Vintage Rolex Red Writing Submariner 1680

This Submariner is in great, honest vintage condition consistent with age. The case is in good condition with scratches, indentations and normal signs of wear. The inner case back is engraved "1680" and "IV. 72." Between the lugs have some scratches, but the numbers are clearly visible. The bezel ring has remained sharp and the insert is in great condition with some scratches and wear; it has faded to a lovely grey color. The pip shows some wear and chipping; it might be a replacement. The matte black dial is in overall lovely attractive condition and has developed a unique textured spotted patina throughout; it can be hard to notice depending on the lighting. The lume has developed patina and aged to a lovely yellow color. The hands have developed patina and the lume in the hands has been color matched/ relumed to match the color of the lume on the dial; it works well together. It has a stainless steel 9315 Oyster bracelet with 12 links, no. 280 end links and divers extension. The clasp does not have a date stamp which is correct fot 1973. This bracelet has an error divers extension where "Patented" is spelled "Pateted." The bracelet is in overall good condition with some scratches and normal signs of wear; it has some stretch between the links which is not uncommon for this style bracelet. 

Rolex introduced the reference 1680 around 1969 and it was in production until roughly 1979. This was the first Submariner to feature the date function and Rolex still offers date and no-date models to this day. This example has the word "Submariner" written in red text and collectors refer to these as the "Red Submariner." Rolex did this until around 1975 and then they switched to all white text. Collectors have identified six different "Red" 1680 dial variations. This watch features a Mark IV dial, distinguished by the feet-first depth rating with open 6s and red "Submariner" text painted over white text. When looking closely at the divers extension in the bracelet, Rolex misspelled patented, it reads "Pateted." These error bracelets are becoming more sought after by collectors because they bring the watch to the next level of rarity. This example was sold through Bucherer in 1975 and comes with papers (no serial filled in) stamped by the retailer, a Submariner booklet stamped by the retailer, Rolex plastic green wallet, and an envelope from Bucherer that these were stored in all these years.