Lucky find! Rolex 1675 Mark 1

[owl.]

Hello all! Wanted to share this exciting story and ask for some advice.

I will try to paraphrase the story to make it short.

I was at the department store, when I spotted a vintage Pepsi GMT on the wrist of an older gentleman.

I complimented him, and we talked watches for a bit. He said he is the original owner and that he bought the watch in 1970. He said he recently got it serviced (I think) at a local watchmaker, and that the watch maker offered him $7000 for it (before service) and he was impressed because he paid less than that back in 1970, but decided not to sell.

I asked him if he would ever sell.

He said "give me $10k for it and I'll sell."

I asked him if he has the paperwork and box and everything and he said he has it all.

So I told him that I'd like to get it checked out and I might pay him the $10k.

He was surprised, and we exchanged numbers, he told me to call him early January of next year.

I am super excited.

For one, because I like old things and the preservation of them.

For two, it would be super neat to buy a vintage Rolex from the original owner and look after it for years to come!

Here is the only picture I could take of it.

He did not seem to want to let it out of his hand, so I just asked if I could snap a picture with my phone.

[owl.]

I went ahead and did some research to see what reference number it is, and what mark and stuff.

From what I've read for the last 2 hours or so is that it seems to be a 1675 Mark 1.

I know that with Rolex, tiny little things can create a premium.

I see some 1675 mark 1 watches online posted for $13k and some for $30k.

What is the difference?

Most importantly, I wanted to ask you all, since this watch is on the jubilee bracelet, what markings can I check for to make sure that this is indeed an authentic and PERIOD CORRECT bracelet. I would like to know if this is the bracelet that came with the watch, or if it was swapped out for another Rolex bracelet.

I plan to get it authenticated at an AD in January (if he decides to sell when I call him in January) but I want to learn as much as I can before I meet him again.

Thanks folks!

[Dan S]

The insert isn't original. Otherwise, I can't tell much from that photo, however, it doesn't look like a Mk 1 at first glance. There are plenty of threads about identifying an authentic jubilee, or you can just take some really good photos and post them here.

BTW, if you give the guy too much time, I can practically guarantee you won't get the watch.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The insert isn't original. Otherwise, I can't tell much from that photo. There are plenty of threads about identifying an authentic jubilee, or you can just take some really good photos and post them here.

BTW, if you give the guy too much time, I can practically guarantee you won't get the watch.

He did mention that the watchmaker replaced the bezel insert :(

Darn watchmaker probably sold the original one

I figure that it would be better to do the deal sooner than later but he asked me to give him until after the new year because he is busy with the holidays

Maybe I’ll call toMorrow and ask for more pictures and see if he can meet up

[springer]

Good luck. Check the reference library here where you will find plenty of information on vintage GMTs.

There are also a few dial threads there to check this dial against - which appears to be a Mark II dial.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by springer

Good luck. Check the reference library here where you will find plenty of information on vintage GMTs.

There are also a few dial threads there to check this dial against - which appears to be a Mark II dial.

Thanks for the suggestion, I had no idea there is a reference library.

Where can I find the dial threads?

Under this vintage forum?

Or under the reference library forum ?

[lee fowler]

Have a look here.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...Gmt+1675+dials

Lee

[r_afficionado]

Good for you. If I may, please do not take advantage of an older gent cause he knows not what he has. Please be fair with him and pay what the watch is worth... hope you enjoy your watch when you get it.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[rootbeer7]

It’s a mk2 (could be original to watch) and later bezel, but still a superb piece. 10k would seem fair in a private sale, maybe a little low.

[Nickn]

These deals rarely work out
I saw an 18ct gold minute repeater at a fair
There was no price and the lady asked me for a bid
I gave her the very best I could and she agreed to the sale but said she would have to ask her son
I didn’t get the watch
If your gent asks his son or daughter greed will set in ,their inheritance ,and you won’t get it

[1William]

I hope your deal goes through but I have my doubts. I think he will not want to part with it in the end and that's ok.

[1675-David]

Originally Posted by 1William

I hope your deal goes through but I have my doubts.

X2 If I was the owner and my watchmaker had made that offer only to be shortly thereafter approached by a stranger in a store willing to pay substantially more I'd be all over the internet trying to figure out why.

