Help: Sentimental Hunt for Rolex GMT Master 16750 Pepsi

[toothpharaoh]

Hello All!

I am new here to Rolex Forums and wanted to introduce myself. A couple of weeks ago I decided that I would start a hunt to get my first Rolex watch, but I wanted it to mean something to me. It had to be something special that I could keep for as long as I live, and pass it down to my kids one day.

My mother passed away when I was at the young age of 13 years old, so I decided I wanted a timepiece that I could always remember her by and that got me thinking...

From 1978-1984 my mother was an accountant for PEPSI CO in Egypt. Some of my favorite pictures of her in our family albums are of her smiling in front of the main building where she worked, with the huge PEPSI sign in the background.

So with all this being said, I decided I wanted the Rolex to be a PEPSI GMT Master 16750 made circa 1984 which was her last year there before she left to have little old me in her belly :)

I would like the watch to be completely original with a matte dial, matching tritium hands, never relumed, ideally with a very light yellow patina, original bezel, original Oyster bracelet, polished as minimal as possible, and with original Rolex box and papers. All this in as close to mint condition as possible.

I know this may not be something easy to find, but I am willing to wait whatever I need to because ultimately I want this to be the best I can find.

If any of you Rolex fans could help me out with this hunt I would greatly appreciate it. I would also like to be able to list potential finds in the thread for the eyes of you experts to point out any flaws/findings as well.

Please feel free to PM me or comment in this thread with any feedback.

Thanks much!
Cheers!

[offrdmania]

Thats going to be a tall feat and if you do find what you are looking for and I do mean if, ill guess well north of $15-20K if in original NOS mint unpolished condition.

[Sky21]

Hello, good luck on your search for a sentimental Rolex. The 16750 matte dial has been pretty popular recently so the prices have gone up quite a bit, but they do come up for sale pretty often. Finding one in mint condition with all the boxes and papers may take a while, but they are out there. I was suggest contacting a member here named springer. He is based in Dallas and is a GMT specialist who seems to find some of the cleanest and most complete examples around. Even if he doesn't have a lead on one right now, he may be your best chance to find one in the future. Good luck.

[springer]

I know where there is a mint set from 1984, unpolished, that meets all your criteria. Send me a PM and I'll try and help you out.

[Brizzybrad]

I'm pretty sure 1984 16750 is going to be a gloss dial. Best of luck with your search.

Edit- I stand corrected- thanks for the info sensui.

OP-Springer will take great care of you and please post pics!

My 1984 - 8.5mil;

[sensui]

Originally Posted by springer

I know where there is a mint set from 1984, unpolished, that meets all your criteria. Send me a PM and I'll try and help you out.

I was gonna say your best bet is to contact springer...that would be one of the latest 16750 with matte dial too with 1984 since 1984 is approximately the transitional to glossy dial (right around 8.3 million serial?). Good luck! Share some pics when you find it.

[toothpharaoh]

Originally Posted by Brizzybrad

I'm pretty sure 1984 16750 is going to be a gloss dial. Best of luck with your search.

Edit- I stand corrected- thanks for the info sensui.

OP-Springer will take great care of you and please post pics!

My 1984 - 8.5mil;

Your watch is stunning! Thanks for sharing and the words of advice.

Sensui and Sky21, I appreciate the tip to go ahead and contact springer. He's been PM'd Excited about the potential to make one my own, it's a good feeling.

[greekbum]

I have a mint matte dial full set 8.3 million serial available if you want contact me. I'm not far from you in Florida.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by greekbum

I have a mint matte dial full set 8.3 million serial available if you want contact me. I'm not far from you in Florida.

That'd work too, another top notch guy. Let me know when you're back home my friend, hope all is well with the family and trip.

[locutus49]

I think the BLRO is called a Pepsi. Better chance of it surviving the generations than a vintage piece IMO.

[springer]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I think the BLRO is called a Pepsi. Better chance of it surviving the generations than a vintage piece IMO.

Really, I didn't know that.

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I think the BLRO is called a Pepsi. Better chance of it surviving the generations than a vintage piece IMO.

I think all Rolex watches, new and old, are capable of outliving all of us so it doesn't really matter.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

I think all Rolex watches, new and old, are capable of outliving all of us so it doesn't really matter.

Thank you Wesley!!! I know my daily GMT 16750 has made it 35 years and counting - and I don't see it giving out anytime soon.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by springer

Really, I didn't know that.

You see..
Learn something new everyday..

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by locutus49

I think the BLRO is called a Pepsi. Better chance of it surviving the generations than a vintage piece IMO.

Newsflash! The conceit if this forum is to discuss things that have already survived for generations...

[4vCoupe]

I got my birth year 16750 from springer. Hope he can help you find the watch you are looking for.


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[Richard Carver]

Originally Posted by springer

Really, I didn't know that.

:)

[chows99]

getting a birth year 1675 or 16750 is so appealing. But the prospects of a high 5 figure USD just puts me off. For now, I am pleased with a yr 1991 16700 where price is still rational.

[toothpharaoh]

Originally Posted by chows99

getting a birth year 1675 or 16750 is so appealing. But the prospects of a high 5 figure USD just puts me off. For now, I am pleased with a yr 1991 16700 where price is still rational.

I'll be honest after learning how high prices are for a near mint 16750, I've done some reconsidering...

This will be a daily wearable no question, so I'm not sure if a vintage 16750 will be the right choice for me. My gatherings from all the research I've done points to a watch of that caliber being more of a store away timepiece.

With all that being said I have come up with a different idea, owning a 16710 from 1989 ( L serial) which is my brother's birth year. He also passed away the same time as my mother. I am not sure of the different versions of the series that were available during that time, so any advice on what I should look out for would be very appreciated.

