Rolex Submariner Date ‘Red Letter’ (1680)

Vintage 40mm Rolex Submariner Date ‘Red Letter’ (1680)

The Submariner 1680 is the first Submariner to offer the date feature and includes a magnified window above the date.  With a three-part case in stainless steel, a screw down case back and screw down crown, the Submariner was originally water resistant to 200 meters (600 feet).

The reference 1680 was produced in many variants, making it a favorite among collectors.  This 1680 from circa 1970 includes a Mark II “Red Letter” dial that is correct for the 1970 production. The dial shows meters before feet, and the word “Submariner” printed in red over the initially printed white font (as visible under magnification.) Unlike today, where Rolex marks its crowns with dots or bars, this crown has no markings under the coronet, consistent with crowns that came with the first 1680s. The bezel is a correct type Mark III in good condition with some fading from age and a missing pip.

Powered by the self-winding caliber 1575, the caliber 1575 does not include the quickset date function but it does include the instantaneous date change at midnight –  it is sometimes described as a ‘quick switch, slow set’ movement.  This 1680 reference is the only Submariner Date to have an acrylic crystal. The watch comes attached to a Rolex Oyster bracelet from 1983. Watchworks has recently serviced this watch to ensure years of worry free wear.