Live Auction 2496Important Watches
Rolex. A Fine And Exceptionally Rare 18k Gold Automatic Meters First Wristwatch With Date, Center Seconds And Bracelet
Lot 103

Rolex. A Fine And Exceptionally Rare 18k Gold Automatic Meters First Wristwatch With Date, Center Seconds And Bracelet

SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, SUBMARINER, 200M=660FT, REF. 1680, CASE NO. 2'178'686, CIRCA 1969

Closed16 December 2011

Price Realised

USD 28,750

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Rolex. A Fine And Exceptionally Rare 18k Gold Automatic Meters First Wristwatch With Date, Center Seconds And Bracelet
Signed Rolex, Oyster Perpetual Date, Submariner, 200m=660ft, Ref. 1680, Case No. 2'178'686, Circa 1969
Cal. 1570 nickel-finished lever movement, 26 jewels, black dial, applied luminescent triangular, baton and disk numerals, magnified date aperture, center seconds, tonneau-shaped water-resistant-type case, bi-directional black bezel calibrated to 60 units, protected screw-down crown, screw back, 18k gold Rolex Oyster link bracelet with deployant flip lock clasp, case, dial and movement signed
39mm diam.

Specialist note

Accompanied by a Rolex red leather presentation box and additional bracelet link.


The Rolex Submariner Date, reference 1680 was introduced in 1969 in both stainless steel and 18k gold cases. Initially the watch dial featured the metric system with meters first (200m=660ft), however in approximately 1971 Rolex changed the dial to read feet first (660ft=200m) in order to accommodate the United States, which was becoming the manufacturers largest market for the brand. Rolex continued using the meters first dials however mostly with the examples stainless steel. It is exceptionally rare to find an 18k gold 1680 examples with the meters first dial.