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Chef Gordon Ramsay spotted wearing Rolex

Gordon Ramsay may be best known for his Michelin stars and volcanic kitchen commentary, but his wrist reveals a collector's eye that demands equal respect. The British chef and television personality was recently spotted wearing a yellow gold Rolex Submariner Date reference 1680 — one of the most historically significant dive watches ever produced — complete with the coveted "Nipple" dial that distinguishes the gold variant from its steel sibling.

Introduced in the late 1960s and produced through the 1970s, the Rolex Submariner Date ref. 1680 broke new ground on two fronts simultaneously. It was the first Submariner to incorporate a date display, driven by the in-house Calibre 1575 — a 26-jewel automatic movement beating at 19,800 vph with a Microstella regulation system. It was also the first Submariner executed in 18-karat yellow gold, signaling Rolex's intent to position the tool-watch icon as a legitimate luxury object. Water resistance stood at 200 metres, and the case measured 40mm — standard for the era but commanding on the wrist.

The "Nipple" dial designation refers specifically to the gold reference's raised index surrounds, each filled with tritium lume, creating a pronounced three-dimensional effect at the twelve, three, six, and nine o'clock positions. The steel ref. 1680 used flat applied indices, making this detail exclusive to the gold production run. Original "Nipple" dials in good condition are among the most sought-after configurations in the entire vintage Rolex collecting canon.

Ramsay's taste in watches has skewed toward robust, purposeful pieces — fitting for a man who built his brand on precision under pressure. Wearing a ref. 1680 rather than a more obvious modern statement piece suggests genuine familiarity with the vintage market, not merely a stylist's shortcut to credibility.

On the grey market, yellow gold Rolex Submariner Date ref. 1680 examples with original Nipple dials in honest condition regularly trade between $40,000 and $80,000 depending on dial originality, case sharpness, and service history. Exceptional, unpolished examples with matching-serial components push well beyond that ceiling. No official retail price exists for this discontinued reference.