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Today, we have lost Hollywood icon Robert Redford following an extremely coveted career featuring in 50 Hollywood films and even picking up an “Academy Award for Best Directing” for his debut director role for Ordinary People in 1980.
Redford was a huge face of Hollywood in the 1970s and 1980s featuring in many highly-rated films such as “The Sting” and “The Candidate” even evolving his career in filmmaking to becoming a director.
During this era, Redford became close friends with Paul Newman, first meeting on the set of “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” in 1967, evolving into lifelong friends. Redford described Newman as a “big brother” and “mentor” in response to Newman’s passing in 2008.
Robert Redford & the Rolex Submariner reference 1680 “Red Sub”/”Single Red Submariner”
As well as the Hollywood scene, Paul Newman is a huge name in the watch world being attached to the most expensive Rolex watch sold at auction. Whilst Redford’s name will forever remain in Hollywood, very little has been documented on his attachment with timepieces.
In the horological world, he was respected for wearing his Rolex Submariner 1680 known as the “Red Sub” which seemed to have never left his side. Redford was even seen wearing this model in movie appearances such as “The Candidate” in 1972, “All the President’s Men” in 1976 and “Electric Horseman” in 1979 which is pictured above.
Sometimes, you can make assumptions of people and the watches they own and wear. Clearly, Redford was a simple, classy and loyal man sticking true to his Rolex Submariner, actually using the Submariner for its purpose as a tool watch through his career of acting and directing.
In 1967, the Rolex Submariner reference 1680 was introduced which was the first ever Submariner to be released featuring the date function. Before the reference 1680, the Submariner was a time-only watch launched in 1953 but in 1967 saw the date complication incorporated into the Submariner.
As we see on Submariner Date models today, the date window appears at 3 o’clock, magnified through Rolex’s patented cyclops lens to enhance readability for the wearer. What separates the reference 1680 from other Submariner models is the “Submariner” name in red writing on the dial.
This gathered the two nicknames of “Red Sub” and “Single Red Submariner,” even inspiring Rolex themselves to implement this for the Sea-Dweller. This red writing was only part of the earlier produced 1680 models with production slowing down in the mid-70s.
Purely because of the red writing, this Submariner “Red Sub” has gained collector value making the model extremely sought after. Currently, the value on the secondary market ranges from £12,000 all the way to over £20,000, depending on the condition and authenticity of the watch. We can only imagine what Redford’s own “Red Sub” would be sold for…
Did Redford Own any more Watches?
As highlighted, Redford wore his Rolex Submariner “Red Sub” or “Single Red Submariner” on and off-screen. Whilst Redford didn’t own many watches or have a large watch collection, there are timepieces the coveted filmmaker has been spotted wearing in films.
Doxa SUB 300T “Sharkhunter”
In 1975, Redford appeared in the American spy thriller, “Three Days of Condor” as the character Joseph Turner. In his role, he wore the Doxa Sub 300T “Sharkhunter” which is a bold and rugged dive watch which he paired with a “Bund” style strap.
Victorinox Swiss Army Officers 1884
In another thriller-movie, Redford starred in Spy Game as a CIA agent wearing the Victorinox Swiss Army officer’s 1884. This is an underrated and subtle piece which was perfect for the role of an agent, avoiding anything that would draw attention to himself.
Seiko SKX009
Lastly, Redford wore the Seiko SKX009 in the movie “All Is Lost” released in 2013. This model is one of Seiko’s most-loved sports collections featuring the blue-red bezel which is commonly nicknamed as the “Pepsi” bezel.
Remembering Robert Redford
Redford will be remembered as one of Hollywood’s most iconic figures for his acting and directing roles. In the horological world, he gets our respect for the timepieces he has been seen wearing on and off-screen, especially his Rolex Submariner “Red Sub” which is a collector’s dream.
