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Old 18 April 2018, 09:31 AM   #1
AJDay
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GMT Find at Local Jeweler

I posted this on another forum that I spend more time on, but wanted to put here as well. I had some trouble posting pictures of the back and (very loose) bracelet here. I'll put the whole story here, but mostly looking for feedback on the GMT:

So I'm on a business trip and, as always when traveling, I stopped by a local jeweler to see if there's anything good.

I immediately notice a Solid 18k Constellation Deluxe in his case; I look closer and see it's marked Meister on the dial (which looks good to me). The back isn't too badly worn, you can see a little bit of the cross-hash behind the stars in person. Some polish and some damage on the back of one lug. The crown looks to be gold plate and has worn down to the base metal. I ask him about it and he says it's on consignment from a woman who recently lost her husband, who was a local insurance executive. He then mentions he also has the solid gold brick bracelet but it needs repairs.

He casually mentions that there's also a Rolex of hers, which her husband wore every day from new, but it's in "rough shape and needs parts replaced, like the bezel", so I asked to see that as well. He brings out a GMT Master with matte dial and very faded Pepsi bezel. I emphatically told him not to replace any parts!

I ultimately made an offer on both, which I thought was fair based on my limited knowledge, but the owner held firm on the Connie and wasn't willing to give a price on the Rolex because she wanted to do more research; can you advise what a reasonable price is for each? It's very safe to assume they both need mechanical service, but they both seem to be very honest watches. If they're out of my price range, I at least want to give him a good idea of value (he was an awesome guy and going strong at 98!!)

It was hard to get good pictures on my phone, and he didn't want to take the case-backs off unless we agreed on a price.
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Old 18 April 2018, 10:55 AM   #2
watchcrank
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No price evaluations here but if you look at recent sales on various forums you can see gilt era chapter ring gmt’s in the 20-30k arena. Condition & correctness are paramount.
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Old 18 April 2018, 12:01 PM   #3
bazamu
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I really need to make a habit of stopping into jewelers. That GMT is amazing.
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Old 18 April 2018, 01:45 PM   #4
dhknola
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http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...3/lot.164.html

This one smooshed the estimate and looks strikingly similar to the one at which jewelry store??
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Old 18 April 2018, 02:05 PM   #5
AJDay
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I'm going to stop by the jeweler tomorrow and give him some more information, then I will share his contact info here.
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Old 18 April 2018, 02:50 PM   #6
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GMT Find at Local Jeweler

Quote:
Originally Posted by dhknola View Post
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...3/lot.164.html

This one smooshed the estimate and looks strikingly similar to the one at which jewelry store??


Just out of curiosity, how does the OP’s watch resemble the watch from your link, other than they were produced in the same era?

OP—great finds! Good luck.


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Old 18 April 2018, 02:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhknola View Post
http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...3/lot.164.html

This one smooshed the estimate and looks strikingly similar to the one at which jewelry store??
with one huge difference.
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Old 18 April 2018, 03:06 PM   #8
tjbender
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GMT is from 1961-1962. Gilt “exclamation point dial” and sought after pointed crown guards. All looks to be original and case is in great shape. I’d say a conservative estimate would be $30k. Very rare and beautiful watch.
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Old 18 April 2018, 06:51 PM   #9
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It seems to be a wonderful 1675 gilt chapter ring exclamation point PCG. But to make the right offer you need to evaluate:
1. reference and serial numbers engraved in the case at 6 and 12 o'clock
2. caseback
3. calibre
4. bracelet

