Is the 16710 the most unfair Rolex ever made?

[SubMarine]

The best combo is actually lugholes with the SEL.

Originally Posted by Sandpit

I’m gutted I missed the boat on these. What I would do for a full set late model SEL 16710. Sadly they all seem to go for crazy cash (even the non-3186 movement models) and I can’t bring myself round to accepting such prices.

Maybe short sighted on my part, I don’t know.

[Chope Man]

Originally Posted by FQ01

Wow, a great combo. ... I was told that modern bracelets will not fit vintage GMTs ...

Who told you this? An AD?

Here is my 16700 from 1991 with a recent super jubilee bracelet:

[wireless1979]

They have the Jubilee bracelets and the prices can’t be beat. The bezel and movements have been replaced. That’s why I asked for papers of the improvements. The work was done by BK. He is the best around. I will send pictures before I buy.


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[FQ01]

Originally Posted by Chope Man

Who told you this? An AD?



Here is my 16700 from 1991 with a recent super jubilee bracelet:

Not ADs, they do not have 167xx model for quite a while:) Thus sales reps have not seen them in decades and can not be a reliable source of information.

Several greys, who offered me vintage GMTs after I complained on the quality of bracelets, told me that you can not fit a modern bracelets on them.

Have you tried an oyster brecelet? What's the model number of this one?

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[Chope Man]

No, I did not try a recent oyster bracelet, as I already have the one that equipped my watch.

The sole recent one is the super Jubilee.

Its Ref is 63600. It needs 1.8mm spring bars, which can easily be found, to fit.

[spare]

Originally Posted by Chope Man

Who told you this? An AD?

Here is my 16700 from 1991 with a recent super jubilee bracelet:

Oh - oh, I may be in trouble. Did you manage to buy that separately or coming from another one of your watches?

Mandatory pic - reuse from one of the lockdown wrist picture topics.

[Chope Man]

I bought it separately.

First tried at an AD in Paris, but did not succeed. They told me that Rolex would refuse to sell something that was not amongst the option at that time. They would have accepted to sell a period jubilee, but I wanted to have the hidden clasp.

Finally I bought the Super Jubilee through Chrono24.

I've also seen offers here and on eBay.

It is on eBay that I found the 1.8mm spring bars.

And all this because I saw threads on this forum, notably one from Dan Pierce who explained everything. My many thanks to him!

[FQ01]

Originally Posted by spare

Oh - oh, I may be in trouble. Did you manage to buy that separately or coming from another one of your watches?



Mandatory pic - reuse from one of the lockdown wrist picture topics.

Man.... vintage gmt on oyster looks super cool! Once all this pandemic stuff is over, I might start looking for a vintage GMT!

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[meyers]

Originally Posted by SubMarine

The best combo is actually lugholes with the SEL.

Agreed

Here's mine: lugholes, SEL, faded fat font pepsi, swiss-only dial:

[djyolky]

I prefer the newer references. None the less, a fine watch.

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[smym18]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

To each their own but I'll never understand why a full set is so important to some. Just get one, send it off to service and take the opportunity to get a new bracelet & inserts. I purchased mine last September, sent it out for service and got a pepsi bezel to replace the original coke.

That’s basically what I did service-wise (I got it with a full set). Full service, new jubilee, Pepsi bezel (kept the Coke), and new dial. I’d definitely prefer SELs with no lug holes but that wasn’t an option.




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[Bladeshot]

Amazing self-service flexibility that will never return to the catalog!

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by springer

The GMTs and GMT IIs are great watches with the versatility they offer.

As always - Beautiful!

[mps354]

It would be perfect if it had a matte dial. Since it doesn’t, I’m forced to own both a 16710 and 1675!

[Sandpit]

Originally Posted by mmaggi

To each their own but I'll never understand why a full set is so important to some. Just get one, send it off to service and take the opportunity to get a new bracelet & inserts. I purchased mine last September, sent it out for service and got a pepsi bezel to replace the original coke.

Yeah I see your point. I would likely never sell if I bought so not much point in paying extra for box and papers.

I’ll look into this. They’re much better value as watch only.

[jerryguo]

I guess the op meant that this watch puts other Rolex model to shame in terms of versatility?

Originally Posted by toolr

Still don't understand why it's unfair?

