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

[flyinghell34]

Here is an old picture I found of the watch with the pre relumed hands and an after picture. Beau created a perfect color match and texture.

[ExplorerI]

Buy buy buy

[Jackie Daytona]

Beautiful watch! Love seeing these stories of the journey and all.

[Arnozerosix]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

From my understanding, and by the looks of it, the areas such as the case sides once corrected and highly polished they add some very light surface swirls so the case finish aligns more with the unfinished bracelet. I believe it was referenced on the invoice as “vintage finish”

thx for the info....

[502 to Right]

What's the fair market value of this watch today? 10 years ago some people here were saying they wouldn't pay more than $5,500 for it. Wow!

[donq]

I bought a 1675 about ten years ago for $4500 and a 16610 (box and papers) about 13 years ago for $3200.

Times have changed!

[londondude]

Looks amazing! They have done a great job with the polishing

[flyinghell34]

Thank you all for the kind words. I'm really pleased with the results and would very much like to continue with the restoration of the watch so I'm seeking out some additional advice from the experts here.

I would like to replace the insert with a nice condition period correct insert. Not being a vintage 1675 guy these inserts are a mind field to me. Fat font, super fat font, fat font on a diet, skinny font, red back, blue back...etc. I simply don't know what to look for even after doing a bit of research.

The S/N of the watch is 1959271. My watchmaker's envelope says 1966 but maybe that's a bit early? What type of bezel should I be looking for to accompany a MK1 dial in this time frame? Pictures or links to nice ones for sale would be greatly appreciated.

Also, having only one GMT, I would not mind changing the look by adding a black bezel. Would a black bezel have been found during this time with a MK1 dial or was it only the red and blue?

As always, I appreciate and time and effort responding to my questions.

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by flyinghell34

Thank you all for the kind words. I'm really pleased with the results and would very much like to continue with the restoration of the watch so I'm seeking out some additional advice from the experts here.

I would like to replace the insert with a nice condition period correct insert. Not being a vintage 1675 guy these inserts are a mind field to me. Fat font, super fat font, fat font on a diet, skinny font, red back, blue back...etc. I simply don't know what to look for even after doing a bit of research.

The S/N of the watch is 1959271. My watchmaker's envelope says 1966 but maybe that's a bit early? What type of bezel should I be looking for to accompany a MK1 dial in this time frame? Pictures or links to nice ones for sale would be greatly appreciated.

Also, having only one GMT, I would not mind changing the look by adding a black bezel. Would a black bezel have been found during this time with a MK1 dial or was it only the red and blue?

As always, I appreciate and time and effort responding to my questions.

Black: Black inserts were produced more commonly starting around 1976. Recently, documentary evidence of black inserts with 1960s insert characteristics and in pictures of a GMT from the late 1960s was found, indicating that black inserts might be seen on earlier examples. This is not conclusive but interesting as the characteristics match those seen on the red & blue inserts of the same period. All these inserts–the (potential) 1960s inserts, the regular 1970s inserts, and the service inserts–have a black back.

https://gmtmaster1675.com/the-bezel/

So technically it’s possible to have a black bezel insert from that time but more unlikely.

[flyinghell34]

Now with 38 countries under her belt I decided it was time to give my trusty travel companion an upgrade.

I was conflicted between what would give the watch a new feel, a period correct bezel insert or a jubilee bracelet. As you can see, I opted for the bracelet since the insert has begun to take on its own bit of character.

Doing a bit of research and looking at the recent refinish on the case I opted for a LNOS 62510H bracelet.

Maybe with the new bracelet a mint period correct insert is in order sooner than later, but until then, I'm just going to enjoy this new combination.

Thanks to a great member here for sharing his knowledge, opinion, and helping me acquire the bracelet.

[Onequik135i]

That’s a beautiful 1675, nice to see you still have it.

[Dan S]

This was a fun thread to read, seeing the OP go through the purchase process and then follow up 10+ years later.

It's also a great illustration of why forum members treat all claims with skepticism and ask for photos before jumping to conclusions. In the first post, the OP had been informed by a trusted knowledgeable source, who was supposedly the original owner, that the watch was unpolished and 100% original, which turned out to be far from the truth. People forget. While some members were continually urging the OP to hurry up and buy it, the experts were analyzing the watch and pointing out the issues. To his credit, the OP didn't become defensive, but kept an open mind, learned the facts, and made his own decision.

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Jawnz

Black: Black inserts were produced more commonly starting around 1976. Recently, documentary evidence of black inserts with 1960s insert characteristics and in pictures of a GMT from the late 1960s was found, indicating that black inserts might be seen on earlier examples. This is not conclusive but interesting as the characteristics match those seen on the red & blue inserts of the same period. All these inserts–the (potential) 1960s inserts, the regular 1970s inserts, and the service inserts–have a black back.

https://gmtmaster1675.com/the-bezel/

So technically it’s possible to have a black bezel insert from that time but more unlikely.

Yes. Rolex provided all-black inserts for a few select 1675 clients, in 1969, who did not like the blue/red insert.

One of them was celebrity Photography, Industrialist, Scientist and mega-playboy (and Husband of Bridget Bardot) Gunter Sachs.

There are photos of him in 1969 and 1970 with his 1675 sporting a black bezel.

A few select pilots, who didn't like the blue/red were also given them I am advised.

[west8720]

Lovely