Rolex GMT Master 1675 (1966) restoration

[poldino]

Hello everybody,
I am new to the forum and I must admit I read your messages in the past few months without participating because I didn't had a Rolex yet, but I found the forum to be a great source of information and inspiration!
I am about to acquire this GMT Master 1675 (made in 1966) from a relative and I wish to restore it in the best possible way.
I am not very familiar with vintage watches, however I learnt and agree that the restoration should try to preserve its originality (or at least coherence with the original reference and period) as much as possible - but I would try to make it look in a much better shape (I don't really love very faded bezels for example..).
The watch apparently is in working order but I don't know when it has been serviced last time.

What kind of service / restoration do you suggest to do, and where, considering I live in Dubai, UAE and travel frequently to Europe and eastern Asia?
Thanks to everybody who will help!!

[Tom1675]

First of all congrats on a nice watch! Second of all, more pics please with better focus.

From what I can see its a nice 1675, a later gilt and appears for the most part to have been worn and loved. Try to get the history from your relative and see if they don't have any of the set around: Box, papers, and any service history etc...

Your main issue, and the only truly necessary step from what I can see here, is the lume on your minute hand. The experts will weigh in but you'll need to either source a new hand, which will be tough to match patina, or have this one relumed. Other than that, have it serviced and the pressure test will let you know if you need to replace the crystal, otherwise some polywatch will clean it up nicely.

[Sky21]

Welcome to TRF, that's a very nice gilt GMT 1675 you are about to inherit. I would recommend a full movement service at a minimum. There is a thread listing all the recommended vintage watch specialists, just use the search function. You may also want to consider stabilizing the lume on the minute hand as it looks to be crumbling and may accelerate in the future. If you want a less faded insert, I would recommend selling your current insert and then the period correct red backed inserts are always available for sale.

[sensui]

Beautiful watch with a beautiful insert...great recommendations. I'd focus also on just having the hands stabilized and a basic service replacing nothing. Give the plastic crystal a good shine/polish from polywatch and this thing will be killer. Those crown guards are awesome looking.

[Dan_lie]

Congrats! Check out Momentum in DIFC, he deals in vintage and may have a local option for you.