Brand: Rolex
Model: Submariner Date
Reference: 1680
Year: 1978
Serial number: 5836XXX
Material: 18 carat yellow gold
Strap: leather
Diameter: 40 Millimeter
Condition: very good
Box&Papers: yes, full set
Description: Great 18 carat Nipple dial Submariner Date with box and papers from Germany and cool provenance.
The case is in very good condition. Certainly lightly polished in the past, it still shows full lugs, nice edges and a good matte finish on the top of the case. There are light signs of wear and a little sleeve polish, but overall it’s a great vintage case.
The wonderful black Nipple dial is magnificent. It has no damage, a clear print and is simply perfect in my opinion, because black dial in gold watch just fits perfectly. The best mix of classic and sporty if you ask me.
The patina of the indices is also wonderful and harmonious with the beautifully preserved tritium hands.
The bezel is still sharp and the inlay is a wonderful MK3 inlay with bold print. Why is this important? Because these watches with the later service inlays simply no longer look as cool as they do with an inlay such a this one.
The watch comes with box and papers from Germany. It was sold on 12.12.1979 by Rolex Lehmann in Pforzheim and is genuine German. Really German? Well, which other country do you know where people are so precise that they carry their own name stamp with them? I mean Dr. Tykwer was well organized in 79 when he went to the concessionaire with his own stamp 😉
By the way, the watch has a known previous owner. It comes from the collection of Michel Comte, a well-known Swiss photographer. The new owner receives confirmation of this from a very well-known Swiss watch expert.^
The watch comes on a leather strap in mint condition with the original 18 carat pin buckle. As you can see from the pictures of the reference and serial number, the case shows no wear on the strap and therefore this watch was originally sold on the leather strap.
Conclusion: The 1680 in gold is special. A diving watch in 18 carat yellow gold doesn’t make much sense at first but anyone who has it on their wrist will immediately know why it fits so perfectly!
