Rolex 1675 MK1 with missing tritium

[Dr.Nad]

Hi all

I have a question about a 1675 MK1 that has some missing tritium on the 9 o'clock index.

The overall condition of the watch is great for a 1971 (all original except perhaps the GMT hand (hasn't aged the same as the other hands) which I'll have to clarify) and all indexes are full and good-looking except the 9 o'clock that's missing a tiny spot of tritium. Very small, but enough that you can't unsee it :)

What do you folks think of this? Is it worth considering a repair, if at all possible?




Thanks all

[MrBlobby]

I think it is very nice. The dot on the 9 marker is hardly noticeable. I would leave it as it is.

[Dan S]

Can you provide some context to your post? Is this your watch? An heirloom? A purchase you are considering? A watch you want to sell?

[Dr.Nad]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Can you provide some context to your post? Is this your watch? An heirloom? A purchase you are considering? A watch you want to sell?

Yes, sorry. This is a watch I am considering buying. It would be for my collection (i.e. wear it occasionally) but I'm not excluding selling/trading it in the future.

[TuRo]

Looks stable...a negotiating token !

[Andjwhite]

Did the seller say the lume was missing at 9? Or could it be a black speck on top of the lume? Agree on the gmt hand. Looks like a different texture and not simply a difference of color.


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[Dan S]

Are you referring to the black spot or the little missing patch at lower left? Or both?

[swish77]

Too minor to stress about. The area is tiny. I’d be more bothered by the lume on the GMT hand.

In general, better to leave in its original state than try to repair, especially when it’s minor.

[Dr.Nad]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Are you referring to the black spot or the little missing patch at lower left? Or both?

Mainly about the black spot (this is not on top of the lume but tritium that's missing. This is the actual dial we can see through). I could live with the little missing patch at the lower left.

That GMT hand also worries me, especially as it's supposed to be original.

[springer]

I can't see any missing tritium in the photos. I do see what appears to be a piece of debris stuck to the nine marker. Missing tritium would not be the color of the dark spot observed in your photos - instead, it would be white.

[Dr.Nad]

Originally Posted by springer

I can't see any missing tritium in the photos. I do see what appears to be a piece of debris stuck to the nine marker. Missing tritium would not be the color of the dark spot observed in your photos - instead, it would be white.

I will confirm this in person next week when I see the watch. The seller said the hole lacked material (i.e. tritium) and not something stuck on the index. Couldn't it be the (black) dial we see through?

[joli160]

Originally Posted by Dr.Nad

I will confirm this in person next week when I see the watch. The seller said the hole lacked material (i.e. tritium) and not something stuck on the index. Couldn't it be the (black) dial we see through?

underneath the tritium it is white

[Dan S]

Both are extremely minor, but I wasn't sure which of these two things you were referring to. I agree that the black spot is not missing lume, but a small stain or piece of debris. I think there may be an equally minuscule missing piece of lume in the corner. Overall, if you are going to let details like the derail a purchase, you may be looking for a long time.

[Dr.Nad]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Both are extremely minor, but I wasn't sure which of these two things you were referring to. I agree that the black spot is not missing lume, but a small stain or piece of debris. I think there may be an equally minuscule missing piece of lume in the corner. Overall, if you are going to let details like the derail a purchase, you may be looking for a long time.

Agreed, thanks for your insight!

The GMT hand may or may not be considered minor, but it looks like it was refilled (or even overfilled if you look at the edges of the triangle).

Which could explain why the lume isn't identical to the other hands.

[btinl]

I wouldn’t be bothered by the 9 marker. But, it depends on the price.

[MrBlobby]

Even the gmt lume colour is a reasonable match. Clearly when you magnify something the defects look bigger than they are. I would imagine when you look at this watch on the wrist without binoculars that the gmt hand won’t look much different to the other hands and markers.

I stand by saying it is a nice looking watch.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Dr.Nad

Agreed, thanks for your insight!

The GMT hand may or may not be considered minor, but it looks like it was refilled (or even overfilled if you look at the edges of the triangle).

Which could explain why the lume isn't identical to the other hands.

I agree, the red hand appears to have been relumed. It wouldn't be an issue for me since tritium, especially 60-year-old tritium, wasn't intended to last 60 plus years but some surely has which is a bonus.

[Dr.Nad]

Thank you all for your advice!
I'll go and see the watch in person next week
Keep you posted

Originally Posted by btinl

I wouldn’t be bothered by the 9 marker. But, it depends on the price.

Approx. $17k USD for watch (serial 1.9M) + original box + some papers (2015 Rolex service card + service invoice, original invoice dated 1971, original Rolex manuals, and for what it's worth) a certificate of authenticity (dated 2015) from AD who sold the watch in 1971). Not a full set but close.

[Erpin]

For a 50 year old watch, the condition is great. I would not even consider that small chip on the corner and black dot on the hour marker a deal breaker. Like u said, it’s not visible to the naked eye.


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