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15 August 2018, 10:13 AM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: John David
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Watch: 1980 Rolex 16750
Posts: 256
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1980 16750 Bezel Insert
Greetings fellow forum members. I am looking for some assistance. I have a GMT-Master ref. 16750 serial # 665**** which I believe places it as a 1980 manufacture. I bought it new in Jan 1982. Well back in the day prior to joining TRF in 2005 I just thought of as my work watch. Didn't know about the nuances of font, red back, tritium versus Luminova, etc. In 2000 the bezel insert was so faded you could hardly make out the numbers on the blue side, the hands were severely corroded, and the tritium on the 24 hr hand was cracked. So took it to my AD and asked to have its periodic service and while he was at it, to replace the bezel insert and the hands. Everything was completed and he called me to come pick it up. It looked fantastic, like new almost. He asked me if I wanted the old parts and I told him to throw them away, oh well, who knew! Fast forward 5 years later and I find this forum and found that I had made a grave mistake. So to cut to the chase, I am asking if someone can post a picture of a 1980 16750 GMT-Master with an original insert so I can see what the font looks like on the Pepsi insert. I'm not planning on spending thousands of dollars on a mint, original, red backed insert, but I am hoping the insert I currently is the correct font for the period. Have included a pic of mine. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
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J.D. |
16 August 2018, 12:17 AM | #2 |
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This is from 82 or 3
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16 August 2018, 12:40 AM | #3 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: John David
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Watch: 1980 Rolex 16750
Posts: 256
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Sir,
Thank you for the response. Near as I can tell, they look the same. It's been almost 20 years since I replaced the original insert and I just don't remember what the font looked like. For now I am happy with the one I have. Maybe one of these days I will come across a mint red backed original. To be honest, I still don't like the look of severely faded inserts where they are completely unreadable.
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J.D. |
16 August 2018, 12:44 AM | #4 |
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Location: New Orleans
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If only we knew what we were throwing away some times! Good luck in the hunt, these bezels, and all old bezels it seems, are going for thousands. Saw one similar to above and seller was asking 5k.
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16 August 2018, 01:40 AM | #5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Texas
Watch: Tudor Snowflake
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Armypilot,
We need a medium font red back from what I was told. I’m going to be looking for one, and I will let you know the prices I run into. Even if your not wanting to buy one at least you will know, I think I can find some that aren’t crazy expensive. For now I have the same insert you do on my 1983, just a little worn/faded. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
17 August 2018, 09:58 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Dallas
Watch: 116619, 16570
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Recently I’ve orders three different faded 16750 bezels on eBay. 2 were fakes. $850 and $950 - both sellers did immediate refunds. So hard to find authentic and the right fade. I have a 1982 and have a new RSC Pepsi bezel on it until I find the right one that’s not $5k!!! FML.
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17 August 2018, 11:22 AM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: John David
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Watch: 1980 Rolex 16750
Posts: 256
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Thanks for the info. Let me know what you find out.
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J.D. |
17 August 2018, 11:29 AM | #8 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: John David
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Watch: 1980 Rolex 16750
Posts: 256
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Quote:
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J.D. |
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17 August 2018, 12:29 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Aug 2016
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@armypilot
A lot of early 16750s had their inserts swapped out over the the years. Usually this was done when the owner brought the watch in for a service and had the handset replaced. Like you said, these era handsets were prone to corrosion. Anyway, your current set up looks fine, but if you wanted to aquire a period correct red back, you can probably find a decent example for $1400 - 1600 range. —————- Instagram: @onthedial |
17 August 2018, 01:10 PM | #10 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: John David
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Watch: 1980 Rolex 16750
Posts: 256
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Quote:
From the responses I have received, it seems that this inserts' font is pretty close to the original. This picture is with the insert that I got from my AD in 2000. The font style seems the same with the fat bottomed eights but they are non serif and seem a little bit thinner than the insert I have on it right now. This is the fade it had in 2006 after being on the watch for six years.
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17 August 2018, 01:36 PM | #11 |
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I just acquired this ‘82 16750.
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17 August 2018, 03:25 PM | #12 |
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Real Name: jP
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I would look for one like this:
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Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics. |
17 August 2018, 08:52 PM | #13 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: John David
Location: Buckeye, AZ
Watch: 1980 Rolex 16750
Posts: 256
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Thanks Springer,
The eights with ovals for the top holes like the one in your picture is more like what I remember. This one is on the Bay is blue backed though. Are these genuine Rolex, or after market?
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J.D. |
19 August 2018, 10:04 AM | #14 |
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Watch: Tudor Snowflake
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That blue back is real, but I think we can find red backs for the same price.
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