Service replacement dials for the 1680 - Matt Luminova

After doing some research, I've stumbled up some information which suggests that authentic, Rolex made replacement dials are available for the 1680 with matte luminova (brite white)?

True? Is it possible to get a red lettering variant?

I'd store my original dial and get one of these service replacement dials in a heartbeat if possible. :jump:

Hi John,

I do not think you can get a red letter variant.
Rolex replacement policy is that you will always get the replacement part that was last used in the model before it was discontinued. In your case, I believe, it would be a plain white letter dial without white gold markings but superluminova as this was the last version dial in the 1680 before its successor came on the market.

Hi John.

I believe the answer on both accounts is yes.

Here's my white 1680 from 1978 with replacement SuperLuminova (SL) dial.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ize_1680v1.jpg

Note that the dial is still marked "SWISS-T<25". They probably used an older batch of dials originally intended for tritium, and reconditioned it to SL to service watches. Later, when those ran out, they produced the same matte dials with SL indexes but marked them "SWISS".

Like in this (beautiful) example by Mike950:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/4059/31glohi4.jpg

Or this one from Harold Richardson:

http://www.fototime.com/EAABFB789BFC94B/orig.jpg

The models you can get replacement matte dials painted with SL are: 1016, 5512, 1655, 1665, 1675, 1680.

Interestingly, it looks like Rolex does also propose this for Red Submariners when they service them.

Take a look at the following link.

Now, the really hard thing would be to get your original red dial back: when they replace parts, Rolex SC do it on a exchange basis and are now adamant that they keep the old parts.

Personally, I wouldn't fiddle with a red Sub, given the price they are at these days. White Sub, no issue, I prefer the functionality of SL anyways, unless the patina of the tritium is of a beautiful and even eggshell tone.

Hope this helps.

Boris

Well John, you do not really want the red replacement dial.

It's damn ugly! ;)

Hi Borris,

I REALLY appreciate your expertise in this matter - thanks so much for taking the time to respond. :dr:

I have a few friends at Rolex USA, so I'm going to make a few inquires and see if they will do a favor me...I'm not hopeful, but I can ask. :ka:

Very interesting inormations !
The replacement question is getting more and more important for collectors loving the design of vintage plexy watches - but not the symptoms of transitoriness, e.g. corrosion or discoloration.

It is encouraging, to see that Rolex cares for this collectors.