1675 Radial Opinions

[Styles Bitchley]

Hi Guys,

Thinking of picking up this 1960 1675 and wanted to know from you guys if everything looks legit. I don't know a lot about these early models and was hoping some of you experts could chime in on the dial, crown guards and bracelet. Serial is 621xxx.

[omitohud]

Need better detailed pictures but at a glance looks good to me. It’s a very clean example. Even the insert might be original. The case might have been touch up but still thick.

This one is called chapter ring dial not radial FYI.


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[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by omitohud

This one is called chapter ring dial not radial FYI.

Thank you!

[waspy1]

It’s a gilt chapter ring dial. Looks good from these pics


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[MorningTundra]

Without any background or context, I suspect the case has been recently refinished...


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[Tom1675]

Dial, hands & insert are correct for this serial - and they show continuous patina/wear.

If you're kicking down for this piece make sure you post some more pics (clasp caseback, movement, etc), but looks good so far.

[Styles Bitchley]

Thanks everyone. Is the rivet bracelet correct?

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Thanks everyone. Is the rivet bracelet correct?

yes

[roh123]

I’d want to check the dial and hands carefully. A tropical gilt 1675 will cost you a big chunk of change so be thorough and check dial for damage. Check it carefully with a loupe and use UV to make sure lume is original and correct on both dial and hands. A lot of the value on a gilt dial is the gloss so make sure the surface is mirrorlike and nice.

You will need to see it in person or get a lot of pics and video sent to you. In order to decide from these pics it would have to be very cheap if you are not willing to take a huge risk. It looks promising though.

Best of luck!

[Styles Bitchley]

Gracias amigo! Not so easy to bring along a uv light to meet someone, however.


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[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Gracias amigo! Not so easy to bring along a uv light to meet someone, however.


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Sure it is,You can get a cheap UV flashlight on Amazon.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Gracias amigo! Not so easy to bring along a uv light to meet someone, however.


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05Carbondrz is right. I’ve had watches insoected a couple of times from prospective buyers who carry around one of these. Very common.
https://www.amazon.com/JSP-Achromati...Uv+light+loupe

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by Styles Bitchley

Gracias amigo! Not so easy to bring along a uv light to meet someone, however.


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Dude, as you know this one isn't cheap. Bring a UV light, geiger counter, lie detector for the seller and your camera. Take dozens of pics and get them up here.

And make sure you know who you are buying from...

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

Dude, as you know this one isn't cheap. Bring a UV light, geiger counter, lie detector for the seller and your camera. Take dozens of pics and get them up here.



And make sure you know who you are buying from...

Haha. Sage advice. Will do!


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[MorningTundra]

UV may tell you it’s tritium but not if it’s original, retouched or “stabilized”.


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[roh123]

Originally Posted by MorningTundra

UV may tell you it’s tritium but not if it’s original, retouched or “stabilized”.


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UV and a good loupe will give you a pretty good idea if you are used to handle things like this. Normally touched up examples aren’t done by master fakers. Normally they are just fixed by ordinary watchmakers restoring the dial and/or hands to their former glory.

By looking at application, texture and how it lights up you learn a lot. Also you normally see traces if the dial have been cleaned before. Geiger is overkill on a piece like this as it never was particharly hot to begin with.

[Styles Bitchley]

I was able to see it in person today. Dial has gone a great tropical hue. There’s no gloss tithe dial, however. Should there be?

Plots look good in person too. Bracelet is pretty tight. Don’t think this watch was used much. One owner.

Still look good?










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[Nikita70]

Looks like I’m not the only one with the Magnum, PI feeling Styles! Lol

[Styles Bitchley]

Indeed. This is a little more vintage than I’d normally go for but a unique opportunity.


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[omitohud]

Is it gilt?


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[roh123]

Still a very nice looking gilt chapter ring gmt. I’d happily buy it.

Hard to tell regarding the lume but you would always want the lume inside the gilt surroundings. Often when relumed the lume plots are too big. Looks fine but hard to tell from your pics. Gloss often dies somewhat when the dial turns this tropical. I think it this one is still very pretty. Many dealers would probably charge up to 80-100k for a piece like this if no issues. I am guessing this is considerably cheaper?

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by roh123

Still a very nice looking gilt chapter ring gmt. I’d happily buy it.

Hard to tell regarding the lume but you would always want the lume inside the gilt surroundings. Often when relumed the lume plots are too big. Looks fine but hard to tell from your pics. Gloss often dies somewhat when the dial turns this tropical. I think it this one is still very pretty. Many dealers would probably charge up to 80-100k for a piece like this if no issues. I am guessing this is considerably cheaper?

