Rolex GMT master 1675 - 1971

[Stevie Laszlo]

Hi there,

Im new to this platform and I would like to check something regarding my watch.

I bought this watch recently from the first owner of the watch in Spain. It’s in unpolished fully original condition and looks the way I always wanted one. Raw.

My only question is regarding the Pepsi insert. It is red back but on the top of the 8 the oval shape is not so significantly pronounced as I saw some on here. Any thoughts?

Thanks a lot,

Stevie

[1675-David]

lovely watch!! Don't see any issues with the insert.

[swaini3]

Insert looks fine to me.

[BigBlue1]

I understand what your concern is. You’re talking about the inner circle of the top 8 being fuller as opposed to squished. Everything I have examined on the insert is good. Mo and David u can bet on their expertise.

[ADINVA]

Cant stop admiring what a beauty this is.

[Dan S]

Very nice watch, but the second photo at least looks very similar to photos from a familiar dealer.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Very nice watch, but the second photo at least appears to be from a familiar dealer.

The photo is of the same watch, trying to showcase the insert. If you look between the 10 and 8 you can see the nick matches up in both photos.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

The photo is of the same watch, trying to showcase the insert. If you look between the 10 and 8 you can see the nick matches up in both photos.

Yes, I noticed that. But don't you agree that the second photo looks like a professional photo from one of the familiar dealers? Maybe the OP can clarify.

[springer]

Stevie, I agree with your thoughts that the insert is not correct. It is definitely later than 1971. It appears to be from the 1980s. This insert has slightly thinner fonts and more rounded 8s than found on the early 1970s inserts. Below is what I consider correct, or, the super fat font insert which seems to be found during the first couple of years of that decade. The 8s on the inserts from the early 1970s are oval shaped and not rounded like found on the later inserts.

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Yes, I noticed that. But don't you agree that the second photo looks like a professional photo from one of the familiar dealers? Maybe the OP can clarify.

I do agree

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by springer

Stevie, I agree with your thoughts that the insert is not correct. It is definitely later than 1971.

This. I have a 1971 GMT with the long-E dial like this one, purchased unserviced from the estate of the original owner. The bezel has the mega-fat font.

[springer]

Originally Posted by zapokee

This. I have a 1971 GMT with the long-E dial like this one, purchased unserviced from the estate of the original owner. The bezel has the mega-fat font.

Super fat, mega fat, moon-size fat, they are all the same - just different names!

[TimeLord2]

Could be the angle but that first pic looks like you might want to apply some pressure and snap the insert into the bezel ring a little more.

[Stevie Laszlo]

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate it. I was going to add more images in the first post but I couldn’t add it.

To me it does look oval I have found a few examples on Chrono24 from similar era that don’t have fat fonts. It seems the fatter the font is the more oval the 8 gets. Could it be that in the golden era of watchmaking, Rolex was a bit more chaotic than it is now?

Some models from the 60’s have very similar inserts. Also another thing that the scratches on the crystal match exactly the scratches on the insert on the right. If the insert was replaced in the 80’s surely they would have swapped the acrylic also? And it would have a service insert right? I also Attach an image to compere 80’s service vs mine.

[Stevie Laszlo]

Yes it is just the angle ����

[Stevie Laszlo]

Thanks!

[Stevie Laszlo]

Originally Posted by springer

Stevie, I agree with your thoughts that the insert is not correct. It is definitely later than 1971. It appears to be from the 1980s. This insert has slightly thinner fonts and more rounded 8s than found on the early 1970s inserts. Below is what I consider correct, or, the super fat font insert which seems to be found during the first couple of years of that decade. The 8s on the inserts from the early 1970s are oval shaped and not rounded like found on the later inserts.

Thanks!

[BigBlue1]

Originally Posted by springer

Super fat, mega fat, moon-size fat, they are all the same - just different names!

That is insane. Such a beauty

[XavierM]

IMO the insert fitted on your your watch was original at the beginning of the 16750 run but definitely service in 1971.
3rd execution with the red back.
1st being the small triangle, roughly 60s (sometimes fuschia in the late 60s)
2nd the one represented by springer roughly 70s (sometimes fuschia in the early 70s)
4th one: toon 8 with redback (only service for 1675)

This is personal opinion based on looking at thousands of listings, but I am far from being an expert.

Regarding the scratches, these could have happened after the service, does not prove anything more than both insert and crystal have been together for some time.

Beautiful watch !

[Toronto Soup King]

I'm wearing my 1971 1675 today and the bezel insert (service, from later, toon 8) looks just like yours, OP.

[XavierM]

Here is the listing of a 7mill 16750 in unworn condition with IMO the exact same insert.
https://loupethis.com/auctions/rolex...t-master-16750

While I have some doubts about the second hand (showing no oxydation at all when all 3 other hands already show numerous signs of it).
I have no logical reason to believe this watch was listed with another insert than the one she left the factory with, especially if this insert is an early 70s 1675 version.
Could be that this version had a very long run on both the 1675 and the 16750 but the small quantity of 1675 fitted with this version in comparison with the first 2 versions lead me to believe this is a later insert, maybe from late 70s, maybe from early 80s.

With the second hand, I guess the explanation could be that a completely rusted hand, was both unpleasant to look at and risky for the movement, but it’s just a guess.

[Stevie Laszlo]

Originally Posted by Toronto Soup King

I'm wearing my 1971 1675 today and the bezel insert (service, from later, toon 8) looks just like yours, OP.

So the service insert in the 80’s was redback? When did they start making bluebacks for inserts?