Some opinions on this 1680?

[Sous]

Everyone was a great help with the 14060 I asked about, so I was hoping some get some input on this 1680:

http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-s...AdIdZ462455002

[Jason71]

Lugs are very rounded and polished, and hands look to be a bit lighter......so they might be replacement tritium hands. I would pass at that price TBH.

[mbkmbk]

I would like for a 'sharper' example if I were you. As the previous poster said, find one with a matching patina and as unpolished as possible.

I actually very recently purchased a 1680 within Canada as well! Do keep in mind (if you haven't already) that you likely won't find a deal like you would in the states up here. Tariffs will be about $500-$800 I would say.

Good luck!

[Sous]

Thank you Jason71 and mbkmbk

I'm really learning a lot here, with everyone's help.

[Alerion]

I just purchased a 71 Red Sub from the US Customs took $1050.00

Robert

[springer]

I have a different perspective on this watch or a different screen on my computer. The hands appear to match the dial quite well, maybe a little lighter but not much. They are not white and do not appear to be replacement hands. As far as the case goes, it is very decent for as old as it is and in much better condition than many others I have seen. This watch is 39-years-old!!!!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a watch that has been polished. I've been collecting for over twenty-five years, and this unpolished craze is rather new and another term to market a watch. While it is nice to own an original, unpolished watch - and even boast about it - there is nothing wrong with having a nice, vintage Rolex that has been polished a few times as long as the lugs haven't turned to toothpicks. While everyone wants the best that they can buy for their money, the pristine, untouched watches are very rare and expensive.

It always brings a smile to my face when I see guys hyping and selling five and ten-year-old watches claiming they are unpolished.

[Sous]

Originally Posted by springer

I have a different perspective on this watch or a different screen on my computer. The hands appear to match the dial quite well, maybe a little lighter but not much. They are not white and do not appear to be replacement hands. As far as the case goes, it is very decent for as old as it is and in much better condition than many others I have seen. This watch is 39-years-old!!!!

Thank you very much for joining this discussion, springer

To be honest, there have been times when watches have been posted, and others have stated the lugs are too thin, or the beveled edges are gone, etc. But I look at the watch and it appears to be in very good nick for a decades old watch.

That was the case with this watch-it really does look ok to me. But I thought perhaps I was missing something that others would spot.

As for the hands, they do appear to match well on my screen as well. Maybe I need to be willing to accept my opinions as well as the opinions of others

[springer]

Originally Posted by Sous

Thank you very much for joining this discussion, springer

To be honest, there have been times when watches have been posted, and others have stated the lugs are too thin, or the beveled edges are gone, etc. But I look at the watch and it appears to be in very good nick for a decades old watch.

That was the case with this watch-it really does look ok to me. But I thought perhaps I was missing something that others would spot.

As for the hands, they do appear to match well on my screen as well. Maybe I need to be willing to accept my opinions as well as the opinions of others

I forgot to mention that the price seems very reasonable too for a circa 1974 Submariner.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by springer

I have a different perspective on this watch or a different screen on my computer. The hands appear to match the dial quite well, maybe a little lighter but not much. They are not white and do not appear to be replacement hands. As far as the case goes, it is very decent for as old as it is and in much better condition than many others I have seen. This watch is 39-years-old!!!!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a watch that has been polished. I've been collecting for over twenty-five years, and this unpolished craze is rather new and another term to market a watch. While it is nice to own an original, unpolished watch - and even boast about it - there is nothing wrong with having a nice, vintage Rolex that has been polished a few times as long as the lugs haven't turned to toothpicks. While everyone wants the best that they can buy for their money, the pristine, untouched watches are very rare and expensive.

It always brings a smile to my face when I see guys hyping and selling five and ten-year-old watches claiming they are unpolished.

This is the picture that I was referring to when I said the lugs were somewhat soft and rounded. After looking again the hands do match better in this picture. I do see that there is quite a bit of "meat" left on the lugs. I thoroughly respect your opinion Springer. I thought the price was a little high. Wouldn't it be better at $4,200??

[springer]

Originally Posted by Jason71

This is the picture that I was referring to when I said the lugs were somewhat soft and rounded. After looking again the hands do match better in this picture. I do see that there is quite a bit of "meat" left on the lugs. I thoroughly respect your opinion Springer. I thought the price was a little high. Wouldn't it be better at $4,200??

