Vintage?

[snog]

not sure if what I'm looking for would be classed as vintage,would love my first Rolex to be one without the number indices surrounds,I love the look of well aged lume,so was wondering what would be a good model number to start with,would I just be as well buying the last model before they introduced the surrounds or would I be better with an earlier model,I understand prices can be a lot highter for Red subs etc but as it's my first, my only criteria is great looking lune,and a watch I don't need to baby too much,cheers for any help.

[Beaumont Miller II]

I think the model you should consider would be a 1680 White dial Submariner with a serviced movement and pressure tested case for the following reasons:

1. This is the bread and butter go to watch for people looking to make their first vintage purchase. Should you decide to sell it down the road later, not going to be a problem.
2. While many feel that the 5513 without the date feature is the ultimate watch tool watch, the date feature on the 1680 is a nice additon.
3. People tend to worry about their vintage Rolex getting wet. The 1680 with its depth rating of 660 ft is plenty deep. Just get it pressure tested.
4. One thing I personally like about the 1680 versus the 1675 is the size of the crown. When I have to reset the date and time on the Gmt, unwinding the small crown is more difficult than with the larger crown on the 1680.
5. Presently, the price of the 1680's without box and papers are pretty low in my opinion and represent a lot of value for someone who wants to test the vintage Rolex waters.

Good luck.

[Robbyvm]

+1

5513 is indeed a great alternative if you can live without a date

[mike]

Great advise given above.

I suppose given the criteria you mentioned a thought might be given to the early transitionals--16750 and 16800.

While some might not consider them vintage in the truest sense the combination of a matt dial sans WG surrounds and more modern fast beat movements give what some feel is the best of both worlds.

Additionally the advent of a ture quick-set date feature with these is nice.

Good luck.

[snog]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

I think the model you should consider would be a 1680 White dial Submariner with a serviced movement and pressure tested case for the following reasons:

1. This is the bread and butter go to watch for people looking to make their first vintage purchase. Should you decide to sell it down the road later, not going to be a problem.
2. While many feel that the 5513 without the date feature is the ultimate watch tool watch, the date feature on the 1680 is a nice additon.
3. People tend to worry about their vintage Rolex getting wet. The 1680 with its depth rating of 660 ft is plenty deep. Just get it pressure tested.
4. One thing I personally like about the 1680 versus the 1675 is the size of the crown. When I have to reset the date and time on the Gmt, unwinding the small crown is more difficult than with the larger crown on the 1680.
5. Presently, the price of the 1680's without box and papers are pretty low in my opinion and represent a lot of value for someone who wants to test the vintage Rolex waters.

Good luck.

thanks for that,just the info I was looking

[snog]

Originally Posted by mike

Great advise given above.

I suppose given the criteria you mentioned a thought might be given to the early transitionals--16750 and 16800.

While some might not consider them vintage in the truest sense the combination of a matt dial sans WG surrounds and more modern fast beat movements give what some feel is the best of both worlds.

Additionally the advent of a ture quick-set date feature with these is nice.

Good luck.

now I can see why the prices can sky rocket for a seemingly small difference,now you mention it a fast beat would be prefered.

so can the two you mention 16750/16800 come with and without the number indices surrounds,hence the term transitional,sorry for the noob questions.

[mike]

Originally Posted by snog

now I can see why the prices can sky rocket for a seemingly small difference,now you mention it a fast beat would be prefered.

so can the two you mention 16750/16800 come with and without the number indices surrounds,hence the term transitional,sorry for the noob questions.

Yes they can.

Both references at their introduction were issued with the traditional matt dials of the eariler vintage references. During the mid 80s both were changed to a gloss dial with WG surrounds as Rolex moved into what some have called the "luxury era".

Both references introduced several at the time firsts for Rolex.

The 16750 brought the quick-set date feature to the GMT as well as a new 3xxx movement. For whatever reason the WR rating was increased to 100M as opposed to the 50 WR of the 1675 though both use an acryllic crystal.

The 16800 was the first diver to use a 120 click ratching uni-directional bezel as well as a quick-set date with the 3xxx movement. Additionally with the use of a sapphire crystal WR went to the 300M we see today.

Pics,

[snog]

Cheers Mike for that info,I'm starting to see past the model numbers now which is very helpful

[Beaumont Miller II]

Mike I love the 16800 and feel that it is very under appreciated...good advice. Sapphire crystal with matte dial what's not to love? The only thing I would add, if I may, is to be sure to get a correct early original matte dial version as opposed to later serial number case with the gloss dial with white gold surrounds incorrectly swapped out for the matte dial. Good luck and look forward to seeing some pics.

