1680 Red Sub

[Mr Red Sub]

Hi all, new to the whole Rolex world but figured this is a good source of information. I was handed down a 1971 Mark IV ( I think) Red Submariner, without bracelet, in need of some love. Its a 2.5M serial so am I right on the year?




Any additional info on the watch would be helpful. I am going to try restoring it since I don't see many of these around anymore. My understanding is that the correct bracelet is a 9315 with 380 end links? Are bracelets even available anymore?

thanks in advance!

[Dan S]

2.5M is most likely to have a 1970 caseback, that's all that can really be said about the year.

A 9315 bracelet would probably be correct, but a 7206 rivet could also be ok from 1970. You should probably just see which one you prefer, since either way it won't be the original bracelet. They are out there, but you will have to hunt one down.

[scooba]

All you need here https://www.drsd.com/

[andrewjb88]

Thats lovely, get it serviced and worn.

[omar-rye]

Who removed the crystal, and why?

[Mark020]

Interesting question indeed

[911cz]

Beauty! Enjoy the journey


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kingface66]

What is going on w the Mercedes portion of the hour hand? Why is it black?

[dcorn]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

What is going on w the Mercedes portion of the hour hand? Why is it black?

I'd be more worried about the minute hand and the stem of the hour hand that are somehow skeletonized!

Crazy watch to be handed down, congrats!

[Mr Red Sub]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Who removed the crystal, and why?

Its removed since its cracked. I got a NOS unit coming but realized it needs a full service so I will drop it off to a watchmaker and have him service it and install the crystal.

[Mr Red Sub]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

What is going on w the Mercedes portion of the hour hand? Why is it black?

Looks faded up close but I can't be sure why.

[Tubeguy]

If you plan to wear it and a replacement bracelet is too hard to find or too expensive you can get a reproduction. I wonder if the hands could be corrected and refinished to look original. I've seen replica hands get "aged". Why couldn't they do the same here?

Just a thought.

[PVR]

So, a proper complete MKIV Red Sub sells for about $15,000 to $17,000 these days. Looking at this watch you need a new Hand set which is around $1000. Proper 9315 bracelet with 380's, perhaps $2500 for a nice one with proper date code and divers ext. Gonna need a new crystal, OEM gonna run $250 or aftermarket $25. Maybe a new insert but definitely a new pearl if you choose to keep that insert. Insert $1500, genuine pearl $250 or AM Pearl maybe $50. Full service probably $400 provided you dont need any parts. I see some pretty deep gouges on the lugs that I personally would touch up with a laser, but would not polish it or refinish it based on the pics. That will run about $200.

Its a nice watch but to get it back to proper spec's wont be cheap which is why many people who inherit these watches prefer to take the money and run rather than invest thousands of dollars in parts and repairs.

Invest the money and keep it or dont spend a dime and flip it. Any parts you buy will probably be incorrect and will add little to no value to the collector or dealer who will be buying it from you.

[swish77]

I’d just sort out the hands and get the movement serviced. But first …. Protect that dial!!! Without a crystal it's so vulnerable! Great-looking patina. I never like color-matching hands, but this might be a good candidate for that.

I wouldn’t sweat the bracelet. I’d probably just get a nice used 93150 or even just wear it on a NATO. Tracking down a “correct” bracelet and end links will be very expensive.

[TuRo]

Welcome

Glass fitting uber-pronto a must (that dial alone with nice patina is $7-10k!!), hands fill/shading perhaps yes but not immediate if not causing detriting/ flaking (and service perhaps.... although I've bought old stuff many decades ago, that I very rarely wear, and just couldn't be bothered servicing - Nothing catastrophic to report and the calibre it has i.e. 1570/5 bits still cheapish and plentiful anyway as ubiquitous Datejust calibre too that period )

Lovely bequeathment indeed.

Pop it on a scruffy old orig. NATO 70s Phoenix / M.O.D. strap or like (1680 red look good on one imho) perhaps for a few months until you find a bracelet - okay but a bit scruffy 50 yr appropriate stretched/scratched/marks/dents 9315 (280/380end links) do come up for under a $1000 if you are scour carefully and frequently where you look.

Good luck with project

[ronricks]

Honestly I’d just get it serviced and a nice 93150 bracelet and wear the heck out of it.

[springer]

Mr. Red Sub, it appears you are on your way to having your newly acquired Submariner brought back to life with the need for some original parts and a movement service.

I've helped many members here that were in the same situation as you and if I can be of assistance, feel free to contact for sourcing any original, correct parts or assistance with a movement service.

[Tubeguy]

I saw you have a crystal off to the side to at least add some protection. Wow this isn't just a cool watch, maybe it has some family ties? I love the stories of the people that owned these watches.

Certainly worth getting it right. Somebody like springer could save you some pain.

[dcorn]

Looking at this again, it's so unique with the skeleton hands. I'd get the rest of that lume knocked out of the minute hand so it doesn't fall off later, put a crystal on it and get a service, then wear the heck out of it.

If you don't want to spend a fortune on a used bracelet, you can get a new 93150 from an AD for $1250. If you don't want to spend anything, throw it on a nato and call it a day.

[fozzyf18]

Originally Posted by springer

Mr. Red Sub, it appears you are on your way to having your newly acquired Submariner brought back to life with the need for some original parts and a movement service.

I've helped many members here that were in the same situation as you and if I can be of assistance, feel free to contact for sourcing any original, correct parts or assistance with a movement service.

I would highly recommend taking Springer up on his kind offer for assistance.