GMT 1675 - inserts with strange lines

[stevegeorge249]

Hi All,

On my mission to see as many 1675 inserts that have ever been made then finally decide if I'm in the originals period correct only camp or otherwise.

I'm noticing more and more inserts with these strange tiger stripe like lines. To my knowledge the Rolex process was the anodisation of aluminium combined with pad printing so where have these lines come from, anyone know?

Steve not George, contributions appreciated

[KY..]

Fake fading is real since insert prices have skyrocketed

[stevegeorge249]

And another

[decisive]

Get photos of the back of the insert, this will allow you to see if it was dipped into something.

Those lines on late 60s and early 70s inserts are very common.

[springer]

Originally Posted by stevegeorge249

Hi All,

On my mission to see as many 1675 inserts that have ever been made then finally decide if I'm in the originals period correct only camp or otherwise.

I'm noticing more and more inserts with these strange tiger stripe like lines. To my knowledge the Rolex process was the anodisation of aluminium combined with pad printing so where have these lines come from, anyone know?

Steve not George, contributions appreciated

It is nothing more than one variation of natural insert fading. I've seen it many times.

[TuRo]

Looks original and fine to me too.

[1675-David]

Cue random guy using this thread as an excuse to post a pic of his watch...

[1675-David]

Here's a image of my watch!

[stevegeorge249]

Thanks David, always seems much more prominent on the blue, thanks

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Here's a image of my watch!

Bloody stunning is that!

[swaini3]

I love this pattern on inserts. Don't think its artificial at all.

[stevegeorge249]

Look at this baby!

It must be a break down in the dye used when anodising as red is not affected, the new fuchsia! enjoy!

[Dan S]

As noted above, I have seen many of these, for a long time, and I have no reason to think that they are artificially done in general.

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by Dan S

As noted above, I have seen many of these, for a long time, and I have no reason to think that they are artificially done in general.

Agreed on all points, but the OP refers to them as "tiger striped," I think we have a new name for sellers to market and put a premium on. Load up on these "tiger striped" inserts now boys!

[stevegeorge249]

Too right, I'm buying up every tiger striped inserts I can find.
Much more manly than a pink job ha ha

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by 1675-David

Here's a image of my watch!

Clearly my all time fave.

[springer]

Originally Posted by stevegeorge249

Too right, I'm buying up every tiger striped inserts I can find.
Much more manly than a pink job ha ha

..."Brilliant �� fantastic post for the forgers to latch on to.....I'm considering this one......Are we self feeding a frenzy for no reason for just vanity?"

[Filipão]

Originally Posted by springer

..."Brilliant �� fantastic post for the forgers to latch on to.....I'm considering this one......Are we self feeding a frenzy for no reason for just vanity?"

... which turns us into... TREND SETTERS!

[tekno]

Anodizing fades. The blue fades faster sometimes. The pattern is pretty common. I don’t think you found the next fuchsia.

Fuchsia are popular for a reason, they look good. Maybe a tad bit of hype but they are damn good looking. They are uncommon, even more so in great condition. They deserve the hype if you ask me.

There are lots of cool Pepsi bezel variations. The older ones that aren’t dogged out will fetch a premium. Buy as many as you can afford, they will only go up in value.

Here is my old 16750 with a cool fade. This being a thin font it was less desirable, I still liked the insert.



Here is a burnt bronze pre fuchsia insert. Another cool variation.

[Filipão]

Cool factor is, thanks God, not the same for all of us.

Though I find all types of faded inserts interesting, I only like period correct to the watch and with vibrant original colours. To each his own.

[stevegeorge249]

Very interesting this 16750 with tiger striped insert on the red, the first one I have seen.

[stevegeorge249]

So I think this a beauty and I press the big button to buy my first 16750 then I look at some more pictures and the watch actually looks like this....

Happy New Year to TRF guys and gals

[TuRo]

Yes some difference - the bezel insert looks almost enhanced first photo , just the light though I suspect.

Ref Dial - The first two or so years of gloss 16750 production (especially the non-date versions, when the word DATE was omitted from OYSTER PERPETUAL), after matte dial was discontinued, are prone to on the negative side, cracking/spidering...but, on the positive side, lume plots going a nice light brown. This is probably (but not necessarily) an early-ish date version btw.

As with everything vintage, in the early 2000s the phrase 'spidered dial' was coined - some people even pay extra for one !!

I like a few other incl Mike Wood from UK (up there with Xeramic btw in knowledge), are not that keen and not would pay top money for one.

Each to their own though of course...there are a lot of fans of them. Later dials where fixed of the issues in the main btw.

[stevegeorge249]

Thanks for the info Paul.

Yes I was very surprised when I saw the second photo but its a marmite job I guess, you either love it or hate it.

I think I like it but the insert damage is too bad for me sadly.

[ADINVA]

Hi All,

I have two questions and greatly appreciate if I can get some insights:
1) When was blue back insert introduced?
2) Are blue back inserts service-inserts?

Thanks in advance!

[stevegeorge249]

Blue backs are definitely service inserts.

Date from is a good question.

Best info I can find is early 80s for blue backs to start appearing.

[springer]

Originally Posted by ADINVA

Hi All,

I have two questions and greatly appreciate if I can get some insights:
1) When was blue back insert introduced?
2) Are blue back inserts service-inserts?

Thanks in advance!

Blue-backs were introduced sometime during the early 1980s. They probably overlapped in production for a short time with the red-backs. A good time frame for the introduction of the blue-backs for me is circa 1983-1984.

All "Pepsi" inserts, as well as service inserts, were blue backs after the red-backs were discontinued.

[ADINVA]

Originally Posted by springer

Blue-backs were introduced sometime during the early 1980s. They probably overlapped in production for a short time with the red-backs. A good time frame for the introduction of the blue-backs for me is circa 1983-1984.

All "Pepsi" inserts, as well as service inserts, were blue backs after the red-backs were discontinued.

Thanks JP. I was reading gmtmaster1675.com and learnt that service inserts are blue backed. It was confusing to me. Thanks for clarifying. This is extremely useful!

[ADINVA]

Is there a way to distinguish the blue backed inserts into Service and Non-serviced?

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by ADINVA

Is there a way to distinguish the blue backed inserts into Service and Non-serviced?

Not that I’m aware of.