Rolex

The Rolex Submariner is one of the most iconic watches in the world with the richest history. It may be hard to believe today that Submariners were not given a date window until 1967, 16 years after the first Submariner and indeed 2 years after the first Sea-dweller. The very first generation of Submariners with date windows is the 1680, and for the first few years of production these watches were printed with a line of red text to denote the importance of the reference, while giving rise to the watch’s popular nickname, ‘Red Sub’.

In production between 1967 to 1975, the Red Sub saw an abundance of dial variations as was standard with most other Rolex references of the time. The most obvious dial change was between marks 3 and 4, where the depth rating was changed to display feet before meters. This watch belongs to the mark 4 series of the Red Sub, the first ever feet first Submariner date, and is easily identifiable by the ‘open 6’ on the depth rating, notice the bottom loop of the number 6 of ‘660 ft’ does not connect with itself. To own a Red Sub is to own a significant chapter of the Submariner’s history, and with a dial preserved in attractive condition this Mark 4 Red Sub would be a compelling buy for all collectors.

The present lot comes from the original owner who served in the Royal Navy on a submarine in the 1970s. Lot 33 of the sale is also part of his personal collection.