Alittle newbie help - Fake Or Real Submariner Vintage !

[sebby305]

Ok so i have a too good to be true offer lined up for this watch. Its my best friends brother and hes an idiot so i dont trust him. He moved into this place and it was a mess and in one of the closets he found this watch.

Ive looked it over, it is in rough condition, mainly on the crystal, but thats not my concern. It seems to have all of the appropriate markings but when the second hand move it looks kinda rough, that just may be because its an old watch and needs a tune up ?

There appears to be some rust where the case numbers is, not sure if it was rust or what cause ive only seen the picture of the #'s that my buddy sent me, is this normal or should that be casue for concern right away?

How often are these old submariners faked ? After doing ALOT of research, i see they go from $4000-$10000 and hes trying to just get rid of it for $800 so you see my cause for concern.


The numbers on it:

1680
3816460
It also has several 3 digit numbers on the band its self.

I know these pictures are pretty horrible, they were taken with my Iphone in a dark room and i wont see him again for another week, just wanted to get an opinion before making this buy as it will be my first Rolex. I have a few more pics i will upload.

[darryl kelly]

Buy it, at least you know who sold it to you and if its not real ( which I think it is ) you can deal with him later

[Brisman]

First pass it looks okay, but better pictures are needed for a definite answer, dial close up, crown, case back, second hand. The light is shining on the dial font, if we get to see that it might help.

The serial no. is around 1973, pretty right for this watch, 1680 date Sub.

The patina and wear looks consistent, I'd say you were pretty right but as I said a few better pics would help.

Are the six and nine open on the date no's, hard to tell?

Any chance of getting the case back off for a look.

No's on the bracelet? There should be a Bracelet number and end link numbers.

Edit: Is the word "Submariner" in red, very hard to tell, or is it the pic, if it is, roll the dice, a red 1680 Sub is worth good money and the Ser. No. is right for one.

[Drop of a Hat]

Find a Rolex certified watchmaker in your area and take it to him. As someone already said, IF (big if) its real, it could be worth some serious coin.

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[Domo Kun]

Hi, just wondering did you bought it now?

[sebby305]

First pass it looks okay, but better pictures are needed for a definite answer, dial close up, crown, case back, second hand. The light is shining on the dial font, if we get to see that it might help.

The serial no. is around 1973, pretty right for this watch, 1680 date Sub.

The patina and wear looks consistent, I'd say you were pretty right but as I said a few better pics would help.

Are the six and nine open on the date no's, hard to tell?

Any chance of getting the case back off for a look.

No's on the bracelet? There should be a Bracelet number and end link numbers.

Edit: Is the word "Submariner" in red, very hard to tell, or is it the pic, if it is, roll the dice, a red 1680 Sub is worth good money and the Ser. No. is right for one.

The Submariner is in fact red which makes me want the watch that much more.. Im gonna try to go by his house tonight to look at it again and grab a few more pictures. Thanks for the help !!

[sebby305]

WAIT A SECOND.. Just may have came up with something.. on a real one, shouldnt it say, 200m = 600ft ? Mine says 600ft = 200m ..

[Brisman]

That is the right way round for that dial. 600ft = 200m

[sebby305]

That is the right way round for that dial. 600ft = 200m

Ok so yeah i think im gonna do it.. So far all i can tell is that it needs to be polished up, the crystal replaced, and taken into service. If those things are done, what is the watch currently worth in this market ? A resonable, not hold onto it for a year price ?

[Brisman]

Verify the watch first, if it's correct you would get a new crystal and service it.

Don't polish the case and don't send it to Rolex to service. You have to keep the dial and hands untouched if you send it to Rolex they will want to change them which would cut the value of the watch drastically.

There's a couple of good vintage Rolex guys in the States, can't remember off the top of my head.

This is assuming the watch is an original, it would be good to see some better pics and if you could get the case back off it would help.