$4200 would be a very good deal for a buyer! I think it is rather difficult to find a nice 1680 under $5,000. They are out there, but a lot depends on the seller and if he is desperate to sell the watch. I just sold a circa 1974/75 Submariner 1680 with the original 93150 band for $5400 which was comparable to the one here in Canada for sale, except mine still had a very nice, faded, fat font insert.

Below is another pic of the 1974 1680 being discussed here. An "endzone shot."

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by springer

$4200 would be a very good deal for a buyer! I think it is rather difficult to find a nice 1680 under $5,000. They are out there, but a lot depends on the seller and if he is desperate to sell the watch. I just sold a circa 1974/75 Submariner 1680 with the original 93150 band for $5400 which was comparable to the one here in Canada for sale, except mine still had a very nice, faded, fat font insert.

Below is another pic of the 1974 1680 being discussed here. An "endzone shot."

I guess I just can't keep up with current prices. It seems like just the other day that they were selling sub $4,000.

Thanks for your input.

[jackruff]

I'm leaning more towards springer's view...I think it looks alright.......i'd ask about service history....

[SennaFan]

Pretty nice.

[Sous]

Just thought I'd post an update.

I contacted the seller this morning to see if it was still for sale. He responded immediately that it is. I then asked three questions:

How long have you had it?
How does it run--fast, slow?
Do you know when it was serviced and by who?

I haven't heard from the seller since.

I guess that explains why no one has snapped it up yet.

[crowncollection]

looks ok to me, the price and watch

[TimeToGo]

A very nice looking watch!

I would ask what the partial serial on the case is..

[MichaelB_Can]

I would offer him less because by his quick response , he wants to sell it. And by his slow response to the service question, you should factor in a service to the total. See if he will go lower so you can get it & a service for the asking price ! Even if he won't drop the price , it's Really Fair & look at the patina on that thing ! I've seen some pure white ones go for more !


Mike B , Canada ⌚

[Sous]

Thank you to everyone for all the extra advice, and opinions on this watch. Still awaiting a reply from the seller. I'll send another email tonight and see what happens.

Thank you Mike B, for your heads up, and thoughts on this as well.

I had a question about authenticity; I know aftermarket dials, hands and cases can be bought. Is there a way to tell if everything is genuine? Doing research into the 1680, I've read that's it possible to take vintage 1570 movements from Rolex Date 1500 watches, and build a Frankenwatch with aftermarket parts.

The case shown in the sellers Kijiji ad above looks a lot like the fake case below. Also the Kijiji seller shows the 1680 engraving, but not the engraved serial number? Why go to the trouble of taking off the bracelet to show the 1680 engraving, but no serial number pic?

Fake dial:



Fake yellowed hands



Fake case with 1680 Engraving:

[MichaelB_Can]

A lot of people won't show there ser # because they want to keep real #'s out of the hands of the guys making fakes .


Mike B , Canada ⌚

[springer]

Mods, can we remove the web site address in the photos to the fake watch parts!

[Sous]

Originally Posted by springer

Mods, can we remove the web site address in the photos to the fake watch parts!

I edited the pics. That seemed easier.

[tedscott3]

Originally Posted by springer

I have a different perspective on this watch or a different screen on my computer. The hands appear to match the dial quite well, maybe a little lighter but not much. They are not white and do not appear to be replacement hands. As far as the case goes, it is very decent for as old as it is and in much better condition than many others I have seen. This watch is 39-years-old!!!!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a watch that has been polished. I've been collecting for over twenty-five years, and this unpolished craze is rather new and another term to market a watch. While it is nice to own an original, unpolished watch - and even boast about it - there is nothing wrong with having a nice, vintage Rolex that has been polished a few times as long as the lugs haven't turned to toothpicks. While everyone wants the best that they can buy for their money, the pristine, untouched watches are very rare and expensive.

It always brings a smile to my face when I see guys hyping and selling five and ten-year-old watches claiming they are unpolished.

Agree with this on the polishing.

[MichaelB_Can]

Jason , I catch myself doing that all the time . It just dates us ! Remember the price gas use to be , bread etc . It just comes with age . Or maybe the Canadian market . But under $5000 for an ok 1680 is good. Usually 5 for a head now.


Mike B , Canada ⌚