The Rolex GMT Unpolished References Thread

[LLmrol]

Hi,

There are many of us (including myself) who ask for advice when it comes to whether a GMT has been polished or not and the general condition of GMT's that we are thinking of buying. In addition, the case refinishing done these days with laser welding are so nicely made that it is difficult to assess whether a watch truly is unpolished or if it has been refinished (at least for non-experts)

I therefore wonder if users who are 100% sure that their watch is unpolished please could share pictures of their watches (1675, 16750, 16700, 16710 etc) so that they could become reference objects? I thought that this could help potential buyers to assess the watches they are interested in.

I wish i could start off but mines been polished in the past.

Br

[Rockrolex]

I’m 100% sure mine is unpolished. It’s 15 years old and never been serviced. I had it on in the pool last week. Here it is




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[05carbondrz]

[uncleluck]

Originally Posted by Rockrolex

I’m 100% sure mine is unpolished. It’s 15 years old and never been serviced. I had it on in the pool last week. Here it is




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15 years without any seals changed and swimming with it, not sure that’s something to be proud of. Be a shame to ruin your dial. Not trying to be an arse but even if you don’t believe in servicing the movement I’d at least get an Indy to re-seal it and pressure test it.

[Gina Marie]

unpolished is a term that is used very loosely around these here parts. I am confident in my ability to view cases after handling over hundreds of watches in the past few years. Doing so allows you to recognize what to look for. I have also handled recut cases and know what to look for. Sadly, it is difficult to share the knowledge unless you have a watch in hand to view.

the first thing i look for is how the light reflects off the sides of the watch. An unpolished watch will have a nice straight reflection usually. A polished watch will show a slight curvature in the refection.

An unpolished watch will generally have a lip around the bottom of the non crown side of the case. A recut of polished watch generally does not.

Crown guards are generally very sharp and distinct. A recut case has very soft angles going into the curvature of the crown guard. A polished cash will have very soft angles around the crown guard.

lug holes are also an easy tell. Recut and unpolished will have nice straight lug holes. Polished holes are generally blown out.

good luck.

[springer]

A few GMTs, a 1675 circa 1977, a 16750 circa 1984, a 1979 6.1 million 16750 and a 1675 circa 1970.

[greekbum]

The real deal here

[1675-David]

my trusty old 1675 from 1971, unpolished :-)