Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first

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Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first is a collection of marks for the early 1680 red ever produced. The name is due to the depth indication printed on the dial: in the first batch of production, the depth was indicated as "200m=660ft", instead of the "660ft=200m" used in the following marks (called feets first for this reason).

Batch of production

A Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first mark 2 with a faded mark 3 insert

Meters first appear at the very beginning of the Red Submariner production, from 1969 (serial n. 2.0*) to 1970 (2,45*). In a single year, Rolex used three different dials.

Mark 1 (Long F)

The Mark 1 (called Long F for the elongated F in 200m=660ft written on the dial) is the rarest mark of the whole 1680 production. Introduced with the earliest serial numbers (2.07*), disappeared from serial number 2.2*. It has been marketed for a few months in 1969. On the dial, the word “SUBMARINER” has been printed in red over white.

Mark 2

Mark 2 and mark 3 are very similar. They are recognizable by the thickness of the font on the dial: thinner in mark 2. Even the F and T in 200=660ft are different. In the mark 2, the T has a less accentuated curve. From serial n. 2.1* to 2.3*. On the dial, the word “SUBMARINER” has been printed in red over white.

Mark 3

A Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first mark 3 with mark 3 insert

The font of the dial is thicker than the mark 2 and in "200m=660ft" the upper line of the F is shorter. From 2.2* to 2.4*. On the dial, the word “SUBMARINER” has been printed directly in red.

Marks comparison

Close up of the dial Mark Serial n.

Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first mark 1 long f close up.jpg

Mark 1 (Long F) 2.0* - 2.2*

Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first mark 2 close up.jpg

Mark 2 2.1* - 2-3*

Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first mark 3 close up.jpg

Mark 3 2.2* - 2.4*

Tropical or brown

Some watch of this batch could have the dial turned brown, specially mark 2 and 3.

Bracelet

For the first timepieces (only Long F) it could be the riveted bracelet ref. 7206, for the other ones the folded bracelet ref. 9315. In this case, with divers extension “PAT. PEND.” or “PATETED”.

Insert bezel

Long 5 for the watches produced in 1969, but it's correct the mark 3 fat font as well.

Price trend

Rolex Submariner 1680 red meters first price