Transitional 16750 from 70s?

[JasonBetts]

Hi all. I'm new to TRF.

Planning to switch my collections to vintage and looking to buy this 16750.

This is what I know according to the seller:

- Mk1 16750
- 6.2m serial
- from 1979-1980

Here's the photos.

What doesn't add up to me:

- 16750 was only introduced in 1981, no?
- serial number 6.4m only started in 1980, no?

Questions:

- if this one is genuine, how it could have 6.2m serial?
- marking in the lug clearly says 16750

Please help analyse this watch and let me have your thoughts.


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[lee fowler]

I also have an early 16750 with a 6.3 serial. Don't worry to much about years etc as no one really knows the precise year of manufacture. All is good and it looks like a nice example, congrats.

[JasonBetts]

Thanks for your response Lee. It's good to hear that the watch in question falls within similar SN. Any reference on the first 16750 serial numbers?


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[cowboy music]

I believe it is a Mk 2 dial since the A in Master, the H in Chronometer, and the C in Certified are not vertically aligned.

Mine says hi. It's a 7.2xx,xxx serial from 1982, with a similar dial.

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Thanks for your response Lee. It's good to hear that the watch in question falls within similar SN. Any reference on the first 16750 serial numbers?


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Round about the 6.2 as that is the earliest I have seen,

[Sky21]

Looks like a very nice Mk 2 16750 matte dial. The prices on these continues to rise and they're certainly not making any more. It is a good reference for collectors and enthusiasts alike, and it is easy to wear daily and service as well. Good luck, come back and post some pics if you end up buying it.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by cowboy music

I believe it is a Mk 2 dial since the A in Master, the H in Chronometer, and the C in Certified are not vertically aligned.



Mine says hi. It's a 7.2xx,xxx serial from 1982, with a similar dial.

Thanks for the reference Cowboy. What about Mk1 dial? How do we spot one? Appreciate if anyone can post one.


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Looks like a very nice Mk 2 16750 matte dial. The prices on these continues to rise and they're certainly not making any more. It is a good reference for collectors and enthusiasts alike, and it is easy to wear daily and service as well. Good luck, come back and post some pics if you end up buying it.

The seller surely asked for a handsome amount. In usd equivalent is around 7,500 watch only no box no paper. You think it's worth keeping? If Mk1 I would but if it's Mk2 maybe I'll think twice


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[springer]

They started in the 6.1 million range. The dial is correct for the watch. Also, if you look between the lugs it should be missing the REGISTERED DESIGN stamping.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by springer

They started in the 6.1 million range. The dial is correct for the watch. Also, if you look between the lugs it should be missing the REGISTERED DESIGN stamping.

It says REGISTERED DESIGN 16750 in 6 o'clock lugs. Does this make sense to you, or it smells fishy? Appreciate your thoughts on this Springer


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[Sky21]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Thanks for the reference Cowboy. What about Mk1 dial? How do we spot one? Appreciate if anyone can post one.


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Here is a photo of a Mk 1 dial. Notice the coronet is slimmer at the base and the A, H, and C line up at the bottom.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Here is a photo of a Mk 1 dial. Notice the coronet is slimmer at the base and the A, H, and C line up at the bottom.

Thanks Sky. This confirms that the watch n question is possibly Mk2. But i wonder why the 6.2m SN? Shouldn't it be too early to have a Mk2 dial?

Did anybody notice the slightly smaller 24h hand triangle a bit small? Shouldn't it cover the whole hour marker? Not so sure if the dial and 24h hand are original at this stage.

Any other opinions from the GMT experts here?



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[Sky21]

As far as the dial is concerned, I wouldn't get too worried about which one is in which serial number range. The 16750 matte was made for such a short time that I believe that both dials are considered correct for pretty much the entire time. The Mk 1 and 2 designations are just a way to categorize them to tell them apart.

[springer]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

It says REGISTERED DESIGN 16750 in 6 o'clock lugs. Does this make sense to you, or it smells fishy? Appreciate your thoughts on this Springer


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The early 1670s and other models around the 6 million serial numbers did not have the registered design stamp. I don't know the exact serial numbers range but yours is close so it could go either way. Wear the watch often and enjoy it.

Below is a thread on the GMT 16750 dials.

https://rolexvintageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=93

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by springer

The early 1670s and other models around the 6 million serial numbers did not have the registered design stamp. I don't know the exact serial numbers range but yours is close so it could go either way. Wear the watch often and enjoy it.

