The first gold Submariner!

The Rolex Submariner is the ultimate tool watch. The Submariner was created as a dive watch to accompany from the beach bar to the deepest parts of the ocean. And we think it’s one of the most important watches of all time.

Somehow in 1969 Rolex decided it was time for divers to get a little bit more fancy underwater. The reference 1680-8 was born. The first gold Submariner! Yes, a full 18k yellow gold “tool watch”. This was the maiden voyage of the Submariner in the luxury watch category. And what a great voyage it is. The reference 1680-8 was produced by Rolex from 1969 till 1979. The watch was an instant success and was worn by divers, wall street brokers and celebrities. And to this date the gold Rolex Submariner is still very popular.

It’s a date!
Next to being the first Submariner in yellow gold the reference 1680 was also the first Sub reference to have a date complication. Of course with the iconic magnifying cyclops in the plexi-crystal. Because who doesn’t want to know the date when you’re diving with your gold watch.. right!

Nipple dial
This specific dial style can only be found on vintage Rolex GMT’s and Subs. The name refers to the protruding shape of the round hour markers. These round indexes are made from 18k yellow gold and are applied on the (in this case matte black) dial. The center of the indexes is filled with tritium. The markers at 6 and 9 o’clock are baton shaped. At 12 o’clock we find the inverted triangular index. Both the baton and triangular index are also filled with tritium. Nipple dials on the submariner 1680 are black or blue.

1680 Specs:
Production years: 1969-1979
Case Size: 40mm diameter, 14.7mm thickness
Materials: Stainless Steel, 18K yellow gold
Functions: Time, Central Seconds, Date
Dial colors: black and blue
Bezel: rotating (bidirectional)
Cyrstal: Acrylic with cyclops lens
Movement: Automatic caliber 1575 (base 1570)
Water Resistance: 200 meters / 660ft