1973 GMT date wheel - open or closed "6"?

[Filipão]

Dear Experts & knowledgeable Members,

Should my 3.259.*** MK2.5 dialed GMT have open sixs on its silver date wheel?

Thank you so much!

[psv]

GMT 1675 with silver wheel should have open 6's. It switches somewhere on the 16750 with white date wheels, I think.

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by psv

GMT 1675 with silver wheel should have open 6's. It switches somewhere on the 16750 with white date wheels, I think.

Thank you, but I am sure this is clearly a silver wheel with open "9".

[springer]

Early 1970s were still off-white date wheels. Brushed silver in my opinion was later.

[Filipão]

So, silver's were fitted later then my "spring 1973" production?

Even so, why is "26" closed and "29" open, this is a mystery!

[springer]

I date watches by serial number, not year - because everyone dates them different with serial numbers. You could have a 3.9 million watch and someone my call it a 1973 and another guy calls it a 1974! I prefer serial numbers vs calling out a specific year when describing a watch.

As far as date wheels go, I know many have been added incorrectly through the years by misinformed collectors believing their date wheel should be silver when it should not. I use to get requests all the time from members here looking to buy a brushed silver date wheels for a watch that never came with one.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Filipão

So, silver's were fitted later then my "spring 1973" production?

Even so, why is "26" closed and "29" open, this is a mystery!

I've owned many early 1970 GMTs and not a one had a brushed silver date wheel.

But, if you it, then I like it. I don't understand this fascination with date wheels since it is a fairly new phenomenon driven originally by dealers. There are many other aspects or parts of the watch that are much more important. having a "correct" date wheel has never added or subtracted any value from a watch that I have ever purchased.

Based on my experience, here is what I consider the early 1970s date wheel with seriffs - I've also seen the exact same date wheel without seriffs ( which might have been produced earlier than the one without seriffs). These date wheels followed the "hooked 7" date wheel from the mid to late 1960s.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by springer

These date wheels followed the "hooked 7" date wheel from the mid to late 1960s.

Interesting to see the closed 6s and 9s. The flat-top 4s are absolutely spectacular! (This may be why my wife doesn't enjoy me much... )

[bartonhall]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Interesting to see the closed 6s and 9s. The flat-top 4s are absolutely spectacular! (This may be why my wife doesn't enjoy me much... )

I share your pain/joy...I would speak to a stranger about these wonderful marvels before anyone I know!

[NeoDough]

Originally Posted by zapokee

The flat-top 4s are absolutely spectacular! (This may be why my wife doesn't enjoy me much... )

You're not alone! Those are my favorite parts of the date wheel on my GMT II as well.

[Pocosso]

Originally Posted by springer

I've owned many early 1970 GMTs and not a one had a brushed silver date wheel.

But, if you it, then I like it. I don't understand this fascination with date wheels since it is a fairly new phenomenon driven originally by dealers. There are many other aspects or parts of the watch that are much more important. having a "correct" date wheel has never added or subtracted any value from a watch that I have ever purchased.

Based on my experience, here is what I consider the early 1970s date wheel with seriffs - I've also seen the exact same date wheel without seriffs ( which might have been produced earlier than the one without seriffs). These date wheels followed the "hooked 7" date wheel from the mid to late 1960s.

You are very helpful as usual. What about the flat top three? are they coming after this you showed? When you say "early 70s" what do you mean? 70,71, 72?