White Sub 1680 That Should be Red?

[JohnBaker3]

Hey Guys:

This is the second or third auction I have found on eBay for a nice vintage Submariner 1680 with a white lettered dial.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mens...item48676b976b

The serial number is 3.7 mil which puts it in the Red Sub range....

Closer inspection shows a "SWISS" at the 6 o'clock position making it a likely service replacement dial.

Is it possible that an RSC has previously replaced a white for a red dial and in the process cutting the value by 50% ?

[ToniH.]

That watch is serviced recently and hands and the dial has been replaced by luminova service parts.

Heres my thread about similar situation: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=354297

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by ToniH.

That watch is serviced recently and hands and the dial has been replaced by luminova service parts.

After reading your thread, I surmise that going back to red is OK if you can source a good dial and matching hands...

I think that is a great option because that's 99% probably the way it left the Rolex factory back when....

Here's my saga of just trying to go back to a twin-lock crown and tube on my 5513....we are a strange flock of birds who are in the vintage Rolex game !!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=346646

[nsumner]

John, this happens all the time to RSC service customers that don't know better.
Only a few (that I'm aware of) lucky people got one of theses in exchange, a red for a red. That said,most including myself would rather retain their dial rather than exchanging it for a service dial, red or not.

[azguy]

How messed up is the watch world when one line of red lettering adds 50% to the watches value

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by azguy

How messed up is the watch world when one line of red lettering adds 50% to the watches value

Pretty messed up for sure; and everyone reading this thread is part of the problem !!

[BH13GMT]

Allow around £3k to source a decent to perfect mark 4 dial (and this will take time to source) and have it fitted with a service and pressure test. If the hour markers are showing some age, the hands wont match which will be additional cost to get sorted.
I would be more tempted to buy a later genuine white 1680 for a lot less money or hang on and bag a Red.