Need older GMT help

[olddufus]

A 91 year old friend is thinking about selling me this watch. It is a 1959 that he bought new and still has the papers and box. He has sent it in to Rolex once or maybe twice but not sure what they have done and he doesn't remember what they did other then a cleaning. Wondering if you experts can tell me what looks questionable especially as far as the face, bezel and strap.. Thanks

[janice&fred]

it the story is accurate then it don't look like much from 1959 is left on that watch...

[olddufus]

Is that typically what Rolex would do to a watch if it is sent in for a cleaning if needed?

[Kingface66]

No, not necessarily. If there was a part (or parts) of the watch Rolex deemed in need of replacing, they would very likely replace it.
I think the point Janice&Fred is making, is that from the pictures you provided, the case is not from 1959, nor is the bezel, the bezel insert, the hands, the datewheel, and, most crucially, the dial. So, either every visual component has been replaced, or perhaps there's an error on when the watch claims to be from.
This is what a GMT from 1959 looks like.

[NKflyer]

Clearer photos would be helpful, but from what you have posted, it looks like an early example (early 1960's) reference number 1675 on which pretty much everything has been replaced.

[olddufus]

You are probably right as he first said sometime in early 60s then changed to 1959. Do you know the approximate percentage of loss if not all original?

[olddufus]

Will the value be decreased a lot if this is the case?

[NKflyer]

Originally Posted by olddufus

Do you know the approximate percentage of loss if not all original?

Half or more. A replacement bracelet, for example, is not a big deal but most of the value in vintage lies in the dial.

[waspy1]

Dial is correct for a 1961 or 1962 1675 GMT master. Pictures not clear enough to judge bezel which has a distinctive design in early 60s compared to later. Dial looks good, gilt chapter ring exclamation dial. Dial style matches the pointed crown guard case. Hands replaced, bezel insert replaced, bracelet replaced. For the right price it's worth pursuing. With the right hands and an older insert it'll be great.


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[waspy1]

Regarding value, the dial and case look correct. If the dial is as good as it seems then a few kUSD would see this piece in very good condition. Depending what you can get it for then this could be very worthwhile. Pieces with great dials are going for well over 20k USD.


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[whofeelitknowsit]

Originally Posted by waspy1

Dial is correct for a 1961 or 1962 1675 GMT master. Pictures not clear enough to judge bezel which has a distinctive design in early 60s compared to later. Dial looks good, gilt chapter ring exclamation dial. Dial style matches the pointed crown guard case. Hands replaced, bezel insert replaced, bracelet replaced. For the right price it's worth pursuing. With the right hands and an older insert it'll be great.


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Pretty sure you're looking at the wrong picture.

[glocati]

I am guessing that the serial number of this watch is 1.1 to 1.2 million - which some inaccurate charts list as 1959.

What is the serial # of the watch? This look more like a 1962/3 - gilt dial, PCG which are correct for circa 1962ish. The good news is that the radial gilt dial appears original and the pointed crown guard case looks good/fat.

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by whofeelitknowsit

Pretty sure you're looking at the wrong picture.

Pretty sure I'm not. What do you see?


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