HELP - Rolex GMT 16750

[Jbert55]

Hi Everyone,

Looking for a little help here. I have the opportunity to purchase the attached GMT. It from a very close friend who inherited it, however neither he nor I know much about it. I believe it’s a 16750, but can someone confirm? Also, it looks like the hands and dial have aged differently. Could they have been replaced?

Also, anything I should be on the lookout for? Any and all info is welcomed.

Thank you!

[Mark020]

Hands are relumed by somebody who most likely did not pass "Reluming 101"

[Alex The Watch Guy]

It is in fact a GMT 16750. This particular one has a beautiful no date dial indicative of early glossy execution. As mentioned, the hands have been poorly relumed.

Can’t really make out anything else from just one picture. If you remove the bracelet, the serial number between the lugs would be interesting to see. Also, pictures of the case, lug holes, the bracelet clasp code and endlink stamp would further give clues on valuation.

There are a ton of resources available online, if you’re willing to investing the time to research. Or, just wait and have more experts chime in on this thread.

https://gmtmaster1675.com/

Regardless, it’s a beautiful watch with a ton of potential.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Mark020

Hands are relumed by somebody who most likely did not pass "Reluming 101"

Who would relume the hands like that and say, "Yup, no glaring mis-match there. I've done my job well. That's absolutely fine."?

On the positive side, you can get the hands relumed again to match the dial plots by somebody not wearing clown shoes.

[dhknola]

Those 16750's are getting harder to get, w period matched hands you have a stunner!

[Mark020]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Who would relume the hands like that and say, "Yup, no glaring mis-match there. I've done my job well. That's absolutely fine."?

On the positive side, you can get the hands relumed again to match the dial plots by somebody not wearing clown shoes.

I don't know. Perhaps he had only 1 colour

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Who would relume the hands like that and say, "Yup, no glaring mis-match there. I've done my job well. That's absolutely fine."?

On the positive side, you can get the hands relumed again to match the dial plots by somebody not wearing clown shoes.

Well at least the hands glow even in the bright


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[Dan S]

I would like to have a closer look at the right side of the dial between 2 and 4 around the date window. Not a deal-breaker, but just in the interest of full disclosure.

[Tom1675]

Looks OK from what I can see, hands won't run you too much... As mentioned, more pics to make sure all checks out.

[yowlie]

It's got a nice sleeve polish on the case and bracelet. I personally would not let anyone refinish either of them. There are people that disagree, and you can find someone to do it well. But you can't go back once you've erased that character. Is it possible these are aftermarket hands and not a relume? Also, might this be an aftermarket crystal (not an issue if it is).

[linesiders]

Originally Posted by zapokee

Who would relume the hands like that and say, "Yup, no glaring mis-match there. I've done my job well. That's absolutely fine."?

On the positive side, you can get the hands relumed again to match the dial plots by somebody not wearing clown shoes.

Watchmaker that cares about functionality and only has Bergeon lume. Not only is it a terrible green, but it is bright for 15 seconds and useless in 15 minutes ; )

Originally Posted by Dan S

I would like to have a closer look at the right side of the dial between 2 and 4 around the date window. Not a deal-breaker, but just in the interest of full disclosure.

Might be OK - but yeh - we need better photos

[Jbert55]

Hi Guys,



I’m very new to the forum but I’m hoping someone can lead me in the right direction. I received the below watch from my godfather and I absolutely love it. Neither he or I know much about it, but I believe it’s a 16750. My godfather said he bought it used in the mid/late 80’s.



I was hoping someone out there could help answer a few questions I have about it.



1. Is it a 16750?

2. The hands have a different color than the indices. Could these be replacements/service hands, or is it common for them to age differently?

3. If I want, can I relume the hands to match?

4. The hour hand has caused a pretty noticeable drag mark. Is this fixable? I’ve heard I shouldn’t mess with the dial, so do I even want to fix it? Lastly, if I do fix it, any recommendations on who can do the work?

