The second dial variation of the red submariner featured the depth rating with the feet before the meters “600/200.”    

A major differentiation between these and the first release was the hacking movement; as with most Rolex nuances, there is always an exception that surfaces; so, in all likelihood, a 200/600 dialed watch with hacking movement will surface, but it is probably just a crossover manufacture.  

Unlike the first version, the word submariner in red is ALWAYS narrower than the depth rating there are many variations of the depth rating font – most notably in the positioning of the top of the letters for “ft” under the B and M of submariner.  

Here are a few examples of what I mean:

Photo: delgado

 Also of note, is that the ‘70/72ish serial ranges will have opened 6’s in the 600 ft rating and the ‘73/74s have closed 6s.

Photo: Delgado

Photo: Delgado

If you compare the two dials, you’ll see that the later ’73 type dials have a thicker and more upright font and the coronet is much taller with a more pronounced hole at the bottom of the coronet.   This is also evident in other Rolex sport lines as well. 

Some things that you might see when doing comparisons of 1680s: 

1. You might notice that the stem of a watch you are looking at does not have nor does it appear to ever had a gasket.  This is fine as they did not originally come with one; the gaskets that you see most likely originated from routine servicing;

2. The crown might now have the signature of the triplock crown, “the three dots.”  This is also fine as the subs originally came fitted with a crown not having the dots (this has been the case for me during my search and viewing a lot of never serviced watches);

3. The original 9315 bracelets came with either 280 OR 380 end pieces;

4. The original outer boxes either the “sea horse box” or the cream box with the green stripe;

5. Note that the L under the coronet is ALWAYS centered  i.e., all of the dials with the L to the left of the coronet are ones that should be more scrutinized and most likely dismissed;

6. Often times, original hands and dials will not match in terms of the color of the patina.  For some reason, it is a common occurrence that one or the other will be darker.  What is also a common occurrence is that the hands are damaged so badly that they will need to be replaced while the dial is in perfect order.