Thoughts on this 16750?

[john30]

Hello everyone, I have recently purchased this 16750 which I believe to be in good condition (although I'm not expert on vintage watches) and I would really like to get your thoughts on it. Is the rustiness of the seconds hand an issue? It seems very rusty to me (even more than it appears to be in the photos). Should I change the seconds hand only or all of the hands? Or should I keep it all exactly as it is since the patina of the hands and markers are all matching? Thank you!

[Bigcigardan]

I would leave as is. I had an old two tone at one point but I'm not an expert in vintage GMTs personally I think it suits the watch and tells a story. Plus I think it could devalue the watch unless you find an original handset. But once again no expert here. Congrats on purchase


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[Nikrnic]

O please leave it..

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[springer]

Originally Posted by Bigcigardan

I would leave as is. I had an old two tone at one point but I'm not an expert in vintage GMTs personally I think it suits the watch and tells a story. Plus I think it could devalue the watch unless you find an original handset. But once again no expert here. Congrats on purchase


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What story does this watch tell for you?

[Kh114060]

Please do not change out the hands.
It wont be as valuable w service parts.

One concern would be why the seconds hand rusted tho.
Id be worrisome of even slightest bit of moisture inside the case?

The patina on the markers and hands look gorgeous.

[exador]

I’d be sending the watch to LAWW for a new color-matched second hand and a case refinish while they’re at it. But that’s just me...

[john30]

Thank you everyone for your replies! I'm still confused whether I should replace the seconds hand. The rustiness of the hand doesn't really bother me but can anyone tell me if it has any long term affect on the watch? Can it cause something inside the watch to go wrong if parts fall out of the seconds hand? Below is another photo of the watch perhaps a bit more clear. Thank you!

[springer]

That hand does nothing for the aesthetics of the watch and patined dial. It is very distracting. Why anyone would want to leave it in the watch is beyond me - it is destroyed by rust. I would replace the hand as soon as possible.

[john30]

Originally Posted by springer

That hand does nothing for the aesthetics of the watch and patined dial. It is very distracting. Why anyone would want to leave it in the watch is beyond me - it is destroyed by rust. I would get it replaced as soon as I could get it out of there if it were mine.

Thank you for your reply. If you were to change it, would you change all the hands or just the seconds hand?

[springer]

Originally Posted by john30

Thank you for your reply. If you were to change it, would you change all the hands or just the seconds hand?

I do not see any issues with the other hands. You'll need to get the watch in hand and visually inspect them yourself.

[Tom1675]

Changing the seconds hand is a no-brainer.

[john30]

Originally Posted by springer

I do not see any issues with the other hands. You'll need to get the watch in hand and visually inspect them yourself.

The other hands seem fine to me. But would changing out only the seconds hand make it look newer or doesn’t match the other hands? Does that matter usually?

[T<25]

I would rather leave it as it is if not too distracting. It’s a vintage watch, sometime these imperfection makes the watch more unique. I think a rusty hand in vintage watch is not a big deal.

[Frosty]

I would change it if you can find a match for the other hands. Until then, I would leave it alone!

[Woody]

I would change it, it looks terrible......

[swish77]

Corrosion on hands is fairly common, but what's weird in this case is that it only affected one hand. It's also so extreme, while the others are so clean. I wonder if the other hands were replaced already, despite the matching patina to the dial.

Regardless, I'd immediately replace that seconds hand, even if it's with a luminova replacement until you can track down a clean tritium version with close patching patina.

[omitohud]

Do u like the rustic look on such a beautiful specimen because of that rusted hand? Since u post I assume it bothers u, then replace it. It’s not going to affect the value too much. Personally if I was offered this watch knowing the second hand has been replaced, it wouldn’t deter me a bit.


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[Bigcigardan]

Originally Posted by springer

What story does this watch tell for you?

I think it suits the watch some may disagree with me. Nice ig profile by the way!


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[jb335]

Originally Posted by swish77

Corrosion on hands is fairly common, but what's weird in this case is that it only affected one hand. It's also so extreme, while the others are so clean. I wonder if the other hands were replaced already, despite the matching patina to the dial.

Regardless, I'd immediately replace that seconds hand, even if it's with a luminova replacement until you can track down a clean tritium version with close patching patina.

I was going to say the same about the oddness in contrast between hands. I know nothing, but seems unusual to have such difference of condition between hands. I would also look to replace the seconds hand with somethig as close to matching as possible. Otherwise, the watch looks great to me. But again, I know nothing.