Submariner 1680 advice

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Gui13250

·Oct 29, 2025

Hi all,
I’m currently looking for a 5513 or a 1680.
Indeed, after owning a 14060 then a 114060, I want to give a try to a vintage diver 😀

I’ve found this one, which is a bit expensive at 15900€ but the professional seller is ok to buy my 16570.

Here is the watch. Do you see any red flags ? What is your opinion on this one from 1977 ?

Thanks for your help

 

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Dan S

·Oct 29, 2025

Looks ok at first glance. What are your concerns? 16k euro is really a lot for a white 1680, in fact even 13k would be high, so I don't understand the pricing. You may think it's a good deal because you can trade in your other watch, but that will actually just give the dealer a second opportunity to shaft you. He will lowball you on the Explorer and then put a super high retail price on the Sub, and get you at both ends. Only do this if you don't care about money.

At 16k Euro, I think you could almost be getting a red Sub for that price, or maybe a white Sub with b&p. If I were going to have one 1680, it would definitely have the red text. In contrast with all the minor dial variations, the red text is actually noticeable, and makes a visual difference, IMO. If I were selling, I'd be happy to get 17k Euro for my Red sub and 13k Euro for my white sub, which has original box and warranty papers. Prices are still very soft, this isn't 2021.

Though TBH, while a 1680 is OK, these days I much prefer the no-date.

Edited: Oct 29, 2025

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 29, 2025

Thanks a lot for your reply.
Regarding the price, I think it is a bit high, but it seems to be the price for a good exemple in Europe. I don’t see other good exemple around 13k€.
They are buying my 16570 from 93 with box and paper for 7k€, which seems to be the average price.

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 29, 2025

I also have this offer on a 5513 for 12,5k euro, but case seems polished a lot, plus hands seems to have seem a lot of humidity

Well, I think I did not find the ONE yet 😀

 

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Dan S

·Oct 29, 2025

I agree the case is not great on the 5513. I guess if you are limited to buying from professional dealers, you will pay a high premium. Personally, I would try to connect with private sellers or follow auction listings.

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 29, 2025

Actually, I bought a lot of Constellation from private sellers. But regarding vintage Rolex, I’m a bit afraid of it because I do not have the knowledge for assessing them

 

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Davidt

·Oct 29, 2025

Gui13250

Actually, I bought a lot of Constellation from private sellers. But regarding vintage Rolex, I’m a bit afraid of it because I do not have the knowledge for assessing them

I’d trust many collectors more than some dealers.

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 29, 2025

Davidt

I’d trust many collectors more than some dealers.

I must say me too, but once again, with rolex, too many things to check !
I’ll let you know my research.
First, I need to sell my 16570 and 114060 !

 

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spacemission

·Oct 29, 2025

If there are not full set and service history, they seem expensive to me.

 

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calalum

·Oct 29, 2025

Definitely red Sub price territory, and at that price I would think you could get a perfect white Sub.

 

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Faz

·Oct 29, 2025

That case is too sharp to be true. The price is out of this world. I agree with the red sub option at this price point.

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 30, 2025

Another option, this 1680 for 11k€.
White the bezel is not in good shape, it seems original. Case and crown guard are scratched but with a lot of materiel from my point of view.
Patina on the dial is light, would it be a better option ? Or is the bezel too damaged ?

 

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Dan S

·Oct 30, 2025

That last one looks promising to me. You can always upgrade the insert and sell the current one, plenty of people are selling those.

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 30, 2025

Dan S

That last one looks promising to me. You can always upgrade the insert and sell the current one, plenty of people are selling those.

I’m waiting feedback from the seller.
For my learning, what make this one better from your point of view ?

 

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Olpes

·Oct 30, 2025

Gui13250

I’m waiting feedback from the seller.
For my learning, what make this one better from your point of view ?

The price 💸

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 31, 2025

Olpes

The price 💸

Well, I guess it is not all about the price 😉

 

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Dan S

·Oct 31, 2025

Gui13250

For my learning, what make this one better from your point of view ?

Better than what? There was nothing obviously wrong with the first 1680 but the price was crazy. I didn't like the case of the 5513 at the asking price. This one looks decent and the price is more in line with the market, IMO.

 

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abistodenas

·Oct 31, 2025

Hello everyone, currently having the same quest, I would like to make a small remark based on my numerous tests and exchanges with numerous professional sellers and collectors. the last 1680 is in the price and its build seems more sincere than the first, too clean and... potentially recharged? BUT this MK2 dial is in my eyes a problem because it is often much less fluffy than the MK1s, generating a prohibitive lack of relief.

 

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abistodenas

·Oct 31, 2025

Once we have noted that, the good configuration for a white 1680 is mk1 or mk3, homogeneous patina with box and papers. And there, it's rarely 16k... Supply and demand... As for the red sub, you have to be careful because many dials have been changed. It is necessary to check the match with the serial number.

 

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Gui13250

·Oct 31, 2025

abistodenas

Hello everyone, currently having the same quest, I would like to make a small remark based on my numerous tests and exchanges with numerous professional sellers and collectors. the last 1680 is in the price and its build seems more sincere than the first, too clean and... potentially recharged? BUT this MK2 dial is in my eyes a problem because it is often much less fluffy than the MK1s, generating a prohibitive lack of relief.

That’s intéresting.
But, is laser recharged a real issue if well done ?
What is the range of period for mk1 ?