ROLEX | Submariner, Ref. 1680, A Stainless Steel Wristwatch with MK4 “Red Submariner” Dial and Bracelet, Circa 1972

ROLEX

Submariner, Ref. 1680

A Stainless Steel Wristwatch with MK4 “Red Submariner” Dial and Bracelet, Circa 1972

Dial: black

Caliber: Cal. 1575 automatic, 26 jewels

Case: stainless steel, screw-down back

Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp

Dimensions: 40 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 180 mm

Signed: case, dial and movement

Case numbers: ref. 1680 / serial: 2976505

In 1969, Rolex introduced the very first Submariner with a date complication, now officially known as the Submariner Date. That first reference was the Submariner 1680 and the earlier examples (produced until 1975) included the “SUBMARINER” name in red letters on the matte black dial, hence the “Red Submariner” nickname. During those early years, Rolex experimented with dial design, which has led collectors to categorize the different dials from Mark 1 to Mark 7. This particular example from 1972 features a Mark 4 dial and a faded fat-font bezel insert, and like other reference 1680 watches, this timepiece features a steel Oyster case, a steel Oyster bracelet, and due to the addition of the date window, a Cyclops magnification lens on its acrylic crystal. Additionally, the tritium on its hands and hour markers has developed a matching creamy patina over the years, making this “Red Sub” an excellent example of the first iteration of the Submariner Date.