Rolex Submariner 1680

Vintage 1979 Rolex Submariner 1680 Yellow Gold

30,864.86 Circa 1979 124789 Vintage Mens No Box or Papers Yellow Gold Acrylic 40mm Aluminum Timing 5836XXX Black w/ Tritium hour markers, Mercedes hands & Tritium lume 1575 Automatic Bidirectional Date Yellow Gold Oyster Flip lock This Submariner is in great vintage condition with wear consistent with age. The case is in good condition with normal wear. The inside caseback is stamped "1680". The numbers are clearly visible between both sets of lugs. The hallmarks on the back of the one, seven, and 11 o'clock lugs are visible. The bezel insert is in good condition with some wear and scratches; it has some chips along the inner edge. The pip at 12 is a later replacement. The dial is in overall great condition with light patina. The lume on the dial has developed patina and aged to a pleasing creamy yellow color. The "nipple" hour markers and hands have developed patina. The lume in the hands have developed patina and match the color of the lume on the dial nicely.  The 18k yellow Oyster gold bracelet has 12 links and does not have a divers extension. The bracelet is in good condition with normal signs of wear and some stretch between the links which is not uncommon. The clasp is stamped "D" corresponding to the year 1979 and matches the year of production. The outside of the clasp shows signs of polishing to the Rolex crown.  The Rolex Submariner reference 1680 was the first submariner to feature a date wheel and cyclopes crystal and the first to be released in all gold. It was made approximately between 1966 and 1979 and is known as an excellent collector's watch. The all gold model is especially collectable as there were significantly fewer manufactured compared to their steel counterparts. Initially, the watch dial featured the metric system with meters first (200m=660ft), however around 1971 Rolex changed the dial to read feet first (660ft=200m) in order to accommodate the United States, which was becoming the manufacturer's largest market for the brand.