Gold Rolex Submariner 1680/8 Black nipple dial - mid 70s

Chrono24 asking prices are not a valid way to determine value. You will need to hunt down some auction sales, or just use your best judgement/experience. I don't think we can answer hypothetical questions, there is no short list of simple things to look for to judge authenticity, it requires knowledge and experience. But if you want to post photos and asking price of one specific watch you are considering, you might get some feedback. However, what you are shopping for is an obscure and unpopular model and if you aren't confident in your ability to authenticate a watch, perhaps you should contact a dealer and ask them to source it for you.

TBH those numbers are meaningless. Of course Rolex made very few gold Submariners. It’s a gold dive watch, come on, it’s ridiculous. For me, it’s hideous. It may appreciate or it may not, but it will never be easy to find a buyer. Personally I’d rather bet on a popular model than an unpopular model.

But there’s no accounting for taste, if you love the watch you should buy it. But not as an investment.

And if investment is your goal, you will need to be a very knowledgeable buyer to find a good one at a bargain price. Good investments are made at the buying stage. If you pay too much, you’re done.

Bob's has a nice one for a very reasonable $29,995!
https://www.bobswatches.com/vintage...62rBDXmxiQQcQTndBtTw-l2_pfQNa-4hoCOJcQAvD_BwE

There is no need for a new thread, IMO.

That is a badly abused example. What is the asking price?

The case is awful. Nubby crown guards, lugs completely misshapen, original finish totally gone, cratered lug holes, bezel ring also badly over polished. There are no brushed surfaces remaining at all on the case or bracelet. The bracelet is totally thrashed, stretched, polished, and bent. If you had to ask if it was polished, I would suggest using google to find some good examples to train your eye.

I imagine it would take a couple thousand minimum of laser welding and refinishing by an expert to fix the case, and another thousand or two to restore the bracelet. The bezel insert is also obviously not correct. You'd need to replace that. Needs a new bezel ring also (not cheap), and obviously a crystal. Plus whatever service/repairs are needed for the movement. There are severe signs of rotor rub inside the case-back, which is not surprising given how the watch was treated.

As it stands, it's not a watch for a collector, but assuming the dial is correct and original, it could be restored. In your place, I'd budget $8k-$10k to get it right.

That's just what jumped out at me immediately. The condition of the dial and handset looks decent at first glance, but I really don't know the nuances of the nipple dials well enough to tell you if it's correct. If you're seriously considering this watch, you really need to know if that dial is legit and correct, and you need to study it with that crystal out of the way. I think that might mean finding someone who is an expert in this reference. Paying a consultant might be a good approach.

This might be the worst gold bracelet I’ve ever seen.

My gawd…

Wow. That is one terrible case and a worse bracelet. I wouldn’t look twice at that watch unless it was barely above gold price.

The cost, time and effort needed to make it acceptable will far outweigh its value

This watch is a toasted marshmallow

Echoing the above - this one likely is not worth bothering with, and will always have too many issues to be a likely candidate for any store of value. I was looking for one of these recently, and if you want a half decent one it’s going to be in that 30k area ( a couple of good ones I was considering went for slightly above that). The Bob’s one does look fair, and you know there shouldn’t be any issues with it from that seller. Please post a few pics of your 1991 blue boy!

Much nicer, albeit later and so not nipple one here at Menta

https://mentawatches.com/product/rolex-18kt-gold-16618-submariner-4/