Rolex Submariner 1680 Harrods

There are Submariners, and then there are London Submariners.

This Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 1680, serial 5.6xx.xxx, belongs to that rare circle of watches delivered through Harrods, the most iconic retailer in the UK and one of the most fascinating chapters in Rolex distribution history. In the 1970s, purchasing a Rolex at Harrods was not just buying a watch — it was a statement of status, discretion, and international taste, often chosen by diplomats, military officers, and seasoned travelers passing through Knightsbridge.

The matte Tritium “pallettoni” dial is pure vintage poetry: oversized luminous plots, warm and evenly aged, paired with crisp white printing and the unmistakable depth that only original tritium can deliver. The result is a dial that doesn’t shout, but quietly commands respect — exactly as a true Submariner should.

What elevates this example into a different league is its FULL SET condition, something increasingly elusive today. Complete with original box, outer box with matching stickers, tags, booklets, calendar and cardholder, this is a time capsule that has survived untouched through decades of use, travel, and collecting evolution. A watch that tells not only the story of Rolex, but also of how Rolex was lived, bought, and worn.

This is not merely a Submariner. It is a fragment of London, of Harrods heritage, and of the golden age of tool watches — preserved exactly as it was meant to be.