Question: 1680 white dial variations

[5512vs5513]

Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy this 1680 white. Everything looked great. Nice insert, nice patina, thick lugs, tight bracelet, etc. And on top of it all, I was told that it was all original to the watch. But upon closer inspection, I noticed the M from meters has a little curve at the end I had not seen. I checked from different sources the different mk dials, and all of them have a flat M. I did notice the curvature on some of the 1680/8 but none in steel. Any feedback on this? Everything else checks, but this one little thing. I appreciate all the help!!

Thanks!!

[sfc rick]

I know my 1680 has the service dial with the open 6's and the flat "m". Yours does not have either so maybe some one with actual knowledge can help.

[TimeToGo]

One of the best TRF 1680 white sub discussions is found here:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=192774

[5512vs5513]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

One of the best TRF 1680 white sub discussions is found here:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=192774

Thank you. I saw that one, but failed to see anything relating to that curved M. All posts of all mk dials seem to have a strainght M :/

[thomaspp]

Can you post a larger picture of the dial? Also post the case and bezel if you can. I'm sure many of our knowledgeable members will chime in.


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[springer]

The posted dial has attributes from the Mark I and Mark II white-lettered dials, but is neither. It is almost not a Mark III or Mark IV.

It is not the service dial, or the "toothpaste" service dial.

Not much left to choose from except being refinished.

[77T]

Also note that on the dial you're looking to buy, the "C" in CHRONOMETER is "right" of the equal sign in the line above it. Despite many font and spacing changes over the different dials, no original dial is spaced that way.

[5512vs5513]

Here are 2 more pics...Insert, pearl and patina look great, imho. But that little curve on the M has me wary. Is this maybe some other mk variation? or maybe just better to pass?

[roro]

Sorry for chiming in a bit late. I don't know if you've gotten to the bottom if this mystery yet or not but that dial isn't one I'm familiar with. It could be a redial or a service dial which is OK depending on the price of the watch. What is the serial/year of production? One thing you could do is go on Chrono24 and check all the dials you can on 1680 whites from that time period and see if any others have that dial. If you don't find another one like it, chances are that its a redial. It still doesn't eliminate the possibility of a service dial though but at least you'll get closer to solving the case. Good luck and let us know what you find out.

[yannis]

Could it be a variety that has never been noted before?

The top and tail of the f in feet is also odd and unlike the other dials.

[buenosdias]

No. The font doesn't match any existing font on other dials.
Refinished or fake. BTW...The word "chronometer" and other parts of the text looks like painted with mouth or feet ;-)
Insert is AM to me, too. No service, no MK1, MK2 and not a MK3 (that it pretends to be).

[J!m]

I don't like the font style of the "swiss" at the bottom. Add that to Springer's post and I say run away unless all else is good a price is well below market.

I believe this to be a reproduction dial. (or re-print if you prefer that term, but not original Rolex). But, with a bad dial, it could be a bad case too... It needs really close and careful scrutiny (in person) before I personally would risk that.

How does it read with a geiger counter?

[azguy]

I think that dial is a fake IMHO