1971 Rolex Submariner 1680 Red Sub Spider Dial Stainless Steel

The Rolex Submariner Date 1680 is one of the most historically important references in the entire Submariner lineage — the first Submariner to feature a date complication, and the only date Submariner produced with a domed acrylic crystal. Manufactured from 1969 through 1979, the 1680 carries the distinction of being the date-displaying Submariner of choice for an entire generation of divers, explorers, and military service members. This 1971 example dates to the prized “red-text” production window: from 1969 through approximately 1975, Rolex printed the word “SUBMARINER” on the dial in red rather than the standard white that followed, creating one of the most sought-after dial variants in vintage Rolex collecting. The 40mm stainless steel Oyster case is paired with the bidirectional rotating aluminum bezel insert and the original domed acrylic crystal — the optical signature of vintage Submariners before sapphire arrived with the 16800 in 1979. The matte black dial features applied tritium hour markers (now aged to a warm patina), white Mercedes hands, the cyclops-magnified date at 3 o’clock, and the namesake red “SUBMARINER” script above 6 o’clock. Powered by the chronometer-certified Rolex Caliber 1575 self-winding movement, the 1680 is water resistant to 200 meters and remains one of the most desirable vintage tool watches Rolex ever produced. Pre-owned, 1971 production.

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