16570 '91 make - how does it look?

[twt2]

Hi,

Deciding wether or not I should go for this piece. Not the best picture although the only one. Judging from this, how does it look? According to seller the original bracelet is intact and follows together with full set and old insert (paint has come off on parts and previous owner had it replaced)




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[kjhawkm]

OP,

Change the title if you still can to read "16570". The 16750 is a GMT Master reference. I'm far from an expert but have a Y serial (2002) Polar Explorer II. Case looks like it might still have chamfers based on the light hitting on the left side but hard to tell from this photo.

The hands look like they have been replaced. Notice the lume has not patina'd like the tritium lume in the markers on the dial.

Would really need to see more pictures to make an accurate judgement.

[baumare]

Hard to say from this photo but it looks like the case has been polished.

The is what Italians collectors call "Chicchi di Mais" (corn kernel) for the yellowish color that the markers get over time, it happens only on certain year of production, usually 1991/1992, so yours should be ok.
In the original dials the hands remain white because different Tritium used by different manufacturing company.
Many dial have been artificially retouched because they command an extra premium, and is difficult to judge.

Here is mine 1991(E94xxxx) for comparison
IMG_2371 2.jpg

[Dan S]

No asking price, one photo, so not much to say except personal opinion. The mismatched lume on hands and dial is a bit distracting to me.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Dan S

No asking price, one photo, so not much to say except personal opinion. The mismatched lume on hands and dial is a bit distracting to me.

Agreed. Original or not, that patina mismatch would drive me nuts. And I'm not sure that such an extreme difference in patina can be attributed just to a different batch of tritium used on the dial/hands. Sure, patina can be different by a shade or two on original parts, but the OP's example is starkly different.

Also, there are indeed matching-patina examples out there (random N-serial 16570 below). If I were in the market for this reference with this look, I'd hunt for one with matching patina. They're out there.

[twt2]

Sorry for the wrong reference, tried to change title.

Asking price is $11500 and if chamfers looks good is that a good deal? Are original hands with correct patina to be found out there and what price range?


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[77T]

TRF isn’t a valuation forum so not commenting on price.

As others said, you can find a better example that the one you posted.


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[1665fan]

Looks like service hands to me

[twt2]

Originally Posted by 77T

TRF isn’t a valuation forum so not commenting on price.

As others said, you can find a better example that the one you posted.


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I was just responding to Dans comment on value


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[77T]

Originally Posted by twt2

I was just responding to Dans comment on value


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Understand - wasn’t chastising - just explaining my comment. I probably should have said that better.

I wouldn’t pay that price or any other for that particular one. I’d look for a better one. Just my


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[baumare]

I agreed that you can find a better example, especially for that price.

As for the miss match color I guess is a matter of preference, like for example the spider dials (or broken?).
The important thing when you buy something like this is to make sure that is genuine process and not artificial.

_______________
IG @watchme5513

[Sjmoore11]

My experience is that quite a few examples from the early 90s have much greater patina on the dial than the hands. Here is mine from ~ 91/92


That said, even though it’s original I’d much prefer the hands to match the dial. I think you can get a much better example for that sort of money.

[MrChamfers]

I don't see much chamfer there and.....
why would the price be that high?