16753 or 1675/3 Clint Eastwood

[thenewrick]

Howdy, I was trying to learn more about the Clint Eastwood Rootbeer.

It seems he wore a 16753 or 1675/3. I'm not sure if there is a difference.

These were made from 1980-1988 and came in different colors but all shared the same movement the 3075.

Do I understand it all correctly?

Were there any updates during those production years?

Were they all 14k gold or did they update to 18k gold at any point?

Is a 16753 the same as a 1675/3 and they're all the same except for color combos?

I just want to make sure I know what I'm looking for and things to keep an eye out for.

Thanks

[mineral]

The rootbeer is one of my most favorite reference.

The major difference of 1675/3 and 16753 which enable us to differentiate them is the dial. The older 1675/3 has embossed Rolex crown logo whereas 16753 has printed logo. I much prefer the older dial especially with its matte brown dial too.


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[thenewrick]

Ah so the only difference is the early year production maybe 80-83 is the Rolex crown logo?

Are the dials different as well?

Were the early 1675/3 as brown dial with the 16753 a black dial?

Which did Clint Eastwood wear?

[drockadam]

God I love Root Beers on Jubilees.

[MorningTundra]

The 16753 has a sapphire crystal and quickset date.

[thenewrick]

I was almost positive from the sources I read that the 1675/3 had the new movement but maybe it's just in how they're typing the reference number.

1675/3 means a 1675 in 2 tone while a 16753 means an entirely new reference number with updates?

Does anyone know of a really good source they breaks down all the changes? I'd never read the sapphire crystal update anywhere.

Does anyone know which reference CE wore? Was he a 1675/3 with older movement and crystal or the updated 16753?

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by drockadam

God I love Root Beers on Jubilees.

[TimeLord2]

1675/3 was introduced I believe around 1970 with steel and gold, although the general version 1675 was produced from around 1959 - 1981. 1675/3 has an acrylic crystal and non-hacking date, plus applied crown on matt dial although there are sunburst versions as well. 16750 or 16753 also has an acrylic crystal, painted on crown on dial and has date hacking with the 3075 movement, produced from 1980 - 1989. Stacking order on hands is different between the 1675 and 16750 too. Clint wore the 16753, which is an entirely separate reference from the 1675/3. You are correct the 1675 is all stainless, 1675/3 stainless and gold (Rolesor), 1675/8 all gold. Later reference 16750 all stainless, 16753 stainless and gold, 16758 all gold. The TT and solid gold versions both come in brown and black dials. Sapphire crystals not in the mix until the 16760. Regarding 14K gold, I believe those sold in the USA and a few other countries had 14K gold bezel and bracelet while those sold in Europe were 18K. At least this is my understanding…
A few references:
https://gmtmaster1675.com/
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=801057
https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=692513

[JustinK]

The 16753 was introduced around 79-80 with the biggest difference being the movement which offered quickset. It is one of my favorite references as you have quickset but an acrylic crystal and a nipple dial.

The nipple dial was replaced by gold surrounds in the mid 80's and you will find them in 14K until the low 8 millions when they changed to 18K.

Easiest way to tell the difference between the models is the hand stack and the applied vs printed crown.

[thenewrick]

Thanks for the additional info.

I'm still hoping for a little clarification.

I suppose ideally I'd like to find a sapphire crystal, 18k, 3075 movement, brown dial 16753. But that may have been a European only option?

It seems like Rolex mix and matched parts a lot more in the past and it makes it difficult nailing down the little details and year to year changes within the same reference.

[MorningTundra]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

The 16753 has a sapphire crystal and quickset date.

Yeah, probably not my clearest post. Sorry.

This 5-digit is a transitional reference. Early serials have many of the features of the outgoing 1675/3, like nipple dials and acrylic crystals. Late serials have features of the 16713 that would replace it. Like sunburst, gold surrounds, sapphire. As others have mentioned, the gilt (rather than applied) coronet is the change that's consistent across the dial variants of this ref. And yes the movement upgrade with the quickset date (and hand stack) sets it apart from the outgoing four-digit. I think 16753 is the last of the friction-fit bezels and does not click.

[thenewrick]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

Yeah, probably not my clearest post. Sorry.

This 5-digit is a transitional reference. Early serials have many of the features of the outgoing 1675/3, like nipple dials and acrylic crystals. Late serials have features of the 16713 that would replace it. Like sunburst, gold surrounds, sapphire. As others have mentioned, the gilt (rather than applied) coronet is the change that's consistent across the dial variants of this ref. And yes the movement upgrade with the quickset date (and hand stack) sets it apart from the outgoing four-digit. I think 16753 is the last of the friction-fit bezels and does not click.

That's interesting.

So if I were shopping for a 16753 I'd need to be looking for a reference number from the later years maybe 83-88, whether it had a sapphire crystal, and whether the gold was 14k or 18k?

It sounds like even a reference number/year might not guarantee these things.

I'd really prefer a sapphire crystal, 18k gold, and the clicking rotating bezel if possible. Maybe I'd need to be looking at the latest reference numbers I could find from 87-88?

