Help with this 16610 please :)

[shammad10]

Hi I wondered if I could have some opinions about this 1989 16610 please.
It is from a reputable dealer in Guildford in Surrey (UK), but comes with no box/papers.
From what I can tell it has service crystal (coronet with the S in the crown), service insert and a service clasp. Has been recently serviced by a rolex accredited watchmaker in London (Russell Talerman) and runs +1s/day.
I think the hands and dial is original tritium.
Has been polished, but done very well.

Thank you.









Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[TimeToGo]

.
I don't see any issues other than the overhaul case was done - not period correct. Heavy chamfers were not used in these..

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
I don't see any issues other than the overhaul case was done - not period correct. Heavy chamfers were not used in these..

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Ah I see, so you think it has been re-finished?
I saw a few on Chrono24 from 1989 with similar chamfers such as this one which is unpolished so I thought maybe okay




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by shammad10

Ah I see, so you think it has been re-finished?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes, recut too deep..

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

Yes, recut too deep..

Okay thanks. Would that put you off a purchase at a decent price?

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by shammad10

Okay thanks. Would that put you off a purchase at a decent price?

You gotta take great or decent prices anytime - if in a rush.

However, I prefer patience..

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

You gotta take great or decent prices anytime - if in a rush.

However, I prefer patience..

Okay thank you for your time :)

[shammad10]

Had this taken to a Rolex accredited watchmaker today in London. Said it all checks out and keeps great time.
It however failed pressure testing- so would need all new seals etc! From your experience is that a big deal? For context the dealers are giving me a price that’s around £1000 below market value.

[TimeToGo]

.
You began your thread that the watch had just been serviced by an accredited Rolex watchmaker and now it does not pass pressure testing..

You figure if it needed gaskets, tube, crown, etc. during the service to make it water tight, it would have been done.. You don't know what else could be bad. It is a big deal if you want to expose the watch to water.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by shammad10

Had this taken to a Rolex accredited watchmaker today in London. Said it all checks out and keeps great time.
It however failed pressure testing- so would need all new seals etc! From your experience is that a big deal? For context the dealers are giving me a price that’s around £1000 below market value.

Decent looking watch. Seals are easy to replace

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

.
You began your thread that the watch had just been serviced by an accredited Rolex watchmaker and now it does not pass pressure testing..

You figure if it needed gaskets, tube, crown, etc. during the service to make it water tight, it would have been done.. You don't know what else could be bad. It is a big deal if you want to expose the watch to water.

Serviced in the last 5 years- I don’t mean immediately pre sale. But yeah I take your point!

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by Tools

Decent looking watch. Seals are easy to replace

Thanks, that’s what the watchmaker said! Think I’ll go for it :)

[Tools]

Originally Posted by shammad10

Thanks, that’s what the watchmaker said! Think I’ll go for it :)

I think that you will enjoy it; it's a first generation 16610.

As mentioned, it has a few service parts, which is pretty normal for a 30+year old example. Crystals and clasps are expendable items and proper service replacements will last for decades..

It does have deeper cut chamfers on the edge, which is a popular look and quite often done to "fix" damaged original edges. Some folks even pay shops to cut those into perfectly normal cases. Pivots do not extend outside the lug holes, so, to me, a chamfer cut is far more preferable than thinning out the width of lugs.

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by Tools

I think that you will enjoy it; it's a first generation 16610.

As mentioned, it has a few service parts, which is pretty normal for a 30+year old example. Crystals and clasps are expendable items and proper service replacements will last for decades..

It does have deeper cut chamfers on the edge, which is a popular look and quite often done to "fix" damaged original edges. Some folks even pay shops to cut those into perfectly normal cases. Pivots do not extend outside the lug holes, so, to me, a chamfer cut is far more preferable than thinning out the width of lugs.

Thanks a lot :) My first non new rolex and the beginning of the journey into more classic/vintage pieces. I think I’ll enjoy the journey!

[freefly]

Originally Posted by shammad10

It however failed pressure testing- so would need all new seals etc! From your experience is that a big deal? For context the dealers are giving me a price that’s around £1000 below market value.

As Larry mentioned above, seals are easily-replaceable service items. I would just want to see pictures of the case/case-back/movement (or preferably loupe it in person) to make sure there is no corrosion present.

[rolexforum73]

Russell tallerman is a respected service/repair shop. He took care of my 1680 a good few years ago.

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by rolexforum73

Russell tallerman is a respected service/repair shop. He took care of my 1680 a good few years ago.

Thanks, yeah I met him yesterday actually! I took the watch straight from the shop to him, and he was great.

[lennywilkins]

Strange that a watch serviced 5 years ago is no longer waterproof. Where was it leaking? How did he test it?

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by shammad10

Had this taken to a Rolex accredited watchmaker today in London. Said it all checks out and keeps great time.
It however failed pressure testing- so would need all new seals etc! From your experience is that a big deal? For context the dealers are giving me a price that’s around £1000 below market value.

Nope Not worth it to save a grand. The way you’re doing your due diligence and being careful I can tell this is a long range possible lifetime purchase. Case recut too deep. Seals jacked. You can certainly do better with great B&P and should in my view. For this isn’t a righteous original sample.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Nope Not worth it to save a grand. The way you’re doing your due diligence and being careful I can tell this is a long range possible lifetime purchase. Case recut too deep. Seals jacked. You can certainly do better with great B&P and should in my view. For this isn’t a righteous original sample.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it. I have ended up going for it! I’m actually really pleased with it, and like you say it is a lifetime purchase for me- the case recut doesn’t make too much of a difference to me if I’m being completely honest. I ended up getting it even cheaper as you guys helpfully pointed out the case and due to the seals. So saved around £2k, which to me is a decent amount! Hopefully I will wear it well for the coming years! :)

[GGGMT]

Originally Posted by shammad10

Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it. I have ended up going for it! I’m actually really pleased with it, and like you say it is a lifetime purchase for me- the case recut doesn’t make too much of a difference to me if I’m being completely honest. I ended up getting it even cheaper as you guys helpfully pointed out the case and due to the seals. So saved around £2k, which to me is a decent amount! Hopefully I will wear it well for the coming years! :)

Actually, at that price discount, I think that’s worth it, particularly if you’re good with a case cuts. Huge congratulations! Where it in good health, welcome to the forum


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shammad10]

Originally Posted by GGGMT

Actually, at that price discount, I think that’s worth it, particularly if you’re good with a case cuts. Huge congratulations! Where it in good health, welcome to the forum


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks very much