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Old 30 September 2009, 11:20 AM   #1
mfer
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Need some Older GMT Help

Guys-

I've been searching around trying to learn more about the all brown and gold GMT, aka Rootbeer.

I know it was available in Ref 16758. Was it available in other references?

Also, can anyone point me anywhere to read more on it, etc. Doesn't seem to be a lot of information out there on them.

I've seen them as late as 1971 and as early as 1980. Any ideas on what years they were made, when the transitions occurred with nipple dials, cream date to white date, etc?

Anything would be good, I'm just trying to learn more at this point. I'll have to save a bit longer if I really get one of these.

Picture borrowed from a sale on TZ in the past.


Looks delicious doesn't it????
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Old 30 September 2009, 11:37 AM   #2
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I believe that the dial started as "milk chocolate" color then changed to "rootbeer" color in the mid 70's.
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Old 30 September 2009, 11:43 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lamone View Post
I believe that the dial started as "milk chocolate" color then changed to "rootbeer" color in the mid 70's.
Is that the same as the matte to gloss transition?
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Old 30 September 2009, 11:56 AM   #4
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The First GMT 6542 was also available in all gold with a brown dial and a bakelite bezel.
Starting in 1956 I believe. Than it went to 1675 until the 80's 16758
Below from a 1970 catalog
Picture of Gold 6542 from this excellent site. http://stefanomazzariol.blogspot.com...%20ref.%206542
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File Type: jpg 4242572.jpg (45.0 KB, 183 views)
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Old 30 September 2009, 12:02 PM   #5
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It's my understanding from another collector the brown dial made it's debut on the 6542 circa 63-64.

Here's a Rolex photo of the time. Note the Daphine hands,



I know that at least from 1966 the 1675/8 had a brown dial. This was before they went to the "coppery" dial that some collectors feel is less desirable.
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Old 30 September 2009, 01:10 PM   #6
mfer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greekbum View Post
The First GMT 6542 was also available in all gold with a brown dial and a bakelite bezel.
Starting in 1956 I believe. Than it went to 1675 until the 80's 16758
Below from a 1970 catalog
Picture of Gold 6542 from this excellent site. http://stefanomazzariol.blogspot.com...%20ref.%206542
Wow Nikos. Really great information. I'm going to be translating that.
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Old 30 September 2009, 01:12 PM   #7
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Quote:
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It's my understanding from another collector the brown dial made it's debut on the 6542 circa 63-64.

Here's a Rolex photo of the time. Note the Daphine hands,



I know that at least from 1966 the 1675/8 had a brown dial. This was before they went to the "coppery" dial that some collectors feel is less desirable.
Now that is the brown I'm talking about.



I can dream about this one.

This is really good information guys. I really appreciate it. Keep it coming if you can.
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Old 30 September 2009, 04:30 PM   #8
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These are my 1675's "milk chocolate" vintage 1972 and "root beer" 1977.
As you can see they are 2 very different colors.
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File Type: jpg CIMG7264.jpg (63.0 KB, 166 views)
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Old 30 September 2009, 05:31 PM   #9
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My 1970 1675 rootbeer
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File Type: jpg IMG_4103.jpg (80.6 KB, 163 views)
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Old 30 September 2009, 11:47 PM   #10
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Wow guys. Great pics. I'm in love with the chocolate dials!
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Old 1 October 2009, 04:14 AM   #11
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Here ya go, Mik. Not vintage, but still nice. I added these pics just for Steve's enjoyment.

I was wearing it today, in fact!





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Old 1 October 2009, 04:33 AM   #12
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You are going to have to fill me in on "Steve's enjoyment". Did this used to be his watch?

One more question, has anyone ever put a two tone brown head on steel jubilee or oyster? I love the dial and am thinking of doing gold just to get the dial, but I really love steel. Heck, my wedding band is even SS.
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Old 1 October 2009, 04:38 AM   #13
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You are going to have to fill me in on "Steve's enjoyment". Did this used to be his watch?...
Okey Dokey, Mik. It's a joke, really. Steve doesn't particularly like the Rootbeer GMT - calls it something like brown. It's a long-running banter between himself and me, but I have the pleasure of owning one of these beauties, so I get the last laugh!

Cheers!
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Old 1 October 2009, 04:52 AM   #14
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I'll take that any day of the week and twice on Thursday !
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Old 1 October 2009, 05:04 AM   #15
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I'll take that any day of the week and twice on Thursday !
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Old 1 October 2009, 01:31 PM   #16
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Well it's great that one persons pleasure is another persons because if we each liked the same model then it would be so much more difficult to find the particular piece at the price it is today.

All as I will say is that Rolex in their wisdom no longer makes the brown GMT

A Japanese client of mine wears one and it appeared to me quite interesting , he liked it a lot and I am happy for him.

Brown, what the heck has that got going for it as a colour, I know it looks like
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Old 1 October 2009, 02:04 PM   #17
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Quote:
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...
All as I will say is that Rolex in their wisdom no longer makes the brown...

Wisdom?!?!?!?!

Yeah, they dumped that brown for this one...


Really wise....

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Old 1 October 2009, 08:46 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lol-x View Post
Well it's great that one persons pleasure is another persons because if we each liked the same model then it would be so much more difficult to find the particular piece at the price it is today.

All as I will say is that Rolex in their wisdom no longer makes the brown GMT

A Japanese client of mine wears one and it appeared to me quite interesting , he liked it a lot and I am happy for him.

Brown, what the heck has that got going for it as a colour, I know it looks like
Awwww Steve, I wish you had one too. Maybe some day you'll be able to get one and be as happy as we Rootbeer owners are now!

Quote:
Originally Posted by mfer View Post
Wisdom?!?!?!?!

Yeah, they dumped that brown for this one...


Really wise....

Exactly, Mik!
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