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Rolex Submariner 1680 "Red Sub Mk5" — view 1 of 6
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Rolex Submariner 1680 "Red Sub Mk5"

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Rolex (maker)
Date
c. 1972
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
Product 15451136917780
Credit line
Dealer listing, Collectors Corner NY (product 15451136917780)
Catalogue title (original)
Rolex Submariner 1680 "Red Sub Mk5" - *Unpolished* (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Collectors Corner NY (dealer), New York (stock number Product 15451136917780), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1972. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Collectors Corner NY

The Rolex Submariner was first introduced by Rolex in 1953 and is notable for being one of the first watches specifically designed for diving. Beyond its technical capabilities, the Submariner has become an icon in the world of watches, with a timeless design that has remained largely unchanged since its introduction. It is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential watches of all time, and has become a symbol of Rolex's reputation for quality, durability, and precision. The Sub has been worn by everyone from professional divers and military personnel to Hollywood celebrities and heads of state, cementing its place in the pantheon of iconic watches. This Submariner, circa 1972, is affectionately referred to by collectors as the "Red Sub" due to its red model text on the dial. Compared to the normal reference 1680s of the era, these pieces have a special aura and have become very desirable in top condition. This example on offer is a rare find in that it appears to be in completely untouched condition. The "mk5" dial boasts "creamy" patina matching the hands which contain their tritium lume from factory. The case appears unpolished with very sharp edges, lug holes and normal signs of use. It also benefits from an attractive grey/blue faded insert which offers a big part of its charm. This piece is paired to a Rolex folded link 9315/380 that appears unpolished and shows a '71 date code and light stretch. It retains 11 links fitting an approximate 7.25 inch wrist. We're thrilled to offer this gorgeous example which has just come from a full service and is ready to enjoy for years to come. Explore more of our vintage Rolex watches .

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Dive and water-resistant watches

Keeping water and dust out of a wristwatch was a long-standing challenge. Rolex's screw-down Oyster case (1926) and Omega's Marine (1932) were landmarks; in the early 1950s Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Rolex's Submariner defined the professional dive watch with rotating bezels for timing dives, luminous dials and high water resistance. The ISO 6425 standard (1982) later codified what a 'diver's watch' must do.

Dive watches became icons of post-war design and exploration, and their evolution — helium escape valves, ceramic bezels, saturation-diving depth ratings — records the history of underwater work.

What to look for

  • Unidirectional or bidirectional rotating bezel with minute markings.
  • Screw-down crown and case back; depth rating printed on the dial.
  • Luminous hands and markers (radium before c. 1960, tritium c. 1960–1998, then Super-LumiNova).
  • Reference numbers on the case between the lugs or inside the back.

Dating clues

  • Screw-down Oyster cases: from 1926.
  • Professional dive watches: from 1953.
  • Tritium 'T' marks on dials: c. 1960–1998.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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