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Rolex 1680 purchase advice. Need help.

kusjoe78
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Hi everyone, I have recently been offered a Rolex Sub 1680 without box and papers. I have been reading a lot about 1680s but was still unsure how honest this piece is.

I would really appreciate any kind of inputs and help from members here.

I have been reading that there are some Vietnam cases of 1680 circulating and it worries me.

20191001_175322.jpg 20191001_175317.jpg 20191001_172933.jpg 20191001_172931.jpg 20191001_172822.jpg 20191001_172819.jpg 20191001_184353.jpg 20191001_184413.jpg
 
oinkitt
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The lugs appear to have been rather harshly "polished", especially the top left.

I couldn't live with it.
 
mrs_LA
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It looks good to me, even the fat font insert.

I do agree with oinkitt above, it's been harshly polished. But in today's watch tech, it's so easy to 'add material' and re-create factory chamfers. That just depends if you want to keep it 100%, or have it restored in some fashion.
 
kusjoe78
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Thanks @oinkitt ...yes, as you mentioned I noticed the lugs on the top and botton left are thinner.

Any other concerns regarding this? Are the case back original Rolex or are they Vietnamese cases as I have been reading that there are some in circulation.

Took some clearer pics, hope it helps
20191002_100106.jpg 20191002_100032.jpg
 
oinkitt
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mrs_LA mrs_LA
It looks good to me, even the fat font insert.

I do agree with oinkitt above, it's been harshly polished. But in today's watch tech, it's so easy to 'add material' and re-create factory chamfers. That just depends if you want to keep it 100%, or have it restored in some fashion.

I'm told the cost to weld and refinish a case is around 3k US.
 
mzinski
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kusjoe78 kusjoe78
Thanks @oinkitt ...yes, as you mentioned I noticed the lugs on the top and botton left are thinner.

Any other concerns regarding this? Are the case back original Rolex or are they Vietnamese cases as I have been reading that there are some in circulation.

Took some clearer pics, hope it helps
20191002_100106.jpg 20191002_100032.jpg
I think the case is fine. Look at the pitting on the midcase, back side. I think that would be pretty difficult to reproduce/fake.
 
mrs_LA
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kusjoe78 kusjoe78
Thanks @oinkitt ...yes, as you mentioned I noticed the lugs on the top and botton left are thinner.

Any other concerns regarding this? Are the case back original Rolex or are they Vietnamese cases as I have been reading that there are some in circulation.

Took some clearer pics, hope it helps
20191002_100106.jpg 20191002_100032.jpg

Now that you posted those pics, it looks like the "MARI" in SUBMARINER look suspiciously blurry in BOTH photos. Dial may have been retouched?

oinkitt oinkitt
I'm told the cost to weld and refinish a case is around 3k US.

I paid $1,150 to Rolliworks including service. LAWW would cost about $2-$3k, but I believe they are the 'industry standard'
 
mzinski
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Ps. Can you get a good profile picture of the case from the 3 and 9 sides?
 
Dan S
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When you see a badly corroded case, it's likely legit.
Edited:
 
oinkitt
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mzinski mzinski
I think the case is fine. Look at the pitting on the midcase, back side. I think that would be pretty difficult to reproduce/fake.
Its the case condition that's the problem. I don't believe it is counterfeit.
 
Ville_W
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Why worry about if the case is fake when it in this poor condition...
 
oinkitt
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I doubt Rolliworks would have done extensive laser welding and refinishing for 1150.
 
mrs_LA
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oinkitt oinkitt
I doubt Rolliworks would have done extensive laser welding and refinishing for 1150.

Doubt? I have the invoice and the watch to prove it. And that price includes service on the movement.
 
oinkitt
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mrs_LA mrs_LA
Doubt? I have the invoice and the watch to prove it. And that price includes service on the movement.

I'm not saying you don't . What I am saying is, I doubt your case needed or had the work done the would be required on the case pictured by the OP.

I did say extensive.
 
kusjoe78
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oinkitt oinkitt
I'm not saying you don't . What I am saying is, I doubt your case needed or had the work done the would be required on the case pictured by the OP.

I did say extensive.

Hi @mrs_LA and @oinkitt , really appreciate both inputs. The more I look at this the more it seems like the condition of the watch do really need extensive rework 🙁.
 
kusjoe78
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bags1971 bags1971
its original case but service dial

Thanks. The M in the Submariner does look smuddgy....is it due tonwrong handling of the dial?
 
oinkitt
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kusjoe78 kusjoe78
Hi @mrs_LA and @oinkitt , really appreciate both inputs. The more I look at this the more it seems like the condition of the watch do really need extensive rework 🙁.

I personally think its not a good choice. Its had a hard life.

Here is one of mine. Its been well used but never polished.

gZgrByv.jpg
 
wsfarrell
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I look at crown guards more than lugs, and these look pretty darn good for a watch that old. Dial also looks fine. The pitting is bothersome, though.
 
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