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ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
20 January 2012, 12:45 PM
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#1 |
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2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,308
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Unmolested GMT model 1675
While there seems to be much discussion here and on other forums lately regarding unpolished vs polished vintage watches, and while opinions vary on whether the old, worn-out watches that have been left unmolested thru the years deserve a decent restoration, I present a 1971 GMT that I recently acquired. This is a one-owner watch that was purchased while the owner was in the military during the early 1970's. What peeked my interest with this GMT was that the watch was described as all original, never serviced and keeping "decent" time. I had some photos emailed to me, and it appeared as described, albeit worn but not abused, so a deal was struck with seller and the watch arrived here in Dallas a couple of weeks ago.
My initial observations of the GMT, after removing the bezel, was that it was very soiled and appeared that it had never been serviced or polished. While it did have some scratches here and there, the chamfers on the lugs were all there, and it wore the original band, crystal, bezel insert dial and hands. The dial had a slight patina and the hands did as well - almost matching the dial patina. While the hands look much whiter in some of the pics below, they are original and are not as white as they appear. Today I brought the watch to Chamosa Watch Repair and had it examined by Manny. Manny confirmed my suspicions and stated that the watch appeared to be an untouched, 100% original GMT! As we opened the back of the watch, he was amazed at how clean the movement was but said that the oils appeared to be drying up around the jewels. I explained to Manny that I have been wearing the watch for over a week now and it is running about 3 seconds off per day. After conferring with Manny further, I decided to leave the watch and have the movement serviced due to most of the oils being dried up. Below are some before and after pics of the watch after a little cleaning and polishing the crystal.
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Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics. |
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20 January 2012, 12:50 PM
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#2 |
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: USA
Watch: of course
Posts: 8,429
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That is spectacular.
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20 January 2012, 12:57 PM
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#3 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Georgetown, TX
Watch: 116610LN & 16030
Posts: 162
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I want one!
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20 January 2012, 01:00 PM
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#4 |
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2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: USA & France
Posts: 11,078
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Dream come true! Great score.
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20 January 2012, 01:09 PM
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#5 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: US
Watch: Sub
Posts: 3,175
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That is, truly, my grail story! Congratulations! I'm envious!
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侘 寂 -- wabi-sabi -- acceptance of transience and imperfection by finding beauty in that which is imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete Commissioner of WEIRD POLICE , Badge # ecsub44 |
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20 January 2012, 01:18 PM
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#6 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: Pete
Location: Arizona
Watch: ing Duke bball
Posts: 1,488
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Oh John what a magnificent find. I'm almost envious!
Pete |
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20 January 2012, 01:32 PM
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#7 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 2,615
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When I wrote the "Fork In The Road" thread, it was watches like this and the one that Jed referred to in his thread that I had in mind. You are lucky to have had this watch find you. Congrats.
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20 January 2012, 02:24 PM
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#8 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Watch: GMT-II Pepsi
Posts: 1,051
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looks great after some light cleaning.
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Lug hole loyalist! |
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20 January 2012, 02:35 PM
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#9 |
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2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Real Name: Sink-O!
Location: a praire in AZ
Watch: ROLEX-less atm...
Posts: 14,020
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Thats a marvelous example, enjoy to the full that one !
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 *Positive Waves Baby* Lug Hole Loyalist / Chamfer Line Inspector INFORTHE WIN SUB-MAH-REEEN-ER ~ !
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20 January 2012, 05:04 PM
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#10 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: STAN
Location: KY-USA
Watch: Rolex Prez
Posts: 12,583
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...looking good Johnny...
...good job...!
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20 January 2012, 06:55 PM
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#11 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: mel(oz)/Yorks(uk)
Posts: 1,928
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belter !!!!
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20 January 2012, 07:57 PM
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#12 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Real Name: Thomas
Location: london
Watch: 5512, 6263, 6265
Posts: 104
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Lucky you to have found such a preserved example! Enjoy it!
Cheers, |
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20 January 2012, 08:03 PM
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#13 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Real Name: Terry
Location: Cheshire UK
Posts: 154
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How did you get the crystal so good? Just cool
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20 January 2012, 08:21 PM
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#14 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 4,689
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Congrats, a worthy barn find!
__________________
 Last thing I remember, I was Running outta sight I had to find the passage back,To the place I was before. ’Relax,’ said this Rolex place,We are programmed to receive. You can checkout any time you like, But you can never leave! |
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20 January 2012, 08:57 PM
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#15 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: Jeff
Location: Toronto
Posts: 1,947
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Now there's a watch! Nice one John.
