GMT 1675 - which one would you choose ?

[Julz75]

Hi. First post on this awesome forum after many years of reading & learning.
A big thanks btw

Just for the background, Rolex passion hit me few years ago thanks to a good friend.
Along these last years I have acquired a silver Airking 14000, a black Explorer II 16570 and a beautiful Sub 5513 Mark V (full set).

I'm now heading towards a GMT Master 1675 which was not my favorite model at the beginning but which progressively grew into me.

After many months looking around here and there, I'm hesitating between those two models :
#1 : MK IV (1977) - Very good case & lugs, great patina and lovely faded bezel (price 12 500€). Clearly a more vintage look.
#2 : MK II (1972) - Case is not as sharp with lugs clearly polished, but I just fell in love with the patina... And rarely had I seen such an incredible match between dial and hands.
Also like the open 6&9. Comes with box & documentation (price 11 500€).
Apart from the more used case & lugs, the second one looks "newer". And again I find the dial and hands patina just stunning.

[The Argonaut]

The 1972 1675 is stunning. However, I can’t help but wonder: 72 1675 with box and papers for 11.5k euro? That’s either a fantastic deal, or something is amiss? Mmm.


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[Julz75]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

The 1972 1675 is stunning. However, I can’t help but wonder: 72 1675 with box and papers for 11.5k euro? That’s either a fantastic deal, or something is amiss? Mmm.


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Thx for your feedback.
On the MKII I just have the box and documentation, not the papers.

[lee fowler]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

The 1972 1675 is stunning. However, I can’t help but wonder: 72 1675 with box and papers for 11.5k euro? That’s either a fantastic deal, or something is amiss? Mmm.


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Think it says box and documentation, not punched papers!

[Julz75]

lee fowler : Correct, punched papers are not included ;- )

The Argonaut : So you think price is too high ?
And appart from the price, which one would you go with ?

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by Julz75

lee fowler : Correct, punched papers are not included ;- )

The Argonaut : So you think price is too high ?
And appart from the price, which one would you go with ?

1972. Looks gorgeous.


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[mountainjogger]

Both are nice watches. But if I was spending this kind of money, I would spend a little more and try to get a less polished case and full papers.

[Julz75]

Originally Posted by The Argonaut

1972. Looks gorgeous.


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ok, thx ;-)

[The Argonaut]

US $14k seems a little on the low side. Are you getting a good deal? Still, the watch looks wonderful.


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[Wiener48]

With no original papers the price is on the top end, but I am really not an expert. Personaly I would pay more and find one with good papers, invoice, records etc.,...
Only my 2 Cent.

But if one of the two I would chouse the 1972

Ps: and welcome in the older watch world ;-)

[Julz75]

Originally Posted by Wiener48

With no original papers the price is on the top end, but I am really not an expert. Personaly I would pay more and find one with good papers, invoice, records etc.,...
Only my 2 Cent.

But if one of the two I would chouse the 1972

Ok, so priority on patina not on the case or funcky bazel

Originally Posted by Wiener48

Ps: and welcome in the older watch world ;-)

Thx, it was about time ;- )

[lee fowler]

Any chance of some lug shots with the bracelet removed?

[Julz75]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Any chance of some lug shots with the bracelet removed?

Below some pictures from the sides

[Julz75]

The case is clearly better on the 1977 (as is the faded fat bezel), hence the difficult choice.

Yet it is not that worse on the 1972 and I attached more importance on dial & hands patina and matched together.
But maybe I'm wrong.

[Julz75]

lee fowler : unfortunatelly no picture with the bracelet removed.

I've posted photo from both side of the Rolex (best I have).
It will take a lilttle time to be visible because my posts are still checked because of Newbie

[rootbeer7]

Both should have open date wheel

[Julz75]

"Both should gave open date wheel"
Interresting as it is not the case with the 1977 as we can see in the pic.

By the way is there a thread or website with all detailed GMT MK evolution as it is the case with the 5513mattedial ? I've been looking around with no success.


PS : sorry I've replied to some other posts but haven't been published yet

[rolstaff]

#1 or#2 ?
Condition is very important. Honestly, I would search for a third one. Don't like both cases. Case of the MK II is heavily polished with 2round" lugs and the lugs of the MK IV are very thin....

Just my 2cents.....

[Julz75]

Originally Posted by rolstaff

#1 or#2 ?
Condition is very important. Honestly, I would search for a third one. Don't like both cases. Case of the MK II is heavily polished with 2round" lugs and the lugs of the MK IV are very thin....

Just my 2cents.....

Thx for your feedback.

I thought lugs on the MKIV were more than ok.
Understand your point of wanting the full combo but I have not seen that many GMTs (and I have seen quite a few now) with this crazy patina + perfect match between dial and hands + great case.
And first two points are critical for me.

[springer]

I would prefer the second one if choosing between the two watches. For $14,000 I would expect it to at least have the correct parts to include the bracelet along with a nice dial/hand set and case.

The box and booklets add very minimal value for the second watch - they are all available for purchase in the secondary market.

[Julz75]

"I would prefer the second one if choosing between the two watches. For $14,000 I would expect it to at least have the correct parts to include the bracelet along with a nice dial/hand set and case.=
Thx for your reply.
I guess you also think weakness of the MKII is the case. But is it a deal breaker ?


"The box and booklets add very minimal value for the second watch - they are all available for purchase in the secondary market."
OK, thought it had more value.


__________________

[Wiener48]

Would also say look for a full set if possible for you, really.

[Julz75]

Originally Posted by Wiener48

Would also say look for a full set if possible for you, really.

It seems everybody is pretty unanimous... I'll keep looking around.

[mattedialdoc]

Pay no attention to all my friends that say “get box & papers”. It’s a 40yr old WATCH. You’re going to miss a lot of nice examples looking for scraps of meaningless paper, and the up charge for it is silly. Find the one you like, buy it, and wear it.


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[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by mattedialdoc

Pay no attention to all my friends that say “get box & papers”. It’s a 40yr old WATCH. You’re going to miss a lot of nice examples looking for scraps of meaningless paper, and the up charge for it is silly. Find the one you like, buy it, and wear it.


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Correct

[The Argonaut]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

Correct

Absolutely right. Like I said, I'd like to get a box and papers, but I know that both will increase the cost of the watch. Also, why do I need them? If I was going to sell it, maybe it would be worth it. However, I'm not interested in selling it once I get it. I think this whole thing about a box and papers comes from modern watches, which almost always come with both. As was said, if its a 40 year old watch, you'll not likely get both. Get the watch. Be happy.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by lhanddds

Correct

Very sound advice. You can't wear the wardrobe, and that's where the Box and Papers are.👍👍👍

[Wiener48]

Find the one you like, buy it, and wear it.

This is what I mean, but if possible, if, with papers and all around :-)

[The Argonaut]

I’m looking at picking up a 1675 from my birth year, or from a few years above or below. It’s a seriously subjective process buying vintage, especially when trying to assess value for money. I’ve noticed that some 1675s seem to sell for higher in the EU than in the US. Maybe there’s s bigger vintage market in EU countries. Then again, I’ve seen 1675s in US sell for crazy prices for what I think are lesser quality watches. I’d like to get a box and papers with mine, but I know that it could add $5k easily to the price of the watch—especially if in great condition. The 1972 one you’ve found looks good. It’s not perfect, as few vintage seem to be. It all comes down to how you define “perfect.” If you like it, you should get it.


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[rootbeer7]

Box and paperwork are easily available on the market. Don't buy 2nd rate watch which you're gong to wear over paperwork that you'll store.