Value loss due to service replacements

[A_Preus]

Hi all,

I own a 1960 GMT Master (serial 620xxx) and it seems that at a service in 2009 the main hands and insert were replaced. It still has the small triangle GMT hand.
All the rest is original and the watch is basically unpolished.

What kind of value reduction (ballpark figure) does this make up to? I am trying to figure out if it is worth it to chase down the original parts...

[1675-David]

Can you post some more images of the case and the rest to get a better idea of the condition of the watch?

[Dan S]

For most collectors, the reduction in value would be closely related to the cost of the parts needed to restore it.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Dan S

For most collectors, the reduction in value would be closely related to the cost of the parts needed to restore it.

...which would be $3,000 to $4,000 based on the condition of the replacement hands and bezel insert.

[darrenho]

I would definitely chase down the original hands and insert if I owned a vintage GMT like this.

[A_Preus]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Can you post some more images of the case and the rest to get a better idea of the condition of the watch?

As requested, more photos

[A_Preus]

It's my daily wear, so she actually needs a good clean and the acrylic crystal is quite scratched...

[alwayshere]

could someone please remind me, is this suppose to originally come with a bakelite insert?

[Wahlberg]

How did the previous bezel look like? What a shame to see a 50 year old bezel be taken away.

[A_Preus]

Originally Posted by alwayshere

could someone please remind me, is this suppose to originally come with a bakelite insert?

No this is a very early 1675. The bakelite bezel was on the 6542.

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[A_Preus]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

How did the previous bezel look like? What a shame to see a 50 year old bezel be taken away.

I haven't got a photo of my old bezel close up, but it should look like this.

The difference should be not such a fat font on the 2 and a wider triangle

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[stmoore]

So what’s interesting is they changed the insert but not the bezel. Those bezels are a pain in the ass to find (note the depth and direction of the teeth).

I have a very similar watch.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by A_Preus

I haven't got a photo of my old bezel close up, but it should look like this.

The difference should be not such a fat font on the 2 and a wider triangle

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Sorry, were you able to keep the old one or not?

[A_Preus]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Sorry, were you able to keep the old one or not?

No it was my late father who had the watch serviced and we found nothing else in his belongings (no box, no papers, no parts)

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[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by darrenho

I would definitely chase down the original hands and insert if I owned a vintage GMT like this.

How can he possibly chase down the “original” hands and insert. They were removed years ago in a service.

I love how vintage guys think that matchy matchy hands are “original”, when they are just another form of Frankenwatch.

I’d advise the OP to just get a service dial to match your hands ... giving you back missing lume. Sell the original (maybe?) dial to these experts who can “color match” it and call it an “excellent example” while dealing with the flaking tritium for years to come.

Since you can’t get it back to original only color matchy, why not at least get a functional watch out of the deal while selling your dial and pocketing some money?


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[A_Preus]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

How can he possibly chase down the “original” hands and insert. They were removed years ago in a service.

I love how vintage guys think that matchy matchy hands are “original”, when they are just another form of Frankenwatch.

I’d advise the OP to just get a service dial to match your hands ... giving you back missing lume. Sell the original (maybe?) dial to these experts who can “color match” it and call it an “excellent example” while dealing with the flaking tritium for years to come.

Since you can’t get it back to original only color matchy, why not at least get a functional watch out of the deal while selling your dial and pocketing some money?


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This is like advising somebody to put a Tesla electric engine into a 1960s Ferrari. Horrible advice.

With Original everybody obviously means "Period Correct". in this case this means flat hands with tritium lume.

Who in their right ming would sell a mint condition 1960 dial ?!?

[tekno]

Maybe he needs the dial.

That’s a first for this forum, sell the dial so you can match the hands to a service dial. With a little love this thing could be really nice. I hope you keep it.


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