Incoming 16710 Pepsi Stick Dial - Unlikeliest Grail

[inadeje]

I remember as a kid, maybe 11-12 years old, seeing a blue and red rolex on my uncles friends wrist. Even back then, I was mesmerized by the watch. I’ve had 100s of opportunities to grab one of these over the years but, as my collection indicates, it just didn’t happen. Now I’ve gone full circle, embracing the watch that started my childhood love-affair with the brand, and after spending many hours reading about the final 16710 stick dial (also known as error dial) found on the final Z and M series GMT II, I pulled the trigger on this grail. A quick look on chrono24 will confirm that these last variants of the 16710 are fetching big money on the old continent and, luckily, I found a vendor with this immaculate piece who had no idea what it was so, I snapped it up for 9k USD (Europe is min 12k and as much as 23k) . Also bought a jubilee from the same production year and just waiting on the 502T end-links to arrive from my trusted parts source in Germany.

[SLS]

Looks great, congratulations!

[Chilly Coconut]

Nice watch. Does it have the 3186 or 3185 movement? The stick dials were also found in earlier years, as well as on service dials. I’ve seen several D serial stick dials, in particular. It’s really just a small difference in font....there’s nothing any more significant about those dials or the watches they came on. The real driver of market value (whether rational or not, is debatable) is having one with the 3186 movement, rather than 3185. And yes, those were found in late-Z and M serial examples.

[tie219]

If he got a 3186 for 9k, that would be a steal on his end.

[Chilly Coconut]

Originally Posted by tie219

If he got a 3186 for 9k, that would be a steal on his end.

That is correct. I’ve inquired as to which movement it has. A private owner who has no idea he has a 3186 and what that even means, I could see.....a vendor having no idea, seems highly unlikely. We shall see.

[1665fan]

Sounds like naked 3185 at that price...nice watch though

[RichM]

Congratulations

[watchwatcher]

Congrats,

[paulbrl]

What a beauty! There is something about these 5-digit GMTs that is just so right. Enjoy in good health!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by paulbrl

What a beauty! There is something about these 5-digit GMTs that is just so right. Enjoy in good health!

Oddly enough, I toyed with the new BLRO and could have bought one without any hassle (grey) for 16k but, I may be the only TRF member who who prefers the older variant and, the flexibilty of inserts, bracelets and, stealth coolness.

What I am saying is that I consciously chose the 16710 over the new piece, money isn't an issue to me, I just prefer the older no-hole ref for the above reasons.

[jason10mm]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Oddly enough, I toyed with the new BLRO and could have bought one without any hassle (grey) for 16k but, I may be the only TRF member who who prefers the older variant and, the flexibilty of inserts, bracelets and, stealth coolness.



What I am saying is that I consciously chose the 16710 over the new piece, money isn't an issue to me, I just prefer the older no-hole ref for the above reasons.

You are not the only one, though I admit I've seen more 16710s in the wild (2) than 216710s (zero) so it is bit hard to really compare the two :)

[sensui]

Great watch.

[juktagt]

Nice OP. Enjoy it!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I remember as a kid, maybe 11-12 years old, seeing a blue and red rolex on my uncles friends wrist. Even back then, I was mesmerized by the watch. I’ve had 100s of opportunities to grab one of these over the years but, as my collection indicates, it just didn’t happen. Now I’ve gone full circle, embracing the watch that started my childhood love-affair with the brand, and after spending many hours reading about the final 16710 stick dial (also known as error dial) found on the final Z and M series GMT II, I pulled the trigger on this grail. A quick look on chrono24 will confirm that these last variants of the 16710 are fetching big money on the old continent and, luckily, I found a vendor with this immaculate piece who had no idea what it was so, I snapped it up for 9k USD (Europe is min 12k and as much as 23k) . Also bought a jubilee from the same production year and just waiting on the 502T end-links to arrive from my trusted parts source in Germany.

The infamous so called error dial or stick dial only exists in internet fantasyland hyped to extract more money from buyers.At one time it was proclaimed on the net that having a stick dial or so called error dial must have a 3186 in side.But this was not always the case as many had a 3185 inside the case.In the real world all the stick dial or whatever you want to call it ,is nothing more than a font change much like the hundreds of others on Rolex watches over the past 50 odd years.Yes some pay crazy money for a 16710 with a 3186 inside,but myself would not as the early 3186 had quite a few problems,but now rectified by Rolex.But no matter the dial fonts or movement the 16710 is a great watch with easily changed inserts for little money.

