My watchmaker "You can't take it with you Rolex 1675" sale???

[flyinghell34]

Good morning Rolex forum....

I have recently had a strong appetite for acquiring a 1675 Pepsi GMT. After joining your great forum here I have learned a lot and really have enjoyed the wealth of information you all are willing to provide to us newbies.

The quick background....

Being a vintage Spedmaster guy I feel comfortable buying in the vintage Speedmaster world but this vintage Rolex world is throwing me for a loop so I'm seeking just a bit of advice.

After settling on wanting a very nice condition 1675 Pepsi I religiously check the sales forums daily. Some look great and some look not so hot. Just like the Speedmster 321 I don't want to get myself into trouble purchasing a 45+ year old 1675 and get tied up in extensive service costs to bring it up to speed and paying too much for a not so original GMT.

On a whim I stopped my favorite watchmaker to discuss my desire for a 1675 and the possibility of settling for a 16750 to ease my future service concerns. Don't misunderstand me I'm all about proper service to keep a watch running strong but just like the Speedmaster 321 parts get tight and the service costs can quickly rise. From my reading the same could also happen with the 1675 thus my desire for a nice condition one with good service history.

My 60+ year old watch maker told me that he was getting older and looking to tie up a few things when he said that he had a new condition 1675 Pepsi GMT in his safe at home that he has had there unused for 35+ years. While I have not seen the watch he says it was worn by him on and off for a few years when he was part owner of a Rolex dealer. According to him the watch is in new condition, unpolished, 100% original parts inside and out on an Oyster bracelet in same condition. He takes it out every few weeks, along with a vintage Explorer, and winds it up to keep the oils moving and it is operating flawlessly.

He has told me that "he can't take it with him," so if I was interested I could purchase it from him. He has offered to give it a good check, make sure it is operating properly, and sealed properly. He is a good decent man and stands behind his work and will also extend a 2 year guarantee on it.

I have one pictures to share and I know the serial # is 19592XX. He thinks it is from 1966-68 but hasn't confirmed the SN#.

I'm going to take a look at it this week and most likely buy it and call this quest done.

Any thoughts on this?

[joseluu]

Kiss him in the mouth and get the watch!!!

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by joseluu

Kiss him in the mouth and get the watch!!!

For a SS watch, no way.

[flyinghell34]

Thanks. It's not a really a matter of getting it because It's got my name on it. The way it all fell together tells me it was meant to be. I trust him 100%. He's a very decent and honorable watchmaker.

I think I'm really just looking for the final push. For me, it will be the most I've spent to date on a single watch. I'll keep the price to myself but I should not only kiss him but anyone else he asks me to.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

Thanks. It's not a really a matter of getting it because It's got my name on it. The way it all fell together tells me it was meant to be.

- Exactly..!! - and the fact..

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

I trust him 100%. He's a very decent and honorable watchmaker.

- is excellent..!!

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

I think I'm really just looking for the final push.

- Here's my push...

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

For me, it will be the most I've spent to date on a single watch. I'll keep the price to myself but I should not only kiss him but anyone else he asks me to.

.
I think you have a winner here...!!

[joseluu]

Well, if what you need is a push, I am pushing from Spain with all my strength.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by joseluu

Well, if what you need is a push, I am pushing from Spain with all my strength.

Now we are talking, if a push is what's needed I'll push too.

[Vincent65]

You lucky, lucky bas.... ! GFI! Good score.

[flyinghell34]

Thank you all for the quick response. Again, this really eases me a bit.

There is real comfort knowing that the watch is as new as it could possibly be, original, and serviced by someone courted by watch companies over the years for his expertise servicing Rolex, Patek, Vacheron and Constantine.

Just curious, are Rolex SN#'s as imprecise as the older Speedmasters when it come to year of production? While the date of this one is not an issue I was just curious where you think it falls? I guess an added bonus would be if it was closer to my birth year of 1968.

Again, thanks for the information.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

Thank you all for the quick response. Again, this really eases me a bit.

There is real comfort knowing that the watch is as new as it could possibly be, original, and serviced by someone courted by watch companies over the years for his expertise servicing Rolex, Patek, Vacheron and Constantine.

