Help with 16750 restoration

[4fiftynine]

Hi all! I recently (~5 months ago) picked up a matte 16750, 8.1m serial. It's my first "vintage" Rolex watch and I had put in a lot of time into researching the nuances in dials, inserts, etc. between GMT references.

Finally settled on this particular watch based on condition and budget and, boy, am I loving it! Have been wearing it as my daily ever since.

However, given the age of the watch, some visible parts have been replaced, likely through normal service by its previous owner(s). The date wheel, for example, is not period correct as it's with closed 6 and 9s. Doesn't bother me but will think about replacing it in the future to make it more period correct.

My question to this community is around the bezel ring of this watch. Does the bezel ring look like it's correct for the watch?

To my eye, it looks like the bezel is newer given the polished condition of the watch case. But it also looks like the bezel teeth are sharper when compared to pictures of other 16750s in the wild. Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

FWIW, I'm set on keeping this watch for life - the collector in me wants it to also be in a collector's condition

[214270Explorer]

You can contact CW21 watchmaker Phillip Ridley in Arizona.
He specializes in vintage Rolex and has a beyond-excellent rating with forum members.
Phillip will discuss the watch with you, if you are interested in making/keeping it 'period correct.'

Phillip@ridleywatchmakers.com
Ridleywatchmakers.com
817.821.2118

[Jackie Daytona]

Personally I think they do look a little deeper like you mentioned. Mine I believe are a little more shallow and elongated than those. I may be mistaken though. The bezel on mine is the original from 82.



Trying to find a good picture I just cleaned a lot of pictures from my phone

[Jackie Daytona]

Admittedly not great pictures, I’ll try and get some better pictures when it comes back from getting an estimate. 74xxxx serial

[Hkspwrsche]

Originally Posted by 4fiftynine

Hi all! I recently (~5 months ago) picked up a matte 16750, 8.1m serial. It's my first "vintage" Rolex watch and I had put in a lot of time into researching the nuances in dials, inserts, etc. between GMT references.

Finally settled on this particular watch based on condition and budget and, boy, am I loving it! Have been wearing it as my daily ever since.

However, given the age of the watch, some visible parts have been replaced, likely through normal service by its previous owner(s). The date wheel, for example, is not period correct as it's with closed 6 and 9s. Doesn't bother me but will think about replacing it in the future to make it more period correct.

My question to this community is around the bezel ring of this watch. Does the bezel ring look like it's correct for the watch?

To my eye, it looks like the bezel is newer given the polished condition of the watch case. But it also looks like the bezel teeth are sharper when compared to pictures of other 16750s in the wild. Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

FWIW, I'm set on keeping this watch for life - the collector in me wants it to also be in a collector's condition

Use an LED lamp and see if the hands and dial charge up also before you talk to Ridley.

[Hkspwrsche]

My Instagram has a higher res photos of my original bezel. That was the only thing changed on service on my one owner watch. Mine is an 82

[springer]

Looks like an original insert as well as the bezel.

[Wally62]

Hi, my name is Valter and I'm from Italy. I'm a small Rolex collector...
Congratulation for your watch ! very nice.
Recently I both a 16750 from 1981 and I have the same doubts about the bezel insert. Having said that , things are more complicated than I thought ... to define if the bezel is the original one I was told that you need to consider two things : 1) the font go the numbers 2) the back color of the bezel it could be red or blue..Now many people say that the first 16750 are back red others the other way around. I have no idea . Any inputs from your side ? thanks and Regards Valter

[Boaters]

Beautiful piece maybe change the date wheel at service other than that wear it and enjoy it

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Wally62

Hi, my name is Valter and I'm from Italy. I'm a small Rolex collector...

How small are you?

[springer]

Originally Posted by Wally62

Hi, my name is Valter and I'm from Italy. I'm a small Rolex collector...
Congratulation for your watch ! very nice.
Recently I both a 16750 from 1981 and I have the same doubts about the bezel insert. Having said that , things are more complicated than I thought ... to define if the bezel is the original one I was told that you need to consider two things : 1) the font go the numbers 2) the back color of the bezel it could be red or blue..Now many people say that the first 16750 are back red others the other way around. I have no idea . Any inputs from your side ? thanks and Regards Valter

I just read your post and I am confused. Do you have concerns regarding the bezel (that would be the stainless steel ring) or the bezel insert? Two different components.