Lucky find! Rolex 1675 Mark 1

[HarryLime]

Sounds like a hard pass to me.

[btinl]

Time to walk away.

[Dan S]

I really don't understand the negativity. This is how watches are found in the wild. Imperfect watches, bad memories. They're not all prepped and polished with professional photos. With some knowledge and good instincts things can turn out well if you don't over-pay. The story sounds legit to me. Do you think a scammer would chase down his wife to ask her permission to sell?

[GGGMT]

Missing parts and stuff no papers. No box. Watchmaker picked it over and took the good stuff like the bezel. Sweep hand gonzo. Wobbly bracelet. Meh. Time to move on.


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[owl.]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I really don't understand the negativity. This is how watches are found in the wild. Imperfect watches, bad memories. They're not all prepped and polished with professional photos. With some knowledge and good instincts things can turn out well if you don't over-pay. The story sounds legit to me. Do you think a scammer would chase down his wife to ask her permission to sell?

Good point.

Maybe I can ask for a bill of sale just in case.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by nsxnext

Are you planning to have someone check the movement?

Yes

I’m planning to have a AD watchmaker authenticate it

[interestedwatcher]

A big part of the game, is like real estate - you need to find something unique with potential, and then weight up the pitfalls and have a few different plans.

I think you also need the ability to act relatively quickly when required, so some basic tools like a case back opener and the ability to remove a bracelet are key.

Lets say the B&P don't turn up, and the insert is lost to time - I don't think you'd lose money at 8 or 9 k... That is either restoring it which involves further investment, or even heaven forbid parting it out.

[lee fowler]

They are still out there! Just picked up this 1968 long E!






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[tyendo@aol.com]

Seems fishy- guy doesn’t know much about GMT is worth and neither does the owner but he needs to talk to the wifey. But oh- he does remember they changed the bezel but oh - he does remember they changed the second hand. Oh- and hey- he does remember bought it in Mexico- just kinda walked out with it- but he will call his son to check if the box is there. Oh and a guy seriously also remember doing an 1800 service on a watch that costs maybe in his eyes 8-10. I think this is pixie dust fairy tale- he’s gonna now let you take his watch he didn’t want you to even try on to your ad this gets weirder by the post sorry but I would walk away from this “deal”

[zapokee]

If neither party has the expertise to make an informed deal (which appears to be the case here, assuming we're getting the whole truth), then it's not a good fit.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

They are still out there! Just picked up this 1968 long E!






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[1675-David]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I really don't understand the negativity. This is how watches are found in the wild. Imperfect watches, bad memories. They're not all prepped and polished with professional photos. With some knowledge and good instincts things can turn out well if you don't over-pay. The story sounds legit to me. Do you think a scammer would chase down his wife to ask her permission to sell?

X2 I'm with Dan on this one, I would persue this until my curiosity was satisfied. I would ask the seller if he can supply you with better images or allow you to take some pix which you can post here to get a better handle on the condition of the watch. A service insert or a replaced second hand has never been a deal breaker for me as long as I know it's there.

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

X2 I'm with Dan on this one, I would persue this until my curiosity was satisfied. I would ask the seller if he can supply you with better images or allow you to take some pix which you can post here to get a better handle on the condition of the watch. A service insert or a replaced second hand has never been a deal breaker for me as long as I know it's there.

Have to agree.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

They are still out there! Just picked up this 1968 long E!






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Damn good find! All original there!

They are still out there just hard to find. I saw an older man a few years ago who had a fuchsia insert 1675 but had a service dial....so I didn’t make him an offer....found it super ironic it had the original insert but service dial....

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Damn good find! All original there!

Apart from the bracelet yes it is all original.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by interestedwatcher

A big part of the game, is like real estate - you need to find something unique with potential, and then weight up the pitfalls and have a few different plans.

I think you also need the ability to act relatively quickly when required, so some basic tools like a case back opener and the ability to remove a bracelet are key.

Lets say the B&P don't turn up, and the insert is lost to time - I don't think you'd lose money at 8 or 9 k... That is either restoring it which involves further investment, or even heaven forbid parting it out.

Merry Xmas!

I’m into real estate a bit. But don’t have much money to invest.

I’ve only bought one investment home so far.

But with real estate, I can look at a home and give or take know what it’s worth and what I need to fix to get it where I want to be and stuff like that.

With watches... not so much

[owl.]

Originally Posted by tyendo@aol.com

Seems fishy- guy doesn’t know much about GMT is worth and neither does the owner but he needs to talk to the wifey. But oh- he does remember they changed the bezel but oh - he does remember they changed the second hand. Oh- and hey- he does remember bought it in Mexico- just kinda walked out with it- but he will call his son to check if the box is there. Oh and a guy seriously also remember doing an 1800 service on a watch that costs maybe in his eyes 8-10. I think this is pixie dust fairy tale- he’s gonna now let you take his watch he didn’t want you to even try on to your ad this gets weirder by the post sorry but I would walk away from this “deal”

Hello!

I agree.

It’s hard for me. I really want it but I’m scared I don’t know what I’m getting myself into.

