Sonning Vintage Watches

I love all the watches in our collection but every now and again…. Rolex introduced the Submariner ‘Date’ in 1967 with the 1680 and they used the red writing for the next 7 or 8 years. To be frank the ‘date’ submariners didn’t sell particularly well when launched so numbers available today are relatively limited.

This example was made in 1971 (3.09 million serial) and the solid steel case is in overall very good condition and the lugs show little evidence of polishing in terms of their thickness and the position of the spring pin holes (these are often heavily polished). There are a couple of scratches on the shoulders at the bottom part of the case by the bezel insert (later by genuine Rolex) and I’ve tried to capture these on the photographs. I’m always happy to send a What’s App video showing them in more detail. Watches of this age are all about the dial in terms of originality and how they’ve aged. This is the original Mk5 dial and the aging is as good as we’ve seen. The lume plots and hands have aged to a beautiful honey/amber colour and very uniformerly. The original Rolex signed automatic movement is again in excellent condition and is just being serviced by our professional watchmaker. The watch sits on a genuine though later Rolex Oyster bracelet and the references are:

End Pieces: 580 and 93150

Deployment Clasp: 93150 and Z12 (dates to 1998)

This is a stunning example of one of the most sought after watches in the Rolex range. Whilst we cannot guarantee future prices it will provide an excellent return if history is any judge as well as a beautiful watch to wear. We will give a 12 month guarantee on the movement and lifetime guarantee on the provenance and authenticity.

and has been polished during a service by SHWR in 2020 – more later..). The guaranteed genuine and original Rolex dial is in very good condition but the lume has thinned over the years but retains it’s aged mint colour. The very high grade Rolex signed automatic movement is again in excellent condition and has just been fully serviced by our professional watchmaker. The watch sits on a genuine but later Rolex bracelet which does have some sag and wear marks – it also has 12 links (including the micro link). The end pieces have the references 580 and 93150. The deployment age reference is VC dating it to around 1996.

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This example was made in 1971 (3.09 million serial) and the solid steel case is in good condition and the lugs show little evidence of polishing in terms of their thickness and the position of the spring pin holes (these are often heavily polished). There are a couple of scratches on the shoulders at the bottom of the case by the later bezel insert and I’ve tried to capture these on the photographs.

The case measures 39mm across, excluding the Rolex crown and 47mm long including the lugs. The inside case is signed ‘Montres Rolex SA Geneva Switzerland’, ‘1680’ and the age reference is ‘111.71’.

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The original Rolex signed automatic movement is again in excellent condition and is just being serviced by our professional watchmaker. The movement is signed ‘Montres Rolex SA Geneva Swiss’, ‘Twenty Six 26 Jewels’, ‘Adjusted 5 Positions and Temperature’ and the calibre is 1570. The movement number is ‘213101’.

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As with the majority of pre-owned watches that are 10 years or older, this particular watch does not come with its original box and paperwork. The watch is 100% genuine and rest assured we provide a lifetime guarantee on the authenticity and provenance of all the watches we sell.

Although there is no original paperwork, we do provide a written invoice and 3 page insurance valuation with the pictures of the watch and all available reference numbers. We also give a 12 month warranty on all our watches. We also stock a good selection of vintage watch boxes to help complete your purchase.

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Sonning Vintage Watches are one of the largest prestige brand vintage watch retailers on the Internet carrying stock of around £700,000; we’ve sold over 3,000 vintage watches across the world since our formation in 2009. We’re based in Berkshire and Nottingham and spend 1- 2 days a week in London. Whilst we’re an Internet business we do ‘show’ 90% of our watches prior to sale and travel across England to meet prospective buyers.

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We provide a lifetime guarantee on the authenticity and provenance of all our watches and come with a full printed Receipt of Sale and Insurance Valuation. Purchasing from SVW gives you the protection and reassurance of buying from an incorporated company with outstanding customer testimonials.

We provide a high quality box and use the Royal Mail Special Delivery for the UK and DHL for overseas sales. They are insured for the full purchase value.

See what our customers say – 100% positive feedback on all our sales sites and over 40% of our customers buy again or refer us!

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We use the Royal Mail’s Guaranteed next day service for UK sales and DHL for all overseas shipping. All our watches are fully serviced, but prior to couriering each one will undergo a 3 day pre-delivery check to ensure the watch is in perfect condition.

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This is a rare and highly collectable vintage watch from one of horology’s most famous names and will, if history is any judge, provide an excellent financial investment as well as a possession to treasure and enjoy. I will provide an insurance valuation in excess of my asking price. Please appreciate the difficulty of photographing this piece, it looks even better in real life. Subject to your location I’ll happily show the watch.

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