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Lot 176
Rolex. An early, rare and attractive 18K gold automatic wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, date and bracelet
SIGNED ROLEX, OYSTER PERPETUAL DATE, SUBMARINER, REF. 1680/8, 200M=660FT, CASE NO. 2'178'686, MOVEMENT D372283, CIRCA 1969
Closed13 May 2013
Price Realised
CHF 22,500
More Information
Specialist note
Accompanied with Rolex red fitted presentation box.
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 manufacturer's largest market for the brand. Rolex continued using the meters first dials however mostly with the stainless steel examples. It is exceptionally rare to find an 18k gold 1680 example with the meters first dial.
The present watch also features a fliplock bracelet that allows its owner to wear the watch both when diving and in everyday life through an ingenious system that is hidden in the clasp. Connaisseurs won't be misled by the spelling mistake on the clasp where one can read "PATETED" instead of "PATENTED". This spelling mistake is known to be very specific to this early generation.
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 manufacturer's largest market for the brand. Rolex continued using the meters first dials however mostly with the stainless steel examples. It is exceptionally rare to find an 18k gold 1680 example with the meters first dial.
The present watch also features a fliplock bracelet that allows its owner to wear the watch both when diving and in everyday life through an ingenious system that is hidden in the clasp. Connaisseurs won't be misled by the spelling mistake on the clasp where one can read "PATETED" instead of "PATENTED". This spelling mistake is known to be very specific to this early generation.