Thoughts on this 16710 pepsi?

[Amberjack88]

Hi fellow collectors,

Am looking to purchase this 16710 X-series (78360 501B bracelet) with cert. Would like to know if there are any red flags before pulling the trigger.

Currently there are 2 things that looks off:
- The bezel seems to be not period correct :a sans-serif bezel (not really an issue for me)
- According to the cert, it is a US set and this is where it makes me slightly hesitant because:
1) cert is punched, not printed, and in French (from my research US sets
should be printed and in English in the late 80s/90s onwards?)
2) Unfortunately cannot find the store anymore via google ("International
Bonded Whese. Inc." in El Paso, Texas (anyone heard of this AD
before?)

Thanks and appreciate inputs on this piece.

[TimeToGo]

.
Very nice watch looking!

I wouldn't worry about the insert or paper's language.

Just curious, what is the country code on the certificate.

[Amberjack88]

It is 748

[TimeToGo]

Interesting.

Here is a thread discussing that country code.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?p=8996897

[springer]

Insert looks correct. X serial numbers, based on early 16710 models that I have owned and observed on other early 16710s, did not come with serif inserts. Either way, it is definitely not a deal breaker.

It appears the watch was not an original USA watch which is evidenced by the fact it is in French and contains a punched serial number. USA warranty papers during the time frame for the X serial numbers were in English and the serial number and style number was typed at the top right corner of the paper. The USA dealer selling the watch probably purchased this GMT from an authorized Rolex dealer located in one of the Caribbean island countries which is evidenced by the country code. Based on the name of the selling dealer found on the warranty paper, I seriously doubt that it is the name for a Rolex authorized dealer that would have received this watch directly from Rolex USA.

It looks like a nice watch.

[SaintMickey]

That bezel insert?

[OrangeSport]

24hr hand is telling wrong time ;)

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by OrangeSport

24hr hand is telling wrong time ;)

[Amberjack88]

Thank you all!!

[russeree]

I don't know much about certs, I do know the bezel 100% not period correct since anything pre 2000 Pepsi should have serif.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[karleone]

The pictures are bad quality but I think this is actually a serif insert (which is period correct). Look at the 2s on 22 on the second picture. There are actually serif inserts where all the 2s (12, 20, 22) are serif except on the 2.

Here is for example mine.