Recently serviced 1675 GMT - Water Resistance?

[WilsonCQB1911]

I just recently had my dad's 1978 GMT Master (1675/0) serviced by an RSC. I know the collectors cringe at this, but I like that they basically bring it back to "new" status. That's another topic though.

What is the water resistance for a newly serviced vintage Rolex? I note that Rolex's website says that Oyster Perpetual models are good to 100m. I think these used to be rated for 50m, but I'm wondering if modern techniques bring it up to 100m? They did replace the crown during service, among other things.

I will never dive. Just not my thing. However, can I take this in the pool? How about the ocean?

I assume once serviced it wouldn't be much different that a recent model.

[Tools]

No, new techniques do not bring it up to different standards or change its original design/engineering specs.

A watch rating at depth/pressure is more than just a crown gasket. Case deflection, plexi resilience and seals, and sealing surface/seal tolerance doesn't get better just because of modern testing techniques.

Your watch would be tested to meet its original criteria. If the sealing surfaces are sound, there is no reason to think that its water "proofness" would be any different than when it was made.

Any watch can fail at any time. Taking a 1675 into the water presents a risk that irreplaceable parts could be damaged. The risk is yours to take or not regardless of ratings or tests.

[Yachtbuoy]

Not that I do it on the reg but my 1603 was rated at the 100m WR after servicing and I have taken it into the pool. I have other watches that I'd rather use though.

[WilsonCQB1911]

Follow-up question, what does the "/0" at the end of the 1675 model designation indicate? Rolex warranty card came back as a "1675/0"

[TimeLord2]

1675/0 means that the reference is a 1675 but /0 is all steel, 1675/3 is gold and steel and 1675/8 is all gold. I have a 1675/3 gold and stainless, root beer if you use a stupid nickname. The next reference which was introduced around 1979 was a 16750 and then you get 16753 and 16758 with no slash.

[WilsonCQB1911]

Thank you all!

[shedlock2000]

This is my service 1675. I wear it all the time for everything (including showers, swimming, and the gym)

If RSC have serviced yours, they will ensure everything fits well and will pressure test the watch to 50m (the original rating for the 1675). Yours will like have had a new crystal and gaskets, and though there can be case rust, it’s rare that it affects the sealing faces (though as noted above, it can).

I’m not sure what changed gasket wise between the 1675 and the 16750 that increased the water resistance — I’m sure somebody will weigh in, but your watch will likely be perfectly fine for whatever you do with it. I’ve been down perhaps 10-15m with mine (I’m not a diver but have scuba’d a bit).






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jawnz]

I too had my 1675 serviced by RSC and have all new service dial hands the works. I haven’t gone swimming with it yet, I have a 5 digit sub for that. But showers, rain etc should be more than fine and I do it all the time.

[996marty]

Some lovely watches on show, if it was me I wouldn’t be taking a 1675 near water serviced or not for me the risk isn’t worth it

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

1675/0 means that the reference is a 1675 but /0 is all steel, 1675/3 is gold and steel and 1675/8 is all gold. I have a 1675/3 gold and stainless, root beer if you use a stupid nickname. The next reference which was introduced around 1979 was a 16750 and then you get 16753 and 16758 with no slash.

Absolutely correct.

One little bit to add for those looking for an early Bi-Colour, and I get asked quite a bit to clarify.

Namely : The referred to 1675/3 70s Bi-colour GMT had just 1675 stamped on the north case lug (eg no /3), but is referred to as a 1675/3. As such, some old guard still call it a 1675 bi-colour.

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Absolutely correct.

One little bit to add for those looking for an early Bi-Colour, and I get asked quite a bit to clarify.

Namely : The referred to 1675/3 70s Bi-colour GMT had just 1675 stamped on the north case lug (eg no /3), but is referred to as a 1675/3. As such, some old guard still call it a 1675 bi-colour.

I’ve always wondered why it wasn’t the 1675/2, give that it’s bi-coloured and not tri-coloured! Was there a reason for the /3 designation over /2?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by TuRo

Absolutely correct.

One little bit to add for those looking for an early Bi-Colour, and I get asked quite a bit to clarify.

Namely : The referred to 1675/3 70s Bi-colour GMT had just 1675 stamped on the north case lug (eg no /3), but is referred to as a 1675/3. As such, some old guard still call it a 1675 bi-colour.