5. One more, any idea on value?


Again, thank you all for the help! I’m still learning about all this, but it’s becoming a passion.



Thank you!

[Stan Cooper]

The reference number (16750?) is etched on the watch case between the 12 o'clock lugs, and the serial number is etched between the six o'clock lugs. You'll have to remove the bracelet to see them. Once you determine the the reference number, there are numerous web sources of information about the different GMT-Master references and how they differ from one another.

The serial number will give you the approximate date the watch was manufactured (within a year or two).

Here's the reference number of my 1675 between the 12 o'clock lugs.

[Tools]

We just went through this exercise..

Only the last time you told us that you had the opportunity to purchase said watch.. Now it's godfather's watch.

I'm sure that all the same answers and advice from the other day are still valid.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=806483

[piglet]

Exercise was yesterday ...

[1665fan]

Relumed hands.....hurts the value

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Tools

Only the last time you told us that you had the opportunity to purchase said watch.. Now it's godfather's watch.

Easily explained. He purchased it from his godfather, who inherited it ... from someone.

[Jackie Daytona]

Looks like you’ve already gotten the answers for the most part but just to touch on it. Yes, it’s a 16750 without looking at the reference number. Hand stack is indicative of 16750 hours, gmt, minutes, seconds. 1675 GMT was bottom of the stack.

[Jbert55]

Hi Guys,

Thanks so much for all the help. It’s much appreciated!

I ended up purchasing the watch for a very reasonable price. It means a lot to him and me and I’m planning to restore it to its former glory! New hands are the first thing!

Another thing, the hour hand has caused a considerable amount of hand drag. Is there a way to fix this, and do I want to? I’ve heard that I shouldn’t mess with the dial. All advice is welcomed!

I’ve added a few more pics so you can see.

Thank you!

[harry in montreal]

Pretty sick watch man. Where are you in California ? You may want to have a pro redo the hands and see if the mark on the dial can be cleaned up a bit

[Jbert55]

I’m in Santa Barbara. I’m happy to travel a bit to find someone who can do it the right way. It really does mean a lot to me, so I want to find someone who really knows what they’re doing.

[hutch300]

Rolliworks or LA Watch Works (LAWW) can help you out and both in CA.

[Jbert55]

Originally Posted by hutch300

Rolliworks or LA Watch Works (LAWW) can help you out and both in CA.

Perfect, thanks so much! Will they be able to help with both the hands and dial? I’ve heard the dial may be hard to fix. Thank you!

[MrChamfers]

Looks like it's been polished quite a bit. You could get the case beefed up at rolliworks with some laser welding.

[Jbert55]

Again, I’m new. But how can you tell it’s been polished quite a bit? I uploaded a few more pics to help.
Thanks!

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

Looks like it's been polished quite a bit. You could get the case beefed up at rolliworks with some laser welding.

That case looks excellent.
Look at the lug holes.

Get the hands matched by Greg at true dome on Instagram.

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by Jbert55

Again, I’m new. But how can you tell it’s been polished quite a bit? I uploaded a few more pics to help.
Thanks!

Your case is fine. See my other post.

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by stmoore

That case looks excellent. Look at the lug holes.

Agree . It certainly doesn't need laser welding. I even see a hint of factory chamfers.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by MrChamfers

Looks like it's been polished quite a bit. You could get the case beefed up at rolliworks with some laser welding.

What exactly needs beefing up...and through laser welding no less?? The case is absolutely fine. And as someone who had a case that was in dire need of some laser welded, this is no where close to requiring that. Sure it’s been polished, but so have 99% of vintage pieces.

[Alex The Watch Guy]

Hand drag can’t be fixed, maybe it can be touched up, but it won’t disappear. I can’t tell how bad it is from the pictures. It’s a nice watch watch, send it to one of the repair shops mentioned above, and they’ll color match the hands. The watch probably needs service as well.