Hope it works out for you OP because it's certainly a nice piece from what I can see from that one image, but I'd be prepared for the owner to be trying to feel out your spending limits and how they stand up in relation to his intel from the web.

Good Luck

[1665fan]

When an old man also doesn’t know what he has, I doubt he really knows what we mean by papers...probably sole service papers, manual and a box....I’m always a little skeptic because if I bought something 50 years ago and never thought it would add value at the time I probably wouldn’t have kept them either....

[PVR]

If its a true full set with all of the punched paper goodies, then you are getting a very good deal at 10k.

This isnt taking advantage, they guy threw out a number and he agreed. Whats he supposed to say? "nah, thats not enough let me give you 20k"?

If its just service papers and nothing original to the purchase, then 10k is still a fair price, but not a great deal. The insert will cost you $2000 to replace with a period correct one and that Jubilee looks to be on its last legs, so another $1000 or so for a bracelet. At 13k all in you can possibly find a MKII at that price but, its still under market probably buy a little bit.

Full set... Jump on it.

PS: Ask the seller for the watchmakers number and see if you can get the original insert back, even if you have to pay him $$ to get it.

[214270Explorer]

If he's a smart old guy he is out getting a true value determination.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by lee fowler

Have a look here.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...Gmt+1675+dials

Lee

Thank you for that Lee, I will look through that shortly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[owl.]

Originally Posted by r_afficionado

Good for you. If I may, please do not take advantage of an older gent cause he knows not what he has. Please be fair with him and pay what the watch is worth... hope you enjoy your watch when you get it.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I understand where you are coming from, and I am not taking it the wrong way.

I honestly don’t know what the watch is worth.

As I said in the post, I see some 1675 listed at $13k and some at $30k and I can’t seem to find the difference.

I wanted to ask the forum what you guys think it’s worth, but in reading the rules, it looks like I shouldn’t.

That’s why I wanted to ask for pointers so I can try to identify what mark it is and see what else I can find out.

Thanks though

[owl.]

Originally Posted by Nickn

These deals rarely work out
I saw an 18ct gold minute repeater at a fair
There was no price and the lady asked me for a bid
I gave her the very best I could and she agreed to the sale but said she would have to ask her son
I didn’t get the watch
If your gent asks his son or daughter greed will set in ,their inheritance ,and you won’t get it

I understand. When I agreed I could do the $10k he asked me to follow him until he found his wife.

We found her, and he explained the $10k deal to her and she very politely told him he could sell if he wants.

That’s when he said to call him after the holidays.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by PVR

If its a true full set with all of the punched paper goodies, then you are getting a very good deal at 10k.

This isnt taking advantage, they guy threw out a number and he agreed. Whats he supposed to say? "nah, thats not enough let me give you 20k"?

If its just service papers and nothing original to the purchase, then 10k is still a fair price, but not a great deal. The insert will cost you $2000 to replace with a period correct one and that Jubilee looks to be on its last legs, so another $1000 or so for a bracelet. At 13k all in you can possibly find a MKII at that price but, its still under market probably buy a little bit.

Full set... Jump on it.

PS: Ask the seller for the watchmakers number and see if you can get the original insert back, even if you have to pay him $$ to get it.

I agree with you. I honestly don’t know what it’s worth.

I was thinking $10k - 12k

If he said $13k I would’ve said no politely, and just called it a nice experience.

[harry in montreal]

I think your seller did his research. Passed on a low 7k. You have upped it to 10k. You are taking risk. You can tell it’s missing some parts like a bezel Insert for $1,000. The bracelet is a oval link which is kinda crappy. So you would need a 1400$ for a good 7836. You never know what Is inside either. Plus his ‘papers’ May exclude the warranty certif. So what I’m saying is that $10,000 in a paper bag, tax free is damn fine for the seller. I don’t agree with the poster above that is implying you are not being fair. He didn’t say that directly, but you don’t know need to be told to do the right thing. You already did

[owl.]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

I think your seller did his research. Passed on a low 7k. You have upped it to 10k. You are taking risk. You can tell it’s missing some parts like a bezel Insert for $1,000. The bracelet is a oval link which is kinda crappy. So you would need a 1400$ for a good 7836. You never know what Is inside either. Plus his ‘papers’ May exclude the warranty certif. So what I’m saying is that $10,000 in a paper bag, tax free is damn fine for the seller. I don’t agree with the poster above that is implying you are not being fair. He didn’t say that directly, but you don’t know need to be told to do the right thing. You already did

I forgot to mention, he also said the watchmaker replaced the second hand

So replaced second hand, and bezel insert is all I can remember.