You always have some great information on all of these references! For other posters on this topic, here is the stamp in question for my 1675/3, and as TuRo pointed out just 1675 on the 12:00 position. Not going to be wearing it in water intentionally any time soon.

[donq]

I wore my 1675 to the water park last week and spent all day going down water slides and splashing around. Got knocked off my feet in the wave pool a few times.

Watch was just fine.

[TimeLord2]

I will refer back to Tools statement (#2) at the beginning of this thread. Sure, it should be fine but the parts for these vintage watches are hard to come by at this point and potentially cost thousands to replace dial, hands, etc. I am sure gasket failure or smashing the crystal is fairly rare so if you want to wear a vintage watch in the water, I'm sure 99.9 percent of the time it will be fine assuming gaskets and mating surface are good. For myself, I do not have the money to replace the original dial nor do I want to risk damaging the watch my father gave me 35 years ago. I wear it everywhere except in water. That being said I have an Omega with 300M water resistance for deep water adventures in a pool.

[Jawnz]

For me i have faith in the new sealed gaskets and service, its just the crystal that gets easily scratched.

[WilsonCQB1911]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

This is my service 1675. I wear it all the time for everything (including showers, swimming, and the gym)

If RSC have serviced yours, they will ensure everything fits well and will pressure test the watch to 50m (the original rating for the 1675). Yours will like have had a new crystal and gaskets, and though there can be case rust, it’s rare that it affects the sealing faces (though as noted above, it can).

I’m not sure what changed gasket wise between the 1675 and the 16750 that increased the water resistance — I’m sure somebody will weigh in, but your watch will likely be perfectly fine for whatever you do with it. I’ve been down perhaps 10-15m with mine (I’m not a diver but have scuba’d a bit).





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

OMG that's stunning! I wish I had the foresight to tell them to change my insert out too. It has just a few flecks here and there. I hear they are easily swapped out but I'm not going to do it myself.

[WilsonCQB1911]

Originally Posted by Jawnz

I too had my 1675 serviced by RSC and have all new service dial hands the works. I haven’t gone swimming with it yet, I have a 5 digit sub for that. But showers, rain etc should be more than fine and I do it all the time.

Looks amazing. It's like a brand new watch. Mine is similar except the bezel insert isn't new. It's. Service insert but maybe seven years old so it has a few dings.

[WilsonCQB1911]

Originally Posted by TimeLord2

I will refer back to Tools statement (#2) at the beginning of this thread. Sure, it should be fine but the parts for these vintage watches are hard to come by at this point and potentially cost thousands to replace dial, hands, etc. I am sure gasket failure or smashing the crystal is fairly rare so if you want to wear a vintage watch in the water, I'm sure 99.9 percent of the time it will be fine assuming gaskets and mating surface are good. For myself, I do not have the money to replace the original dial nor do I want to risk damaging the watch my father gave me 35 years ago. I wear it everywhere except in water. That being said I have an Omega with 300M water resistance for deep water adventures in a pool.

That's beautiful!!

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by WilsonCQB1911

Looks amazing. It's like a brand new watch. Mine is similar except the bezel insert isn't new. It's. Service insert but maybe seven years old so it has a few dings.

Yeah I carefully stashed away the original and now I have new pepsi and all black bezel inserts to swap in and out of.

[WilsonCQB1911]

Originally Posted by Jawnz

Yeah I carefully stashed away the original and now I have new pepsi and all black bezel inserts to swap in and out of.

Is this your everyday watch? Do you swap the inserts out yourself?

[Jawnz]

Originally Posted by WilsonCQB1911

Is this your everyday watch? Do you swap the inserts out yourself?

It is my weekday watch yes. I wear a 5 digit sub on a nato on the weekends.

I have never swapped the bezel inserts out myself (yet). I’ve had RSC do it.

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by WilsonCQB1911

OMG that's stunning! I wish I had the foresight to tell them to change my insert out too. It has just a few flecks here and there. I hear they are easily swapped out but I'm not going to do it myself.

Thanks!

I’m pleased others like and enjoy the originality — I prefer functionality, so RSC can keep replacing my bits so long as they have them! Zero worries about water here; polywatch for crystal worries.

I enjoy a new bezel insert too. Out of preference, I wouldn’t have RDC Polish the watch, but I was 50 years too late for that instruction on mine.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by WilsonCQB1911

That's beautiful!!

Thanks!