Debuting in 1953 and released to the public the following year, the Rolex Submariner has undoubtedly become one of the most iconic timepieces of all time thanks to its legendary status as Rolex's flagship dive watch. Used extensively by the British Royal Navy and professional diving operations like COMEX, the Submariner set the bar for all dive watches to follow. Featuring a genuinely timeless design that has remained relatively unchanged throughout its history, the Rolex has become the archetypal sports watch. With very few large-scale aesthetic upgrades made to it over the years except for timely advancements like introducing a date function to the collection in the late '60s, and its modern cerachrom bezels, the Submariner is seen as the prototypical dive watch thanks to its consistency. The Submariner has earned its status as a legendary watch, with it today remaining as one of the most sought-after timepieces around.

Released around 1967, the Rolex Submariner ref. 1680 marked a change of direction for the famed Genevan watchmaker. While tool watches had long been Rolex's focus during the 1950s, Submariner ref. 1680 announced Rolex's intention to cater to a new, larger market. The ref. 1680's new date function marked Rolex's true recognition that their watches had become an accessory worn by those who did not need Rolex's impressive tool-watch capabilities but rather everyday conveniences. The first production examples of the ref. 1680 were denoted by their red "Submariner" inscription, which was later phased out for white text by 1973, in keeping with the rest of the dial's design.

The watch is in overall good condition. The steel case shows signs of polishing, with softened edges and thin lugs. There are scratches and nicks on both the case and case back. The bezel is gently worn, with a naturally faded insert. The dial has a chip between the 40 and 41 minute markers on the edge, and the lume plots are slightly darker at eight and nine o’clock. The watch is a 2.5m serial case which was born with a Red dial, but it was replaced at some point with the current white Submariner dial. The lume in the hands shows some discoloration. The later solid link Oyster bracelet has light play between the links and surface scratches. The bracelet currently fits a 7 1/4” wrist, and has 11 links, 1 of which is removable.