Vintage Rolex Submariner Date 1680 40mm (1978)

16 years after the Submariner made its debut, Rolex decided to produce a version with a date. The Rolex 1680 is the first Submariner with a date function, introduced in 1967 and produced until around 1980. It features a Cyclops lens over the date, an acrylic crystal, and the Caliber 1575 movement. Early models are famous as the “Red Submariner” due to the red “SUBMARINER” text on the dial, a feature phased out around 1975 for white text. The reference also introduced a more luxurious, less tool-focused identity for the line, with a solid gold version (1680/8) becoming available alongside the stainless steel model. The model with the date would eventually supersede the popularity of the original, non-date Submariner version, by a substantial margin and would still today, divide the market into two camps – one who adoringly looks on the first generation as the Golden years of Rolex and the other, who looks towards the future with excitement on what next is to come from the Rolex powerhouse. 

Please note, this piece comes with service papers from the brand and its original box. It does not have the original papers.

Specifications:

• Model: Submariner Date, 1680
• Year: 1978
• Dial: Black matte dial with luminous hour markers
• Crystal: Hesalite / Acrylic
• Bezel: Black aluminium unidirectional rotating bezel
• Case Size: 40mm
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Bracelet: Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
• Movement: Rolex Calibre 1575, automatic
• Water Resistance: Not recommended – only light water exposure