Reference 1680 was launched in the second half of the 1960s and was the first Submariner to feature a date indication. In the earlier years of the model’s production, red text was used for the word ‘Submariner’ found at 6 o’clock. Several variations of “red Submariner” dials exist, with the most notable differences affecting the second line of text – the depth rating - found at 6 o’clock. The earliest of these had a depth rating with the meters positioned first, followed by the rating in feet.

The present lot is a desirable, early “meters-first” version. Its desirability is further enhanced by the fact that it is also a coveted “tropical dial” that has aged to a warm and uniform shade of dark chocolate brown. The matching, luminous hour markers and hands have also aged in perfect harmony, being light beige in color. With its well-preserved case, this watch is a beautiful example of a highly desirable and collectible reference that can easily be worn on a daily basis.