Rolex Submariner 1680 red writing MK4

Rolex Submariner "Red Sub" 1680 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 1975.

When the ref. 1680 appeared on the market, it was the first Rolex Submariner to feature a date complication – breaking away from the original line of Submariner watches with time-only dials. Yet, this wasn’t the first Rolex dive watch with a date window since the Sea-Dweller had already made its debut that same year. While the Sea-Dweller did not include a Cyclops magnification lens above the date window at 3 o’clock, the Submariner ref. 1680 did, and a Cyclops lens has made an appearance on every single Rolex Submariner Date model ever since

The reference 1680 was the very first date-displaying Rolex Submariner model, which makes it an especially important reference in the history of the brand’s famous dive watch. Like many vintage Rolex watches, the Submariner Date ref. 1680 came in several iterations and the so-called “Red Sub” models are some of the most collectible of them all. Its nickname may be simple – the Red Sub gets its name from the red Submariner text on the dial.

Our red sub has an MK4 dial, feet first graphic, open 6, in epic condition. The yellow tritium color is every collector's dream as the silver/grey fading of the bezel that looks amazing. The case is intact, never polished. The bracelet is still solid and taut.