Rare Purple Change Dial Submariner Date Ref.1680/8 Arrives. Rarity, Provenance, and Age-Induced Transformation. The Sale of a Superb Piece Where These Elements Converge Begins.
Vintage watch store "PRINCIPE PRIVE - Epoca d’Oro" has started selling a rare Rolex Submariner Date Ref.1680/8 (commonly known as the "Blue Sub") whose dial has changed to purple due to aging. This particular piece has a special provenance, manufactured in Switzerland and imported by Rolex's UK branch, characterized by its rarity and beautiful purple-changed dial.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:10
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 24, 2026 at 04:07 (17h 36m after Collected)
Rare purple-changed Submariner Date Ref.1680/8, commonly known as the "Blue Sub"
"PRINCIPE PRIVE - Epoca d’Oro," which selects vintage watches from the 1940s to 90s with a unique aesthetic sense and has earned high praise from watch collectors and fashionistas both domestically and internationally, has received a rare piece whose dial has changed from blue to a beautiful purple color due to aging.
The Rolex Submariner Date Ref.1680/8, known as the "Blue Sub," is known for its limited circulation and for its dial showing multiple expressions due to aging. Among these, pieces that have changed to purple are particularly popular.
Furthermore, from the engravings on the case back of this particular piece, it can be deciphered that it was manufactured in Switzerland, then exported to the port of London, and directly imported by Rolex's UK branch.
We hope you enjoy the story deciphered from the watch's case back and experience the luxury of owning time.
ROLEX 18k YG “PURPLE CHANGE” Nipple Blue Submariner Date 1973s
Various engravings carved on the inside of the case back
Unraveling the background carved into this purple-changed piece.
Multiple engravings indicating the provenance of this piece are confirmed on the case back.
The "T" logo, meaning it was imported in 1974 at the port of London. The British-registered 18k solid gold hallmark with Ω inside a square. Furthermore, the "750" engraving and the horizontally placed "18" to its left indicate that it was British-registered 18k solid gold until 1975. In addition, the hallmark featuring a Swiss farmer's face and the markings "18K" and "0.750" are proof that it is 18k solid gold manufactured in Switzerland.
All these engravings are deeply carved as meaningful messages in the limited space of the case back.
This piece indicates that it was directly exported from Switzerland to the port of London, and as the "RWC Ltd" engraving suggests, it was directly imported by Rolex's UK branch.
As proof of its special import, the serial number engraved in the center of the case back completes its story.
Poster created in the image of advertisements from that time
In 1969, the Ref.1680/8 appeared as the world's first professional diver model manufactured in 18k solid gold.
Black dials preceded it, and in 1971, blue dials reminiscent of clear seas appeared.
At that time, the combination of a diver model and solid gold was an unusual presence, yet this model became an object of admiration for people all over the world, and owning it was a symbol.
In 1979, its first model, the “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner 18k Solid Gold Ref.1680/8,” passed on its role to its successor, Ref.16808.
Cal.1575 mounted on this piece
Ref.1680/8, which we are introducing this time, is a reference with a relatively short manufacturing period, and its circulation in the global market has significantly decreased.
In recent years, with the soaring prices, sophisticated fakes that reproduce only the case have also been confirmed. In fact, there have been cases where these were estimated as genuine by Rolex customer service in Japan.
Currently, material verification by non-destructive inspection has been introduced at Rolex branches in various countries, and the authenticity judgment of 18k solid gold is being carried out more strictly.
Against this background, this piece was specially ordered for the UK and is equipped with the Cal.1575, which boasts high durability and precision, as the first model of the Submariner Oyster Date.
Dial changed from blue to purple due to aging
And the biggest feature is the color tone of the dial.
This model, known as the "Blue Sub," is known for showing multiple expressions due to aging, and among them, pieces that have changed to purple are particularly popular.
This piece also beautifully exhibits that purple change and has a strong presence.
Furthermore, this piece has been confirmed for authenticity through an appraisal at Rolex in the past.
Although the bezel insert is missing, it possesses more than enough charm to compensate for it.
Rarity, provenance, and age-induced transformation. As a piece where these elements converge, it is worth seeing in person.
Model: ROLEX 18k YG “PUPL
"PRINCIPE PRIVE - Epoca d’Oro," which selects vintage watches from the 1940s to 90s with a unique aesthetic sense and has earned high praise from watch collectors and fashionistas both domestically and internationally, has received a rare piece whose dial has changed from blue to a beautiful purple color due to aging.
The Rolex Submariner Date Ref.1680/8, known as the "Blue Sub," is known for its limited circulation and for its dial showing multiple expressions due to aging. Among these, pieces that have changed to purple are particularly popular.
Furthermore, from the engravings on the case back of this particular piece, it can be deciphered that it was manufactured in Switzerland, then exported to the port of London, and directly imported by Rolex's UK branch.
We hope you enjoy the story deciphered from the watch's case back and experience the luxury of owning time.
ROLEX 18k YG “PURPLE CHANGE” Nipple Blue Submariner Date 1973s
Various engravings carved on the inside of the case back
Unraveling the background carved into this purple-changed piece.
Multiple engravings indicating the provenance of this piece are confirmed on the case back.
The "T" logo, meaning it was imported in 1974 at the port of London. The British-registered 18k solid gold hallmark with Ω inside a square. Furthermore, the "750" engraving and the horizontally placed "18" to its left indicate that it was British-registered 18k solid gold until 1975. In addition, the hallmark featuring a Swiss farmer's face and the markings "18K" and "0.750" are proof that it is 18k solid gold manufactured in Switzerland.
All these engravings are deeply carved as meaningful messages in the limited space of the case back.
This piece indicates that it was directly exported from Switzerland to the port of London, and as the "RWC Ltd" engraving suggests, it was directly imported by Rolex's UK branch.
As proof of its special import, the serial number engraved in the center of the case back completes its story.
Poster created in the image of advertisements from that time
In 1969, the Ref.1680/8 appeared as the world's first professional diver model manufactured in 18k solid gold.
Black dials preceded it, and in 1971, blue dials reminiscent of clear seas appeared.
At that time, the combination of a diver model and solid gold was an unusual presence, yet this model became an object of admiration for people all over the world, and owning it was a symbol.
In 1979, its first model, the “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Submariner 18k Solid Gold Ref.1680/8,” passed on its role to its successor, Ref.16808.
Cal.1575 mounted on this piece
Ref.1680/8, which we are introducing this time, is a reference with a relatively short manufacturing period, and its circulation in the global market has significantly decreased.
In recent years, with the soaring prices, sophisticated fakes that reproduce only the case have also been confirmed. In fact, there have been cases where these were estimated as genuine by Rolex customer service in Japan.
Currently, material verification by non-destructive inspection has been introduced at Rolex branches in various countries, and the authenticity judgment of 18k solid gold is being carried out more strictly.
Against this background, this piece was specially ordered for the UK and is equipped with the Cal.1575, which boasts high durability and precision, as the first model of the Submariner Oyster Date.
Dial changed from blue to purple due to aging
And the biggest feature is the color tone of the dial.
This model, known as the "Blue Sub," is known for showing multiple expressions due to aging, and among them, pieces that have changed to purple are particularly popular.
This piece also beautifully exhibits that purple change and has a strong presence.
Furthermore, this piece has been confirmed for authenticity through an appraisal at Rolex in the past.
Although the bezel insert is missing, it possesses more than enough charm to compensate for it.
Rarity, provenance, and age-induced transformation. As a piece where these elements converge, it is worth seeing in person.
Model: ROLEX 18k YG “PUPL