GMT - Master - Tiffany & Co.

[JSam480]

I'm brand new and think this site is great. I'm not neccessarily a watch enthusiast yet, but I find all the info here interesting nonetheless.

The reason for my post is I'm curious about a watch I received. I know it is real as it was my grandfather's. It is a minimum of 14 years old since the passed away in 1994. From the slight fade of the blue/red paint I would venture, however, that is is much older. I know it's real because my mother had it appraised many years ago and certified as authentic. It's steel and I have no reason to believe that every part of it is not 100% original. I understand you need a special tool to open it, so at this time I don't have access to whatever info might be under the case. I have also discovered it is powered by movement. It's face reads as follows:

Rolex
Oyster Perpetual
Tiffany & Co.
GMT-Master
Superlative Chronometer
Officially Certified

From what I understand the Tiffany Rolex's a quite rare. Is that true?
Also, I do not have the original documentation that came with the watch. Is there a way to obtain that or an equilvalent substitute? If so, what is the most reputable company to go with? And how much would this cost?

Finally, what are these worth? I'm not interested in selling it because I'm fond of the rarity aspect of the piece and it's a cool family heirloom. However, I do feel I should insure it and am curius what the value range might be.

Photos are attached.

Again, I'm not looking to sell so please don't ask. Thanks in advance for any help I might receive.

[Davvan]

Great looking watch you have there. I´m not an expert by any sort, but my guess is that it´s much older then 14 years. The clasp and fading bezel is a tell sign. You don´t have to open the watch to determine the age. The serial number located betweent the lug holes will tell you that. You simply need to remove the bracelet. I´m sur some experts will come to your rescue shortly.

Again...stunning watch

[ricnas1]

most likely a rolex gmt master 1675....

[toph]

Great Watch. To get a certificate- the best thing would be to have it serviced by rolex and only rolex. They will provide you with a service certificate. If a watch was not authentic they would not service it. Thus have it serviced and you will have the proof. Thats the only way i would suggest.

[Lol-x]

Welcome and congrats on what apperas to be a very rare GMT
You should get it checked out as a proper Rolex service will enhance the value and restore your watch to original condition and mechanical excellence.
It does look like a 1675. If you have Tiffany papers that would add to the value. It is difficult to say but maybe your watch is worth $8K+ if the Tiffany heritage can be authenticated.
Some watches have been known to have substitute Tiffany dials and so unless you have the supporting documentation, then the value of your watch as a genuine Tiffany product may be questionable in the market.
Nevertheless at first blush it looks like a great watch

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

Nice looking GMT!

Agreed! Have it serviced, GENTLY! I would suggest you let Bob Ridley (member here) service it for you. It would be in the best of hands with him. RSC might refuse touching it due to its age and special dial. It's one of those watches that you would just like to see in the hands of professionals. I am sure Dalton could also make a great job of refurbishing it.

Keep us updated, please.

[Dan Pierce]

That's a real beauty. I'd have it serviced but make sure the dial and hands are NOT replaced. The value would take a big hit.
dP

[Scarface]

Wonderful timepiece

[oneillba]

Great watch, even better history. Get it serviced "gently" as noted above. Wear it in the best of health... think of your Grandpa fondly.

[oneillba]

p.s., it looks like it was worn by a man who enjoyed life!

[Tools]

Great looking watch, and valuable - both monetarily, and as a family heirloom..

You need to get with your relatives and piece the history of the watch back to yor grandfathers original purchase...where he lived, and where he made the purchase..

This history, along with a service that authenticates it, will go a long way towards establishing the validity of your Tiffany dial. The dial and original hands are what makes this watch more valuable than it might otherwise be.

Don't let just anybody work on this piece....

[Arturo]

My friend in Portland has this same watch that his parents got for him for graduation from High School. He lived in NYC. And he says that he was told NOT to send it to RSC for service but rather go to a private Rolex technician like the one I use. HE was told that he might lose his Tiffany face by sending it to RSC. SO he had it serviced by an official Rolex trained watchmaker. HE loves his Tiffany GMT. I think it is a rare and beautiful watch.

[colemanitis]

Very cool GMT!

[greekbum]

If you plan on selling it dont touch it and sell it just like that.If you plan on keeping it I would find a good local watchmaker with a rolex parts account that has a good history of servicing vintage rolex.
I wouldnt change the hands,bezel insert etc.If the watch was never polished I probaly would not polish it either.The watch in my opinion is worth more in the state its in rather than restored.
I have a 1978 tiffany 1675 also nice watch.

[Rolexitis]

What a nice heirloom for you and a beauty

[gha]

Very nice piece of family history & memories, and a great watch too......congrats, & let us know what you decide to do, & if you have it serviced, don't forget some pics before and after.....good luck...gha

[mike]

Well, I'm a bit late here. Double name references are nothing new. Several companies have, over the years, had agreements with Rolex to co-brand watches they sold. Tiffany and Cartier are perhaps the two most common that come to mind.

