This Rolex Submariner 1680 with red writing was bought by myself in the United States in April of 2003 from Les. I swapped the watch for a IWC Chronograph 3707 back then and added cash. When the watch arrived, the band was in bad shape, but the patina on the dial and the absolutely perfectly matching hands really amazed me and I fell in love with this socalled Red Submariner. I took the watch to Rolex NYC and had it completely overhauled while making sure that the main parts such as the dial, the bezel, and the hands will not be replaced. Back then, Rolex was very agreable. They replaced the band. When I got the watch back, it truly looked like new and never worn. I wore the watch for the coming year. I had moved back to Germany later in 2003. In July 2004, I was victim of a bad robbery in Cologne, Germany. I did not have much cash, and this watch pretty much saved my life or at least saved me from getting beaten up any worse. I still miss the Red Sub, and one day I may get another one. It is my favorite Rolex.
This watch had a serial number of
2504018. It was one of the earlier models. A while ago, I found a watch like mine on Chrono24. I contacted the seller who was trying to sell it for 2500 Euros which seemed awefully cheap. The seller revealed only the first few digits of the serial number which matched with my watch. I was trying to set up a meeting, but the seller only wanted to ship the watch, and he was in Poland while I was in Germany. I am NOT wiring money to someone I do not know in Poland, but I think that there was definately a likelyhood that I had found MY original watch. I just had no way to find cooperation from Polish police and German police to nail this person. So I gave up on it. Maybe one day the watch will show up, I still have the service paper at home. I registered the watch with Rolex, and informed any place about it and that I had it stolen from me. I am not looking to find it any more.
I filed a report with police in Cologne, the responsible officer is
Dieter Steiger.
The picture above is from Les, I never took any pictures. Maybe at another occasion I may post a scan of the service papers here.
I have never heard of this company and I could not find anything on them. Woods Industries. Found this at auction as well, and I am trying to research its validity and authenticity. Anyone who knows more about this, please post a comment.
