1983 GMT Master 16750

[wbhardy]

Hey there - first time posting here! I just bought this off a friend of the family who claims it has never been serviced...kind of skeptical of that, but any opinions would be most appreciated! Another friend said that it looked like it had definitely been polished.

I've read that sometimes the hour/minute hands age lighter like this example, but that seems like an excuse to explain replaced hands. The GMT/seconds look darker than even the lume.

It came with the original jubilee, and some kind of fake Submariner bracelet with no branding that the friend said was purchased from an AD claiming it was made by the same folks that make Rolex bracelets (Gay Freres?) which is stamped "Italy". Skeptical there, too.

It's running around 10 seconds slow per day. I wonder if I should get it serviced right away, and if so, are there any recommended watchmakers in the Virginia area?

Thanks for reading!

[springer]

Contrary to what you read, those hands do not appear to be original - at least not based on my experience and ownership of dozens of vintage 1675 and 16750 GMTs.

As you surmised, the case has been minimally poished as evidenced by the photos.

[alwayshere]

Agree with Springer. Hands dont look right to me either (though not fatal)

Dial looks good though.

[wbhardy]

Thanks a lot for the feedback--appreciate it a lot!

[Sherbie]

Could it be that the seconds and gmt hands are original, and the hr and minute hands are service replacements?

From my limited experience of this ref (esp compared with JP and others here) original hands are nearly always pitted - as indeed are the secs and gmt hands of the OP’s watch


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[lis]

I would send to Philip Ridley in Arizona. I live in the DMV and for vintage Rolex, he's the only one I'd trust.

[1665fan]

Date wheel font looks a little thin also….maybe service replacement

[wbhardy]

Originally Posted by lis

I would send to Philip Ridley in Arizona. I live in the DMV and for vintage Rolex, he's the only one I'd trust.

Looked him up, looks solid!

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by Sherbie

Could it be that the seconds and gmt hands are original, and the hr and minute hands are service replacements?

From my limited experience of this ref (esp compared with JP and others here) original hands are nearly always pitted - as indeed are the secs and gmt hands of the OP’s watch


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Aftermarket. Those aren’t service replacements

[wbhardy]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

Aftermarket. Those aren’t service replacements

I'm curious how to know they are aftermarket and where I could get some authentic ones if you have any tips.

[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by wbhardy

I'm curious how to know they are aftermarket and where I could get some authentic ones if you have any tips.

I would send it to one of the vintage repair / service guys and have them source it for you.

Its a mine field out there trying to find genuine Rolex parts, not something I would recommend unless you want to commit alot of time into it.

The tell-tale sign is the size of the outer border vs inner of the hour hand

[TimeLord2]

Another recommendation for Phillip Ridley. He serviced my 1675/3 a few months ago and sourced a very nice bezel ring for me. With my limited knowledge and Rolex parts connection base (actually non-existent!), I was very hesitant to source one myself given the after market versions pop up with originals all the time. Good luck in the search.

[wbhardy]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

I would send it to one of the vintage repair / service guys and have them source it for you.

Its a mine field out there trying to find genuine Rolex parts, not something I would recommend unless you want to commit alot of time into it.

The tell-tale sign is the size of the outer border vs inner of the hour hand

Thanks for the advice- seems like a good idea to leave it to the pros :)

I'm having trouble seeing the difference with the hour hand border- does anyone have any insight on how to see this? I looked at similar models on gmtforum. com. Does my hour hand have a thinner border?

[wbhardy]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

Another recommendation for Phillip Ridley. He serviced my 1675/3 a few months ago and sourced a very nice bezel ring for me. With my limited knowledge and Rolex parts connection base (actually non-existent!), I was very hesitant to source one myself given the after market versions pop up with originals all the time. Good luck in the search.

Many thanks!

[captivtimepiece2]

Great looking watch


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[Tavli3]

Originally Posted by wbhardy

Thanks for the advice- seems like a good idea to leave it to the pros :)

I'm having trouble seeing the difference with the hour hand border- does anyone have any insight on how to see this? I looked at similar models on gmtforum. com. Does my hour hand have a thinner border?

I could be wrong as I too was having trouble seeing the difference. But I think if you look at the top of the circle by the point the border does look thinner than the border connected to the shaft.


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[alwayshere]

Originally Posted by wbhardy

Thanks for the advice- seems like a good idea to leave it to the pros :)

I'm having trouble seeing the difference with the hour hand border- does anyone have any insight on how to see this? I looked at similar models on gmtforum. com. Does my hour hand have a thinner border?

outer circle border should be the same size as the inner mercedes border on a genuine. Yours is different sizes.