Is that worth $10k?

I’m not sure.

I need to do more research.

Thanks for pointing out the fact about the bracelet

I had no idea about that

[AJMarcus]

Nice conversation starter. But you should manage your expectations. If someone offered me substantially more for a watch than I thought it was worth my instinct would be to get it independently appraised before selling it. And today it is just so easy to google it on the internet. I’d be surprised if you get it for $10k after he has a month to research it. GMT 1675s I’m seeing are fetching more like $15-25K for full sets. Can’t tell for sure but most likely the 24 hour hand has been replaced. I’ve yet to see one that pristine on an original 1675. But it looks to be a very sweet 1675. Keep us posted. Good luck

[owl.]

I also want to add, I’m not interested in the watch to sell it

I want it to keep it for years to come

I think it would be cool to one day have a 70 year old watch or so

We’ll see what happens

[owl.]

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

Nice conversation starter. But you should manage your expectations. If someone offered me substantially more for a watch than I thought it was worth my instinct would be to get it independently appraised before selling it. And today it is just so easy to google it on the internet. I’d be surprised if you get it for $10k after he has a month to research it. GMT 1675s I’m seeing are fetching more like $15-20K for full sets. Keep us posted. Good luck

Is this the case even if it is a mark 2 dial?

And not a super rare exclamation point dial and stuff like that?

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by owl.

Is this the case even if it is a mark 2 dial?

And not a super rare exclamation point dial and stuff like that?

There are much better folks knowledgeable than me on this topic such as Springer. But anything GMT Pepsi is going for crazy prices right now. And vintage 1675 packages are highly sought after by collectors willing to pay top dollar. Just check out the latest Phillips auction and you’ll see what I’m referring to. But you might get a fortunate deal. No harm in trying. Check out vintage sites like HQ Milton and Eric Ku at Ten Past Ten to price compare. Eric has some good information on his site too.

[1watch]

Can't tell much from that pic, except to agree with Springer that it's a Mk2 dial. The reason prices vary so much depends on the dial type and overall condition.

The exclamation point was seen in the early '61-'62 timeframe on gilt, not matte dials. Those cases also had pointed crown guards.

[harry in montreal]

Well for $10k... let’s assume you need an insert, no big deal. The band you can make due. How does the case look ? Any signs of bevels on the edges ? The crown guards look pretty good, the upper better than lower. Let’s say that he has all the papers, I would grab it. I mean a new gmt is comparable in price and I would much rather have this watch. The replaced hand issue is no big deal, you see these hands on the market and they are not expensive. It’s just a pain to get them to match. Hold firm at $10k.

[owl.]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

Well for $10k... let’s assume you need an insert, no big deal. The band you can make due. How does the case look ? Any signs of bevels on the edges ? The crown guards look pretty good, the upper better than lower. Let’s say that he has all the papers, I would grab it. I mean a new gmt is comparable in price and I would much rather have this watch. The replaced hand issue is no big deal, you see these hands on the market and they are not expensive. It’s just a pain to get them to match. Hold firm at $10k.

I didn’t have an opportunity to handle it, so I wasn’t able to see the case very well.

Looks very scratched, even the plexi crystal

Which to me was cool

Thanks for the advice

[swish77]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

When an old man also doesn’t know what he has, I doubt he really knows what we mean by papers...probably sole service papers, manual and a box....I’m always a little skeptic because if I bought something 50 years ago and never thought it would add value at the time I probably wouldn’t have kept them either....

I think the owner does know what he has because he turned down $7K, but is willing to accept $10K, which is low if it's a full set but not insane, especially if the insert is not correct (perhaps aftermarket?) and comes with a stretched-out Jubilee.

Some old-timers (I'm gettin' there too) do indeed keep all the bits and pieces that originally came with their stuff. My grandfather was a soccer (football) referee back in Scotland in the 1950-60s and when I inherited his referee stopwatch when he passed, I discovered he had kept the original box and all paperwork, in pristine condition. And that was a timepiece with no monetary value.

[zapokee]

Too many ifs, buts and unknowns for me here. I'd just get one from a trusted dealer.