Help with a GMT 1675 c. 1969-70

[nickchaudron99]

Hi, I am new to the forum and I picked up this GMT 1675 SN 2961XXX. The case was authenticated by rolex and they replaced the bracelet with a new 7836 w 280 End links since the one that came on it was not the correct bracelet. I am particularly interested in the dial, mainly the lume and whether it is original or restored. I noticed it goes outside the lines some and does not match the hands. Any help on evaluation, correctness, restoration etc greatly appreciated.


thanks

[nickchaudron99]

close ups

[Vincent65]

sorry to say that that looks like a very badly re-painted dial/hands...

[nickchaudron99]

Ok not sure I understand completely
But does not sound good. Is there a problem with the lettering?
Any more help?

[Vincent65]

I mean the re-lume job on the hour plots - text looks ok

[nickchaudron99]

Thanks for you quick help. How best to deal with his problem?

[nickchaudron99]

It makes me wonder if the dial is the original dial, why relume a valuable original dial? . Were many original 1675s relumed. Is this a common problem, can it be made right. Recommend the best person to do the job? How does it affect the value.
Many thanks

[nickchaudron99]

Double post

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by nickchaudron99

It makes me wonder if the dial is the original dial, why relume a valuable original dial? . Were many original 1675s relumed. Is this a common problem, can it be made right. Recommend the best person to do the job? How does it affect the value.
Many thanks

Having a relumed dial will negatively affect the value of a vintage Rolex watch especially a sports model. However, I do not know you price-point for acquiring the watch. The price that you paid might have been adjusted accordingly.

For relume, I would recommend either Kent Parks at Everest Watch Works or Jack @ IWW. I would say Jack has the longest wait time, but both do an excellent job from the things I have seen on the various watch forums over the years. Kent relumed a 5513 Sub for me several years ago and I couldn't be happier.

You can google both of these entities. Here is a picture of my relumed 5513

[TimeToGo]

Welcome to the Forum!

I love the GMTs. You are correct about why someone would relume a dial that is so desirable, a very nice Mk-2 dial. At least the lettering looks great and it can be fixed. Obviously it needs some attention as well as the hand set. Sourcing a set of hands and a Mk-2 dial in the secondary market will be costly. But as Jason said, it is all about how much you paid and the continued expense to fix. I have no idea how much a relume job runs..

You do however need to be aware that the relume material could come lose on the watch and works its way into the movement and cause even bigger problems.

[Vincent65]

Originally Posted by nickchaudron99

It makes me wonder if the dial is the original dial, why relume a valuable original dial? . Were many original 1675s relumed. Is this a common problem, can it be made right. Recommend the best person to do the job? How does it affect the value.
Many thanks

Most of the value of vintage watches is in the dial, IMHO (about 70%).
I'd source an alternative, period-correct dial, or better still a whole other watch. Depends what you paid for it/how much it bothers you/whether you intend to re-sell etc. You could also have the dial restored properly, but I wouldn't bother, personally.

[nickchaudron99]

Great photo, I really like that sub!, If I can get a job done like that I would be happy. I will give him a call and check availability.

[nickchaudron99]

Can anyone tell me why there is no lume in the arrow of the red hand. I noticed in the Rolex book all of the early GMTs had lume in the red arrow. Does this mean that that hand is a newer replacement?

thanks

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by nickchaudron99

Can anyone tell me why there is no lume in the arrow of the red hand. I noticed in the Rolex book all of the early GMTs had lume in the red arrow. Does this mean that that hand is a newer replacement?

thanks

No, the lume has just crumbled away/fallen out over time.

[nickchaudron99]

what is the name of the really great rolex restorer in texas? I can't remember the name.?
thanks

[JohnBaker3]

Originally Posted by nickchaudron99

Hi, I am new to the forum and I picked up this GMT 1675 SN 2961XXX. The case was authenticated by rolex and they replaced the bracelet with a new 7836 w 280 End links since the one that came on it was not the correct bracelet. I am particularly interested in the dial, mainly the lume and whether it is original or restored. I noticed it goes outside the lines some and does not match the hands. Any help on evaluation, correctness, restoration etc greatly appreciated.


thanks

Don't forget about Michael Young; he can restore the dial and hands over in Hong Kong. Here is his link and some photos of his dial work:

http://www.classicwatchrepair.com/page3.html

Be safe.

[watchcrank]

I'd source a nice dial and hand set and sell off the extras. Repairing that dial will cost you a good portion of a nicer dial anyway imho. You don't have to be in a hurry for this as its very wearable now. m

[iclick]

Originally Posted by nickchaudron99

what is the name of the really great rolex restorer in texas? I can't remember the name.?
thanks

Bob Ridley.

[datejust24]

Originally Posted by nickchaudron99

what is the name of the really great rolex restorer in texas? I can't remember the name.?
thanks

Mr. Bob Ridley

[nickchaudron99]

It is my opinion after seeing the new designs of subs and GMT's that I want to give this watch to bob Ridley and let him make it as perfect a restoration as possible based on his vision and expertise. Thanks for all of the input

[springer]

Originally Posted by watchcrank

I'd source a nice dial and hand set and sell off the extras. Repairing that dial will cost you a good portion of a nicer dial anyway imho. You don't have to be in a hurry for this as its very wearable now. m

Agree with Mike, find a dial and hands and replace what is on there.

[CrownMe]

I thought the hour plots were just water damaged at first. Great advice given in this thread. Bob will take good care of you and your watch.

Btw Welcome to the forum!!

[nickchaudron99]

I was told ther was some water in the watch at some point but that after a good service would be fine. I was told that I could wait a while before the cleaning. Should I replace the dial and hands because they are not original or because they are not real or because they are to badly damaged t salvage? Why in particular am I urged to replace, not just restore?
Thanks for the welcome.

[springer]

Originally Posted by nickchaudron99

I was told ther was some water in the watch at some point but that after a good service would be fine. I was told that I could wait a while before the cleaning. Should I replace the dial and hands because they are not original or because they are not real or because they are to badly damaged t salvage? Why in particular am I urged to replace, not just restore?
Thanks for the welcome.

Your original, Mark II dial appears to be either water damaged or relumed. Your hands appear to have excessive corrosion. As in most collectibles, an original item in excellent condition would be more desirable than the same item that was refinished. Mark II dials are available on the secondary market - although they are not plentiful and wouldn't be much more expensive than repairing your dial. When it is possible, original is always more desirable than refinished.

[nickchaudron99]

got it! thanks so much everyone!

[nickchaudron99]

I have just received another expert opinion by email that this dial appears to be original but has had moisture damage to the hands and plots. This makes sense because the first watchmaker that has looked at the movement also noticed that there was evidence that there had been moisture inside the watch sometime in the past and that a cleaning should be done.

[Vincent65]

either way, the dial and hands have seen much better days - hopefully the movement wasn't damaged.