Incoming Old School (with a hint of new)

[shedlock2000]

Many of you will have read my recent review of the Tudor Gmt — a watch I really wanted to love, but didn’t fit me well. After selling it to Ku51615 (great transaction; reference upcoming), I decided I wanted to get back to a Rolex Gmt. Question was, did I really want the dependability, functionality, and robustness of a new model — or did I want the refined aesthetics of a vintage piece.

I very nearly bought a brushed 116710, but missed out at the last minute and found what I had been looking for all along: a service dial, hands, and bezel 1675!!! I know that most people prefer a vintage piece to be original, but I value functionality over originality and am quite ok (actually prefer) with a polished service watch.

The watch arrived just in time (literally, with about two hours to spare) for my 4 month stay in Finland where I’m finishing up my PhD. It’s on a NATO at the moment, because I need to source an extra link or two for the bracelet. Hopefully, I can pick up a link while I am over here.

My first real shot isn’t great (more to come, probably): its an awkward shot of the watch and the lights of Helsinki viewed through the plane window on approach — very suiting for a classic gmt!




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[Swiss Mad!]

Gorgeous.

I really want to own a vintage piece, but I am not experienced enough to know the good from the bad and am too scared of buying a complete lemon!

It sounds like you knew exactly what you wanted and it would also seem like you have found the perfect example of it.

Congratulations.





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[droptopman]

Congrats Steve, sounds like you found exactly what you wanted. Well done!

[AJM914]

Congrats! Beautiful!

[Snow-Dweller]

Very nice. Congratulations.

[Richard Carver]

People fall in love with the concept of vintage but can't get past the reality of a 40-60 year old watch. There's patina and then there's just scruffy. :) A well done service watch usually scratches the itch without the trauma of crusty lume and hands.

A perfect service watch is no crime, never ever listen to the purity trolls. Enjoy your Rolex any way you want. :)

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by Swiss Mad!

Gorgeous.

I really want to own a vintage piece, but I am not experienced enough to know the good from the bad and am too scared of buying a complete lemon!

Thanks!! Im really happy with it. It’s just what I was looking for.


I’m not anywhere near as well read as the vintage crowd (the vintage preferrers, not the preferrers who are vintage), but I’ve always liked the case and proportions of the 1675/16750 models; the following 5 digits lost something for me.... perhaps it’s also the acrylic....

Aaaannnyyway, I have to give up the adjustable hour hand for the bezel and crystal — and I’m ok with that. I also really need lume, so a service dial and hands were the only way that deal was going to work too.

If you really want an original piece for its originality, then get something from someone like Springer or Jacek. Otherwise, I think it’s good to write a list of what’s important and what you can give up a little on. My list’s maxims were: acrylic crystal, working lume, gmt complication, 5 digit aesthetics. My wants were quickset date and gold plots (basically, a 16750). My nice to haves were adjustable hour hand, and flip-lock clasp. So the maxims and availability forced the watch selection. I took it to my watchmaker to look it over and switch the gaskets, and here we have it!

But I do agree, the vintage gig can be super tricky. If I’d had the cash or time, I’d have let Springer pick a piece for me. I narrowly avoided a 1675 with worn out reference numbers — but, as I’m not really a collector, that would likely have only caused issues if I needed parts and it were stolen. Nevertheless, the dodgy ones are out there.




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[Nikrnic]

Congrats on that very nice find ! Wear it in the best of health...

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[J!m]

Congratulations!

Not just on the watch, but for setting clear goals and acting when the time was right. That’s really how it’s supossed to be.

I wanted to try for a red service dial and hands for my 1680 but they are as rare as original dials (but they glow). So, I read it when the lights are on.

[debbs20]

Beauty to behold congrats

[Bladeshot]

Congrats and enjoy! A wonderful piece!


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[Odie-r]

Congrats. Love it!

[uniqueMR]

Congrats

[Andad]

Is that a Rolex Steve?

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Is that a Rolex Steve?