What is also fishy is that he told me he took it to the watchmaker about 2 months ago

And he didn’t know where he left the original insert

I’m thinking if it was really 2 months ago, it should be easy to remember where he left the stuff the watchmaker gave him back

So idk

[owl.]

Originally Posted by zapokee

If neither party has the expertise to make an informed deal (which appears to be the case here, assuming we're getting the whole truth), then it's not a good fit.

I certainly don’t know what I’m doing.

But I love watches and am curious if this could be a score

[owl.]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

X2 I'm with Dan on this one, I would persue this until my curiosity was satisfied. I would ask the seller if he can supply you with better images or allow you to take some pix which you can post here to get a better handle on the condition of the watch. A service insert or a replaced second hand has never been a deal breaker for me as long as I know it's there.

When I talked to him at the store, he said he knew how to send pictures

I asked him to send me pics of everything he has related to that watch

Yesterday when he called me I reminded him to send me pictures and he still said he would but I haven’t received anything

I plan to invite him to dinner.

I’ll bring my Submariner; and lend him mine so he can (hopefully) trust me to hold his.

Then I’ll take a bunch of pics and post them here.

Assuming he agrees to dinner

[owl.]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

They are still out there! Just picked up this 1968 long E!






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Man that is lovely!

Wear it in the best of health :)

[owl.]

I’ll keep everyone informed.

Happy Xmas and thanks for the feedback!

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by owl.

When I talked to him at the store, he said he knew how to send pictures

I asked him to send me pics of everything he has related to that watch

Yesterday when he called me I reminded him to send me pictures and he still said he would but I haven’t received anything

I plan to invite him to dinner.

I’ll bring my Submariner; and lend him mine so he can (hopefully) trust me to hold his.

Then I’ll take a bunch of pics and post them here.

Assuming he agrees to dinner

Hang on. A complete stranger you met in a store, you want to invite to dinner....serious covid concerns not withstanding....all because of a fairly un-interesting watch, with missing/exchanged parts?

[owl.]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Hang on. A complete stranger you met in a store, you want to invite to dinner....serious covid concerns not withstanding....all because of a fairly un-interesting watch, with missing/exchanged parts?

Okay I didn’t think that would cause any concern.

Where I’m from, that is common.

It’s like having a “sit down.”

It is considered good manners, instead of say... meeting at a bank or a parking lot to discuss possible business.

I wouldn’t invite him to my home, or invite myself to his.

I plan to ask if I can take him to dinner at a restaurant of his choice.

Then we can talk over dinner and I can get the story straight, and take pictures of the watch to report back to this thread.

I’ve done that a couple of times in my life and it usually goes well.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by owl.

Okay I didn’t think that would cause any concern.

Where I’m from, that is common.

It’s like having a “sit down.”

It is considered good manners, instead of say... meeting at a bank or a parking lot to discuss possible business.

I wouldn’t invite him to my home, or invite myself to his.

I plan to ask if I can take him to dinner at a restaurant of his choice.

Then we can talk over dinner and I can get the story straight, and take pictures of the watch to report back to this thread.

I’ve done that a couple of times in my life and it usually goes well.

I didn't mean for it to be a commentary on the politeness of the gesture, or anything to that effect. But, it just seems like a lot of effort...even up to this point...for an okay watch with, at first, some promising details (box, and papers!) but then the realization that parts have been replaced, ("pretty sure" he has the bezel...but possibly/probably not), and then he doesn't actually have the box or papers, etc. etc. I'm not sure what I would believe with this guy.
If you really want a vintage 1675, there're many other routes you can go to get one.
But, good luck all the same!

[HarryLime]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Hang on. A complete stranger you met in a store, you want to invite to dinner....serious covid concerns not withstanding....all because of a fairly un-interesting watch, with missing/exchanged parts?

Was thinking the same thing, way too much drama involved in this now.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

I didn't mean for it to be a commentary on the politeness of the gesture, or anything to that effect. But, it just seems like a lot of effort...even up to this point...for an okay watch with, at first, some promising details (box, and papers!) but then the realization that parts have been replaced, ("pretty sure" he has the bezel...but possibly/probably not), and then he doesn't actually have the box or papers, etc. etc. I'm not sure what I would believe with this guy.
If you really want a vintage 1675, there're many other routes you can go to get one.
But, good luck all the same!

Oh, i see what you mean.

Well although I’m a little nervous, I still have hopes of it being a nice watch at a good price.

If he doesn’t find the bezel I’ll probably call it the end

If he does, I’ll keep going

[owl.]

Originally Posted by HarryLime

Was thinking the same thing, way too much drama involved in this now.

Sorry :(

Just a watch guy excited about something but not knowledgeable enough haha

[Sacha82]

Serviced for 1800USD and the watchmaker put in an aftermarket bezel? That's not original, of course, but it's not service, either. Look at that 22!

I'd pass because so far, all the "promises" are coming up empty.

S82

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

If you really want a vintage 1675, there're many other routes you can go to get one.

Yes. This seems like an unnecessarily weird and risky route. I'd look elsewhere.

[forgedblades]

subscribed...this is getting interesting!