GMT 16750 Insert Check Please

[exador]

Hi, looking for a verification of this insert please (and yes I've read Springer's FAQ).

Watch is an 8.3m serial and the fonts seem unusually thin...

[exador]

Anyone? Thanks in advance.

[TimeToGo]

Yes, they do look very thin... That would be the least of my worries, I would not pay a premium for a watch with such an insert.

Any other pictures available..

[roh123]

To me it looks like a bleached service insert. It looks authentic though.

[Alex The Watch Guy]

Looks off to me, but easily swapped out for a genuine red/blue back. Killer dial colors! I would make sure the dial was not tampered with.

[TimeToGo]

Just found the listing... Thanks A!

[JustinK]

The patina looks too good to be true on the dial and the hands look like they have been color matched. Its a very good looking watch if you can confirm the dial has not been tampered with. The hands and insert would not be a deal breaker for me.

[schaumburgla]

Originally Posted by JustinK

The patina looks too good to be true on the dial and the hands look like they have been color matched. Its a very good looking watch if you can confirm the dial has not been tampered with. The hands and insert would not be a deal breaker for me.

The hands appear to be color match & double check w seller that the hr markers have not been "touched". The hands would not kill it for me as well but any tampering with the Hr plots & I'd run like the wind!

Good luck
J

[Alex The Watch Guy]

Originally Posted by schaumburgla

The hands appear to be color match & double check w seller that the hr markers have not been "touched". The hands would not kill it for me as well but any tampering with the Hr plots & I'd run like the wind!

Good luck
J

Who doesn't like a little color?

[1675-David]

Have you seen this watch in the flesh? The insert has obvious signs of "added patina" and as others have pointed out, probably the hands and possibly the dial to. I would tread carefully...

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by Alex The Watch Guy

Who doesn't like a little color?

Exactly

[Alex The Watch Guy]

Originally Posted by Wesley Crusher

Exactly

Match made in heaven!

[springer]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Have you seen this watch in the flesh? The insert has obvious signs of "added patina" and as others have pointed out, probably the hands and possibly the dial to. I would tread carefully...

The patina on the insert is not uncommon on older inserts. I've seen this wavy patina like that found in the red coloring before.

There are two photos I've included here of this wavy patina found in the red area on a GMT insert and a third photo of a service insert which appears to be the same fonts as that found in the first post by exador.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by springer

The patina on the insert is not uncommon on these inserts. I've seen this wavy patina before.

Also on such thin font service inserts? :)

[springer]

Originally Posted by roh123

Also on such thin font service inserts? :)

I believe I just posted a photo of a service insert. I've stayed out of this thread for a reason. But, calling the patina artificial is not anything that I agree with - at least based on one photo.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by springer

I believe I just posted a photo of a service insert. I've stayed out of this thread for a reason. But, calling the patina artificial is not anything that I agree with - at least based on one photo.

Sure. I said it looks artificially bleached. I can't say if it is possible to end up at this naturally or not so if you do know that I trust that. I do however know that bleach sometimes gives this kind of patina and I always get suspicious when I see late, super thin font inserts which looks like they been through hell and back.

Personally I don't care if/how people fade their inserts. I wouldn't buy something that looks artificially faded and to me this looks like that. On the other hand inserts aren't a dealbreaker if the rest of the watch is nice. Unless we speak about bakelites, red triangle inserts and other super rare parts. On standard models I'd look for other things to decide if I want it or not.

Last part not directed at you springer. You seem to know your way around vintage watches.

[exador]

Hi Everyone, thanks for your input. The watch was apparently serviced by an RSC in 2013, so I'll try and find out what was and wasn't replaced at the time.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by springer

The patina on the insert is not uncommon on older inserts. I've seen this wavy patina like that found in the red coloring before.

There are two photos I've included here of this wavy patina found in the red area on a GMT insert and a third photo of a service insert which appears to be the same fonts as that found in the first post by exador.

I'm quite familiar with the wavy pattern on the insert and have heard it being referred to as an iris pattern here and there. From the image given though the insert colours appear to be dull and flat. My 1675 has this iris effect albeit on the blue field but still carries a deep luster (probably very difficult to capture on an image)
I would definitely want to see this watch in person before before closing the deal, and of course I would have to be comfortable with the seller.

A few years back I wouldn't have been so picky but back then an insert didn't cost an arm and a leg