How many 1680 Red's out there?

[bertberr]

Just wondered if anyone had a rough idea of the number of Red's produced between 68/69 and 73/74?

I've seen the pie charts that give approx % for each dial type within total 1680 production, but never anything that alludes to the number actually made.

I appreciate there is very little if anything at all in the way of 'factory records', so I suppose it would be best guess territory, but interesting nonetheless.

Of course, a fair few of the original pieces would have had their red dials swapped out during routine RSC visits, so the number of originals that survive today can't be that great, at least compared to white 1680's or later models such as the 16800.

As an aisde, it would be good to know how many now reside here in the UK? I'll start us off...

1972 Mk.V, Devon.

[cruvon]

I think most charts you will see are only rough wild guess approximations. Rolex never released such information and neither is it easy to judge that based on serial numbers. A better guess would be to see how many metres first v/s feet first reds appear for sale and must say the feet first ones appear more frequently, so that could explain that the metres first ones are rarer.

Some of the reds with forumers here are on display here, enjoy
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=213333

[hatidua]

Originally Posted by bertberr

As an aisde, it would be good to know how many now reside here in the UK? I'll start us off...

1972 Mk.V, Devon.

I've met a handful of red-1680 owners and it's an understatement to say that none of them had heard of this site or even remotely realized the value of the watch they had owned for decades which had been on their wrist the whole time. I've never seen a 1680, in person, that is as scratch-free and museum quality as those I see posted here.

[bertberr]

Originally Posted by hatidua

I've met a handful of red-1680 owners and it's an understatement to say that none of them had heard of this site or even remotely realized the value of the watch they had owned for decades which had been on their wrist the whole time. I've never seen a 1680, in person, that is as scratch-free and museum quality as those I see posted here.

I agree with this. Late last year I was chatting to another vintage Sub enthusiast in the shop, when a customer standing nearby responded to my comments about wanting to get an 'old Sea Dweller'. He stepped over, raised his sleeve, and revealed a 'well used' Double Red... Funny thing was, he didn't once refer to it as a DR or even mention it. Just said he bought it new about 40 years ago, and it gets serviced once every 10 years or so by a little chap in a local watch shop...

It was clear that whilst fond of his 'old' Rolex, he hadn't got a clue as to its historical significance, and couldn't even be described as a WIS, never mind a vintage Rolex nut. He just wanted a 'nice' watch and liked the SD... It was rather nice really, in an innocent kind of way. I just said he ought to be careful when getting it serviced, and that it was 'probably' more valuable than he thought so to have it well insured!