GMT II "Fat Lady"

[SveinA]

I am a newcomer to this great forum. I have had my watch since it was purchased in 1986 and am very happy with it. I did however get a shock yesterday when I checked the web and found that I actually have a collector piece!:chuckle: I now understand that this Ref. 16760 was made from 1983 to 1986. They are now for sale at prices up to USD 8000-10000!!:lol: My model does not have the wording "Date" after Oyster Perpetual. Does that mean an early version? Should I stop using it and put it into the safe - it is always on my wrist?

[buz-lh]

Hi and welcome. You can just send that 16760 to me for safekeeping.:chuckle: I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to the vintage pieces but there are some folks on here (Mike is one) that have great collections. A Fat Lady is definitely on my list. Saving for one now.:cheers:

[1MAC]

Wow! The rare Fat Lady without a date. That is a very collectible model, I would take very good care of that one. I have a 16760 but it's a little newer than yours and has the "date" on the dial. Welcome to TRF!
:cheers:

[Pathagarus]

Welcome Svein!! :bye::bye::bye: Please post some pics of your GMTII Fat Lady!!!!

[marty mehl]

I am a newcomer to this great forum. I have had my watch since it was purchased in 1986 and am very happy with it. I did however get a shock yesterday when I checked the web and found that I actually have a collector piece!:chuckle: I now understand that this Ref. 16760 was made from 1983 to 1986. They are now for sale at prices up to USD 8000-10000!!:lol: My model does not have the wording "Date" after Oyster Perpetual. Does that mean an early version? Should I stop using it and put it into the safe - it is always on my wrist?
i sold mine for 13k

[mike]

Welcome.:cheers:

In fact you do have a bit of a rare bird.:thumbsup: The 16760 (dubbed the "fat-lady" by a German collector due to the thickness of the case, crown guards) was actually made circa 1983-1988. Certainly this was a very short run watch as things Rolex are measured by.

The 16760 was the first GMT to use the 3085 fast beat movement with the "jump-hour" feature. Interestingly, during it's run it was not a big seller due, according to some, it's higher price compared to the 16750 which was made concurrently.

The 16760 was only "born" with the RED/BLACK insert which it introduced although certainly other inserts fitting the 16710 will fit.

You are fortunate to have an early dial sans "DATE".:clap: The 16760 had two dial types during it's run--early OYSTER PERPETUAL only and latter with the addition of DATE.

Some collectors place the use of the first run OP dial circa 1983-84.

As with a lot of mid-80s gloss dials the 16760 dial can be subject to "spidering" or "crazing" as some call it where by the paint on the dial tends to develop hairline cracks. This was a flaw in the paint mixture though some look upon it as a desirable feature.---- My own opinion ONLY--it's a flaw.

Pricing is so depend on condition, box, papers,etc... Like a lot of watches on the secondary market and certainly some vintage pieces the current state of the economy has had an affect on pricing.

I've seen loose 16760s in what I would consider good condition (I can't speak to the function) in the mid 3k USD range as well as some (loose) over 4k.

The addition of B&P etc.. will certainly enhance the value by a nice factor, but we are still in the midst of tough times.

As with all things this to will pass.:thumbsup: In the mean time you have a very desirable piece that many in the community are only now discovering.

If you can please post a photo.:cheers:

[SveinA]

Mine has the production number 8 429 093 and has a Rolex calendar among the documents covering the last half of 1985 and first half of 1986. This should indicate an early 1985 production, right? I will try to take some pictures soon.

[mike]

Mine has the production number 8 429 093 and has a Rolex calendar among the documents covering the last half of 1985 and first half of 1986. This should indicate an early 1985 production, right? I will try to take some pictures soon.

Could be about the end of 84. Nothing with Rolex is set in stone. Dating is sometimes a best guess.:cheers:

[SveinA]

How can I insert a photo from my own gallery? Is there no copy and paste function here? :dummy:Sorry - a lost Norwegian:banghead:

[East Bay Rider]

Sounds great. Looking forward to seeing pictures.

