Best option for a beaten up 1675?

[Captkerosene]

Originally Posted by linesiders

No - this is later. 70s and earlier have a Fat Font - where the 8 would look wider with the top portion a bit squished. The GMT inserts link above is very explanatory

I see what you're referring to. Good catch.

[Captkerosene]

Originally Posted by linesiders

No - this is later. 70s and earlier have a Fat Font - where the 8 would look wider with the top portion a bit squished. The GMT inserts link above is very explanatory

Damn, once again I'm the sucker at the poker table. Oh well.

Already gave the go-ahead on the insert. I'll have to live with it.

Final decision has been made on the restoration. All of the above/below:

1) Get a like new service dial and some hands to match.

2) Send the old dial to Hong Kong and have the chipping repaired. Keep the lume as-is. Use the current hands which are not original (or Rolex) but match the patina.

3) See how the watch feels with the different dials and hands and go with the one that puts a bigger smile on my face.

Kind of a spendy solution but this way I won't always be thinking I made the wrong choice.

Thanks everybody for your help.

[Captkerosene]

Finished the restoration. Decided on a replacement used Rolex insert and some touch-up work on the dial ... polish.

Couldn't be happier. The missing paint on the dial was an eyesore for me and the insert was too damaged and ghosted to read which made it unusable as a GMT function. The polish makes it look like a new watch ... especially the bracelet which I had removed in part because it looked so beaten up. Retained the patina on the old dial and hands which I liked. Didn't try and make the repair to the dial perfect - which somehow makes it feel more "honest."

Thanks for the advice given on this quick project. As is often the case in life, no right or wrong answers.

Total cost: $1,100.

Thanks to my watchmaker if you read this. I think he did a great job.

[dhknola]

Congrats?? I would have left as is, it looks like they polished the soul out of it and the new bezel looks weird (to me).

[fsprow]

Looks great to me. Congratulations on having and restoring a nice watch.

[studioal]

The outcome is a nice result, I like it!

[HERITAGE82]

Nice clean up! Good for another round.

[Captkerosene]

Originally Posted by dhknola

Congrats?? I would have left as is, it looks like they polished the soul out of it and the new bezel looks weird (to me).

No, if I look closely all the deeper dings are still in the case. He went deep enough to put a shine on the shiny parts and no farther. Hard to see but the case now has a beautiful chamfer too.

The insert is not correct for a '72 but it is a Rolex service part and I like the vibrant colors. Very handsome if you ask me.

This is the first polish since I bought it in '86. Kinda wish I'd done it years ago instead of letting it get so bad - I would have enjoyed wearing it more.

[Fourthirteen]

Originally Posted by Captkerosene

I would have enjoyed wearing it more.

The most important thing.
I also replaced a beatup ghost bezel with a new one because I just didn’t like looking at it. I enjoy wearing it much more.

[subtona]

Restore its water resistance and service the movement.
Buy a replacement bracelet.

Leave the rest.