Steel and Gold Submariner 1680

[GP_Pirate]

I have a steel and gold Submariner 1680 that I bought new from an authorized dealer in 1980. I was told that it was not a production item and that a customer ordered it that way, but later backed out of the sale. The serial number is 6.1 mil.

Does anyone know if any production steel and gold 1680s were produced at that time, or was this really a custom order?

Thanks so much from a new member.
Glenn

[drockadam]

Sounds very nice! Please post some pictures! The experts will be right along, when they see some pictures!

[GP_Pirate]

Thanks for the reply! I will post some pics tomorrow.

[joffrey888]

nice watch.....pics please

[roadie1]

Can't wait to see pics!

[drockadam]

Originally Posted by GP_Pirate

Thanks for the reply! I will post some pics tomorrow.

Fantastic! I can't wait to see that TT beauty!

[mdw3]

There was no officially-offered Rolex stainless steel/gold 1680 Submariner. Two-tone submariners did not enter the Rolex product line until the sapphire quick-set Subs of the 1980s. What most likely occurred was that the selling dealer "customized" the standard steel 1680 model per customer's request. This is not hard to do, after all, even using all authentic Rolex components. The only parts that will need to be changed with pieces from the gold model (1680/8) are as follows:

1. Bezel and insert;
2. Dial, hands and datewheel;
3. Crown; and
4. Swap standard all-steel Oyster band with two-tone Oyster band from 1675/3 GMT Master.

Presto, two-tone Submariner!

Michael

[GP_Pirate]

Yes, perhaps that is what happened. However, I owned a business in the same mall as the AD and personally knew all the employees there. I don't know why they would misrepresent the watch as it would have made no difference to me. Additionally, they had a very limited Gent's Rolex collection at the time - I think just the 1680 and a Datejust. This would appear to make a dealer conversion more trouble that it was worth. I'll post some pics shortly. Thanks for all the responses!

[Submarino]

Originally Posted by mdw3

There was no officially-offered Rolex stainless steel/gold 1680 Submariner. Two-tone submariners did not enter the Rolex product line until the sapphire quick-set Subs of the 1980s. What most likely occurred was that the selling dealer "customized" the standard steel 1680 model per customer's request. This is not hard to do, after all, even using all authentic Rolex components. The only parts that will need to be changed with pieces from the gold model (1680/8) are as follows:

1. Bezel and insert;
2. Dial, hands and datewheel;
3. Crown; and
4. Swap standard all-steel Oyster band with two-tone Oyster band from 1675/3 GMT Master.

Presto, two-tone Submariner!

Michael

Here are some pics of my best friend's TT Sub 1680.

[GP_Pirate]

Here are some pics. If it is possible to determine if this is a true custom or a dealer conversion, please let me know. Would Rolex keep (and supply) such records?

thanks again for everyone's help.
Glenn

[GP_Pirate]

Thanks Michael. Was your friend's a conversion?

[GP_Pirate]

I called the Rolex Service Center in Dallas and they told me that they will not service any watch that: a) has any non-Rolex parts, AND b) is not in its original 'born' state. This watch has been serviced twice by Rolex.

Has anyone had a Rolex serviced at a service center that was not in its original state? Seems like a rather overly strict policy, but if true it supports the assumtion that this watch is indeed a Rolex custom.

[Beaumont Miller II]

There may be a few people on the forum that can find out for you. If you give the serial number on the case to a RSC, they may be able to tell you how the watch left the factory...in a two tone or stainless steel. I believe they keep these records. My guess is that it is a conversion for the following reasons:
1. Every "two tone" 1680 that I have seen posted on the net was a conversion.
2. There aren't very many of these conversions out there posted on the net.
3. It would be extremely unlikely that you have a true prototype on your wrist.
Good luck to you.

[Eric88]

Regardless of conversion or not, it's a cool watch. If you're worried about RSC not servicing it in this state, send it to Dalton or Bob Ridley.

[SPARTAN2161]

Sweet watch! Conversions were common back then. A lot of GMTs were convereted from Steel to TT.

[GP_Pirate]

Thanks so much for everyone's comments! I am still on a quest to confirm whether this is a conversion or original build. Some have suggested that I contact Rolex Geneve. The US RSCs do not have records on the configuration of new watches. If anyone has contacted Geneva seeking info on a specific watch, please share your experience with me.

Thanks again, Glenn