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Buying a 1680 need some advice

M
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I’m offer to purchase this 1680 for 12.3k usd. With outer box and inner box as well as the anchor and punch cert. This piece also come with the AD receipt from 1977. Showing that the first owner bought it for 530 usd. I am aware that the dial is a type B service dial, the hands looks like service hands too. One thing strange is that he bezel insert belongs to 16800/16610 rather than the 1680 bezel insert. The seller promise to change to a period correct one before sales. Base on the pictures, is there any other warning signs that I should missed out. Is it safe to proceed with the purchase after the insert being changed? Is it worth the money? Is the lug way over polished? Hope some season collectors can give some tips as this is gg to be my very first vintage sub. Many thanks in advance!
 
4686B42A-881A-4472-B557-39EA72F860B7.jpeg
sky21
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Hello, you seem to be pretty well researched into the intricacies of these vintage Subs. I don’t know where you live, but I see a few large compromises here with this watch while paying a very high price it seems. Unless this specific watch is perfect for you I personally would pass and wait for another one. Even though the Sub is very popular, there are lots of them around everywhere. Just a thought, good luck.
 
SeanO
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this should not be your first vintage Sub.

12k for a service dial and hands and only a period correct bezel not the original bezel.

your call...
 
M
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Im from Singapore, and I my country it’s seems like not a lot of 1680 floating in the market. Also I’m buying from a shop which provide 1 year warranty on movement. In that sense I feel safer to make the purchase rather than from an online seller from another country.
 
ATWG
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I'd pass, service dial & hands are absolute deal breakers for me. Why then buy vintage? Might as well go and buy a glossy dial (newer model) for a lot less.
 
sdre
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M MatthewZ
Im from Singapore, and I my country it’s seems like not a lot of 1680 floating in the market. Also I’m buying from a shop which provide 1 year warranty on movement. In that sense I feel safer to make the purchase rather than from an online seller from another country.
Bro I'm Singaporean too. Some posters here also based in sg. Don't get this from the shop or whatsoever. This is priced way way way too high. If you need some help, drop me a message.
 
watchknut
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Lumi service dial and hands=no fυcking way would I ever spend a penny on it.

Take your time and find a killer 5513.

$12k will get a nice example.

The white 1680 is the most ho-hum VR out there imo.
 
jaspert
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For that kind of money, i would wait and continue to hunt a better watch locally or import from reputable online seller like HQ Milton.
 
M
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watchknut watchknut
Lumi service dial and hands=no fυcking way would I ever spend a penny on it.

Take your time and find a killer 5513.

$12k will get a nice example.

The white 1680 is the most ho-hum VR out there imo.

If only I have not missed out on your 1680 u sold in October hahha
 
watchknut
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you can buy from Jacek for $19.5k if you really want it!
 
watchknut
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don't like the funk on some of the markers.

there are so many nice examples out there, so not settle.

honestly, just buy a 5513.
 
sdre
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Personally, i find singapore's market for vintage rolex to be very poor. Lots of examples but like you have shown, they are pretty poor/bad condition/refurbished/relumed.

I rather buy from Omega Forums, save the hassle, and for slightly lesser premiums, you get much much much better examples.
 
M
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sdre sdre
Personally, i find singapore's market for vintage rolex to be very poor. Lots of examples but like you have shown, they are pretty poor/bad condition/refurbished/relumed.

I rather buy from Omega Forums, save the hassle, and for slightly lesser premiums, you get much much much better examples.

Exactly, the market here is very limited and being a novice like me with lack of knowledge almost bought the very bad example ones. I love the patina on the vintage subs but feels like there are lots of uncertainties and factors to look into when buying a vintage. Also they can cost as much as a bnib two tone sub. Guess like what people say, vintage subs are not for the faint hearted and those with shallow pockets.
 
sdre
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M MatthewZ
Exactly, the market here is very limited and being a novice like me with lack of knowledge almost bought the very bad example ones. I love the patina on the vintage subs but feels like there are lots of uncertainties and factors to look into when buying a vintage. Also they can cost as much as a bnib two tone sub. Guess like what people say, vintage subs are not for the faint hearted and those with shallow pockets.

Before u drop 12k usd on a vintage sub, talk through some folks here. I learn a lot from @sensui and a few regulars who gave me indespensible advice on what to purchase.

The worse feeling would be to drop 12knon a sub that is relumed or redial or worse, wrong case.... It's a shit house here in Singapore. All my stuff I gotten is from omega forums or hqmilton (abit more expensive but it's honest. If it's a redial Jacek will say it's a redial)
 
southtexas
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As others have said, most of the value in that watch is gone (not to mention the angry watchmaker who polished it). I’d absolutely pass.
 
Faz
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Grossly over polished case + service dial/hands? And how in the hell did he get a 16800 insert into a 1680 bezel? Suggests tinkering around with the watch. Price? Ridiculous.

The white 1680 is a common vintage sports Rolex. If that's what you want, stay very patient and a good example at a fair price will pop up. My feeling is that you are anxious to get one? Stay cool and save ..

Good luck with the hunt.

Cheers
 
wsfarrell
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watchknut watchknut
Lumi service dial and hands
I'm a little new to Rolex; doesn't "SWISS -- T < 25" mean tritium dial?
 
wsfarrell
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Faz Faz
Grossly over polished case
As I said above, I'm a little new to Rolex. How do you tell from one photo that the case is grossly overpolished?
 
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