Update and help request RE: 1675

[bboris]

Dear all,

In one of my previous posts I had asked if anybody has heard of a 16750 with a small 24h hand, as the sale person insisted the watch in question was a 16750.

Here an update. Now, they said it was a 1675 (as we all knew already). Anyway, I got quite excited about it and am thinking of purchasing it but was wondering what the experts verdict is.

I attached some representative pictures I took with my cell phone 10 min before they closed their store (sorry for the bad quality, but I took them in a hurry).

The serial number is: 1.3xx.xxx
It is a 1675.
The movement is a 1570.

Unfortunately, the bezel is stuck and cannot be moved.

These were some of the questions that came to my mind:
- I am no expert but was wondering if it is a gilt dial or simply a strong overall patina.

- Can the bezel be easily repaired?

- It seems to have a closed 6 - is that OK for a watch from the 1960's?

- What do you think about the quality of the watch and how much would you be willing to pay for it.

Any input is appreciated!!!



Thank you very much for your help,

Boris

[joe100]

Looks like a gilt dial to me. Bezel could just need cleaning or a new retention piece. Bracelet is a later replacement. What are they asking?

[bboris]

Originally Posted by joe100

Looks like a gilt dial to me. Bezel could just need cleaning or a new retention piece. Bracelet is a later replacement. What are they asking?

Thanks for your immediate reply. The asking price is close to $5000, which would be an excellent price for a gilt dial I guess.

[RC2]

Ah yes excellent price

[springer]

You have stumbled upon a very nice, vintage gilt-dialed GMT. It appears to wear the original dial and hands. As far as the date wheel goes, it too appears original based on your photo.

I wouldn't worry about the insert not turning. Many of the older watches have bezels that have not been cleaned properly and are full of "DNA" and other crud which keeps them from turning and/or sticking. Also the older GMT's did not have ratcheting bezels like the later GMT's. They older 1675's are press fit in to the case. Normally, according to the bezel instructions provided by Rolex, you need to push the bezel in toward the case to rotate it.

Looks like you found a nice catch.

[bboris]

Thanks for all the input. I asked to hold it for me until tomorrow - hopefully, they did. Two more questions:

- should I have the bezel insert cleaned or rather leave it not to cause damage?
- is it normal for watches from this era (I assume approx. 1965 based upon the serial number) to these thick but rather inaccurate lumeplots?

Thanks,

Boris

[springer]

Originally Posted by bboris

Thanks for all the input. I asked to hold it for me until tomorrow - hopefully, they did. Two more questions:

- should I have the bezel insert cleaned or rather leave it not to cause damage?
- is it normal for watches from this era (I assume approx. 1965 based upon the serial number) to these thick but rather inaccurate lumeplots?

Thanks,

Boris

The dial looks fine for circa 1965. Have the jeweler/watchmaker clean the bezel if it bothers you, or it can easily be removed yourself and cleaned. There have been a few threads here in the past on removing bezels. Try the search function here on TRF or google "removing a Rolex GMT bezel" or "changing a Rolex bezel insert." You might try this thread for changing an insert found in the Reference Library and placed there by moderator Tools. The first post in the thread has a link to a bezel insert photo tutorial done by TRF member Jocke. Although you are not changing your insert, the process to remove the bezel is detailed in this post by Jocke.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=49732

Below are some before and after pics of one that I cleaned up a while back - it was turning very easy either. Notice how dirty the back of the bezel/insert is along with the dirt and grime around the crystal where the insert fits next to the case.

[bboris]

Originally Posted by springer

The dial looks fine for circa 1965. Have the jeweler/watchmaker clean the bezel if it bothers you, or it can easily be removed yourself and cleaned. There have been a few threads here in the past on removing bezels. Try the search function here on TRF or google "removing a Rolex GMT bezel" or "changing a Rolex bezel insert." You might try this thread for changing an insert found in the Reference Library and placed there by moderator Tools. The first post in the thread has a link to a bezel insert photo tutorial done by TRF member Jocke. Although you are not changing your insert, the process to remove the bezel is detailed in this post by Jocke.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=49732

Below are some before and after pics of one that I cleaned up a while back - it was turning very easy either. Notice how dirty the back of the bezel/insert is along with the dirt and grime around the crystal where the insert fits next to the case.

Thanks a lot. That loomes quite nice after you cleaned it. Did it significantly improve the turnability of the bezel? The reason why I am asking is that the bezel on my (not yet, though hopefully tomorrow) did not turn at all. I tried its, the sales person as well as their watchmaker using a towel.
In general, I am not very handy. But maybe, I will give it a try unless they offer that their watchmaker can do it.

Thanks,

Boris

[MP5]

Looks great! Im driving down from Austin to get that one myself! Now, where did you say it was? ;)

[bboris]

I just found one more picture I took with a white paper as background hopefully giving a better view of the dial.
It sounds like everybody feels pretty good about the watch based upon my pics and description, as well as the price.

Please let me know if there are any concerns otherwise, as I am panning to go ahead and buy it tomorrow.

Thanks,

Boris

[springer]

Originally Posted by bboris

Thanks a lot. That loomes quite nice after you cleaned it. Did it significantly improve the turnability of the bezel? The reason why I am asking is that the bezel on my (not yet, though hopefully tomorrow) did not turn at all. I tried its, the sales person as well as their watchmaker using a towel.
In general, I am not very handy. But maybe, I will give it a try unless they offer that their watchmaker can do it.

