1976 GMT Necessary service

[C19580]

Hi all, first post here.

I recently was gifted a 1976 GMT Pepsi from my father (pic below). He wore it every day for 30 years and has had it in stored for the past decade.

Now that I have it, I’ve really started to appreciate the craftsmanship, history and connection that can be built with a watch and would really like to wear it and enjoy it.

I took it to a nearby AD to have it sent to Rolex for servicing and they’re requiring that I change a number of parts, including 13 links of the bracelet. As I’ve read, there’s value in maintaining the watch as original as possible and I’m looking for advice on whether it would be in my best interest to change all the parts that are being required or recommended. Service estimate below.

Appreciate everyone’s thoughts. Thanks.

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[Tools]

You really want somebody who knows, and cares, about retaining the vintage charm and value of your watch.

Get your watch back and seek some advice from a vintage watchmaker, such as the Ridley's at Watchmaker International in Arlington TX.

Getting a new bracelet is no problem, the rest of the changes may be irreversible.

[C19580]

Thanks, will give them a call

[Boaters]

What a beauty, as said by Tools who is much more an expert than I. This would be another place to check out.
http://www.timecareinc.com/

[TimeLord2]

Lovely 1675, don't replace anything. You might want to check out the buying a vintage watch sticky note in the vintage section, here: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=353899

I understand the watch is already your's but I think it will give you a great overview of vintage watches and what is important to vintage collectors.

Oh, and another great reference here, specific to the GMT Master: https://gmtmaster1675.com/

[Tomas Eriksson]

You definitely don’t wan’t the hands or bezel replaced, they look amazing. Deny and get the watch back, then go for a vintage specialist. US members of the forum can give recommendations.

[BigBlue1]

That watch is beautiful just the way it sits.
Get it running and leave everything else alone.

[andrewjb88]

100% dont replace stuff

[Styles Bitchley]

Wow. That’s there is a classic case of a service that will remove thousands of dollars in value, while probably costing you a few thousand out of pocket!

Service the movement and replace the crown, tube and bracelet (and keep the old parts). You’re in good hands with Ridley or LA Watchworks or some other carefully selected vintage Rolex experts.

Lovely watch, by the way!

[C19580]

Thanks everyone for the good advice. I’m glad I went with my gut and rejected the service. I’m a bit surprised the AD would be recommending that I change all these parts. I don’t know anything about vintage pieces but this seemed odd, even to me. Will get the watch back and look into a vintage service expert.

The bracelet is pretty stretched and the clasp isn’t very secure. Is this something I can fix or replace through the vintage service expert? I noted in a reply above that replacing the bracelet links wouldn’t negatively affect the value that much.

My intention is to wear the watch and enjoy it. I like the idea of now wearing the watch that my father wore and hopefully one day pass it on. Is a vintage watch like this meant to be worn on a daily basis or is it more wise to keep put away and wear only on special occasions? I’ve actually been looking at getting a new DJ41 but I’m really appreciating the vintage piece.

Actually also just got my grandfather’s DJ circa 1969. I’ve been told that the bracelet must have been replaced since it’s not a two tone and it should be. Any comments appreciated. Really enjoying this one lately.

Cheers

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[brigadoonb]

Please please just get it in good running order. Everything else looks great. Beautiful watch!

[southtexas]

Cool radial dial. Rolliworks can get the bracelet back to like-new. You received great recommendations for service also. Congrats on an awesome heirloom.


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[jlushing]

Beautiful watch, enjoy.

[athom]

I guess people answered you already but I’d have been it serviced by a good independent watchmaker keeping all the parts not damaged. In any case I’d ask to have what will be changed back. If you want to wear it everyday I’d maybe keep the bracelet like that and buy a complete new one. If it’s not for everyday I’d have the bracelet repaired. Enjoy!

[Rebel]

You have some really great wristwatches with famly heritage to boot. Very nice. Service as recommended by the great folk here at TRF and enjoy.

[C19580]

I ended up having the watch serviced by Phillip Ridley and it turned out really nice. I’m really looking forward to wearing this watch. Wanted to share an updated photo and thank everyone for the good advice.

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[BigBlue1]

Beautiful :)

[BigBlue1]

WoW such a classic look.

[btinl]

Originally Posted by C19580

I ended up having the watch serviced by Phillip Ridley and it turned out really nice. I’m really looking forward to wearing this watch. Wanted to share an updated photo and thank everyone for the good advice.

Attachment 1086916

Amazing radial dial!

[Cooper33]

Post a few more pics - wise choice and congrats!!


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[037]

Turned out great! Congrats!

Did they relume the hands?

[Frosty]

Radial Dials were only made for one year! When, you have that and the family connection, it is priceless.

Find someone that appreciates the heritage and uniqueness of vintage watches, service it, and maintain its integrity.

I also have a 1675 Radial Dial. I had Dalton, on this Forum service it and it loses a few seconds a week! It is my daily wear watch.

[Verdi]

Great outcome, congrats!

[TimeLord2]

That looks fantastic! Phillip Ridley does some amazing work from what I have seen on this forum. He has posted some purely watchmaker posts that are quite interesting. Kudos to both of you!

[Andad]

Well done.

Enjoy wearing it.

[AJ94]

Beauty, you cant replicate age!

[mohamedalimam]

Amazing piece, wear it in good health.

Well done mate.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Radial Dials were only made for one year! When, you have that and the family connection, it is priceless.

Find someone that appreciates the heritage and uniqueness of vintage watches, service it, and maintain its integrity.

I also have a 1675 Radial Dial. I had Dalton, on this Forum service it and it loses a few seconds a week! It is my daily wear watch.

Larry, I don't know where you heard that the radials were available for only one year, but based on their serial number range, it was longer than one year, and in my opinion they were available for at least two years and probably closer to three years.

The production era of the Mark III radial dials overlapped with the Mark IV dial era and the early Mark V dial production era.

[bayerische]

Yikes! As I read the first post. Really good that you asked about the service first. The AD would have ruined your watch.

Now you saved its originality and its worth.

[L_S_SHOE]

Originally Posted by C19580

I ended up having the watch serviced by Phillip Ridley and it turned out really nice. I’m really looking forward to wearing this watch. Wanted to share an updated photo and thank everyone for the good advice.



Attachment 1086916

Great looking watch. I think part of the charm of Rolex (and other well-made mechanical watches) is that they are so well made that they can last generations. There are very few things like that in this world. I’m glad you were able to find someone who respected the original nature of the watch and fixed only what needed to be fixed. Excellent work!


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