Unlike Cartier, Tiffany did not mark the watch on the underside of the lug. It would really be worth trying to track down any paperwork that came with the watch and establish it's history. With Tiffany only the paperwork spoke to the originality of the dial.
Sadly because of the value these pieces can bring, these are some heavily faked watches and most collectors won't pay realistic prices without some proverance.

I'm not sure if Rolex would touch it because of the dial, but it might be worth a phone call to see.
If not, I think with this piece I might try one of the Independent Rolex service centers.

WHY?? Anything that can get the watch serviced and at least in some measure authenticated will pay big as to inherent value.

With authentication and proper paperwork these can bring 20K or better depending. I'd give it a shot.

It does look to be a 1675. Pop the bracelet off and check the serial number to get an idea of it's date.

For what it's worth,

The Independents are:

Chicago--(312)-782-7768

San Francisco--(415) 982-9830

Naturally--LEAVE THE DIAL AND HANDS ALONE. Polishing and crystal, service, crown and stem are fine.

Good luck.

[Jimbits76]

Great watch.

Look after her...there are many wise men above this post saying much wiser things than I can so all I will say is....

Enjoy that beautiful timepiece.

J

[thecoinopcollector]

Your watch is extremely valuable. Probably worth over $15,000. A GMT Master 1675 Tiffany & Co. last month sold at the Antiquorum auction for $19,200.

http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalo...list&s_batch=3


Do NOT send this watch to any of the Rolex USA service centers. They have strict polocies on repairs and may want to replace the dial or hands (that is if they will even work on it in the first place). 85% of that watch's value is in the DIAL alone (the dial is the watch face where the Tiffany & Co. is written). Don't take it to any old Rolex repair/watchmaker either. There are only a few watchmakers qualified to work on it that won't risk ruining it. Bob Ridley in Texas is one name that always comes up. You can also check on www.vintagerolexforum.com for a referal to a qualified watchmaker.

Marc
www.thecoinopcollector.com

[Arturo]

If you want I can put you in touch with my friend who has such watch. He is an attorney in Portland, Oregon, and there is a fabulous vintage Rolex place there. I am sure that is where he took his baby. Let me know by PM, and I will get you his email address. I think his watch is exactly your vintage. You want that bezel NOT to be touched and keep it faded. Do not mess with the dial. Do not send to RSC.

[LDLemu4U]

What a BEAUTY!

Keep it as is! Follow the suggestions, and don't send it to a RSC.

[Beef]

What a great heirloom. I hope you keep it and pass it down. I have a Tiffany 1675 that has service papers from Rolex Beverly Hills dated in the mid-1990's. It states that it has a "Tiffany & Co." dial. That's not as good as Tiffany papers, but better than nothing. I don't know when they started counterfieting them. Mike?

[mike]

Originally Posted by Beef

What a great heirloom. I hope you keep it and pass it down. I have a Tiffany 1675 that has service papers from Rolex Beverly Hills dated in the mid-1990's. It states that it has a "Tiffany & Co." dial. That's not as good as Tiffany papers, but better than nothing. I don't know when they started counterfieting them. Mike?

It's hard to say when adding "tiffany" (as well as other names) started. Probably as soon as it was realized the value added such a "modification" could bring.

Having "Tiffany & co" on RSC service papers is great.

[Beef]

Originally Posted by mike

It's hard to say when adding "tiffany" (as well as other names) started. Probably as soon as it was realized the value added such a "modification" could bring.

Having "Tiffany & co" on RSC service papers is great.

Thanks, Mike, as always.

[brambler]

8000

[brambler]

in my opinion this watch has a value of apprx 8000

[HDHNTER]

Looks like the pro's have already weighed in with the good advice, just wanted to say that's a very sweet GMT you have there.

[gmt master x]

WOW. thats a true beauty,
thanks for sharing the pictures, i have never seen a gmt w/ the tiffany stamp..

[cmr]

there is no reason to not send it to the rsc first. they will not change the dial or hands unless the lume is deteriorating to the point that it will come loose and make it's way into the movement and then you will have to ok it before they do it. they will not just change it without the customer's approval. you can also send it with strict instructions that those pieces not be changed. if they won't work on it you will still receive a invoice back with it and that will show it is a genuine rolex. then send it to someone else to get it serviced.

better yet just sell it to me and i will take care of it!! lol

[SeanGMT]

Im glad this question was asked.. My dad bought this same watch from Tiffany's back in the 70s for $400 bucks. He gave it to me a few years ago, and i was wondering what it was worth... I used a picture of it as my avatar.

Anyway i will never sell it, but I would love to know what its worth.

This is my 1st post so I guess a Hello is in order!

love this forum thanks again!