My Old 1675. What's a Boy to do ?

[andypandy]

I have a 1968 GmtMaster , which I have owned for32 years , I bought it from the original owner . I am now in my " twilight years " and was thinking of selling it . To cut a long story short , she started misbehaving a couple of weeks ago , losing time . I have just taken it to an authorised Rolex Dealer and they are assessing what needs done , hopefully only a service but I am prepared for the worst . If the news is bad , should I have the work done or sell it , revealing the condition of the watch ? . I would appreciate some advice about this . Plese note , this is not a sales pitch , so please do not attempt to contact me .

[Hollister]

First, I'd ask in the Vintage forum, not here.

Personally, I'd get it fixed/serviced and keep it, beautiful watch. A pic would be nice.

[218225]

A full service with a long list of items that meedeed to be replaced cost me €1200 one year ago. It was a fraction of the actual and intrinsic value of my 1655.
It came back regulated to 2s/d.
With the new plexi it came back like new since I wanted no polish.


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[218225]

For a watch that probably has shared so much history with you I would not hesitate and have it fixed.


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[Tony-GB]

Whats the dilemma? It's been a companion for 32 years and now needs a helping hand. Just get a movement only service and leave all scratches and dial alone. Make sure Rolex are 100% aware of this.

If it's too old for them to service then get a reputable repairer to service it, again making it 100% clear what you require.

People get their hips replaced after a certain age, so getting a few internal parts replaced on your watch should be expected.

[andypandy]

Here's a picture of the old wreck .

[218225]

Nothing wrong with it


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[andypandy]

Meneer 218225 , like so many things , the problem is on the inside ..... but I live in hope.

[TimeToGo]

Dial and hands have been replaced before, so not original to the time period.
You want to verify the serial.
Lovely insert!
I would say if you are not going to keep it, sell it as is and let the new buyer decide howto proceed..

[218225]

A good watchmaker and or AD will take care of it.

I wore my dad’s 1655 for more then 13 years before I noticed the power reserve did not work so well any more. It Stil kept perfect time.
No worries for this beauty.


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[andypandy]

Thanks for the advice , the serial number clearly indicates thepiece was made in the 3rd qyater of 1968 . Many years ago , the watch was service by a Official Rolex Dealer , they replaced the original dial . Sadly I didn't realise the importance of retaining the original parts. The also polished it , but fairly gently I think .

[218225]

This is how mine looked after it got back from the AD. All original except the plexi.


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[rootbeer7]

Get it serviced but ask that no replacements are made of the on-show consumables like dial, hands and bezel. That way if you decide to sell it will have greater value. Alternatively just send the old thing to me!

[andypandy]

A thing of beauty is a joy forever ..... beautiful ! .

[andypandy]

How kind of you to offer , I'll give it some thought then get back to you .

[andypandy]

I goofed with the serial number reference . Meant date inside caseback .

[Johny]

Hi Andy. Please take your time and get all the advice that you can before you allow any work to be done to your watch.

Johny.

[andypandy]

All advice will be heeded , I will take my time .... I promise .

[Johny]

Originally Posted by andypandy

All advice will be heeded , I will take my time .... I promise .

Great. what age is "twilight"

[watchcrank]

Well loved and lightly worn GMT. What's not to love about a trusty timepiece.
Good luck with the journey. m

[tamiya]

Originally Posted by Johny

Great. what age is "twilight"

Wasn't that some teeniebopper tv show featuring glum faced vampires?

[timnik]

Just my two penneth worth.

I have a 1675 of similar vintage which I inherited from my father when he died back in 2004. It had seen better days. A service and new plexi and it was fine. The bezel insert was competely faded and replaced. I never asked for the old one back. Didn't seem to matter back then. I knew nothing about GMT-Master's. I just wanted to restore my old dad's watch and wear it. It came with an oval link USA Jubilee bracelet which was completely knackered. I sent it to Michael Young and it came back lovely. I wear it on a Jubilee bracelet I bought on here most of the time.

You must keep it! Why flog it now?

I would never sell mine because it has sentimental value. Same as yours.

[Wahlberg]

That bezel is gorgeous. Did you keep track of it (after how many years) how it became purple?

[andypandy]

Wahlberg , to tell the truth , I thought that the colour was fading because I loved swimming in the sea that combined with a lot of exposure to the sun . I must also confess that I used to subject the piece to some terrible treatment ... like proving how tough Rolex watches were , by throwing her up in the air and dropkicking her as far as I could , on all kinds of sufaces , my average was around 25 yards . I didn't like the faded bezel , so replaced it with an all black one , tossing the fader into a wee box of bits 'n pieces at the back of my safe . T.G. I didn't throw it out . I have a record of bad watch choices , here's one to keep you going . Back about 1973 , I was working offshore in The North Sea , I made friends with a Comex diver , one day he offered to sell me an old Submariner for $200.00 , he considered my Omega Seamaster a trifle effeminate . I thought it was a bloody ugly hunk of a watch , with a stupid feature on the dial , which read Comex , it was also battered and scratched .... Naaaah , no thanks said I . I thought he was taking the Mickey . Me ! Genius ! or what ? .

[GlenPlaid]

You have at least one excellent watchmaker who specializes in vintage watches right there in the UK at watchguy . co. uk. Get that baby serviced and back on your wrist, and keep that beautiful bezel insert on the watch.

[Frosty]

My 1675 was not running. After Dalton was done, it ran and loses about a second a day. I would fix it!