Still trying to agree on a price but aiming for cheaper for sure. Thanks guys.


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[Tom1675]

I think its great. Its of the even tropical and not the crazy damaged tropical...

[donsidhu]

I saw it live yesterday with a loupe. One of the most incredible tropical dial 1675 pointed crown guard, chapter rings dials you'll ever come across. To me it looked all original. The chamfers on the lugs were clearly visible and I wasn't 100% if it was or wasn't polished. Either the lugs aged a bit differently from each other in terms of usual rounding or dings over time (I'd say they were 80-85% symmetrical), or it had a very light polish. But any time you struggle to say with conviction if its been polished then thats a good thing. Its an amazing example. I wonder what it'll go for. $35-40k CAD if the right audience is there in Toronto? Definitely north of $40k USD if it were in NYC.

[Styles Bitchley]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

I saw it live yesterday with a loupe. One of the most incredible tropical dial 1675 pointed crown guard, chapter rings dials you'll ever come across. To me it looked all original. The chamfers on the lugs were clearly visible and I wasn't 100% if it was or wasn't polished. Either the lugs aged a bit differently from each other in terms of usual rounding or dings over time (I'd say they were 80-85% symmetrical), or it had a very light polish. But any time you struggle to say with conviction if its been polished then thats a good thing. Its an amazing example. I wonder what it'll go for. $35-40k CAD if the right audience is there in Toronto? Definitely north of $40k USD if it were in NYC.

Ha, I thought this one might fly under the radar, given the location and the fact that the auction watch "expert" had no idea what a killer piece he had on his hands. Turns out it was just too damn nice! I think i may have actually seen you there at the viewing Don.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

I saw it live yesterday with a loupe. One of the most incredible tropical dial 1675 pointed crown guard, chapter rings dials you'll ever come across. To me it looked all original. The chamfers on the lugs were clearly visible and I wasn't 100% if it was or wasn't polished. Either the lugs aged a bit differently from each other in terms of usual rounding or dings over time (I'd say they were 80-85% symmetrical), or it had a very light polish. But any time you struggle to say with conviction if its been polished then thats a good thing. Its an amazing example. I wonder what it'll go for. $35-40k CAD if the right audience is there in Toronto? Definitely north of $40k USD if it were in NYC.

You need to double those numbers..

It looks nicer than this one imho.

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...3/lot.164.html

The watch have been polished lightly before. You clearly see it on the lug holes. Case is still very, very good.

[springer]

Originally Posted by donsidhu

I saw it live yesterday with a loupe. One of the most incredible tropical dial 1675 pointed crown guard, chapter rings dials you'll ever come across. To me it looked all original. The chamfers on the lugs were clearly visible and I wasn't 100% if it was or wasn't polished. Either the lugs aged a bit differently from each other in terms of usual rounding or dings over time (I'd say they were 80-85% symmetrical), or it had a very light polish. But any time you struggle to say with conviction if its been polished then thats a good thing. Its an amazing example. I wonder what it'll go for. $35-40k CAD if the right audience is there in Toronto? Definitely north of $40k USD if it were in NYC.

Looks like a nice example. While I haven't seen the watch in person, the photos indicate it has had some case refinishing/polishing in the past. Most of these 60 or 70-year-old watches have seen some case refinishing at some point in their life.

[05carbondrz]

If this is at a public Auction You can kiss your chances of getting it for a fair price goodbye.

[roh123]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

If this is at a public Auction You can kiss your chances of getting it for a fair price goodbye.

Fair as in bargain you mean?

[addisonman]

Well said. Haven’t posted here in a long time but can’t resist. Before dropping a college education on this one or hypothesizing world record backseat bidding, a few observations (not commenting extensively on quoted market values, but dangerous to use some of the cited examples as a barometer).

Dial tone is very nice and even. Be aware lume glows like a torch. Not unusual for glow, it’s a question of what is acceptable. As someone said, Geiger is your friend.
Hands have different lume compound than dial. Another correctly said UV light is helpful.
Date wheel replaced.
Case polished more than once but good condition
Overall this is a very pleasing example. Not a world record setter, exclamation dial with near perfect qualities. In a touring international auction by one of the big three there would be hard discussions around the condition report, but in consultation with reliable experts.
But it is a very nice watch to have in a collection, I just hope no one does anything they’ll regret based on limited reviews. Not quite bring-a-trailer, So caveat emptor. Oh and agree, don’t post on forums if you want to hover under the radar. Sit on your hands. Lol. Good luck folks!