Below is a thread on the GMT 16750 dials.

https://rolexvintageforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=93

Ahhh i got it now Springer after reading your link. So far I've gotten it wrong. I thought Mk I as the name suggests, was the first dial used in the early 16750. So you're saying Mk2 first starting from 6M ish then transitioned to Mk1?

Ok i can rest in peace on the dials. What's your take on the 24h hand? Do you see irregularities there? Judging by the triangle, it looks smaller compare to the pictures of most 16750s out here.

If the hands or any of the hands have been changed, should it be a deal breaker you think and why?

Thanks in advance


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[JasonBetts]

Finally got this beauty. Thanks to Springer, Sky, Lee and Cowboy for all your inputs for me to make an informed decision. IMG_4135.jpgIMG_4132.jpg


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[cowboy music]

Congrats! It looks great. Very excited for you.

[Sky21]

Looks like you got a good one! These keep rising in price and the matte dials are certainly in demand now, even if they weren't in the early to mid 80's when everybody wanted the new gloss dials.

[lee fowler]

Awesome and congrats, here is my 6.2.

[Sky21]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Awesome and congrats, here is my 6.2.

Lovely patina on this one Lee, this must have been one of the very first 16750 right?

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Lovely patina on this one Lee, this must have been one of the very first 16750 right?

Sorry my mistake it is a 6.3 but still early.

[glocati]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Awesome and congrats, here is my 6.2.

Lee- That's a great 16750 - Love that FF insert !!! I have a 6.2 serial 16750. Obviously originally matte dialed, but has a glossy WG surround service dial.


Jason/OP - nice GMT ! Congrats !

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by cowboy music

Congrats! It looks great. Very excited for you.

Thanks Cowboy. It looks better in real life and it wears even better. Somehow the early design fits better on my wrist. The case thickness and the crown kind of just blend in without obstructing my wrist. I almost gave up on Rolex but since I got this vintage beauty, something is changing.

[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by Sky21

Looks like you got a good one! These keep rising in price and the matte dials are certainly in demand now, even if they weren't in the early to mid 80's when everybody wanted the new gloss dials.

Thanks Sky. It is indeed a good relatively untouched early / transitional 16750. It keeps excellent time and so far (1 week) has been precise. This matte 16750 is in my opinion the best of both worlds. A calm and toned down look without too much blinking but offers a newer calibre with a convenient quickset date. You're right with the price, just last night the seller called me and wanted to get the watch back and pay me usd500 more.


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Awesome and congrats, here is my 6.2.

Thanks Lee. Yours look good in black.


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[JasonBetts]

Originally Posted by glocati

Lee- That's a great 16750 - Love that FF insert !!! I have a 6.2 serial 16750. Obviously originally matte dialed, but has a glossy WG surround service dial.





Jason/OP - nice GMT ! Congrats !

Thanks Glocati. Please show your 6.2 serial 16750 as mine is 6.2 serial too. I wanted to check the GMT hands as I feel the triangle in mine is a bit small.


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[glocati]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Thanks Glocati. Please show your 6.2 serial 16750 as mine is 6.2 serial too. I wanted to check the GMT hands as I feel the triangle in mine is a bit small.


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Hi Jason,

Here's the link from HQ Milton. I bought it about a year ago. Service Dial and hands however.

https://www.hqmilton.com/timepieces/...vice-dial-6588

I am one of the minority on here that don't mind a service dial on my vintage.

It is a "Catch 22" however in that I really like the functionality of the Luminova glow of the service dial and hands , but the call of sourcing a matte dial is always there....

All the same, I love my 16750. Have a good one. Greg

[Sky21]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Thanks Sky. It is indeed a good relatively untouched early / transitional 16750. It keeps excellent time and so far (1 week) has been precise. This matte 16750 is in my opinion the best of both worlds. A calm and toned down look without too much blinking but offers a newer calibre with a convenient quickset date. You're right with the price, just last night the seller called me and wanted to get the watch back and pay me usd500 more.


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Wow, you've had it for 3 days and he already called to buy it back for more money!! Now that is some serious price appreciation.

[chows99]

There is some serious demand out there! Personally I prefer 16700 as I got the best of both worlds- white gold surronds with tritium dial. Luxury and patina combo!

[Sky21]

Originally Posted by chows99

There is some serious demand out there! Personally I prefer 16700 as I got the best of both worlds- white gold surronds with tritium dial. Luxury and patina combo!

You can certainly get the 16750 with the WG surrounds and HG dial, and they all have tritium as well. The difference with your 16700 is you have a sapphire crystal instead of acrylic and a 3175 movement with a full balance bridge instead of a 3075 movement.