[Puffy]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

Mike I love the 16800 and feel that it is very under appreciated...good advice. Sapphire crystal with matte dial what's not to love? The only thing I would add, if I may, is to be sure to get a correct early original matte dial version as opposed to later serial number case with the gloss dial with white gold surrounds incorrectly swapped out for the matte dial. Good luck and look forward to seeing some pics.

copy that

[Robbyvm]

16800 is great but are you sure you won't miss the plexi... ? it's so damn sexy...

[snog]

Originally Posted by Robbyvm

16800 is great but are you sure you won't miss the plexi... ? it's so damn sexy...

I have a vintage Omega with a hesalite crystal so yes the plexi crystal may have me

[snog]

just been reading up on the 1680 thanks Beaumont Miller II and an added attraction is I might be able to source my birth year example,as it spans my birth year, which would be cool, was also the first sub to use the date magnifier (is that true I thought the cyclops was introduced around the 1950s?).

here's a cool video,and the 1680 looks so good in it (bet you guys have seen it before but just incase...)

[aussiewatchnut]

This is all great info. I'm also looking at my first vintage Rolex because I love the classic look of the plexi and no surrounds. Thanks guys.

[FNFZ4]

Originally Posted by mike

Yes they can.

Both references at their introduction were issued with the traditional matt dials of the eariler vintage references. During the mid 80s both were changed to a gloss dial with WG surrounds as Rolex moved into what some have called the "luxury era".

Both references introduced several at the time firsts for Rolex.

The 16750 brought the quick-set date feature to the GMT as well as a new 3xxx movement. For whatever reason the WR rating was increased to 100M as opposed to the 50 WR of the 1675 though both use an acryllic crystal.

The 16800 was the first diver to use a 120 click ratching uni-directional bezel as well as a quick-set date with the 3xxx movement. Additionally with the use of a sapphire crystal WR went to the 300M we see today.

Pics,

Wow, I learned something new today. Thank you for this post. Very Informative.

Does the 16750 120 click ratching Bi-directional bezel, Sir?

[1675-David]

watch in video is not a 1680...or a rolex for that matter

[snog]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

watch in video is not a 1680...or a rolex for that matter

the video I linked?

[1675-David]

correct !!!

[snog]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

correct !!!

a man of few words!

can someone confirm this and I will remove the link,thanks

[hatidua]

-video features a Rolex 5513.

[snog]

Originally Posted by hatidua

-video features a Rolex 5513.

thank you for checking that

ofc I should have seen it didn't have a date,still it was one of the watches I'm interested in,either a 5513 1680 or 16800.

not sure why 1675-David said it was not even a Rolex?

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by hatidua

-video features a Rolex 5513.

[MP5]

Originally Posted by snog

thank you for checking that

ofc I should have seen it didn't have a date,still it was one of the watches I'm interested in,either a 5513 1680 or 16800.

not sure why 1675-David said it was not even a Rolex?

It's a replica, hence, "not even a Rolex"

[Robbyvm]

i don't know, there's something strange about the dial....
the f seems a little short, the = seems a little out of place, the coronet ?...

you specialists confirm that the 5513 in the video is genuine ?

[MP5]

Originally Posted by Robbyvm

i don't know, there's something strange about the dial....
the f seems a little short, the = seems a little out of place, the coronet ?...

you specialists confirm that the 5513 in the video is genuine ?

Nothing about it is genuine, 100% fake

[snog]

well I can no longer remove the link so if a mod could do that for me please.


welcome to the world of Vintage Rolex

[mike]

Originally Posted by snog

well I can no longer remove the link so if a mod could do that for me please.


welcome to the world of Vintage Rolex

Taken care of.

[mike]

Originally Posted by FNFZ4

Wow, I learned something new today. Thank you for this post. Very Informative.

Does the 16750 120 click ratching Bi-directional bezel, Sir?

It is bi-directional, but it's friction fit.

[snog]

Originally Posted by mike

Taken care of.

Cheers Mike

[clay1680]

Originally Posted by Beaumont Miller II

I think the model you should consider would be a 1680 White dial Submariner with a serviced movement and pressure tested case for the following reasons:

1. This is the bread and butter go to watch for people looking to make their first vintage purchase. Should you decide to sell it down the road later, not going to be a problem.
2. While many feel that the 5513 without the date feature is the ultimate watch tool watch, the date feature on the 1680 is a nice additon.
3. People tend to worry about their vintage Rolex getting wet. The 1680 with its depth rating of 660 ft is plenty deep. Just get it pressure tested.
4. One thing I personally like about the 1680 versus the 1675 is the size of the crown. When I have to reset the date and time on the Gmt, unwinding the small crown is more difficult than with the larger crown on the 1680.
5. Presently, the price of the 1680's without box and papers are pretty low in my opinion and represent a lot of value for someone who wants to test the vintage Rolex waters.

Good luck.

I say 1680 all the way (authentic of course). Great advice above from Beaumont!

Here's my birth year 1680...