1680 dial restoration

[s1967]

I have 1680 sub, dial has been poorly re-lumed in the past. Should I try to find vintage replacement dial or restore current dial? Family heirloom, plan on using not selling. Oh, could you name a good place to shop for new dial.....or a good restorer. Thanks -skip

[BiG JeEzY]

That is a good question, you will definitely get different answers from each person you ask. Many vintage collectors will of course tell you to go fot the vintage dial because it is more collectible that way and because that was how the watch was originally designed to look. Many vintage collectors like to preserve the orginal look of a watch, in other words, keep all the original parts intact.

However, my honest opinion is that I think you should get the dial on your 1680 refinished instead. One reason I say that is because you dont plan to sell the watch. I also did a redial on my 1675 GMT 1 and I can say that I like the look of the watch more now than before it had the redial. The superluminova gives a vintage watch a nice and different look I think. Plus, I say do a redial becuase it can be hard to find a 1680 dial in good condition so it saves you from all that searching for another dial.

In the end, it is still all up to you. Welcome to the forum as well! Glad to have you aboard!

[mike]

Hey Skip,

Well, I guess you have a couple options, but it depends on what you want to do with the watch.
If you want to try to have the original re-done, you might give these guys a call, Jack does some pretty good work.

http://www.angelfire.com/blues/andca...Firstpage.html

You can shop for an original dial that is correct for the vintage (Red or White), but pricing on vintage parts is a bit crazy and matching the hands might be a task. It can probably be done but $$$$

The other option is a service replacement dial. To do that your watch will have to go to RSC for a complete service plus the dial and hands(mandatory on a replacement dial) pricing will be in the neighborhood of $750 to $800 for all.
OR--
Try to locate a watchmaker with a parts account to order the dial and hands and put them in. Rolex will want the old dial and hands as turn in.
To a collector this will impact the value of the watch, but it will be 100% functional. As the 1680 was never issued with a gloss dial your replacement will be of the matt nonWG type.
I have one that went through RSC because I wanted a 100% functional 1680--my favorite diver,
Looks like this,


Lume,



Of course a period correct dial will look like this,


Good luck!!

[s1967]

Thanks for your advice. I think I will go the RSC route. Your's looks great! I just want this to be a daily driver and I don't have time to scour the web for authentic parts. I just want to make sure I'm not jumping in too fast with my limited knowledge on the matter. I may just leave it alone for now....I kinda like the beat up look. I've thrown my datejust in the safe and don't even take this sub off to sleep. Thanks for the advice. -s

[bwalkerVintage]

I also chose the RSC route for my 1675. Now I have a Vintage watch that is basically brand new and fully functional. I definitely feel that for me, it was the correct decision.