16750 insert authentication help please!!

[propofolboy]

I have this circa 1982 16750 with what I believe is the Mk2 Matte dial (the long coronet covering the E in Rolex, and the non aligned 'A H C' so I'm pretty comfortable with that part. The bracelet is original 78360 with 580 end links.

What i'm not so comfortable doing is identifying the bezel. Does this appear to be a service bezel? It doesn't have fat font, and the 8's look circular.

Anyone help me? Trying to learn.. Thanks

[propofolboy]

I feel like I asked a bad question as I'm the only message with 0 replies!!

[TimeLord2]

Yours does look like a service insert but I am not an expert on SS versions. Even for the TT version which I have I would consider myself a novice at identification. Check out these excellent threads by Springer
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=462474
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...hlight=inserts
nothing I can add to that… Springer is the expert in IMHO on all things vintage GMT related.

[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by propofolboy

I have this circa 1982 16750 with what I believe is the Mk2 Matte dial (the long coronet covering the E in Rolex, and the non aligned 'A H C' so I'm pretty comfortable with that part. The bracelet is original 78360 with 580 end links.

What i'm not so comfortable doing is identifying the bezel. Does this appear to be a service bezel? It doesn't have fat font, and the 8's look circular.

Anyone help me? Trying to learn.. Thanks

Please be patient dude... nobody wants to give you bad advice - better to keep quiet unless one knows for certain.

Hopefully, the forum's GMT guru, Springer will spot this thread and offer some sage advice.

I just bumped it, in the hope he spots it for you.

Good luck.

[springer]

Here is one one of mine. Serial 72XXXXX.

[propofolboy]

Thanks so much for replies.

So I have compared mine so Springers and they look identical to my eye.
I don't know how to take the bezel off so I can't see the back of it...
Thats good news! Seems everything is still original on this..

Springer -- I have scrutinized a lot of bezel inserts. One difference I see sometimes is the number 18 and how the red/blue interface crosses the number. In a lot of them it separates the 1 and 8, but sometimes it cuts across the 8. Is there any significance to thsi. The 6 seems to be more consistent in being half red/half blue..

[springer]

Originally Posted by propofolboy

Thanks so much for replies.

So I have compared mine so Springers and they look identical to my eye.
I don't know how to take the bezel off so I can't see the back of it...
Thats good news! Seems everything is still original on this..

Springer -- I have scrutinized a lot of bezel inserts. One difference I see sometimes is the number 18 and how the red/blue interface crosses the number. In a lot of them it separates the 1 and 8, but sometimes it cuts across the 8. Is there any significance to thsi. The 6 seems to be more consistent in being half red/half blue..

I have never paid too much attention to where the numbers cross the red and blue separation line. I've seen variances with identical numbers so I really do not make too much of it. For me, one possibility might be in the manufacturing process and how the inserts are screened or how the colors are applied based on their position in the printer.

There are also bezel inserts from the 16750 era where the "8s" are more over on the top head than found on the insert that I posted here.

By the way, before you ask, I have no interest in putting together an insert thread for GMTs. There are way too many variables and differences and as all things Rolex, I seriously doubt there would ever be a community consensus on the era for each particular insert type. I do not consider myself an expert regarding all the bezel insert configurations - just a collector who enjoys the GMTs and a few other vintage Rolex models.

[propofolboy]

When your a real expert everyone around you knows it, even if you don't feel that way yourself!

I think that is what you have become.

[swaini3]

Originally Posted by propofolboy

Thanks so much for replies.

So I have compared mine so Springers and they look identical to my eye.
I don't know how to take the bezel off so I can't see the back of it...
Thats good news! Seems everything is still original on this..

Springer -- I have scrutinized a lot of bezel inserts. One difference I see sometimes is the number 18 and how the red/blue interface crosses the number. In a lot of them it separates the 1 and 8, but sometimes it cuts across the 8. Is there any significance to thsi. The 6 seems to be more consistent in being half red/half blue..

Hi,
You cant assume its 'original' or period correct without checking the back. The font you have comes with both blue and red backs. Im sure most would agree here that an '82 16750 should have a red back. I also think there should not be much attention given to where the line seperation is in the 18.

[springer]

Originally Posted by springer

I have never paid too much attention to where the numbers cross the red and blue separation line. I've seen variances with identical numbers so I really do not make too much of it. For me, one possibility might be in the manufacturing process and how the inserts are screened or how the colors are applied based on their position in the printer.

There are also bezel inserts from the 16750 era where the "8s" are more oval on the top head than found on the insert that I posted here.

By the way, before you ask, I have no interest in putting together an insert thread for GMTs. There are way too many variables and differences and as all things Rolex, I seriously doubt there would ever be a community consensus on the era for each particular insert type. I do not consider myself an expert regarding all the bezel insert configurations - just a collector who enjoys the GMTs and a few other vintage Rolex models.

EDIT - This post contained a typo. In my original post, the following sentence read...There are also bezel inserts from the 16750 era where the "8s" are more over on the top head than found on the insert that I posted here.

This sentence should read ...There are also bezel inserts from the 16750 era where the "8s" are more oval on the top head than found on the insert that I posted here.

[TimeToGo]

.

[propofolboy]

Ha !! Love it red or blue pill.

Ok I'll get my watchmaker to pop it off next time I'm in and have a look at the color...

So if red back its probably original and blue back probably service dial.

I've also always wondered why my watch has never patina'ed. Its like really white .. I'm in Canada, maybe its the frosty weather.

[propofolboy]

Too funny red pill or blue pill eh!

I'll get my watch maker to have a look the next time I'm in.
So if red back its probably original, if blue back then probably service.

I've also wondered why my dial lumens have never patina'ed. I'm in Canada so maybe the frosty weather??

[propofolboy]

Any comment on the limited patina of my dial?
I'm in Canada

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by propofolboy

Any comment on the limited patina of my dial?
I'm in Canada

Actually hard to tell with your picture if it even has any tritium..

[propofolboy]

Yes it is hard to see, and hard to photograph. It's there just really white...

[propofolboy]

Ok thanks for everyones help.
If anyone can see anything about my 16750 that doesn't look right please PM me or replay in this thread...

[propofolboy]

had it at the shop today. bezel has blue back unfortunately so probably service dial..
sigh. Rolex guy said the dial is definitely original tho..