help with possible purchase...16710

[jason42807]

I have been looking at GMTs for a while and found this one for sale close to home. I want some opinions on it as there is a little to debate with the year of the watch. The watch has an "R" serial number and is a 16710 which by some accounts is a 1987 watch. Other accounts it is a 1989 watch. The year is not really a concern, but the pricing is. What are your thoughts on the watch?

[997.2]

To me I'm almost certain the hands have been replaced. I would never buy a Rolex with luminova hands and a tritium dial. I need all or nothing. Something about the Lume plots looks like someone fiddled with it but honestly they're probably okay. Big pass for me because of the replacement handset. 16710 is great though, I love it



You wanna talk price? If it was 3 grand ok sure, I'd find a set of used hands and pocket the money but anything over 4 and I'd just pass and find a good kosher example. $0.02
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[jason42807]

I have to agree that i believe the hands have been replaced and that is the only negative i have with the watch. I have been looking mostly at/for 1675s and 16750s and am not as familiar with the 16710, if that makes sense. I love the matte dials but this watch has some appeal minus the hands.

[versatile1]

Originally Posted by 997.2

to me i'm almost certain the hands have been replaced. I would never buy a rolex with luminova hands and a tritium dial. I need all or nothing. Something about the lume plots looks like someone fiddled with it but honestly they're probably okay. Big pass for me because of the replacement handset. 16710 is great though, i love it



you wanna talk price? If it was 3 grand ok sure, i'd find a set of used hands and pocket the money but anything over 4 and i'd just pass and find a good kosher example. $0.02
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x2

[Old Expat Beast]

R serial could mean the watch was first sold in 87, 88, 89 or perhaps even later. No letter corresponds to one particular year.

[Mezz72]

it's very common to c watches during those years to have hands that are a shade lighter then the markers isn't it? they don't age at the same rate.

[Alpino]

.

16710 model have been disclosed in 1988.

At least you are sure yours isn't from 1987.

[schsieh]

One reference for you, a GMT R serial was sold in 2013 at $4875. The watch was just serviced before it's sold, came with complete set, and a replacement bezel.

You can find even more sells on watchrecon, most of GMT/Coke are selling at $5500 ~ $6500 depending on the years, conditions and whether a complete set or not. I'd take it if it's $4K w/ box and paper, then send to RSC for a complete overhaul, which will cost you around $800, or send to a reputable watchmaker if you want to save money.

[jshepard]

I'd say no because of the mismatched color of the hands to the dial markers...


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[hfrog355]

I just bought my first Rolex and it is a P-series 16710. Not the same thing, but I've been looking at A LOT of GMT Master IIs lately. I'm a really "Type A"/OCD type guy in a lot of ways.

Anyway, I agree with the earlier posters about the hands being replaced. You need to decide if this is something important for you. If you're just buying the watch for your personal use, I don't see any reason to pass on it. $4k seems acceptable (not sure where that number came from in this thread - I didn't see OP mention a price) for that use (assuming everything else checks out to your satisfaction). If you're buying the watch for collector value or trading, I don't think it'd be the best choice as originality is a big deal in those realms.

[Porter]

Hands replaced and probably bad aligned. Not sure but I think seconds hand touches minutes hand. Or the tweezers marked the minutes hand.
I wouldn't buy it.

[jason42807]

Thank you all for the input. I have decided to pass on this watch mainly due to the hands. The miss matched hands really bothers me overall.

The watch did have a recent service from the guy who services all of my current watches and does an excellent job. The cost on this watch is $5K so all of the input helped me determine that was premium price for a watch with matching hands/dial.

Thanks again!!