This way the timepiece could serve as a lovely memory of both.

Thank you everyone for the ongoing help with my search!

Cheers!

[GGGMT]

Great story thumbs up . Good luck on the hunt -- it's more than half the fun!!


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[Sky21]

Originally Posted by toothpharaoh

I'll be honest after learning how high prices are for a near mint 16750, I've done some reconsidering...

This will be a daily wearable no question, so I'm not sure if a vintage 16750 will be the right choice for me. My gatherings from all the research I've done points to a watch of that caliber being more of a store away timepiece.

With all that being said I have come up with a different idea, owning a 16710 from 1989 ( L serial) which is my brother's birth year. He also passed away the same time as my mother. I am not sure of the different versions of the series that were available during that time, so any advice on what I should look out for would be very appreciated.

This way the timepiece could serve as a lovely memory of both.

Thank you everyone for the ongoing help with my search!

Cheers!

The 16710 was indeed available with an L serial. You can find them with a jubilee or an oyster bracelet. They were also available with all three inserts, Pepsi, Coke, and Black. Lots of different combinations for this watch make it a very versatile piece.

[toothpharaoh]

Originally Posted by Sky21

The 16710 was indeed available with an L serial. You can find them with a jubilee or an oyster bracelet. They were also available with all three inserts, Pepsi, Coke, and Black. Lots of different combinations for this watch make it a very versatile piece.

My interest would definitely be the oyster with a Pepsi insert If anyone knows how I can get one, please let me know!

[toothpharaoh]

Haven't had much luck finding a Pepsi 16710 from 1989 (L Serial) with original dial, hands, box and papers...

Any leads are much appreciated.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by springer

Really, I didn't know that.

[sensui]

Originally Posted by toothpharaoh

Haven't had much luck finding a Pepsi 16710 from 1989 (L Serial) with original dial, hands, box and papers...

Any leads are much appreciated.

IMO, this would be very close to what you're looking for. Got the original handtag which is even harder to come by on more vintage pieces:

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...ter-16700-9137

My only gripes on this one would be if it's truly the original hands.....but the different in patina is slight enough that it is possible. All you'd need is a pepsi insert (find a properly faded one in this case to make it more correct).

You want the perfect full set, keep waiting and keep looking on the classified here and other vintage dealers.....it will come you just need to be patient.

[brandonwahl]

Originally Posted by toothpharaoh

Haven't had much luck finding a Pepsi 16710 from 1989 (L Serial) with original dial, hands, box and papers...

Any leads are much appreciated.

Welcome to the forum. One of the joys in searching for a vintage or sentimental piece is just that - the searching. You mentioned that you've been researching for a few weeks, but I would say that a few months is probably more in line with the amount of time you'll want to spend before pulling the trigger, especially given the specific criteria you mentioned . Unless a no-brainer comes along of course. I purchased a 1675 from Springer in 2016, but probably spent over a year doing research, inquiring with various sellers and probably most importantly trying on various examples. I cannot recommend trying on various examples highly enough.

As others have mentioned above, it is important to find a well known and truster seller. We've all seen way too many posts on this forum where someone bought a watch they were told was all original and ended up being misled.

I look forward to seeing pictures of your watch on this forum in the future. Enjoy the hunt.

[toothpharaoh]

Originally Posted by brandonwahl

Welcome to the forum. One of the joys in searching for a vintage or sentimental piece is just that - the searching. You mentioned that you've been researching for a few weeks, but I would say that a few months is probably more in line with the amount of time you'll want to spend before pulling the trigger, especially given the specific criteria you mentioned . Unless a no-brainer comes along of course. I purchased a 1675 from Springer in 2016, but probably spent over a year doing research, inquiring with various sellers and probably most importantly trying on various examples. I cannot recommend trying on various examples highly enough.

As others have mentioned above, it is important to find a well known and truster seller. We've all seen way too many posts on this forum where someone bought a watch they were told was all original and ended up being misled.

I look forward to seeing pictures of your watch on this forum in the future. Enjoy the hunt.

Well I am confident that my patience will lead me to the watch I'm looking for.

What specific pages besides the forums should I check for with reputable sellers?

[chows99]

Originally Posted by sensui

IMO, this would be very close to what you're looking for. Got the original handtag which is even harder to come by on more vintage pieces:

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...ter-16700-9137

My only gripes on this one would be if it's truly the original hands.....but the different in patina is slight enough that it is possible. All you'd need is a pepsi insert (find a properly faded one in this case to make it more correct).

You want the perfect full set, keep waiting and keep looking on the classified here and other vintage dealers.....it will come you just need to be patient.

Hi Sensui,

It was documented in 1 of the threads here that it is common for Rolex watches in early 1990s to have different patina btw dial and hands due to different suppliers of components. I saw a 16710 on sale at Luna Oyster which also have the same characteristic too where he says all are original.

Unless its an aesthetic consideration, different degree of patina doesn't necessarily mean the hands are not original.

[chows99]

Personally I will check for those Trusted Dealer who are Pledge members and have a decent post count.

I will also prefer to buy from experienced forumers here who are flipping for interest and not so much for profits.

[brandonwahl]

Originally Posted by toothpharaoh

Well I am confident that my patience will lead me to the watch I'm looking for.

What specific pages besides the forums should I check for with reputable sellers?

There is a "sticky" near the top of the main Vintage Rolex Discussion page entitled "List of Vintage Watch Dealers" with dozens of trusted seller recommendations. I'm not saying that a 1989 5 digit reference Rolex is necessarily vintage, but most well known dealers will be able to source what you are looking for I'm sure.

You can also try Watch Recon, which gives you a pretty wide range of what is out there. There are certainly precautions that need to be made on that site, but it can be a good library for research.