[Chilly Coconut]

.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by padi56

The infamous so called error dial or stick dial only exists in internet fantasyland hyped to extract more money from buyers.At one time it was proclaimed on the net that having a stick dial or so called error dial must have a 3186 in side.But this was not always the case as many had a 3185 inside the case.In the real world all the stick dial or whatever you want to call it ,is nothing more than a font change much like the hundreds of others on Rolex watches over the past 50 odd years.Yes some pay crazy money for a 16710 with a 3186 inside,but myself would not as the early 3186 had quite a few problems,but now rectified by Rolex.But no matter the dial fonts or movement the 16710 is a great watch with easily changed inserts for little money.

Padi56 - we all know its hype and the tiny details. However, I have a pretty solid collection and tried to relay why I went full circle. At 9k its pretty cheap in comparison to some of my other references and, afterall, it’s that inner pleasure of looking at it and saying to oneself “its a stick dial”. Nobody else cares or could give a damn but, our horological passion is quirky at best right? :)

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Padi56 - we all know its hype and the tiny details. However, I have a pretty solid collection and tried to relay why I went full circle. At 9k its pretty cheap in comparison to some of my other references and, afterall, it’s that inner pleasure of looking at it and saying to oneself “its a stick dial”. Nobody else cares or could give a damn but, our horological passion is quirky at best right? :)

Agree, with these little nuances this hobby would be pretty boring. Congratulations

[CoveWatch]

Congratulations! Thats a nice find! I had a 2008 Stick 16710 with the 3186 and sold it early last year and wish I held onto it!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by CoveWatch

Congratulations! Thats a nice find! I had a 2008 Stick 16710 with the 3186 and sold it early last year and wish I held onto it!

As a matter of interest covewatch, may I ask how much?

[Chilly Coconut]

Originally Posted by inadeje

As a matter of interest covewatch, may I ask how much?

Inadeje- which movement does your watch have?

[CoveWatch]

Originally Posted by inadeje

As a matter of interest covewatch, may I ask how much?

I got $14k for it. Full set

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by CoveWatch

I got $14k for it. Full set

This one is also full-set. Pretty pleased as I did shop around and was surprised to snag this one. For a reason that isn’t clear to me, they fetch very high amounts in europe, particularly germany and italy. One only has to scout on chrono24 to witness this.

[rmlovett1]

Very nice watch! Congrats!

[spect]

Congratulations.

[hectorlopez]

Is there an easy way to tell whether it has the 3185 or 3186 movement without removing the caseback?

[Armyguy03]

Originally Posted by hectorlopez

Is there an easy way to tell whether it has the 3185 or 3186 movement without removing the caseback?

One could use the commonly used flawed premise, “Lack of evidence as evidence.” If one never looks at the movement without the caseback, they must have the more desired movement.

OP - Great watch! I love mine. Just wish I wore it more often. My SD usually wins when considering which watch to wear. I blame the NATO.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by hectorlopez

Is there an easy way to tell whether it has the 3185 or 3186 movement without removing the caseback?

The amount of hours jumped with one full rotation of the crown is different between the two movements. Just look up the amount for each and test out your watch.

Originally Posted by inadeje

I may be the only TRF member who who prefers the older variant and, the flexibilty of inserts, bracelets and, stealth coolness.

What I am saying is that I consciously chose the 16710 over the new piece, money isn't an issue to me, I just prefer the older no-hole ref for the above reasons.

You're not alone, there's plenty of us lurking around here beautiful watch!

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by sillo38

The amount of hours jumped with one full rotation of the crown is different between the two movements. Just look up the amount for each and test out your watch.



You're not alone, there's plenty of us lurking around here beautiful watch!

That’s good to know.

[exador]

Originally Posted by hectorlopez

Is there an easy way to tell whether it has the 3185 or 3186 movement without removing the caseback?

Wiggle Test.

If the GMT hand doesn't wiggle when setting the hour hand then you know it's a 3186.

[mixxmaster]

Congrats on acquiring this awesome piece