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Old 24 May 2012, 12:47 PM   #1
kodiak
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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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Old 24 May 2012, 01:07 PM   #2
greekbum
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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.
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:12 PM   #3
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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.
x 2
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:15 PM   #4
imono
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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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Old 24 May 2012, 02:39 PM   #5
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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.

I totally agree!

To the OP, awesome find!
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:10 PM   #6
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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!!
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Old 25 May 2012, 07:44 AM   #7
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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!!

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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Old 24 May 2012, 01:10 PM   #8
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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
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:11 PM   #9
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Holy wow! Great find!!!! Good luck enjoy. Rich
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:11 PM   #10
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Great advice Nickos, I agree with your wisdom...again!
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:14 PM   #11
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Beautiful barnyard "finds" !!
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:15 PM   #12
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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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Old 24 May 2012, 01:15 PM   #13
harry in montreal
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Winner winner chicken dinner. Looks like your aunt will have a nice windfall.
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Old 24 May 2012, 01:28 PM   #14
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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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Old 24 May 2012, 02:17 PM   #15
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Great find!
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Old 24 May 2012, 02:46 PM   #16
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Both stunning finds!! Congrats!!
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Old 24 May 2012, 02:58 PM   #17
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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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Old 24 May 2012, 03:04 PM   #18
kyle L
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paladin View Post
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 25 - 28 years?
- 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 don't have any idea what will be done with them getting all TRF members speculating....

Yup...urban legend indeed .......
Seems like a plausible story to me... Nice watches, would love to know what happens to them!
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Old 24 May 2012, 09:07 PM   #19
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Originally Posted by Paladin View Post
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 .......
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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Old 25 May 2012, 03:20 AM   #20
Paladin
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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
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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Old 24 May 2012, 11:56 PM   #21
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Originally Posted by Paladin View Post
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 .......
+1
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Old 25 May 2012, 12:10 AM   #22
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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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Old 30 May 2012, 01:50 PM   #23
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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

- ]
Lots of folks come to the forum and research but don't join. Is this really that unusual? I have no idea if this gent's legit or not, but I do know I've seen several threads where a poster has put up pics of a watch that is immediately scorned as a fake by more than a few of the regulars, only to have it turn out to be the real deal.

Mark
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Old 24 May 2012, 03:03 PM   #24
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Great stpry thanks for sharing,
And the watches ,man you are lucky
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Old 24 May 2012, 03:13 PM   #25
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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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Old 24 May 2012, 03:29 PM   #26
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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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Old 24 May 2012, 03:37 PM   #27
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or haters.
Pretty strong choice of words counselor, considering I am 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!
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Old 24 May 2012, 03:38 PM   #28
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Beautiful watches, congrats!
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Old 24 May 2012, 04:08 PM   #29
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Way better than what ultimately was found in Al Capone's vault. Vintage City.
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Old 26 May 2012, 05:23 AM   #30
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Way better than what ultimately was found in Al Capone's vault. Vintage City.
Or the vault of the Titanic . . . .

Congrats !

HAGOne
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