168
Rolex
Ref. 1680
Submariner
A fine and rare yellow gold wristwatch with sweep centre seconds, "tropical" dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$150,000 - 250,000
HK$175,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1978
- Reference No
- 1680
- Movement No
- D901514
- Case No
- 5'726'776
- Model Name
- Submariner
- Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18k yellow gold <em>Rolex Oyster </em>bracelet, 200 mm. maximum length
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18k yellow gold <em>Rolex </em> twinlock folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex SA
- Dimensions
- 39 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Vintage gold Submariners, reference 1680 with date, are very rare watches and are seldom seen at auction. The present example with original gold Oyster bracelet is further enhanced by its "tropical" original "nipple" dial. The original deep blue dial with gilt graphics has turned purple but the centre has continued to age, turning "tropical" brown giving the watch immense character and a very refined look. The luminous hands and numerals have aged consistently together giving a very warm orange tone.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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