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24 May 2012, 12:47 PM
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#1 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Minneapolis MN
Watch: GMT Master II
Posts: 6
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Found in a safe after more than 25 years - Daytona 6263 and GMT 1675
Hello,
After a long time lurker here I decided I would finally join the forum as I have an interesting story about two of my uncles watches that were recently found. I've been interested in watches as long as I can remember. I purchased my first brand new Rolex - a GMT Master II in 1999 that I still wear today. My Aunt told me to come over to look at two watches that my uncle used to own. My Uncle passed away a little more than 18 years ago. My aunt told me he had a safe that was locked and she didn't have the combination for it. She very recently had the safe opened and there was among other things, two Rolex watches inside. She thinks they have been in the safe for the last 25-28 years. She said to come over to take a look at them and see what I thought. I was shocked to see an old self-winding Daytona and a faded GMT Master. Neither are in mint condition but they are both great looking watches. The first is a GMT Master 1675. It is just the watch with no band on it. The serial number is 696XXX. I'm far from the expert on these but it looks to have the pointed crown guards. I've read about a "gilt" dial but don't know what that is or if this watch has it. I honestly don't even know if the crown guards are pointed but they look a lot different then what I have on mine. The second find is the Daytona. I believe it to be a 6263. Again, I don't have the knowledge about these but in researching here and on google it appears to have what is called the sigma dial. I guess this is due to the "OT SWISS TO" at the bottom of the face. In the limited searching I have done it appears to be a somewhat rare combination to have both the sigma dial and the DAYTONA written in red on the face. The band is missing one of the middle pieces from the clasp portion and the crystal has some scratches on it but the face is very nice. I took a bunch of pictures. I'll try to post some here. I really don't know what my Aunt has in store for the watches yet. I'm not sure if she wants to keep them or sell them. As I said I have been a long time lurker here and I have read about various vintage watches being sent down to Bob Ridley. I sent him an email today and placed a call to him as well to see if he can help. At the very least we are going to see what it will cost to have both watches serviced. Hopefully he can shed some light on how old they are, a value etc. I know there are a lot of experts on the board here. If anyone has any info about these watches it would be great to hear. I'll take the band off of the Daytona next time I'm there to get the serial number. I tried to look up the date of the GMT with the serial number but didn't have any luck finding it. If anyone has any idea to the dates it would be great to hear. Enjoy the pictures - I really hope they aren't too bad. I took them with my iPhone and it was really hard to get the face of the watch without any glare. Dave       
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24 May 2012, 01:07 PM
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#2 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Real Name: Nikos
Location: Florida
Watch: Rolex GMT 16750
Posts: 8,418
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Nice find. The GMT looks like a 1960-61. If your aunt plans on selling I would strongly recommend selling them as found and not touching them.You have nothing to gain and everything to loose by having anybody touch them if they are for sale IMHO. If you are going to keep them to wear I would find a good independent watchmaker with a parts account and have them serviced. There are a few on the forum.
__________________
Follow Me On Instagram @nickgogas Original Owner ROLEX 16750 GMT Daily Wearer For Over 13,000 Days And Counting 
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24 May 2012, 01:12 PM
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#3 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Real Name: Brian
Location: usa
Watch: Milgauss GV
Posts: 688
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Quote:
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24 May 2012, 01:15 PM
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#4 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: USA
Posts: 3,241
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A Barn Find.
Worth so much more. Serious buyers are always on the look out for these. Once someone tinkers with them they are no longer virgins... |
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24 May 2012, 02:39 PM
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#5 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Real Name: John
Location: Australia
Watch: Depends on mood.
Posts: 9,536
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Quote:
I totally agree! To the OP, awesome find! 
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24 May 2012, 01:10 PM
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#6 |
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TRF Moderator & 2024 SUBMARINER Patron
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Rob
Location: Nearby.
Posts: 24,919
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I think a Lottery ticket is the next course of action for you...
As to find these two is something extraordinary!!
__________________
He who wears a Rolex is always on time, even when late!!  TRF's "After Dark" Bar & Nightclub Patron-Founding Member.. |
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25 May 2012, 07:44 AM
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#7 | |
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Banned
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Anastasios
Location: Athens Greece
Watch: Rolex GMT 1675
Posts: 8,497
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Quote:
Lottery ticket is right... and here are your winnings sir...$18,000 for the 6263 and 5,000 for the 1675 Total $23,000 as they are...DO NOT PAY an immoral 2-3 grand for service |
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24 May 2012, 01:10 PM
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#8 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Real Name: Jeff
Location: arizona
Watch: Seiko 7A28 7049
Posts: 371
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great find I am in no way an expert but I'm sure someone will chime in. If I were you I would look into buying them from your aunt if she wants to sell them and keep them in the family
__________________
 Submariner 16610 Explorer II 1655 Panerai 915 President of the Royal Commanders Club |
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24 May 2012, 01:11 PM
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#9 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Real Name: Rich
Location: NC
Watch: Rolex 1675
Posts: 2,359
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Holy wow! Great find!!!! Good luck enjoy. Rich
__________________
Rich Member of Nylon Nation Red Sox Nation Instagram watchguy97 |
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24 May 2012, 01:11 PM
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#10 |
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2024 ROLEX SUBMARINER 41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,239
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Great advice Nickos, I agree with your wisdom...again!
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics. |
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24 May 2012, 01:14 PM
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#11 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Boston
Posts: 3,177
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Beautiful barnyard "finds" !!
__________________
"Oh, you give a f****' aspirin a headache, pal!" |
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24 May 2012, 01:15 PM
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#12 |
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Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Pav
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 11,495
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Very nice pieces you stumbled upon.
