Gmt Master Root Beer

[temptones1]

I need help...I have a GMT MASTER II Root Beer 18 carat and stainless with a JUBILEE band purchased 1987. I have receipts, box and extra links. I have heard different things about how really rare it is. Paid $3000. Got it at age 39 right after I had triple bypass surgery to remind me I was living on borrowed time...LOL ! But True.
Someone please tell me the real scoop. I don't know if I want to sell it but I want to know about it. It probably could use a polish job on some small scratches but otherwise it's been a great watch. No one ever gives me a straight answer...all they ever say is "Don't Sell It "
Anyone know about this supposedly RARE model ?? I do know I can't find one with a jubilee band even in a book .
content edited....
Thanks

[Nigel Tufnel]

The root beer GMT is one that I rarely see, but also rarely hear people rave about at the same time. Doesn't mean it isn't a great watch, but I don't get the sense they command higher prices than the other GMT models, despite being out there in fewer numbers. This is just my observation and not based on any facts I know of. I'm curious what other think. While I am not a two-tone kind of guy, I always thought they looked good.

[Tools]

This model is not particularly rare, it is just one of those models that never caught the fancy of most watch buyers..

The price you paid is probably in the ball park today, depending on the year, dial, and condition. Perhaps an extra thousand for mint.

[temptones1]

Dealers have told me vague info that it is not made any more...this crystal is apparently Acrylic/domed and many have said it is a rare watch now? Very confusing.
Thanks

[Tools]

Well, it shouldn't be confusing and we can help you sort things out..

It is rare.....just not in high demand as a collectors piece.. So rare does not always equate into a high value.

An example could be the Sub 5513.....one of the longest running models in Rolex history. It commands a high price not because it is particularly rare, but because it is in high demand..

The TT GMT has not been made in high numbers, and the root-beer dial in even fewer, but it is not in high demand...yet...perhaps it will become the next Newman Dial....but it just isn't right now...

Now, there are some exceptions...perhaps yours is one of those, but we don't have enough information about it yet.

Pictures, numbers, these would help

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Welcome to TRF!

First of all, I am glad to hear that you're in good health after the by-pass surgery!

Now, for your "Root Beer" GMT, I am with the others: It isn't super rare. It does appear with a Jubilee bracelet in books, for instance James Dowling's book "The Best Of Time" and Kesaharu Imai's book "2421 Rolex Uhren". The Jubilee bracelet was merely an option instead of the Oyster bracelet.

What I can suggest, though, is to have your GMT serviced if you have not had it recently serviced. Before having it serviced, please do not let it get in contact with water. Also, make sure that the dial and hands are NOT touched during service to preserve its value. With vintage pieces, actually a great deal of the value of the watch is in the DIAL, you see.

I presume your GMT has the socalled "Nipple" dial. Please post some pics!

[DSJ]

What they all said. And we love pics around here! Welcome to TRF.

[mike]

If I'm reading everything correctly sounds like a 16753. I'm basing that on the year and the acryllic crystal. Has a fast beat 3085 movement, quick-set date and hacking feature.

Not that rare, but not that common either. It's a reference with an interesting history. For a long time the watch didn't have much favor with the collecting community. That seems to have changed in recent years with the reference finding a lot favor in some circles. (I always wonder if Clint Eastwood didn't have a lot to do with that since he wore one in the movie "FIREFOX" as some refer to it as the CLINT EASTWOOD.)

Pricing on excellent examples appear to be heading north a bit as some collectors gravitate to references than as yet don't require you to sell a kidney.

If it were me I'd hang on to it. Keep the tritium dial and hands intact and wear it.

[temptones1]

This will sound really dumb , but, I can't get my camera set the right way to take a good picture. I have taken pictures of watches before but never as close as I need for this. Any suggestions on how to take the best shot? Olympus digital 3.2 MP or Olympus 6.0 MP Stylus 600 .