[lotuseater05]

Hi, I'm a newcomer to this thread. I've recently had my early 9million series (906nnnn) 16760 serviced by a local RAD and was surprised when they showed real interest in purchasing it from me. I bought it from the original owner in 1996 not realising that it was any different from other GMT II's - I just liked the Jubilee bracelet. It is complete with all the boxes, tags, wallets etc.

Are they as rare as some people are making out?

[SveinA]

Hi, I'm a newcomer to this thread. I've recently had my early 9million series (906nnnn) 16760 serviced by a local RAD and was surprised when they showed real interest in purchasing it from me. I bought it from the original owner in 1996 not realising that it was any different from other GMT II's - I just liked the Jubilee bracelet. It is complete with all the boxes, tags, wallets etc.

Are they as rare as some people are making out?

I guess you have another "Fat Lady". I just discovered my luck this week, so welcome to the club!:cheers: Do your investigation on the web and keep your nice 16760.

[mike]

Hi, I'm a newcomer to this thread. I've recently had my early 9million series (906nnnn) 16760 serviced by a local RAD and was surprised when they showed real interest in purchasing it from me. I bought it from the original owner in 1996 not realising that it was any different from other GMT II's - I just liked the Jubilee bracelet. It is complete with all the boxes, tags, wallets etc.

Are they as rare as some people are making out?

Congrats! and Welcome.:cheers:

It's certainly not a reference one see's everyday.

Here's mine -- R series

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/mike381/156_5655.jpg

[Orchi]

Err buddies...buddy Mike is right...the 1st issue of OP Dial without
"DATE" 16760 GMT II made in a short production...
would be RARER to come by these days...
n it's highly desirable...by purist Rolex GMT collectors...worldwide.

Orchi got this by a very RARE chance...
Presently the watch is sent to RSC KL to get
the correct bezel insert installed...as the watch
1st came with a generic bezel insert as shown
in the following pictures...

[lotuseater05]

I understand that 16760's could be purchased on either Jubilee or oyster lock bracelets. Does anyone know how long this continued and how many were produced on both bracelets? Thanks.

[bembot]

I understand that 16760's could be purchased on either Jubilee or oyster lock bracelets. Does anyone know how long this continued and how many were produced on both bracelets? Thanks.

Did you come across my post in VRF re my new acquisition 1968 GMT 1675? Nobody responded .Maybe because of the silly (but true )story behind the acquisition.When you get the chance, take a look at my post .

[SveinA]

From all the web postings, it now seems that I have a 1984 very early GMT II 16760 model. This watch must have been on the shelf in the Rolex shop for nearly two years, as I bought it "new" in the summer of 1986. I guess I was lucky by default. With classic watches, I guess shelf life is not an issue?

[SveinA]

Here are hopefully the images:

[GMTII Owner]

Wow, that is a great watch.


John

[mike]

From all the web postings, it now seems that I have a 1984 very early GMT II 16760 model. This watch must have been on the shelf in the Rolex shop for nearly two years, as I bought it "new" in the summer of 1986. I guess I was lucky by default. With classic watches, I guess shelf life is not an issue?

Lovely example.:cheers: Congrats on a special reference. "Shelf life" means nothing. There are examples in collections and in use that sat for a lot longer before purchase.

They don't spoil.:chuckle:

[SveinA]

Has anyone seen the book; COLLECTING ROLEX GMT-MASTER WRISTWATCHES by Lele Ravagnani and Guido Mondani? It is in English and Italian. It seems very expensive but is supposedly well written with nice pictures and covering all odd models. I have seen a positive review by John B. Holbrook. Should I "invest" in it:read::thumbsup::thumbsdow??

[akhamdani]

Welcome to TRF Svein :cheers: .Congratulations for your beautiful watch.

[SveinA]

Welcome to TRF Svein :cheers: .Congratulations for your beautiful watch.

Takk, Ali. Nice to see others from Scandinavia in this forum.:clap: