Submariner · Nickname guide

Rolex Red Submariner in Naples

The first date Submariner — early examples wear the model name in red.

Reference

1680

Years

1969–1980

Also called

Red Sub

Bezel / dial

Black aluminium, red dial text

The Red Submariner, explained.

The “Red Submariner” is the reference 1680, the first Submariner with a date, whose early dials (roughly 1969–1974) print the word “Submariner” in red. Later 1680s switched to white text. The red-text examples are among the most collectible vintage Submariners.

Below: what makes the Red Submariner (1680) distinctive, what to verify before buying, and how it fits the Naples collector scene.

The 1680 introduced the date and Cyclops to the Submariner. For its first years the dial carried the “Submariner” line in red — the “Red Sub” — before Rolex standardised on white text. Collectors classify the red dials into “Mark” variants (Mark I through later marks) by small typography differences.

Originality is everything here: red dials have been faked and swapped, so provenance and dial authentication drive value.

What to verify

Checking a Red Submariner before you buy.

Confirm the red “Submariner” text is an original dial, not a reprint or swapped service dial.
Identify the dial “Mark” variant by its typography — a key value factor.
Check the 1680 reference, the date function, and tritium patina consistent with 1969–1974.
Insist on expert authentication and provenance; this is a frequently faked vintage Rolex.

In Naples

The Red Submariner around Naples.

A Red Sub is a serious vintage purchase — the kind that should be authenticated by a specialist before money moves, wherever you are. In Naples, estate pieces and private collections are the likeliest source; never buy one on the dial alone without verification.

We are an independent reference, not a dealer: we cannot sell you a Red Submariner or appraise one. What we can do is help you read the reference and know what separates a correct example from a cobbled-together one.

Red Submariner FAQ

The Red Submariner, answered.

What is the Red Submariner?

It is the reference 1680, the first date Submariner, with early dials (about 1969–1974) printing “Submariner” in red. Later 1680s use white text. The red-text version is the prized collectible.

Why are Red Subs so collectible?

They are the first date Submariners, made for only a few years with red dial text, and they come in subtle “Mark” dial variants collectors chase. Original red dials are scarce and valuable.

Are Red Sub dials often faked?

Yes. Because original red dials command large premiums, fakes and service-dial swaps are common. Expert authentication is essential before purchase.

Can I buy a Rolex Red Submariner in Naples?

Naples has an active Rolex market through retail, boutiques, and private sales — but Naples Rolex is an independent reference, not a dealer. We don't sell or broker watches. Use this guide to verify a Red Submariner before you buy, wherever you find it.

Keep reading.

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