The style # on the Rolex box is R167533. Is that the correct number? It seems that is the number suggested by Mike in his post just above. It is a dome shaped crystal with the date bubble. The back has nothing on it...used to have that green label...that wore out years ago. This jubilee band has no safety clasp , just the plain common buckle...not like the newer models. I don't get the 3 time zone thing ...I can see how you get 2 as that is easily done...and, I heard you can calculate NORTH by moving the bezel and pointing that arrow hand at the sun...is that true? How is it done? This is all new and interesting. I never thought anything about it except to wear it until I read someplace that the root beer could be worth $10,000 or more now. Thank You all ,for your help. P.S. What's a hacking feature ? What else does this thing do? Anything I don't know about?

[mike]

Originally Posted by temptones1

This will sound really dumb , but, I can't get my camera set the right way to take a good picture. I have taken pictures of watches before but never as close as I need for this. Any suggestions on how to take the best shot? Olympus digital 3.2 MP or Olympus 6.0 MP Stylus 600 .

The style # on the Rolex box is R167533. Is that the correct number? It seems that is the number suggested by Mike in his post just above. It is a dome shaped crystal with the date bubble. The back has nothing on it...used to have that green label...that wore out years ago. This jubilee band has no safety clasp , just the plain common buckle...not like the newer models. I don't get the 3 time zone thing ...I can see how you get 2 as that is easily done...and, I heard you can calculate NORTH by moving the bezel and pointing that arrow hand at the sun...is that true? How is it done? This is all new and interesting. I never thought anything about it except to wear it until I read someplace that the root beer could be worth $10,000 or more now. Thank You all ,for your help. P.S. What's a hacking feature ? What else does this thing do? Anything I don't know about?

Well, I'll try to answer as much as I can.

Sounds like you're refering to the reference number on the box (correct and having the Box is a good thing.) Do you have the paperwork that came with the watch?--more value.

You can remove the bracelet and read the reference number on the watch,

NOTE: My examples are for a stainless model

Reference number of the watch,



Crystal--Should look like this,



Bracelet--no locking clasp is correct for the model and vintage.

Timezones--You can only read two. One on the dial, one via the rotating bezel with the 24 hr. hand. Your 16753 has the 12 and 24 hr. hands synced together. The "de-coupling of the 12 and 24 hr. hands alowing a check of a third timezone did not occur untill the debut of the 16760--a bit later.

Any watch can be used as a compass,

http://www.time4watches.com/1.%20Bra..._a_compass.htm

Value is subjective and condition, originality are critical. 10K may be a bit optimistic, but with Box and paper in excellent condition...maybe?

Does it have a "nipple" dial?

Example on an all gold--NOT MY PHOTO

[mike]

Here's a bad image I found "out there" of a rootbeer nipple,

[temptones1]

Mike,
How do i post the pictures i took...I don't think mine looks as clean as some of your pics.I guess the "nipple" refers to the bubble on the date?

[East Bay Rider]

I really like the Root Beer. If I was in a position to collect watches, Root Beer would be on my short list. Why? Not because of it's value, but because it is different and unusual.

[BiG JeEzY]

I prefer the GMT Master TT in the all black bezel version but the root beer version is indeed unique. It is a great watch all around. Its just that the only part of the watch that I could not seem to like was the shade of brown color of the dial...

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by temptones1

Mike,
How do i post the pictures i took...I don't think mine looks as clean as some of your pics.I guess the "nipple" refers to the bubble on the date?

The "nipple" refers not to the bubble on the date but on the hour markers at each hour on the watch dial. If you look at the pictures Mike has posted, you will notice that the hour markers on the root beer GMT "stick upward" a little bit, giving the hour markers more texture. That is the nipple dial.

[DSJ]

Originally Posted by temptones1

Mike,
How do i post the pictures i took...I don't think mine looks as clean as some of your pics.I guess the "nipple" refers to the bubble on the date?

