# 1971 Rolex Submariner 1680 Red Sub Spider Dial Stainless Steel

- Link: https://palazzowatches.com/product/1971-rolex-submariner-1680-red-sub-mexican-jubilee-vintage-tritium-spider-dial/
- Published: 2025-12-04T15:04:25-05:00
- Author: Michael Martucci

## Details

- Stock number: 954GS
- Availability: Out of stock
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Brand: Rolex
- Year: 1971
- Reference: 1680
- Dial Color: Black
- Condition: Pre-owned
- Movement: Automatic
- Case Size: 40mm
- Offered by: Palazzo Watches & Gems, Jersey City, NJ

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.