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MJK737 · 30 October 2011, 03:05 AM

Hello Members

First let me begin by saying hello as this is my first post. I finally picked up my grail quite unexpectedly last week. I was at jewelry store that houses Arizona's largest collection of rare and vintage watches and found a 16750 completely restored. The negotiated price was one of the best I've seen, so I jumped on it.

My question is, it's a 44xxxxx serial number giving it a 1976 production date. My research tells me the 16750 began in 81 while other research tells me they were in fact made as early as 1978. The 12 O'clock position on the case is stamped 16750 with the serial number on the 6 O'clock position. It has a quick set date and listening to the beat it sounds like a fast beat 3075 movement. So what's the mystery here? It's definitely legit and I should be receiving the appraisal in the mail this week.

Thanks in advance for your help, here's some pics. BTW I'm a pilot for a major US carrier so this little gem found a happy home.

Paladin · 30 October 2011, 03:35 AM

That is a service case replacement. All replacement cases known have started with 4,4xxxxx until exhaustion; then they started with 4,7xxxxx.

MJK737 · 30 October 2011, 03:38 AM

So basically, It was a 1675 and it was updated to a 16750 when it was restored?

MJK

Mikel212 · 30 October 2011, 03:47 AM

My guess is its an early 16750 original matte dial that was swapped with a service dial. My matted 16750 has a productions date of 82xxxxx.

Yours is pretty far off for a transitional model. Hope this mystery gets solved.

Paladin · 30 October 2011, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJK737

So basically, It was a 1675 and it was updated to a 16750 when it was restored?

MJK

No, the watch has always been a 16750. The original case was damaged at some time and replaced with a "service case" by the Rolex service center using a 4,4xx,xxx serial numbered service case. The original dial may have been replaced at the same time the case was with a service gloss dial, you will never know if the watch movement was pared with a matte dial or not.

A service case/dial watch has little collector value and would explain why you got such a good deal on it.

That said, the dealer should have known that and disclosed it to you. I would
liken buying a vintage watch with a service case to buying a car with a salvage title...it should be disclosed.

The watch I am sure is fine. A watch restored by Rolex using a service case/dial and whatever else was replaced can be used and enjoyed without the burden of trying to protect a collectable watch from everyday wear.

mike · 30 October 2011, 03:51 AM

Great to wear, but as a collectable piece....... Service case and dial impacts that greatly.

Paladin · 30 October 2011, 03:55 AM

Great looking watch btw....congrats!

HL65 · 30 October 2011, 04:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike

Great to wear, but as a collectable piece....... Service case and dial impacts that greatly.

X2!

MJK737 · 30 October 2011, 05:48 AM

Ahh! The mystery seems to be solved. It looks like I have a 16750 with 100% NOS parts. This indeed would make me very happy as I intend to use it for everyday wear. I like the look of the vintage GMT's over the newer ones. IMHO the 16750 exudes cool!

V/R

MJK

xf384c · 30 October 2011, 07:17 AM

It looks great as a daily watch.
The GMT as a tool watch, definitely belongs to a pilot and the "pepsi" is a must!

Great choice, enjoy the watch!

MJK737 · 30 October 2011, 08:23 AM

Are replacement cases and 78360 bracelets 316 or 904 steel? Thanks again.

V/R

MJK

Warnsboy · 30 October 2011, 02:34 PM

Very nice 16750. Love the pepsi look for daily wear.

MJK737 · 30 October 2011, 05:24 PM

Thanks. The GMT function makes my life so much easier. The GMT clocks in our jets are often set to US central time, or are off by dudes resting their feet up on the dash and inadvertently jacking up the time (myself guilty). We use GMT so many times during the day that sometimes trying to convert is just a pain when your trying to multitask. I'm still serving in the military so it's got a colateral duty.

I used so many Casio's over the years and then switched to a trusty Omega SMP GMT, but I've got to be honest, my 16750 just feels right and makes me smile. I love it! I realize I'm blathering on, but come on, this is what the watch was designed for and I'm proud to have the opportunity to use it as intended. One day it will be passed on to one of my daughters and it will have a great story indeed! Thanks again for all the info.

V/R

MJK

pdoukas · 31 October 2011, 06:20 AM

Welcome and congrats from another AZ native. I too love the gmt and am currently on the prowl for another. What jeweler did you go to if you don't mind me asking? In the meantime enjoy the watch and wear it in good health.

Pete

laphroaig007 · 31 October 2011, 07:29 AM

Nice watch, and as you wrote it, it is pretty cool to have a full NOS vintage watch, so you can use it on a daily basis without the fear of misdemeanor !

bluemartinifan · 31 October 2011, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJK737

Thanks. The GMT function makes my life so much easier. The GMT clocks in our jets are often set to US central time, or are off by dudes resting their feet up on the dash and inadvertently jacking up the time (myself guilty). We use GMT so many times during the day that sometimes trying to convert is just a pain when your trying to multitask. I'm still serving in the military so it's got a colateral duty.

I used so many Casio's over the years and then switched to a trusty Omega SMP GMT, but I've got to be honest, my 16750 just feels right and makes me smile. I love it! I realize I'm blathering on, but come on, this is what the watch was designed for and I'm proud to have the opportunity to use it as intended. One day it will be passed on to one of my daughters and it will have a great story indeed! Thanks again for all the info.

V/R

MJK

WELCOME - you said above the exact reason why I wear a GMT and a Sub, and take silly pictures of them, and hang out here a lot - "it makes me smile"....

MJK737 · 31 October 2011, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdoukas

Welcome and congrats from another AZ native. I too love the gmt and am currently on the prowl for another. What jeweler did you go to if you don't mind me asking? In the meantime enjoy the watch and wear it in good health.