[MorningTundra]

Why not look for a 16713? The gold question is an interesting one, which I’ve never got a clear answer on. My understanding is that it varies by sales territory and local taxes. But I could be totally off.

[thenewrick]

I like the idea of having a "Clint Eastwood" reference

[springer]

The only thing that I would add is I believe the early 16753s were 14K/SS and switched a year or two after the 16753 introduction to 18k/SS. I know there are early GMT 16753 Jubilee bracelets marked 14k but I never tested one of my 16753 cases to ascertain if it was also 14k - but I presume it was.

[thenewrick]

I've seen 16753 advertised as being both 14k and 18k. I know they were 14k for sure but have mixed info on whether they ever actually went 18k and if all the gold on the case also went 18k.

I kinda think they never had sapphire option and that started with the next generation but I'm not sure.

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Thanks for the additional info.

I'm still hoping for a little clarification.

I suppose ideally I'd like to find a sapphire crystal, 18k, 3075 movement, brown dial 16753. But that may have been a European only option?

It seems like Rolex mix and matched parts a lot more in the past and it makes it difficult nailing down the little details and year to year changes within the same reference.

1675 and 16750 only available with Acrylic crystal, and that would be for the 1675, 1675/3, 1675/8, 16750, 16753, and 16758. Sapphire not an option or a European only configuration. If you want a sapphire crystal try a 16713, not sure what other references feature the sapphire crystal.
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...-ii-16760.html

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

1675 and 16750 only available with Acrylic crystal, and that would be for the 1675, 1675/3, 1675/8, 16750, 16753, and 16758. Sapphire not an option or a European only configuration. If you want a sapphire crystal try a 16713, not sure what other references feature the sapphire crystal.
https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-bl...-ii-16760.html

Mostly correct. 16758 had a sapphire Crystal.


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[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by waspy1

Mostly correct. 16758 had a sapphire Crystal.


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Learn something new everyday! Thanks Waspy!

[thenewrick]

Now I'm curious. Would the sapphire crystal from the solid gold 16758 work on the two tone 16753? I've read in other threads crystals aren't usually swappable because of the way the crystal and case interact to seal and create water resistance as well as clearance for hands.

[waspy1]

While I don’t know for 100% sure, I’d expect the mid case to be different. The 16753 will have a profile to take an acrylic crystal while the 16758 will have a profile for a gasket and sapphire. There have been conversion kits available aftermarket to convert acrylic models to sapphire but nothing proper. I wouldn’t trust these to be waterproof.


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[thenewrick]

The 16753 is supposed to be 100m water resistant!

With a proper service and new gaskets it should be fine I would think.

[springer]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Thanks for the additional info.

I'm still hoping for a little clarification.

I suppose ideally I'd like to find a sapphire crystal, 18k, 3075 movement, brown dial 16753. But that may have been a European only option?

It seems like Rolex mix and matched parts a lot more in the past and it makes it difficult nailing down the little details and year to year changes within the same reference.

The 16753 did not come with a sapphire crystal as someone posted earlier. If you want sapphire, you need the solid 18k model 16758.

The 16750 and 16753 came with acrylic crystals also referred to by the Rolex part number as a Cyclope 116.

[thenewrick]

Is there any update in particular that I should look for in the 16753 reference? It sounds like in general they were the same from 80-88. I’d hate to get one and find out if I had just gotten a newer model in the reference I would have gotten a really interesting update. I know they’re minor details but that’s what makes these things interesting!

[zapokee]

The two-tone Rootbeer is very much growing on me.

[thenewrick]

I watched Firefox and In the Line of Fire to brush up on my Rootbeer movies.

I’ve seen them priced from $10k to $25k. Seems like a huge spread. I’d like a B quality example with papers and a good history. Would like to find one with original parts and minimal to no polishing but I know that’s rare.

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Is there any update in particular that I should look for in the 16753 reference? It sounds like in general they were the same from 80-88. I’d hate to get one and find out if I had just gotten a newer model in the reference I would have gotten a really interesting update. I know they’re minor details but that’s what makes these things interesting!

Personally, I’d get an early 16753 to get the nipple
Dial. The later ones had large plots rather than nipples. There were no updates to the movement, case etc within the 16753 reference, only when the reference changed (to gmt 2 for example 16713).


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[thenewrick]

Hmm not sure what large plots look like. I thought they were all yellow gold nipple style indices with a tiny bit of lume in the center

[springer]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Hmm not sure what large plots look like. I thought they were all yellow gold nipple style indices with a tiny bit of lume in the center

The early models from late 1979 until 1984 had "nipple" markers on the dial. The later examples, beginning around 1984 and continuing until the end of the 16753 production, had much larger, round markers which were used on GMTs until the end of the GMT II production around 2008. After 2008, the GMT went to a dial with larger round markers when compared to the previous generation of dial markers.

[thenewrick]

Ah interesting. I sort of like the large plots but I suppose the CE was the nipple dial. Both are cool. And it’s radioactive lume on the nipple dial too vs their luminova on new indices right?