Hahahah! I believe it is, Eddie!


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[Andad]

Good to see your transaction went well.

Enjoy wearing it and put up some better pix.

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by J!m

Congratulations!

Not just on the watch, but for setting clear goals and acting when the time was right. That’s really how it’s supossed to be.

I wanted to try for a red service dial and hands for my 1680 but they are as rare as original dials (but they glow). So, I read it when the lights are on.

It’s more about good luck than fortune in this case, J!m! I missed out on an entirely different watch then this popped up. Funny how things work out.

Good luck with your service dial search! I didn’t actually know there were any made!


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[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by directioneng

Good to see your transaction went well.

Enjoy wearing it and put up some better pix.

You know what I’m like, Eddie! I’ll probably snap a few here and there while I’m in Helsinki, and then flood the thread with them!!




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[Swiss Mad!]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

Thanks!! Im really happy with it. It’s just what I was looking for.


I’m not anywhere near as well read as the vintage crowd (the vintage preferrers, not the preferrers who are vintage), but I’ve always liked the case and proportions of the 1675/16750 models; the following 5 digits lost something for me.... perhaps it’s also the acrylic....

Aaaannnyyway, I have to give up the adjustable hour hand for the bezel and crystal — and I’m ok with that. I also really need lume, so a service dial and hands were the only way that deal was going to work too.

If you really want an original piece for its originality, then get something from someone like Springer or Jacek. Otherwise, I think it’s good to write a list of what’s important and what you can give up a little on. My list’s maxims were: acrylic crystal, working lume, gmt complication, 5 digit aesthetics. My wants were quickset date and gold plots (basically, a 16750). My nice to haves were adjustable hour hand, and flip-lock clasp. So the maxims and availability forced the watch selection. I took it to my watchmaker to look it over and switch the gaskets, and here we have it!

But I do agree, the vintage gig can be super tricky. If I’d had the cash or time, I’d have let Springer pick a piece for me. I narrowly avoided a 1675 with worn out reference numbers — but, as I’m not really a collector, that would likely have only caused issues if I needed parts and it were stolen. Nevertheless, the dodgy ones are out there.




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Thanks for the time taken to reply ... appreciated

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[mikkoi]

Looks good. Congrats! I hope you liked your time here in Finland


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[shedlock2000]

Well, I spent a bit of time sorting things out in Helsinki today. Mindful of my rubbish phone photo, I took a few more today!





I’ve dropped this on a Phoenix nato until I get another couple of links. It’s pretty comfortable, but not as comfy as my Zulus — is that a common remark for NATO’s? I haven’t worn them before (I always go with a Zulu).


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[Senorx]

Beautiful timepiece! A 5 digit GMT Pepsi is in my future as well. I’m a new member and learning as much as possible. Excuse my newbie question, but what does a “service watch” refer to?

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by Senorx

Excuse my newbie question, but what does a “service watch” refer to?

Great to have you aboard! Welcome to the forum!

I’m not sure it’s a well used term, but it refers to vintage watches that have lost some of their original parts through servicing at RSC or other. When a watch is taken in for service, parts which no-longer work as they should (tritium dials and hands stop glowing after about 12 years — they’re no longer used and have been replaced by other luminous materials) are removed and replaced. For collectors, having replaced parts makes them less valuable as they are no-longer original.

On vintage GMTs, the service parts often include bezel rings, dials, handsets, bezel rings, crowns, etc. The watch I have just acquired has a lot of new parts which makes it less valuable to collectors, but also makes it look pretty new. Good if you like new, not so good if you like patina. I don’t much care either way for the look, but I do value the functionality of lume.


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[Brian Page]

Awesome!! Love it!!

[116710er]

Ugh...I LOVE the 1675...one of my favorite reference of all time. I really kick myself for not "seeing the light" 15-20 years ago.

[DoctorA]

Wow! That’s beautiful! Congratulations man! Enjoy in great health

[HACKNSACK44]

Congrats!!