Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1977
    Reference No: 1680
    Movement No: D612'460
    Case No: 5'221'662
    Model Name: Submariner
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster, max. length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Twin lock deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Launched officially in 1966, the reference 1680 was the first of the Rolex Submariner family to include the date. Reference 1680 was simultaneously Rolex's first diving watch and first Submariner to be encased in gold, which is roughly 10 years before the gold Royal Oak and gold Nautilus.

    Most commonly seen in steel with a black dial and bezel, the present example has a desirable and rare color combination, as it is encased in yellow gold with a beautiful blue dial and bezel. The dial is accented with raised, round and rectangular-shaped yellow gold applied luminous hour markers.

    Made in 1977, it is in overall original condition, with crisp hallmark engravings, including a Rolex import mark used for the French market. Fitted on its original yellow gold Rolex Oyster-style bracelet, this watch is virtually untouched and is an exceptional example of this highly desirable reference.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 1680
A rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with bracelet and blue sunburst dial

1977
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF10,000 - 15,000 

Sold for CHF30,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm