Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Monaco, Jan 19, 2023
LOT 193
ROLEX
REF. 1680, SELF-WINDING, CENTRE-SECONDS; "SUBMARINER" SO-CALLED "RED FEET FIRST" "MARK IV"; STAINLESS STEEL
REF. 1680, SELF-WINDING, CENTRE-SECONDS; "SUBMARINER" SO-CALLED "RED FEET FIRST" "MARK IV"; STAINLESS STEEL
EUR 15,000 - 25,000
USD 16,100 - 26,800 / HKD 126,000 - 210,000 / CHF 14,900 - 24,800
Fine and rare, stainless steel, self-winding, “tonneau”-shaped, diver’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back (660 ft = 200 m), “triplock” winding-crown protected by the crown guards, 60-minute graduated revolving bezel with black insert for the decompression times, black colour dial (Mark IV), with centre-seconds and date of the month (aperture at 3 o’clock under Cyclops lens).
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-01 |
Good HANDS Original |
Brand Rolex, Geneva
Model "Submariner", so-called "Red feet first" "Mark IV"
Reference 1680
Year 1971
Movement No. D 011 474
Case No. 2 951 539
Material stainless steel
Bracelet stainless steel Rolex "Oyster" bracelet with deployant clasp (Ref. 9315, end-links 280; date 4 / 71)
Diameter 40 mm.
Length 165 mm. (approx.)
Caliber 1570, 26 jewels
Weight 102.1 gr. (approx.)
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
Introduced in 1953, the Rolex "Submariner" was the first diving watch water-resistant to 100 meters.
The reference 1680 is the most emblematic vintage "Submariner" with date, produced approximately from 1967 to 1978.
This particular model is called “Red feet first” due to the writings on the dial: “red” stands for the "Submariner" signature on the dial, and “feet first” meaning the feet depth rating appears before the meter rating.
These “Red Submariner” were only produced for the first part of the ref. 1680’s production run, until approximately 1975.
The present example is equipped with a "Mark IV" dial, the first “feet first” dial. It features a red "Submariner" printed over a white underlay, “opened” 6 and the first “E” from "chronometer" aligned with the “D” for "certified".
The reference 1680 is the most emblematic vintage "Submariner" with date, produced approximately from 1967 to 1978.
This particular model is called “Red feet first” due to the writings on the dial: “red” stands for the "Submariner" signature on the dial, and “feet first” meaning the feet depth rating appears before the meter rating.
These “Red Submariner” were only produced for the first part of the ref. 1680’s production run, until approximately 1975.
The present example is equipped with a "Mark IV" dial, the first “feet first” dial. It features a red "Submariner" printed over a white underlay, “opened” 6 and the first “E” from "chronometer" aligned with the “D” for "certified".