Just curious, are Rolex SN#'s as imprecise as the older Speedmasters when it come to year of production? While the date of this one is not an issue I was just curious where you think it falls? I guess an added bonus would be if it was closer to my birth year of 1968.

Again, thanks for the information.

1720977 - 2477152 Yes, it falls in at 1968

[flyinghell34]

Originally Posted by MonBK

1720977 - 2477152 Yes, it falls in at 1968

And the validation this is a good move keeps coming. A '68 birth year watch.

[Jwitt]

Dude, here's another push, be at his door in the morning with a handful of cash (not a check) and get that watch!!

And congrats!! You will love it!

[evilfij]

Seems perfect! Do it!

I have been looking for something in that condition from 1978 for a couple years!

[SUBversive]

Buy buy buy lol

[Mark020]

It all depends on the price imho....

[jatco]

Originally Posted by Mark020

It all depends on the price imho....

...Ah.. but will the price be revealed...

[flyinghell34]

Originally Posted by Mark020

It all depends on the price imho....

Understandable and a legitimate question. While I really feel good about the price I can see where you are coming from. I believe the seller is as honest and fair and he is a competent watch maker.

For the sake of a fair evaluation lets assume the watch is as represented as described all original and in near perfect condition less the changes in the dial and hands over the years.

The cash price to me is between $5500-$6500. Fair??

[jatco]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

......
For the sake of a fair evaluation lets assume the watch is as represented as described all original and in near perfect condition less the changes in the dial and hands over the years.

The cash price to me is between $5500-$6500. Fair??

..Uh, which way ?? Closer to $5500 would suite me better than $6500. - That's a considerable 'spread'. Let's hope he goes for $5500.

[flyinghell34]

Originally Posted by jatco

..Uh, which way ?? Closer to $5500 would suite me better than $6500. - That's a considerable 'spread'. Let's hope he goes for $5500.

Well, then I think you, me, and him will all be happy. For me, there is also something to be said knowing I can spend a little more and know as soon as I get it home it wont quit on me and require $100's more to fix. Not to mention standing behind it for 2 years as well.

[jatco]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

Well, then I think you, me, and him will all be happy. For me, there is also something to be said knowing I can spend a little more and know as soon as I get it home it wont quit on me and require $100's more to fix. Not to mention standing behind it for 2 years as well.

So it sounds like you're all good to go @ the $5500.00 mark, if I'm not mistaken...
Then, It's a Done Deal...- Are Congrats in order...???!!

[joe100]

Some deals were meant to be.

[watchyou]

Do it !!!

[dysondiver]

all seem perfect , go for it.

[JerimiahLee]

Buy. Great story.

[STEELINOX]

I too am also juxtaposed heave ho ! Premature "Congratulations" are in order I guess, right

[datejust24]

damn why can't something like this happen to me!! congrats man, thats an unbelievable example of a beautiful watch.

[incontrol]

Congrats! I am hoping to fall into a great condition piece from 1978. Wear it in the best of health!

[jatco]

...So did this 'happen'.. or still pending.. The suspense is killing me...!!

[flyinghell34]

Originally Posted by jatco

...So did this 'happen'.. or still pending.. The suspense is killing me...!!

Yes and no. Yes it a done deal and it's not for sale or listed anywhere. Just an agreement between the two of us. 35 years in a safe so a few more days was not a concern for him. No...not final yet until I pick it up on Tuesday or Wednesday evening. That is unless someone here tells me to turn around and run for the hills...anyone...hello...anyone??

[TurboWatch]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

Yes and no. Yes it a done deal and it's not for sale or listed anywhere. Just an agreement between the two of us. 35 years in a safe so a few more days was not a concern for him. No...not final yet until I pick it up on Tuesday or Wednesday evening. That is unless someone here tells me to turn around and run for the hills...anyone...hello...anyone??

Doesn't hurt to ask/bargain.

Don't expect to pay an average price for a top condition piece. Ask Ken, his pristine pieces cost twice as much as an "average priced" models. If it is as MINT and close to NEW as your watch maker said, GET IT even if he wants $6500.00 for it. If you don't, let me know, I'll buy it. Like new, truly unpolished, unmolested vintage is hard to come buy.

BTW: the insert looks to be a mid-font serviced type, so I'll take lots of pictures for us all to see before paying him.