Pete

PM sent

MJK737 · 31 October 2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pdoukas

Welcome and congrats from another AZ native. I too love the gmt and am currently on the prowl for another. What jeweler did you go to if you don't mind me asking? In the meantime enjoy the watch and wear it in good health.

Pete

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemartinifan

WELCOME - you said above the exact reason why I wear a GMT and a Sub, and take silly pictures of them, and hang out here a lot - "it makes me smile"....

Like these?

Summer to winter in the same afternoon, good thing I have a GMT to track all those time zones

MJK

Epereda18 · 19 November 2011, 08:42 AM

Hello, can anyone tell me where I can get a rolex gmt master 16750 dial?

r s gibson · 19 November 2011, 10:43 AM

you can get a SWISS dial from R S C. In UK the cost is about £230.

30 October 2011, 03:05 AM	#1
MJK737 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: AZ Watch: This, Hold my Beer Posts: 369	16750 question Hello Members First let me begin by saying hello as this is my first post. I finally picked up my grail quite unexpectedly last week. I was at jewelry store that houses Arizona's largest collection of rare and vintage watches and found a 16750 completely restored. The negotiated price was one of the best I've seen, so I jumped on it. My question is, it's a 44xxxxx serial number giving it a 1976 production date. My research tells me the 16750 began in 81 while other research tells me they were in fact made as early as 1978. The 12 O'clock position on the case is stamped 16750 with the serial number on the 6 O'clock position. It has a quick set date and listening to the beat it sounds like a fast beat 3075 movement. So what's the mystery here? It's definitely legit and I should be receiving the appraisal in the mail this week. Thanks in advance for your help, here's some pics. BTW I'm a pilot for a major US carrier so this little gem found a happy home.

19 November 2011, 08:42 AM	#19
Epereda18 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Real Name: Emilio P. Location: Miami Watch: Rolex Gmt 16750 Posts: 62	16750 dial Hello, can anyone tell me where I can get a rolex gmt master 16750 dial?

19 November 2011, 10:43 AM	#20
r s gibson "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Real Name: R S Gibson Location: manchester uk Watch: gmt 16750 matte di Posts: 19	rolex gmt 16750 dial you can get a SWISS dial from R S C. In UK the cost is about £230.

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30 October 2011, 03:35 AM	#2
Paladin "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: So. California Posts: 1,232	That is a service case replacement. All replacement cases known have started with 4,4xxxxx until exhaustion; then they started with 4,7xxxxx.

30 October 2011, 03:38 AM	#3
MJK737 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: AZ Watch: This, Hold my Beer Posts: 369	So basically, It was a 1675 and it was updated to a 16750 when it was restored? MJK

30 October 2011, 03:47 AM	#4
Mikel212 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 228	My guess is its an early 16750 original matte dial that was swapped with a service dial. My matted 16750 has a productions date of 82xxxxx. Yours is pretty far off for a transitional model. Hope this mystery gets solved.

30 October 2011, 03:51 AM	#6
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Great to wear, but as a collectable piece....... Service case and dial impacts that greatly.

30 October 2011, 03:55 AM	#7
Paladin "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: So. California Posts: 1,232	Great looking watch btw....congrats!

30 October 2011, 05:48 AM	#9
MJK737 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: AZ Watch: This, Hold my Beer Posts: 369	Ahh! The mystery seems to be solved. It looks like I have a 16750 with 100% NOS parts. This indeed would make me very happy as I intend to use it for everyday wear. I like the look of the vintage GMT's over the newer ones. IMHO the 16750 exudes cool! V/R MJK

30 October 2011, 07:17 AM	#10
xf384c "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beverly Hills, CA Watch: Sea Dweller 16600 Posts: 155	It looks great as a daily watch. The GMT as a tool watch, definitely belongs to a pilot and the "pepsi" is a must! Great choice, enjoy the watch!

30 October 2011, 08:23 AM	#11
MJK737 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: AZ Watch: This, Hold my Beer Posts: 369	Are replacement cases and 78360 bracelets 316 or 904 steel? Thanks again. V/R MJK

30 October 2011, 02:34 PM	#12
Warnsboy "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Real Name: Michael Location: Midwest-USA Watch: 5513 Posts: 1,942	Very nice 16750. Love the pepsi look for daily wear.

30 October 2011, 05:24 PM	#13
MJK737 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: AZ Watch: This, Hold my Beer Posts: 369	Thanks. The GMT function makes my life so much easier. The GMT clocks in our jets are often set to US central time, or are off by dudes resting their feet up on the dash and inadvertently jacking up the time (myself guilty). We use GMT so many times during the day that sometimes trying to convert is just a pain when your trying to multitask. I'm still serving in the military so it's got a colateral duty. I used so many Casio's over the years and then switched to a trusty Omega SMP GMT, but I've got to be honest, my 16750 just feels right and makes me smile. I love it! I realize I'm blathering on, but come on, this is what the watch was designed for and I'm proud to have the opportunity to use it as intended. One day it will be passed on to one of my daughters and it will have a great story indeed! Thanks again for all the info. V/R MJK

31 October 2011, 06:20 AM	#14
pdoukas "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Real Name: Pete Location: Arizona Watch: ing Duke bball Posts: 1,488	Welcome and congrats from another AZ native. I too love the gmt and am currently on the prowl for another. What jeweler did you go to if you don't mind me asking? In the meantime enjoy the watch and wear it in good health. Pete

31 October 2011, 07:29 AM	#15
laphroaig007 "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Real Name: Marc Location: France Watch: 116710 & PAM372 Posts: 1,027	Nice watch, and as you wrote it, it is pretty cool to have a full NOS vintage watch, so you can use it on a daily basis without the fear of misdemeanor !

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