[strafer_kid]

I have a friend who was an AD for quite a few years until the Rolex cull of many of their independents a few years back. Like a lot of guys, he kept me well supplied with Subs and SDs over the years as these were his most popular SS sports line. He was never able to move GMTs at quite the same rate. I remember picking up a 16710 at a great from him some years back, and then traded it again since it did not quite "do it" for me. Despite being a Sub/SD guy, I then took a real desire to get a GMT again, and was fortunate to pick up more than one. Now either 16700 or 16710 never leave my wrist. Superb watches!

[Maxy]

Originally Posted by FQ01

I really love the watch, been offered several times various versions of Coke and Pepsi, but turned them down. The bracelet is just a deal breaker for me... I just can not justify paying $10k for a watch with such a terrible bracelet... I'd be happy to pay $1k more and souce a modern bracelet, but they do not match as I was advised...

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terrible bracelet? I think you need to give it another shot. 5 digit bracelets are so light weight and practically invisible and comfy on your wrist. It wears differently than 6 digit bracelet but that doesn't make it terrible bracelet!

[AJMarcus]

You can swap out the bezels on the current BLRO and BLNR

[FQ01]

Originally Posted by Maxy

terrible bracelet? I think you need to give it another shot. 5 digit bracelets are so light weight and practically invisible and comfy on your wrist. It wears differently than 6 digit bracelet but that doesn't make it terrible bracelet!

Yep, totally terrible... lightweight is the only positive thing you can say, while on the cons side: rattly, clunky, stretchy, cheap stamp clasps... If you look at modern bracelets, the improvement is huge: much more comfortable, solid feel, no stretch, fantastic clasps.

I am quite curious about the experience of a vintage gmt with a modern oyster bracelet (preferably a brushed bracelet from Sub)

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[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by FQ01

Wow, a great combo. Could you please share more pics, especially inside and zoomed on lugs? I was told that modern bracelets will not fit vintage GMTs, how did you manage to make it work?

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Here you go. Didn’t have to do anything special except ask my watchmaker to switch it for me. I don’t have the tools.

I still plan to have the PCLs brushed.

Having the Easylink clasp is a game changer for me.

[FQ01]

Thanks! The fit is great on the top and acceptible on the bottom, but overall definitely worth the work! I agree, that a brushed bracel would look even better. What is your bracelet partnumber? I assume you took the GMT II bracelet?

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[meyers]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Amazing self-service flexibility that will never return to the catalog!

Beautiful set!

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by meyers

Beautiful set!

they are fun and flexible.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by FQ01

Thanks! The fit is great on the top and acceptible on the bottom, but overall definitely worth the work! I agree, that a brushed bracel would look even better. What is your bracelet partnumber? I assume you took the GMT II bracelet?

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Bracelet is the 78200.

[GsurgBM]

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[mmaggi]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

Yeah I see your point. I would likely never sell if I bought so not much point in paying extra for box and papers.

I’ll look into this. They’re much better value as watch only.

Check Chrono24. There are some available for less than $9000 right now. Looks like prices have come down about 10% since I purchased mine last September.

Buy the cheapest one regardless of bezel color. Send it out for service and request for a new bezel of your choice. You won't regret it. Trust me on this.

[Maverick_1908]

Originally Posted by smym18

That’s basically what I did service-wise (I got it with a full set). Full service, new jubilee, Pepsi bezel (kept the Coke), and new dial. I’d definitely prefer SELs with no lug holes but that wasn’t an option.




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Is that the new super jubilee bracelet?


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[e dantes]

Originally Posted by FQ01

Not ADs, they do not have 167xx model for quite a while:) Thus sales reps have not seen them in decades and can not be a reliable source of information.

Several greys, who offered me vintage GMTs after I complained on the quality of bracelets, told me that you can not fit a modern bracelets on them.

Have you tried an oyster brecelet? What's the model number of this one?

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The Glidelock 97200 also fits. Here’s a photo of my 16570 (no lug holes) with one. I believe the cases are the same as 16710. The tool free microadjustments are great in the warmer months.

I hope to add a 16710 someday. It is one of my favorite models.




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[aggftw]

Originally Posted by JasonF

Totally agree: mine was originally Pepsi and was able to purchase from RSC in NYC a Coke as well as all black insert. For the Coke, they happily swapped it while I waited back in their lounge in '06. Those days are probably long gone.

What are people doing nowadays to source bezels?

Nevermind, just found the answer in a later post. Apologies!

Just send for service and ask for a different bezel it seems.