1977? Rolex Sub 1680

[jason42807]

I ran across a neat little watch today. I was shopping in my normal places and ran across a 5.46mil serial number Sub 1680. The watch has the book and the service papers for a service in 1991 and again in 2011. The watch appears to run although I didn't watch it for an extended period of time to check accuracy.

What is the value of the watch in current condition? The shop is asking $4500 tax and all. It does not have what appears to me to be the correct bracelet and end links. Bracelet is a 16250(?) I believe? I only have a couple of pictures and posting from my phone so sorry for the triple post in advance.

[jason42807]

Pic 2

[jason42807]

Pic 3

[traf]

I believe the bracelet should be a 93150 with 580 ends. Still sounds like a good deal if from a reputable shop

Are the service papers from RSC?

Sent from my  iPhone 6 using Tapatalk

[PoderEsBueno]

Looks like an mk3 dial - price is not bad for this watch,

I believe the serial sits at '78 so 93150 with 580 endlinks should be the correct as mentioned.

The insert looks like a thin-font.

[Tudor66]

Nice watch. I would buy that one....!

[cajuntiger]

insert is also later, but still a nice deal.

[MitchSteel]

Nice watch
I'd get it, sweet deal man

[jason42807]

Thank You guys for all the responses. I did not buy the watch today as I felt I needed to "sleep on it" for the night. The pictures do not do justice for how nice and clean the watch really is. iPhones just do not take great pictures, especially up close. I am going to go back by the shop in the morning and talk to the gentleman again and may decide to pick it up.

Someone asked if the service docs were from RSC and the answer is no. They are from a local Rolex Dealer with Certified Rolex Watchmaker.

Also PonderesBueno I looked at the reference guide from the Reference Library on the site and it is showing that a 5.46mil serial number is 1977 and 1978 starts at 5.48. Do you have a better reference for me to look at?

I am really wanting to get this for my brother who's birth year is 1977 so that's a big part of the decision on the piece.

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by jason42807

Also PonderesBueno I looked at the reference guide from the Reference Library on the site and it is showing that a 5.46mil serial number is 1977 and 1978 starts at 5.48. Do you have a better reference for me to look at?

5.46mm should be 1978...what are you using for reference?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by jason42807

Thank You guys for all the responses. I did not buy the watch today as I felt I needed to "sleep on it" for the night. The pictures do not do justice for how nice and clean the watch really is. iPhones just do not take great pictures, especially up close. I am going to go back by the shop in the morning and talk to the gentleman again and may decide to pick it up.

Someone asked if the service docs were from RSC and the answer is no. They are from a local Rolex Dealer with Certified Rolex Watchmaker.

Also PonderesBueno I looked at the reference guide from the Reference Library on the site and it is showing that a 5.46mil serial number is 1977 and 1978 starts at 5.48. Do you have a better reference for me to look at?

I am really wanting to get this for my brother who's birth year is 1977 so that's a big part of the decision on the piece.

Click on the Rolex Serial Number Project here: http://www.vintagerolexforum.com/

That might help you nail it more specifically.

[jason42807]

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

This is the reference I was referring to.

[JJL]

I bet that would look great with a new acrylic top! Nice find

[azguy]

Originally Posted by jason42807

...... Bracelet is a 16250(?) I believe?

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by jason42807

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

This is the reference I was referring to.

ahh, I missed that. I always use VRF, it seems to be the most accurate.

[Pict]

Maybe a Mk1 dial, aftermarket plexi but that bracelet could be the real deal, very good price

Umm..... bracelet does look off.

[swish77]

Very nice-looking 1680. See if the store will bargain down a little, but it's a great price, especially if it's been serviced. Although the insert is a thin font, the pearl looks like tritium, so it's not a recent replacement, which is good. Case looks decent, and the bracelet actually looks OK from what can be seen in the photo, although you should double-check the model number and end-piece stamp, and confirm it's authentic, of course. As for the year/serial number, no list can pinpoint it that precisely to either 1977 or 1978. They are guides/estimates. You can try to guess-timate one way or other another to the exact year, but it would not be 100 percent definitive. Caseback date stamps can be a more precise dating method, but this watch shouldn't have one because of the year. Good luck either way!

[marcello pisani]

5.46 is a range of cases produced in 1978.

[playmore009]

Looks like a nice watch!

[PoderEsBueno]

Originally Posted by jason42807

Thank You guys for all the responses. I did not buy the watch today as I felt I needed to "sleep on it" for the night. The pictures do not do justice for how nice and clean the watch really is. iPhones just do not take great pictures, especially up close. I am going to go back by the shop in the morning and talk to the gentleman again and may decide to pick it up.

Someone asked if the service docs were from RSC and the answer is no. They are from a local Rolex Dealer with Certified Rolex Watchmaker.

Also PonderesBueno I looked at the reference guide from the Reference Library on the site and it is showing that a 5.46mil serial number is 1977 and 1978 starts at 5.48. Do you have a better reference for me to look at?

I am really wanting to get this for my brother who's birth year is 1977 so that's a big part of the decision on the piece.

I generally check from these two links however i dont know how accurate they are;

http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/numbers.html

http://www.oysterworld.de/production-dates.html

As you can see 5.46 sits in year 1978 at both links. I think Marcelo had a trusty list, you can try pm him

[PoderEsBueno]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

5.46 is a range of cases produced in 1978.

[marcello pisani]

Originally Posted by PoderEsBueno

I think Marcelo had a trusty list

thanks !!

[jason42807]

Well I ended up with the watch. Thanks for the education on the year! I always love learning about these vintage pieces. Now I just have to decide to keep this one or sell my 1980 Snowflake. Decisions decisions. The bracelet is a 16520 with solid end links. Again bad iPhone pic. Sorry in advance.

[jason42807]

Originally Posted by marcello pisani

thanks !!

Poder and Marcello you guys never fail and for that I think you!!

[playmore009]

give yourself a little time to enjoy both watches...maybe both can stay in the collection!

[KingsleyWalcott]

Originally Posted by PoderEsBueno

I generally check from these two links however i dont know how accurate they are;

http://www.qualitytyme.net/pages/numbers.html

http://www.oysterworld.de/production-dates.html

As you can see 5.46 sits in year 1978 at both links. I think Marcelo had a trusty list, you can try pm him

I think the table on http://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers is a bit more organized and easier to read. Your examples look like they haven't been updated in a long time.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by jason42807

Well I ended up with the watch. Thanks for the education on the year! I always love learning about these vintage pieces. Now I just have to decide to keep this one or sell my 1980 Snowflake. Decisions decisions. The bracelet is a 16520 with solid end links. Again bad iPhone pic. Sorry in advance.

many congrats and enjoy!

edit: bracelet could be 'wrong' !

[cajuntiger]

Originally Posted by KingsleyWalcott

I think the table on http://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers is a bit more organized and easier to read. Your examples look like they haven't been updated in a long time.

Bobs Watches has never been accurate...not sure why they don't fix their calculator.

[Konstantine]

It is sad to see those scratches on the plexi, I have two scratches on mine from the previous owner and it annoys me every time I look at it and I had my White 1680 for three years now

[watchcrank]

Polywatch is your plexi's friend. nice 1680