I love the original condition, and that insert is to die for. It's so nice to see these original pieces, in unmolested shape. Keep her just the way she is. Congrats. |
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20 January 2012, 09:32 PM
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#16 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: So. California
Posts: 1,232
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Great watch and very motivating story. It's nice to see that they are out there if you know what to look for and you are actively looking! Thank you.
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1601, 1675/3, 16753, 16750, 16750, 16700, 16610, 18238
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20 January 2012, 10:14 PM
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#17 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,253
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Very nice, it's amazing how much better it looks after a little bit of cleaning.
From your pictures the movement looks outstanding considering it has never been serviced.
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When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons |
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20 January 2012, 10:41 PM
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#18 |
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2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Australia
Watch: Rolex.Tudor.PAM
Posts: 1,554
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John, that watch is
 . I hope that one day I come across something similar. I'm in no hurry. Interesting provenance and great before and after shots. Congratulation on your find. |
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20 January 2012, 10:51 PM
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#19 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Belgium
Posts: 2,239
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she enjoyed the TLC...great watch !!!
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20 January 2012, 11:00 PM
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#20 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Saudi Arabia
Posts: 227
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Wow, that is quite something.
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20 January 2012, 11:29 PM
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#21 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Here and there
Posts: 12,485
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very very cool! great find mate!
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Fine Quality is Long Remembered After the Pain of Spending Money is Forgotten |
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20 January 2012, 11:59 PM
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#22 |
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2024 Pledge Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Real Name: D'OH!
Location: Kentucky
Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3
Posts: 36,182
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dP
__________________
TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band  Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation  The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club |
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21 January 2012, 12:25 AM
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#23 |
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2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: North Florida
Posts: 16,713
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I was waiting for this post!
Excellent!! |
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21 January 2012, 12:31 AM
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#24 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: MJC
Location: PHL USA
Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP
Posts: 29,232
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Great find! Looks amazing, congrats!
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21 January 2012, 01:40 AM
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#25 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2008
Real Name: Barry
Location: Newtown Square
Watch: Red Sub, 5513, FF
Posts: 299
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Super !!!!!!
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"Primum non nocere." |
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21 January 2012, 01:55 AM
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#26 |
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Banned
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Malaysia
Posts: 2,934
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Err Buddy Springer...that's a spectacular specimen of 1675 GMT Mk.2...
Simply stunning example of an unabused...unspoiled... unmolested as you may pleased to use these words... n undoubtedly for Orchi.. it was worn n used in fair wear n tear conditions... from factory conditions...since! Here are just a few of close siblings examples...                          n there are...MORE of these that come with... Orchi's preference of buying...collecting...flipping...trading n selling... Unabused....Unmolested...Unspoiled n Undoubtedly... NEVER been re-polished or rebuffed...or reconditioned... or restored...which were worn or used in fair wear n tear conditions... since factory watches... Don't ever listen to The so called Expert(s) who would otherwise... lead others to believe blindly that there aren't any of such Original watch... worn n used since from factory piece...or NOS piece...or ONE owner piece... that had never been either re-polished...or rebuffed or reconditioned... or restored...or serviced. Just because THE ones have never bought or owned or dealt with... such nice watches before in their lifetime... certainly does NOT equate to...there aren't any such watches elsewhere... whilst in actual fact there are such nicer watches around... contrary to THE Expert(s) sole narrow minded n inexperienced opinion...   Orchi read recently in here n the other forum... with utter disbelief that such Expert(s) could have... cast doubts to the existence of any of these nicer original watches... used n worn since factory...   How did they ever get to think like they do... in the 1st place... is far beyond...for the life of Orchi... 
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21 January 2012, 02:21 AM
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#27 |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: England
Posts: 650
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Nice find.
I don't care much for polished or unpolished, it mainly caters for so-called collectors. As far as I'm concerned, Its your watch so you look after it how you see fit and what makes you happy. Yours looks stunning. I've added an image of a couple of my GMTs for a GMT group hug!!! HAGW. |
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21 January 2012, 02:49 AM
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#28 |
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2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: jP
Location: Texas
Watch: GMT-MASTER
Posts: 17,308
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Spunga, Orchi and some of the other comments here share my sentiments also. I have many Rolexes in the collection that have been polished and serviced. I then have four other Rolexes that are untouched originals. I do not have a preference for either, although it is nice to find an untouched original "barn find" every now-and then. Like Orchi commented, the untouched originals are out there, but not everywhere.
__________________
Member of NAWCC since 1990. INSTAGRAM USER NAME: SPRINGERJFP Visit my Instagram page to view some of the finest vintage GMTs anywhere - as well as other vintage classics. |
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21 January 2012, 03:22 AM
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#29 |
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"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Real Name: Allan
Location: USA
Posts: 959
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Great find and story John. Thanks for sharing!
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