you very much for your help.
Too bad, I like the look of the watch, the set from Santarelli in Buenos Aires is also nice.
But the engravings should be from Typeface C. Since they are not, I will refrain from buying it.
By the way, the current owner bought it in the 90s.
It was also serviced at Rolex and a service bracelet was fitted. The dial remained the same.
Maybe the case was also replaced and then engraved by hand? It is not known.
In any case, it's nothing for me.

[rootbeer7]

Bracelet replacement was probably due to wear & therfore it’s also possible it wore the area between the lugs. Where was it serviced & could they have re-engraved case? Is the serial number engraved anywhere else like caseback?

[Alexander88]

The watch was serviced at Rolex in 1997. The service clasp also has the matching code.
I find it interesting, possibly this is also an explanation. Unfortunately too long ago to ask there.

[dcorn]

Seems odd that Rolex would engrave the s/n in a single spot that is well known for wear due to their bracelet design.

But if this watch has original purchase papers and service papers with that matching s/n, it must be a helluva fraud job to not be real. Service case maybe? Or do those have their own s/n?

[jbglx]

Originally Posted by Alexander88

Dear Forum,

An old friend of mine has a Submariner 1680 from 1978.
I'm thinking of buying the watch.
I looked at the watch in real life. The dial and bezel are original. The certificate too. In itself, the watch is coherent.
What bothers me are the engravings on the case.
I have seen "Typeface C" on all 1680s of this period without exception.
The engravings here don't match.
Actually, I assume that there can be no exceptions here.
I don't want to imply anything here, the watch is supposed to be first-hand, the other parts fit. The owner is a valued friend of mine.
I would appreciate any comments on the matter. Maybe one of the old hands has seen something like this before.


Best regards

Alex

Alex

Hi , I´m from Buenos Aires . Take the watch to the RSC there ,
Address : Rolex Argentina , Suipacha 1111 , Piso 24 . C1008AAW , Buenos Aires
Phone +5491143129056
Mail : matias.velazquez@rolex.com

[Haywood_Milton]

It's "supposed to be first-hand" but then "current owner bought it in the 1990s."

[1675-David]

For comparison, my 5.9mil