gilt dials and red submariners

shaun hk · Sep 13, 2016

I've long wondered how these came about. Was Rolex just trying out slightly different styles by using a red font on some sub's? Or were they sold as some sort of special edition? Similarly why use gilt on occasion, but not all versions of the same watch?
Cheers
Shaun

speedbird · Sep 13, 2016

Gilt dials were typical through the very early 60s, almost all the professional models avaliable then had gilt dials.

As for the red Subs, just a variation in font color, doesn't mean anything or have any special significance except for your wallet

sydneywatchguy · Sep 13, 2016

Yeah they would have thought nothing of the red text in the 70s

omitohud · Sep 13, 2016

As mentioned, gilt writing was used on probably all Rolex dials from that period. Don't quote me on that. It's for aesthetic purpose. It changed to white for all Rolex in 1966 I believe.

As for the red writing, I think they did it to distinguish the 1680 n 1665 from the king of sub, the original 5513. Remember even the 1665 were an iteration of the sub.

I blame it on the autoconnect.

Archer · Sep 14, 2016

omitohud
As mentioned, gilt writing was used on probably all Rolex dials from that period. Don't quote me on that. It's for aesthetic purpose. It changed to white for all Rolex in 1966 I believe.

As for the red writing, I think they did it to distinguish the 1680 n 1665 from the king of sub, the original 5513. Remember even the 1665 were an iteration of the sub.

I blame it on the autoconnect.

They made red and white 1680 subs at the same time...

omitohud · Sep 14, 2016

Archer
They made red and white 1680 subs at the same time...

Rolex switched from 1680 red to white in 73-74. I'm sure in those two years, there r some overlap.

I blame it on the autoconnect.

Archer · Sep 14, 2016

omitohud
Rolex switched from 1680 red to white in 73-74. I'm sure in those two years, there r some overlap.

I blame it on the autoconnect.

Yes exactly - they made red and white at the same time...

shaun hk · Sep 14, 2016

Thanks, I can stop Pondering this one now

adam78 · Sep 14, 2016

Some dials were gilt even back in the '30s.

gilt dials and red submariners

shaun hk

speedbird

sydneywatchguy

omitohud

Archer

omitohud

Archer

shaun hk

adam78

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