Help with 16750

[3inst3in]

Hi guys, wanted to see if you can help in authenticating a 16750 i'm about to pick up and help confirm the things I've noticed so far below...<br />
<br />
1.) 8.1 mil serial - 1983 watch. It matches the clasp code "H" which also means 1983. The 16750 matte dial comes with a correct 78360 bracelet and 580 end links. The clasp has the "flat 3" for the 3 in 78360.<br />
2.) Appears that hands have been replaced since the luminova can be seen after some sunlight. The markers on the dial are not lighting one bit.<br />
3.) Checked that between both lugs have - ORIG ROLEX DESIGN 16750 and STAINLESS STEEL with serial number.<br />
4.) Appears to be MARK I dial - The "AHC" align and the coronet is tall and slim.<br />
5.) Appears to be correct hand stackup for 16750. Hour - GMT - minute - second<br />
6.)It has a white date wheel with the "round 3", and open 6 and 9's for all dates (6, 9, 16, 19, 26, 29)...the "30" looks different for some reason...the 3 in 30 seems to be more bold in font.<br />
7.) It appears to have correct beat rate, hacking, quickset, the date changes counter clockwise/ upwards...is this right?<br />
8.) When winding the watch, it seems really coarse..not smooth at all...is this normal? I've noticed a few other 16750 owners with the same issue...<br />
9.) bezel appears to be authentic...not sure..<br />
<br />
any help would be great...thanks guys.<br/>

[Chrmer3]

Rolex most likely serviced it & put luminova hands on it. If you take the caseback off you may see RSC service marks-
They do not like servicing & leaving the tritium hands on because it can flake off & create a potential warranty issue..

Winding coarse is the automatic needing service- the reversers could also be worn.. Sometimes if the automatic becomes magnetized it can also contribute to more than normal friction feel..

That's my 2 cents..

Nice watch. Congrats.

[R.W.T.]

Originally Posted by Chrmer3

Winding coarse is the automatic needing service- the reversers could also be worn.. Sometimes if the automatic becomes magnetized it can also contribute to more than normal friction feel..

Not necessarily. On that calibre there is an auxiliary wind up wheel on the barrel bridge. The post on the bridge wears badly when the watch goes too long without service. The slop gives the wind a gritty feel. This is much more likely to be the case than the reversers or any other part of the autowind. There is also a sliding wig wag type of affair on the bridge that needs proper lubrication that works with the quickset function.

If Rolex serviced it recently they would have replaced the bridge if it was worn.
Very common problem on 30xx movements.

Photo borrowed from the web.

You can see the wig wag auxiliary bridge between the crown wheel and the ratchet wheel. In the middle is the wig wag pinion. Under the screw closest to the crown wheel is the auxiliary windup wheel. Between that screw and the bottom screw of the bridge is the wig wag. The wig wag engages the ratchet wheel when you manually wind it but allows it not to be engaged when you are quicksetting the date.

[3inst3in]

Thank you!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

[3inst3in]

Here are a few more pictures

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[Beaumont Miller II]

Chris Meronek good to see you posting on trf.

[3inst3in]

Out of curiosity, is there a way to check if the pepsi insert and hands are authentic? I know there are posts about the correct color of the back of the insert (should be blue?) and the font. For the hands, there has been talks of the length of the hands....is there any other checks to do?