Pondering this worn gmt purchase

[Tudor66]

I need another watch like I need a hole in my head, but this was presented to me today, and I can't stop thinking about it.

--1971 year watch with the water damaged dial, what are your thoughts :

[morafa4]

I mean.. it probably doesn't fall into the realm of public appeal, but if you dig it... then you dig it, and that's all that matters. Ya dig?

Put a different way, what if you were to find the same thing in a better condition, would that detract from the above's appeal? If not, then you might be a holding a watch that is uniquely your own.

If it does, then I'd say keep looking.

[landroverking]

That's a true classic. I be careful with the dial.

[joe100]

All depends on price. If it's cheap, buy. If it's cheap even after finding a new dial, really buy. Bezel has been polished to death though

[05carbondrz]

The case looks very nice and replacement Dials are pretty easy to find.

[Tudor66]

My crazy idea here is that the original badly damaged dial is better than a BNIB replacement dial. It's not cheap, and it doesn't include the bracelet.

Another contact is going to show me an excellent condition root beer next week. We'll see if his nicer watch calls to me. As of this moment, I prefer that damaged one- this is why I would absolutely fail as a watch dealer...

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by morafa4

I mean.. it probably doesn't fall into the realm of public appeal, but if you dig it... then you dig it, and that's all that matters. Ya dig?

Put a different way, what if you were to find the same thing in a better condition, would that detract from the above's appeal? If not, then you might be a holding a watch that is uniquely your own.

If it does, then I'd say keep looking.

Great point, this could end up being the Pig in the collection that no one will ever want.

Originally Posted by landroverking

That's a true classic. I be careful with the dial.

That's the problem, this damaged concentric dial is calling me.

Originally Posted by joe100

All depends on price. If it's cheap, buy. If it's cheap even after finding a new dial, really buy. Beale has been polished to death though

One lug is definitely over polished, he wants near retail, so it's definitely not cheap.

[subtona]

the wear and tear is nothing compared to the butcher who took a grinding stone to the bezel, reminds me of the polishing job RSCNY did on my submariner bezel.

[MitchSteel]

If the price is right, I'd buy it.Do you have a Root Beer in your collection?
If you get tired of it, then sell it.I never pass up a good deal.

[crowncollection]

All depends on price IMHO. Those dials do do not do it for me, give me perfectly preserved example any day, but some love them each to their own.


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[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by subtona

the wear and tear is nothing compared to the butcher who took a grinding stone to the bezel, reminds me of the polishing job RSCNY did on my submariner bezel.

It does not take much on a Gold Bezel,Even heavy use over time can wear them considerably.

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by subtona

the wear and tear is nothing compared to the butcher who took a grinding stone to the bezel, reminds me of the polishing job RSCNY did on my submariner bezel.

Great eye for detail, I didn't even notice the butcher job on the bezel. I was too busy drooling over the vintage look of the 1675 case, which is light and comfortable.

Originally Posted by MitchSteel

If the price is right, I'd buy it.Do you have a Root Beer in your collection?
If you get tired of it, then sell it.I never pass up a good deal.

I wish it was a good price, but I will take another look next week and see if he really wants the cash more than the watch.

Originally Posted by crowncollection

All depends on price IMHO. Those dials do do not do it for me, give me perfectly preserved example any day, but some love them each to their own.


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I've had a few root beers, but none of the nipple dial, and certainly none with a concentric dial damage. I think I am actually more interested in this watch because it's damaged and old, just like me. Yes, vintage watch collecting is a weird type of sickness...

[shawndww]

Retail = pass.. That is way too much repair... Lots of better examples

[Tudor66]

The close up really shows the flaws-

[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by shawndww

Retail = pass.. That is way too much repair... Lots of better examples

By the way, this is the best watch forum I know of. Thanks for your input...

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by Tudor66

My crazy idea here is that the original badly damaged dial is better than a BNIB replacement dial. It's not cheap, and it doesn't include the bracelet.

Another contact is going to show me an excellent condition root beer next week. We'll see if his nicer watch calls to me. As of this moment, I prefer that damaged one- this is why I would absolutely fail as a watch dealer...

I'm pretty sure the dial in this watch is not 'original', I'd say it's a replacement. Does that change your preference for this over another piece with a pristine replacement dial?

A 1971 root beer should have a matte dial. I don't believe the dial on this watch was available until late 70s.


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[Tudor66]

Originally Posted by waspy1

I'm pretty sure the dial in this watch is not 'original', I'd say it's a replacement. Does that change your preference for this over another piece with a pristine replacement dial?

A 1971 root beer should have a matte dial. I don't believe the dial on this watch was available until late 70s.


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Interesting, I will do more research. Being a replacement and a damaged dial simultaneously would bring the value way down below his asking price.

[05carbondrz]

That Dial looks like it started as a matte Dial to me.

[Cortezthekiller]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

That Dial looks like it started as a matte Dial to me.

Me too. I like the damage on this one, as the matte 1675/3 Rootbeer is normally too flat for me. Which is why I bought a sunburst nipple dial 16753.

All depends on price!

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

That Dial looks like it started as a matte Dial to me.

No, this wasn't a matte dial. It's also not a sunburst type either. More like a satin finish dark brown metallic. Very common for them to degrade, not necessarily from water damage.

[Jonnyred72]

I think it's cool- and if it's cheap enough...why not?

[05carbondrz]

Originally Posted by waspy1

No, this wasn't a matte dial. It's also not a sunburst type either. More like a satin finish dark brown metallic. Very common for them to degrade, not necessarily from water damage.

Can You please post a Pic showing a standard matte Root Beer Dial versus a "Satin finish dark Brown Metallic Dial"?

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by 05carbondrz

Can You please post a Pic showing a standard matte Root Beer Dial versus a "Satin finish dark Brown Metallic Dial"?

Here are a few pics for reference. You'll find many on Google image search. Most of these are from hq Milton. The first is matte, the next two are the satin brown metallic and the last are the service dials which I don't believe were used until much later. Last pic is one of my own with a service luminova dial. Note that the earliest 1675/8 watches had different dials again. These changed to the matte style in the late 1960's.

[05carbondrz]

Thank You Sir,Always looking to learn.

[Tudor66]

I went back to look at the vintage root beer, with my wallet this time.....and, someone bought it ahead of me. Oh well, there will be others...

Originally Posted by Tudor66

The close up really shows the flaws-

[05carbondrz]

May I ask what the price was?