Make sure you are using the macro feature on your camera (likely a button with a flower pic). Then download your pics to your computer and use the manage attachments feature from additional options when you post.

Oh, and the "nipple dial" refers to the small markers for the hours.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by temptones1

Mike,
How do i post the pictures i took...I don't think mine looks as clean as some of your pics.I guess the "nipple" refers to the bubble on the date?

"nipple" refers to the surrounds of the hour dots. They are sort of cone shaped rather than flat.

You can upload photos directly from your computer by clicking on the paperclip in the reply box menu, browse, upload your photo, get out of the browse menu and then the image is loaded at the paperclip to paste where you want. Or upload the "img" data from a photobucket or like account..

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by Nigel Tufnel

The root beer GMT is one that I rarely see, but also rarely hear people rave about at the same time. Doesn't mean it isn't a great watch, but I don't get the sense they command higher prices than the other GMT models, despite being out there in fewer numbers. This is just my observation and not based on any facts I know of. I'm curious what other think. While I am not a two-tone kind of guy, I always thought they looked good.

I, as well as a few others rave about them.

My dial used to be this color:



However, the lume was flaking off and I wanted a completely functional watch (able to see it at night), so I sent it in for a complete overhall and they put a service replacement dial on it. However, even though it is still the nipple dial, it is updated with the metallic/GMTII finish. Many times, I feel as though pictures don't do it justice. The browns and golds blend so well together - it is really great!

The one thing that is really interesting about the rootbeers, is the many different brown colored dials that came out over the years. Some are light (as above), while some are very dark brown.

Now it looks like this:

[temptones1]

wish i could figure out how to post a set of pics...can you help? Thanks for the wishes...I'm really on the fence with thinking of selling the watch...can't decide which way to go, what's a good decision. Ithink if someone that had an amazing collection needed it I would do it.

[temptones1]

Hey Brendan...I found a jeweler in Philly that specializes in Rolex...he will buff it up , change the acrylic crystal if needed and if I want him to go in he will redo it as the factory store does because the guy worked at Rolex in NY doing just that. All for about $300. for the works. The prelim and polish involves pressure and water test too so he will tell me if everything is good or it needs gaskets and cleaning. He said I can pick which services I want as opposed to Rolex that does All or nothing at all. He has done great work for me before.

[shedlock2000]

I love the root beer myself. I think i would prefer the watch over all others, as said before though, i just cant carry off the TT, (shame for me) as i love the blusey as well. I have yet to try on root beer as they are hard to come by. They have never really achieved the reputation they deserve. why anyone would choose a daytona over this watch i will never know. The photo of the new dial and new lume markers on the Root beer above is the perfect watch with the plainer oyster bracelet. Excellent thread, very interesting, and some lovely shots. Congrats on your good health my friend, long may it continue.

[bwalkerVintage]

Originally Posted by temptones1

Hey Brendan...I found a jeweler in Philly that specializes in Rolex...he will buff it up , change the acrylic crystal if needed and if I want him to go in he will redo it as the factory store does because the guy worked at Rolex in NY doing just that. All for about $300. for the works. The prelim and polish involves pressure and water test too so he will tell me if everything is good or it needs gaskets and cleaning. He said I can pick which services I want as opposed to Rolex that does All or nothing at all. He has done great work for me before.

That sounds ok, but if I recall correctly, Rolex will only charge about $420 for the service and it will include all that. Then, if something is wrong, you'll have some recourse (and it comes with a year warranty). The only reason I mention this is because I had a horrible experience with a "Rolex trained" watchmaker here in San Diego. IMO, a watchmaker should not let you pick and choose which aspects of the service you want for a watch that hasn't been service for as long as yours have. I would recommend getting a full service (gaskets, crown, crystal, etc.)

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

I love the root beer myself. The photo of the new dial and new lume markers on the Root beer above is the perfect watch with the plainer oyster bracelet.

You must be my long lost twin - we think exactly alike....ahahahahaha Thanks for the compliment!!