ps: insert, bezel, date wheel, crown and hands look ok for that period.
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Old 19 April 2018, 08:06 AM   #10
AJDay
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Thanks everyone for your input. I gave the jeweler all of the information I got from here and Omega forum. I made an offer that I felt was fair but limited somewhat by my budget, but then told him that he could definitely get more and I would help facilitate sharing his contact information with Rolex collectors online. He consulted with the consignor and gave me a call a little while later - she thought the watch was practically worthless because of the condition (she thought the Omega was worth much more) - she was elated that I had done the research and stopped them from replacing parts, and happily accepted my offer. I'm still in a bit of shock, and lucky to have an understanding wife who trusts me. I will take some time to figure out what to do with the watch; I would love to keep it and enjoy it for a while, but then need to find someone who will service it correctly/sympathetically and figure out what to do with the bracelet (is it worth repairing?). Any guidance would be appreciated. What a business trip it's been...
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Old 19 April 2018, 09:20 AM   #11
AJDay
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P.S. here's a picture of the caseback (cropping it as close as possible was the easiest way to get it under the forum size limit).

That's also dirt on the top left lug; I was able to wipe it off with my finger.
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Old 19 April 2018, 09:21 AM   #12
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And representation of the bracelet, which appears to be original to the watch but is obviously in rough shape (both end links are there).
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Old 19 April 2018, 11:06 AM   #13
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Head to Phillip Ridley @ Watchmakers International, Bracelet to Michael Young @ Classic Watch Repair
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Old 19 April 2018, 12:11 PM   #14
AJDay
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Thanks!
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Old 19 April 2018, 12:51 PM   #15
05carbondrz
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I would have not left without that GMT,I’m sure 20K in 100 Bills would have bought it on the spot.A vintage Rolex Dealer would ask near 40K for that Watch.
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Old 19 April 2018, 01:37 PM   #16
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Wow, what a cool story! Congratulations. That looks like a great watch.
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Old 19 April 2018, 03:09 PM   #17
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Good find and do keep us posted after the full service. Can’t wait to see this beauty again when she comes back.


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Old 19 April 2018, 04:08 PM   #18
Scaramanga74
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Congratulations! Keep us posted please :)
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Old 19 April 2018, 04:55 PM   #19
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Very cool story!
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Old 19 April 2018, 09:17 PM   #20
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The reason why the bracelet is so stretched is because the springs within the links are stretched. They can be replaced by a professional and the bracelet will be tight-fitting again. Definitely salvageable. it's a ref 6635 probably.
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Old 19 April 2018, 11:47 PM   #21
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What a great find! Good for you OP, and I bet the first owner would be chuffed to see his old everyday watch so highly prized it's now been examined by collectors all over the world!
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Old 20 April 2018, 12:34 AM   #22
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Best looking gilt dial ive seen in a while.
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Old 20 April 2018, 02:04 AM   #23
AJDay
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Thanks again, all.

I'm still shocked that I was able to get this watch. I'm in the airport waiting for my flight to board - having that watch in my carry-on going through security was nerve-wracking... I'll take more pictures when I get home.

The watch actually seems to be keeping really good time, but I just noticed that it sounds like the rotor is rubbing on the inside of the case back when I shake it, so I'm not sure if I would wear it for long before getting it serviced.

The conversation with my wife when I get home will determine next steps...
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Old 20 April 2018, 02:22 AM   #24
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Congrats on a wonderful watch!
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Old 20 April 2018, 02:51 AM   #25
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Great find! Love it
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Old 20 April 2018, 03:11 AM   #26
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Wow!! What a beautiful find!
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Old 20 April 2018, 03:14 AM   #27
2ltdjorn
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Awesome. Love gambles, following this story.


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Old 20 April 2018, 04:05 AM   #28
AJDay
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2ltdjorn View Post
Awesome. Love gambles, following this story.


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I hope it’s not a gamble... 😳
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Old 20 April 2018, 06:48 AM   #29
JerimiahLee
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That dial looks a little brown!
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Old 20 April 2018, 09:49 AM   #30
SAAS
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Big congrats I respect that you shared information with the seller and that they decided to let it go to a good home.

I’ll never forget when I went to visit my grandparents in Florida the back of the local paper had pictures of vintage Rolex’s with prices being offered extreamly low numbers but high considering what was paid when new. My grandparents like many people their age never had the internet. I’m saddened by how many watches believed to be junk are separated from their owners.

Congrats on a clean win!
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