Rolex 16750 GMT Assessment

[jedoyle]

Hi All,

I'm about ready to pull the trigger on the below 16750 GMT, but then I noticed small cracks in the hour hand. Would that bother people? Is it normal? Anything else you see when looking at the watch that would give you pause?

[Tools]

Yes, cracks on decades old lume paint is pretty normal.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Nice condition I must say! Yep, like Larry says, it's normal.

Just try not to "knock" the watch around too much or that paint might flake off.

In other words, I wouldn't consider this as a "daily" for someone with an active lifestyle.

[TimeLord2]

When you have it serviced, the tritium paint in the hands can be stabilized to ensure the material does not drop out and find its way into the movement. Had that done on my 1675/3. It is applied from the back so it is not noticeable.

[Dan S]

Luminova sweep hand?

[jedoyle]

Originally Posted by Dan S

Luminova sweep hand?

I believe it’s all tritium. Just a lighter color.

[TuRo]

Nice looking 16750. I'm pretty sure the hands are orig. (period) except the second hand, which imho is later even the metal is less tarnished.

Clearly the usual shrinkage on HR, min and GMT with a bit of green tritium rot which is ok/fine expected 40yr patina in my opinion. The second hands often shrink worse and fall out, hence replaced.

Replacement pre-99 could be tritium, after that as stocks depleted switched to Luminova.

Running it under an l.e.d light for 5 secs and sticking it up your jumper will show which ! - if it stays bright green more than 12-15 secs it is Luminova.

Old say 90-99 tritium will glow a faint wishy-washy green at best (or more likely not at all), and be gone in circa 15 secs or so....

Ps unless it's from someone like Springer,/jP, I'd always recommend getting the engravings checked on mid case @ both ends, caseback, '78360' last link stamp, clasp and E/l s too....