Buying a 1680 need some advice

Faz

Early luminova service dials have the T < 25 print. A paradox..later dials have "Swiss" only

M MatthewZ

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!

Ninja2789

Definitely pass for $12k. For that price you can get a much nicer 1680 without the service dial.

While I understand your concern with purchasing from an individual through a forum, you can certainly derisk your purchase by doing a bit of homework. There are plenty of dealers that sell on OF/WUS/etc that have tons of referrals and previous transaction records.

As an example, here's a 1680 in pretty decent condition for less than $12k with much better patina. Is this 1680 perfect? No. But already you have a better example at a lower price point.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/207673/message/1511661609/FS- 1978 Rolex Submariner 1680

Hope this helps. You're already ahead of the game asking for help BEFORE you've put out money.