1978 Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 MK 2 Pumpkin dial

The Rolex Submariner ref. 1680 was the first in Submariner’s history to feature a date and, to ease the reading, the “cyclops” lens on the acrylic crystal, allowing for a 2.5x magnification.

 

Rolex introduced the Submariner 1680 in 1967 and continued to manufacture the reference until about 1980. However, the “Red” Submariner with its characteristic red name on the dial was only produced for the first part of the ref. 1680’s production run, until approximately 1976. The Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 ‘white’ was then born, with a production period from 1976/77 to 1979 only.

Offered for sale here is a lovely Rolex Submariner Ref. 1680 with pumpkin MK 2 dial which dates to 1978.

 

The black matte dial is superb, with very little signs of wear and featuring a vivid pumpkin patina and matching hands. The original silver date wheel and ‘open’ sixes and nines gives the watch tons of character too.

 

The case remains thick and sharp, following factory finishes, with some normal signs of wear for its age. The case back is found in the same condition. The original bezel insert is stunning, showing a petrol blue hue when exposed to sunlight. The original tritium pip is preserved.

 

The watch is running well and keeping time, although service history is unknown.

 

The acrylic crystal has some minor scratches.

 

It is suited on a Rolex Oyster 93150 stainless steel solid-links bracelet with 580 end links, clasp code T3 and divers’ extension that presents very little stretch and normal wear.

 

Macros of dial and case are available under request.