The 'Big Red' Daytona sigma dial is certainly a rare bird. It is a manual wind movement (not self winding). Worth about 35-40k. Bob Ridley knows what to do to keep their originality and value. The second is a gilt dial 1675 with pointed crown guards. Another beauty. Worth maybe 13-15k. The lume on the minute hand is deteriorating. Bob may be able to prevent further loss of lume. Again congrats on your find! |
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24 May 2012, 01:15 PM
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#13 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Montreal
Watch: The Habs pick 1st!
Posts: 3,589
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Winner winner chicken dinner. Looks like your aunt will have a nice windfall.
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24 May 2012, 01:28 PM
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#14 |
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2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: USA & France
Posts: 11,078
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Great find and story. As said, don't touch them!
If your aunt needs money, she can probably get at least $30,000 for those to, probably more. |
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24 May 2012, 02:17 PM
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#15 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Real Name: TSW
Location: Le Brassus
Watch: Rolex & AP's
Posts: 27,449
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Great find!
__________________
 AP Owners Club IG @swiss.watch.connection |
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24 May 2012, 02:46 PM
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#16 |
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Banned
Join Date: Mar 2009
Real Name: Jon
Location: New England
Watch: --Rolex--
Posts: 2,391
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Both stunning finds!! Congrats!!
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24 May 2012, 02:58 PM
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#17 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So. California
Posts: 1,232
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 What are the chances......this is the stuff "TRF urban legends" are made of.....- You are a long time lurker, and you just joined today  - Your uncle just happened to have two of the most desirable vintage rolexes - your uncle died and the executor of his estate and/or wife thought it prudent to leave a safe unopened for 18 years. I don't even think that is legal... Your uncle "just stopped" wearing the watches for the last 10 years of his life? They both look really well worn..? - you figured out you have a sigma dial, you figured out who Bob Ridley is but you have no idea how to date the GMT. - You took the time to lay them out and compose those photos but you didn't bother to take the band off the Daytona to get the serial number??? Don't touch that dial and Stay tuned...same bat time, same bat channel...  - You don't have any idea what will be done with them...ahhhh this is the stuff TRF dreams are made of..... Yup...urban legend indeed .......
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1601, 1675/3, 16753, 16750, 16750, 16700, 16610, 18238
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24 May 2012, 03:04 PM
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#18 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
Watch: Rolex Explorer I
Posts: 10,278
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Quote:
Nice watches, would love to know what happens to them!
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24 May 2012, 09:07 PM
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#19 | |
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Banned
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: USA
Watch: ing the time go by
Posts: 1,444
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Quote:
Well if it aint true I sure got a thrill just seeing them, let him have his moment. If it is true then of course we are all as jealous as hell and wish him well, I think it's true 
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25 May 2012, 03:20 AM
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#20 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So. California
Posts: 1,232
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Quote:
I must admit... Beautiful watches and they play right into one of everyone's fantasies about finding them. Given the OP's sudden appearance on the forum with these two in hand and that story, my healthy skepticism is working overtime. I guess one can always hope.Too bad they aren't "full sets".... 
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1601, 1675/3, 16753, 16750, 16750, 16700, 16610, 18238
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24 May 2012, 11:56 PM
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#21 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: brazil
Posts: 196
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Quote:
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25 May 2012, 12:10 AM
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#22 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New York
Watch: 16660, 116660
Posts: 139
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Healthy skepticism about stories like the OP's is normal. In my involvement with hobby/collecting internet forums over the past 10+ years, alleged legendary "finds" on par with this one have been reportedly found in essentially similar ways.
I'll be pleasantly surprised if all of the elements as reported are true. I've seen too many similar troll threads over the years to take this one at face value. |
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30 May 2012, 01:50 PM
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#23 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lubbock, TX
Posts: 349
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Quote:
Mark |
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24 May 2012, 03:03 PM
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#24 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: N/A
Watch: the girls
Posts: 7,095
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Great stpry thanks for sharing,
And the watches ,man you are lucky
__________________
Best George "Also remember that feet don't get fat and a watch will always speak volumes." Robert Johnston --------------------- *new*https://youtu.be/EljAF-uddhE *new *  http://youtu.be/ZmpLoO1Q8eQ IG @passionata1 |
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24 May 2012, 03:13 PM
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#25 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Keith
Location: Orange County, CA
Watch: 118238
Posts: 241
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.......call me skeptical.....but I'm with Padalin.....I know when someone dies, the family usually just leaves the safe locked up because there couldn't be anything in there like Insurance papers, deeds to the rental properties, etc......and then I know he wouldn't have any GOLD watches....just 2 stainless models.......yep!...happens every day......
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24 May 2012, 03:29 PM
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#26 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Real Name: Jon
Location: Chicago
Watch: IIc,DJII,P244,A1-Z
Posts: 2,857
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I'm not going to join the doubters and/or haters; I'm just going to say that you have quite the find there. Otherwise, take Nikos's advice.
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24 May 2012, 03:37 PM
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#27 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So. California
Posts: 1,232
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Quote:
all over my post..These types of patronizing gratuitous threads baiting everyone's good will show up occasionally....I am entitled to my skepticism and my opinion sir!
__________________
1601, 1675/3, 16753, 16750, 16750, 16700, 16610, 18238
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24 May 2012, 03:38 PM
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#28 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,688
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Beautiful watches, congrats!
__________________
 Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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24 May 2012, 04:08 PM
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#29 |
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Banned
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Pacific Northwest
Watch: vintage Rolex GMT
Posts: 142
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Way better than what ultimately was found in Al Capone's vault. Vintage City.
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26 May 2012, 05:23 AM
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#30 | |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SoCal
Watch: Not enough ;-)
Posts: 21,232
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Quote:
Congrats ! HAGOne |
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