In 1980 I bought a brand new steel and gold Submariner 1680 from an authorized dealer. The serial number is 6.1 mil. I was told that it was specially ordered from Rolex by another customer who later backed out of the sale.

Does anyone know if Rolex produced a production model steel and gold version at that time?

Thanks from a new member.
Glenn

and saphire glass. If your watch is indeed all original Rolex I would say it is very uncommon. Do
you have the original paperword punched stating it is two tone 1680? All the other 2tone 1680's I have ever seen are aftermarket conversions and I have been dealing since 1984.

I have the orginal punched warranty sheet, but don't recall if there is any mention of the two tone. The watch is at my office now and I cannot check it but will do so tomorrow and post the results, along with some pics.

If there is no mention on the paperwork, would it be possible to have Rolex verify it was shipped that way? Do you know if they keep such records? Can an expert tell the difference between a factory item and an aftermarket conversion?

thanks
Glenn

There was no officially-offered Rolex stainless steel/gold 1680 Submariner. Two-tone submariners did not enter the Rolex product line until the sapphire quick-set Subs of the 1980s. What most likely occurred was that the selling dealer "customized" the standard steel 1680 model per customer's request. This is not hard to do, after all, even using all authentic Rolex components. The only parts that will need to be changed with pieces from the gold model (1680/8) are as follows:

1. Bezel and insert;
2. Dial, hands and datewheel;
3. Crown; and
4. Swap standard all-steel Oyster band with two-tone Oyster band from 1675/3 GMT Master.

Presto, two-tone Submariner!

Michael

my now retired Rolex dealer would always thoroughly check any early TT piece to make sure that it was not a conversion of a SS piece which was very common at one time.

The first TT submariner to appear in any catalogue was the later non nipple dialled 16803.

Someome must have a period dealers  master watch catalogue to be able to verify the truth behind such pieces.

regards

John

is correct and very rare, not many were made. I used to have one with purple/blue dial, but sold it as the folded tu tone bracelet wasn't in good condition.

they are very rare. i have only seen two so far. both have nipple dial.

T

...it would seem an easy thing to create and I have never heard of a TT 1680 slowset from the Rolex factory before.
Any pix of these rare birds?
Thanks,
T.

had nipple dial and blue!!

Sorry - I dont know what a nipple dial is.

this 1675 was a conversion job except for the pointed crown guards case!!!!

TT watches was very hip in the 80ths so many all steel watches where pimped as the spare parts where cheap and avaliable at many more places then today

if the watch was a special order from rolex factory would it not have the serial in the caseback like the saudi and other special orders???

migth just be the AD that put it together and then it will still be regarded as a conversion job

check the caseback (any rolex watchmaker will be able to open it) and check your recipt and warranty paper if there is any text saying gold/steel or 18k/steel

either the watch is factory as the AD said but for me all i have seen has been later conversions, ie none of them had papers from rolex to back it

cheers
christian

PHOTOS IN PREVIOUS POST.

that it left the factory that way it will most likely be regarded by most as a conversion job

most special orders has the full serial inside the caseback but that was mostly done to big companys and military/goverments that orderd many watches a time

cheers
christian

but dial faded to purple

...but I have some questions:
-What is the clasp code on the bracelet?
-What reference #s are on the clasp & end pieces?
-Is it a fliplock clasp w/diver's extension?
-Do you know when the watch was last serviced? Because the hands & bezel insert appear to have have been replaced at some point.

Now maybe if this watch truly was a special order, Rolex Geneva can help you, as well. Because AFAIK by this period every special order piece is documented by Rolex. Also, you may want to have a watchmaker open the back & see if there is a serial # on the inside that matches the case #. That would also be characteristic of a special order watch.

But honestly I am quite skeptical since these do not appear in any Rolex literature and are simply too easy to create.
Best,
T.

No offense taken. Yes, I saw that watch too. It was not this one.

It's hard to read these but I believe:

The clasp is marked T8 and 78.363.18
End link 78363
End link cover 480

It is not a diver's bracelet.

The last major service @ Rolex was on 10/10/1998. It has been cleaned and oiled locally since, but not sent back to Rolex.

Yes, the hands, crown, crown tube, and bezel insert have all been replaced during major services. The bracelet itself was replaced during the last major service. I got the impression that Rolex insists on replacing whatever they deem necessary, including the bracelet. Perhaps I misunderstood, but it was nonetheless replaced.

It looks like contacting Rolex is the only sure way to verify whether or not this was a factory order.

Thanks for your help and any additional comments are welcome.

I called the Dallas Rolex service center and was told that they will not service any Rolex that is not in its original 'born' state. Seems like a rather strict policy. But if true, it would seem to support what the AD's contention that this was a custom order. It has been serviced by Rolex twice.

The lady also told me that they do not keep any records there, or anywhere else, to verify authenticity. They will provide an insurance value upon examintation of the watch. She stated that they will only do this for watches in their original state.

and ask for them to clarify what was the original configuration of your watch, secondily if  the watch is correct as a 1680/3 in what years were the model produced and for which markets and what was the configuration of the watch, e'g' did it come with oyster bracelet with divers extension.

Check with the Rolex Centre that performed the service to see what specification the watch was in when serviced by them. My understanding is that Rolex will not service watches which contain non Rolex parts, they have worked on a 1675/8 GMT with a modern 16518 Daytona leather strap and clasp on it, certainly not in  the original form.

Regards

 

John

Several members have suggested that I contact Geneva to determine if my 2 tone 1680 is original or a conversion. I was wondering if anyone else has had experience on obtaining information on a specific watch from them?

Also, I located a ROLEX repair center in Geneva from their website on 1211 Geneva 26. Is this the correct location?

Thanks for everyones comments and assistance!

Glenn

Has anyone contacted Rolex Geneve regarding info on a particular watch? If so, what do they provide? I am trying to determine if my 1680 2 Tone is an original build or a conversion. Would they have records of this going back 30+ years (and be willing to provide them)?

Also the only address I found on the Rolex site appears to be a service center on 1211 Geneva 26. Is this the correct address?

thanks so much for all the responses and suggestions!
Glenn

I am now the very pleased owner of this watch (my brother and I purchased it from the above original owner). It's gorgeous, first of all, and heavily documented.

The original punch-papers make no mention of it being TT, but ... RSC Dallas invoice from 1987 says "1680 St/G OPD Sub. Blk/? & Bz" and references the serial number. Bracelet is labeled as "St/G Oyster N/Exp 78363"

Planning on writing to RSC in the UK as I hear they're much better at this (hopefully to find out if it was factory vs. AD-made).

But either way, this TT 1680 definitely had the blessing of RSC Dallas in 1987 and again in 1998!

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