After having taken a specific interest in Rolex Submariner "Feet First", the reference 1680/8, and more recently the famous 6538 also known as James Bond, today's focus is on the Submariner 1680 MK6.
We have already reviewed many factors concerning the fact that the Rolex Submariner single Red MK2 and Mk3 present a certain investment. But there are three other Submariners with a red dial that are also worth it, namely the MK4, MK5 and MK6. Even if the MK6 is the rarest, these three versions were produced during the same period of time. It would even be wiser to specify that these three dials were used over a period going, indicatively, from 1970 to late 1974.
History would have it that these three dials were used consecutively, some "specialists" even going as far as to give very precise usage dates. If we consider Rolex's very industrial way of proceeding, no real production accuracy is conceivable. Especially since Rolex used three houses for the manufacture of these dials.
The three manufacturers of Rolex Submariner 1680 dials:
MK IV (Mark 4) Singer
MK V (Mark 5) Beyeler
MK VI (Mark 6) Lemrich
Let's assume that none of these three dial makers were able to produce the entire demand of the Geneva manufacture and that it took three companies to produce a sufficient quantity of dials corresponding to Rolex's production estimate. If this had not been the case, we would not have three different companies. Let's base ourselves rather on a chronological use of stocks and keep in mind that these dials have been observed in this order, from 1970 to 1974.
The story is the same as for the MK2 and MK3, with the exception of a price difference. It should be known that the production of these Submariner MK4 to MK6 represents 80% of the total production of the red Submariner, which makes it slightly cheaper than the other two as they remain very rare today.
Illustration of the MK6 dial of a 1974 1680
They are now part of the most sought-after collector's watches and certainly deserve a significant place in an investment perspective.
These references are given for information purposes and are based on what has been observed over time by professionals, collectors and experts. None of this has ever been confirmed by Rolex. The explanation of the concordance of production dates of MK 2 and 3, and MK 4 and 5, is just a question of dial suppliers' production data (Singer, Lemrich and Beyeler).
Rolex's production at that time was so important that the dial manufacturers could not produce such a quantity, and Rolex therefore used different manufacturers. Each delivered their lot and the dials were simply mounted in the watches. It's not an exact science to understand, but it helps avoid mistakes like buying a 1969 MK5, for example, which certainly doesn't exist...
How to recognize a Rolex Submariner 1680 MK6 dial?
Recognizing a Rolex Submariner 1680 MK6 dial is extremely simple: just look at the inscriptions. Indeed, it is the only "Red" dial in the entire production presenting a closed "6" (660ft).
MK6 dial with closed "6"
MK4 dial with open "6"
Buy a Submariner 1680 MK6
