1977 Rolex MK1 1680 Submariner

Description:

Steel composotion, black bezel and dial with large tritium lume plots for legibility, Cyclops three o’clock date, triple-lock crown with guards…what more do you need?

Rolex’s 1680 is a watch that needs no explaining – what you see is what you want. When tool watches were introduced to the world in the mid-1950s, Rolex’s Public Relations Director Rene-Paul Jenneret saw, beneath great depths, a gap in the market where utility was yet to shine. His ideas resulted with the creation of the Submariner and GMT marquees, and early iterations of these tools remain progenitor to the industry wide obsession with sport watches today. Several iterations of this timepiece came with co-branded stampings from both fashion jeweler Tiffany and environmental engineers COMEX, engendering the Submariner with both casual and caustic utility.

Perhaps later model 1680s lack the hype of earlier ‘Reds’, but these examples remain Rolex’s version of the most perfectly simple and perfectly legible submersible tool with utility enough for any occasion. Perhaps a date wheel is not needed in pure diving functions however, the 1680 brings forth a history as a dive tool along with the modern functionality of a watch that belongs at home on land as much as it does under water.

This specific example has light yellow beige patina and a MK1 dial. The “L” in Rolex lines up perfectly with the crown offering a bit of symmetry to those that are ocd challenged. The case has been recently polished but is done so beautifully with sharp bevels and thick lugs throughout.

Case: Excellent condition, sharp lug bevels

Dial: Matte black, soft white lume, pumpkin in-hand tritium

Bracelet: Oyster steel case, tight