Thanks,

Boris

Yes, the bezel worked properly after the cleaning I gave it. Remember, these older bezels do not ratchet like the newer ones and they do not turn as easy as the ratcheting bezels.

[springer]

Originally Posted by MP5

Looks great! Im driving down from Austin to get that one myself! Now, where did you say it was? ;)

Let's have a Cannonball Run to Houston. I'm leaving from Dallas in the morning.

[bboris]

Originally Posted by springer

Let's have a Cannonball Run to Houston. I'm leaving from Dallas in the morning.

You guys are killing me!!! I won't be able to sleep tonight awaiting the morning...

[MP5]

These bezels you need to push down and turn

[bboris]

Originally Posted by MP5

These bezels you need to push down and turn

I was trying to push it down holding it in my hands rather than wearing it on then wrist. However, despite counter pressure from the underside, the bezel did not move at all.

[greekbum]

Nice find ! These don't come up often that looks like a keeper

[Vincent65]

Nice gilt dial. Bezel not a problem - pop it off and clean it. It may need a new retention spring underneath too. Mine's a 1966 (1.4 mill) and has an open-6s date-wheel. Great price. I'd be all over it like a prisoner on a hooker.

Edit - the only downside for me, although it's not a deal-breaker, is the case has had quite a lot of polishing. See the 'bowled out' lug holes, for example. Just a note.

[RC2]

I'm in dc - I won't make it there in time - wonder if that store has any other gems?

[HL65]

What a great find and for a fantastic price!! Look forward to seeing it on your wrist so congrats in advance!

[BaltimoreBrian]

I too missed this thread and only just now jumped in to enjoy the excitement if this find. Congrats!

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

What a great find and for a fantastic price!! Look forward to seeing it on your wrist so congrats in advance!

+1. Dreamcatch.

[Robbyvm]

That is a bargain, gilt GMT's are amazing!

[RC2]

Ok; you must have purchased it - where are the pics

[joe100]

$5k is a pretty good price for a gilt small hand

[bboris]

Here is an update. I went to the store this morning and they had disassembled the watch and put the case in an ultrasound bath in order to get it clean enough for the bezel to move. They showed me the bezel which puzzled them a little bit. It was missing the "inside black ring" (sorry, I do not know the technical term) shown in the pictures of Springer's post, and they said the other bezel part was quite snug.
Is it normal??? Or maybe indicating trouble?

They will let me know when it is ready. Assuming that the bezel still does not move - is that a concern as it may not be fixable?

I will keep you updated.

Thanks,

Boris

[Vincent65]

Like I said - it needs a tension spring under the bezel - no big deal at all. If that 'puzzles' them I'd be a bit worried about that though.

[mdw3]

The watch looks good. The bezel is a non-issue, an easy fix by a competent technician. I would say the longer you leave the watch there the less likely you are going to own it. You should have just bought it today, if you like it. The price asked represents a significant discount to market, and I can assure you that either (a) they are going to figure this out if you wait long enough, and then not sell it to you at all, or (b) someone else who DOES know more will see it (possibly inadvertently, possibly not), and will offer more, and then you will not see it again. Trust me, I know how this story ends.

Michael

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by mdw3

The watch looks good. The bezel is a non-issue, an easy fix by a competent technician. I would say the longer you leave the watch there the less likely you are going to own it. You should have just bought it today, if you like it. The price asked represents a significant discount to market, and I can assure you that either (a) they are going to figure this out if you wait long enough, and then not sell it to you at all, or (b) someone else who DOES know more will see it (possibly inadvertently, possibly not), and will offer more, and then you will not see it again. Trust me, I know how this story ends.

Michael

Excellent advise I would personally go pay for it now if it was me

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by mdw3

The watch looks good. The bezel is a non-issue, an easy fix by a competent technician. I would say the longer you leave the watch there the less likely you are going to own it. You should have just bought it today, if you like it. The price asked represents a significant discount to market, and I can assure you that either (a) they are going to figure this out if you wait long enough, and then not sell it to you at all, or (b) someone else who DOES know more will see it (possibly inadvertently, possibly not), and will offer more, and then you will not see it again. Trust me, I know how this story ends.

Michael

Michael is spot on! Grab this now! The bezel is a non- issue.

[bboris]

First of all, I would like to thank all of you for your help and excellent advice. Following your recommendations, I went ahead and got it.

Attached I send you some pictures including the obligatory wrist shot plus an additional surprise I got after I purchased it. The gave me the other "things" that came with it including the original bezel insert, maybe the original tension spring (?) and a swiss chronometer certificate. While the certificate turned out to be the wrong one (the serial number did not match), I was excited about the original bezel insert and the possible solution to the bezel problem if this is indeed the correct bezel tension spring.

As I received some questions if they had additional hidden gems, I was looking around a little bit and the only more interesting watch between a lot of modern and some used Seikos and Movados, was a Patek Philippe from 1945 for $9,000; however, it looked micro on my rather smallish wrist (probably just because one is used to large watches these days). I asked for more Rolex watches but they said that this was a consignment piece and not the regular thing for them.

Again, I really enjoy having this watch and thank all of you again. This is an amazing forum and the expertise of all of you unbelievably impressive.

Thanks again,

Boris