Trying to learn about my GMT

[H20pologuy06]

My dad gifted me this GMT Master for Christmas and I’m trying to learn all I can about it. My dad inherited it from his uncle and has worn it 30+ years. I know it’s from the 60’s, I know the exclamation point is important. I THINK, unfortunately, the bezel was replaced by Rolex somewhere along the road during a servicing. To my knowledge the rest is original. My dad got an appraisal maybe a decade ago that called it $5500 or so.

Side note I live in San Antonio and would love to know a reputable shop around here. We have a Rolex store but I’ve heard For vintage watches I may want to find a more vintage shop. I plan on keeping this for 30 years and giving to my son but in the case it needs servicing I want to do it right.

[harry in montreal]

That is a nice watch. I’m guessing it’s a 1961 serial number. I will let the gmt experts comment on the dial, but it does look like a correct gilt with the small 24 hour hand. The big strike is that the lume looks touched up or redone at some time. If this is the case, I would still triple the value you listed above

[214270Explorer]

Keep it away from a Rolex Service Center !!!!

This watch should get only the finest of attention. A CW21 watchmaker.

Bob Ridley lives in Texas and would be a fantastic choice for your location.
(Or his son Phillip in Mesa, AZ)

They are both "real" CW21 watchmakers.

Here is where you can find Bob:
https://watchmakers.com/

[phillip ridley]

What a gift! Beautiful watch and yes, insert has been replaced. Would like to see the dial under a UV light, but in any case, perfect gift to keep passing down the line.

[Dan S]

What a fantastic heirloom, very desirable and beautiful watch.

Regarding the lume, at the least I would have the hands stabilized, since some loss has started in the hour hand.

I feel it would be worth the investment to replace the bezel insert with one that is period-correct.

[996marty]

That is a cracking watch and what a great gift you simply can’t beat the look of a classic GMT

[Tom1675]

Thanks for sharing! We love this stuff. Heirlooms, stories, provenance all of it is great.

To give you a little background on your ! dial. After using Radium as the lume for pieces was proven to be unhealthy, Rolex moved to Tritium, which is less radioactive. Between the migration of Radium to Tritium, Rolex tried a couple of lume mixes and used either an underline for a short while and an exclamation for a short while (exclamations came first). As such, underlines and exclamations demand a premium due to their rarity. It should also be noted that on yours the exclamation is very visible, sometimes they are not.

Its a great piece. Don't let Rolex Service Center touch it. Also, I think you might want to get a period correct insert. This is a pretty pricy piece, I think its worth a few grand to bring just right. Also, make sure its insured.

[harry in montreal]

Do you gents think that the lume on the dial is original? I may be incorrect. Anyway, mr Ridley is the man to use to get the watch running well.

[214270Explorer]

I am NO expert but the lume does look a bit suspicious to me.

If H20pologuy06 chooses Mr. Ridley, he will phone H20pologuy06 when he gets it and discuss his findings.

H20pologuy06, I would strongly suggest shipping that watch USPS REGISTERED, although that is a pain.

This is a hugely valuable item and you do not need to have it stolen.

[lee fowler]

Wow what a gift! Better pics of the dial would be great to tell on the lume. Mr Ridley is your man.

[H20pologuy06]

I may go down that road, thanks y’all. I can say the lume seems slightly more patinated in person. I’ll find out for sure eventually but I feel if it was re-lumed sometime they would have fixed the minute hand which they obviously didn’t?

[chinaski]

Beautiful watch and story, screw down that crown!

[southtexas]

Nice! I’m just a little south of you. If you’re not comfortable shipping it for service, there’s a guy in Kerrville who can do it. PM me if interested.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

Do you gents think that the lume on the dial is original? I may be incorrect. Anyway, mr Ridley is the man to use to get the watch running well.

Can't tell definitively from the pic, but nothing to me jumps out as relume. As someone mentioned, under UV inspection would be helpful.

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[Mendota]

Beautiful piece you have there and what makes it even more special is that both your dad and his uncle wore this and enjoyed it. You are the 3rd generation. Enjoy it. You are in good hands here with the experts in the vintage area. I concur that this is absolutely worth spending whatever it takes to restore it. You have essentially been handed the keys to a Corvette Stingray. What you do with it from here on out is up to you. With great power comes great responsibility! Ha ha.