Question about GMT 16710 with 3186

[Kanger]

Does it have to have stick font to be a 3186. Mine is just the normal roman font and has a serial of Z969, can anyone chip in as to if this is 3186. I will do the wiggle and crown test accordingly, but based on said info, is it possible to be 3186?

[mkw]

Uhh.. wouldn't you have done the "jump hour" wiggle test to answer your own question first ?

[Kanger]

Uhh.. maybe I don't have the watch in my hand at the moment. If you have nothing constructive to say, be quiet.

[Casey VP-26]

Yes. The crown method of testing should tell you if you definitely have a 3186 Movement . I have a Z86 Serial number and it has the 3186. Good Luck and enjoy your watch.

[Tools]

There is no visible tell on a 16710 whether it contains a 3186 or a 3185...

All the various font and dial clues in the Internet are myth (false)..

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no visible tell on a 16710 whether it contains a 3186 or a 3185...

All the various font and dial clues in the Internet are myth (false)..

Have to agree Larry but whats all the fuss over a slighly modded 3185 into a 3186.Wonder back in 1988 when the changed from the 3035 to the 3135 did they get the same movement hysteria then I would doubt it.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree Larry but whats all the fuss over a slighly modded 3185 into a 3186.Wonder back in 1988 when the changed from the 3035 to the 3135 did they get the same movement hysteria then I would doubt it.

The fuss over a slightly modded 3185 could be as much as $2000.00.IMO.

The change from the 3035 to the 3135 in 1988 did not get the same movement hysteria but that was not the same sutuation. The GMT II model was discontinued. Had they put the new 3135 movement into the last of the old sub cases in 1988 and then brought out the new ceramic Sub months later I am sure the same thing would have happened.

How much would one of those 1988 - 3135 Subs be worth today a few months production?

[TRW]

To Post 31 and 32

[padi56]

Originally Posted by directioneng

The fuss over a slightly modded 3185 could be as much as $2000.00.IMO.

The change from the 3035 to the 3135 in 1988 did not get the same movement hysteria but that was not the same sutuation. The GMT II model was discontinued. Had they put the new 3135 movement into the last of the old sub cases in 1988 and then brought out the new ceramic Sub months later I am sure the same thing would have happened.

How much would one of those 1988 - 3135 Subs be worth today a few months production?

Well one of the shortest runs in history was the 16700 GMT Master with the Cal 3175 approximately 6- 9 months,now they was discontinued for the GMT11, but they are not classed as collectible.The Internet today is a wonderful place to make Rolex hysteria, and drive prices up for those willing to pay.

[karmatp]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree Larry but whats all the fuss over a slighly modded 3185 into a 3186.Wonder back in 1988 when the changed from the 3035 to the 3135 did they get the same movement hysteria then I would doubt it.

Exactly, what is the fuss?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by Tools

There is no visible tell on a 16710 whether it contains a 3186 or a 3185...

All the various font and dial clues in the Internet are myth (false)..

I don't agree with you Larry.

[HL65]

Daniel I have heard mixed results on the "wiggle test" and I think the one way to tell 100% is to remove case back and see the movement itself. Just my take.
I also agree with Larry in that there are 3 varieties of dials and that can't confirm the movement. The stick font-which I have a few of-is just one of the 3.

[Kanger]

This is a picture I took of the dial, I know it's not stick font, but is it rectangular or just the old Roman?

[Kanger]

and the warranty card says 16710BLRO, I read on minus4plus6.com that it should say either 16710A, 16710B, or 16710N. I am no expert in GMTs, and would appreciate any input.

[Tools]

16710BLRO is proper for a Blue/red GMT

[Randy9999]

One foolproof way to determine whether you have a 3185 or a 3186 without removing the case back is to set the winding stem to position 1 and rotate the crown to set the hour hand. With the 3185, one full 360 degree revolution of the crown makes the hour hand advance no more than 6 hours. With the 3186, one full 360 degree revolution makes the hour hand advance by 8 hours. There's a variance in the train wheels between the two movements.

[jekuo]

Since yours is a high numbered Z serial, it is most likely a 3186. Your font is the rectangular/box shaped roman numeral font which has the mumbers that touch together to form a rectangle. It is one of the known dial variants that come w/the 3186. I had a Z series w/3186 that had the same dial font and I even had the case opened to verify, as well as doing the wiggle test.

[Kanger]

Off to the jeweler to get it opened in two hours or so.

[Kanger]

I really appreciate all the input.

[p_mcgee]

I had a GMT2c, timed it to within 1 second a day. Later I sold it & replaced it with a 7 year old K series GMT (+$1,700). Timed the new one to within 2 seconds a day. In my experience the 3186 enhancements didn't add much & certainly were not worth the extra money.

I understand why a collector might want one for the novelty, but I doubt the 16710s with the 3186 movements will hold their value.

[Grissom]

Originally Posted by p_mcgee

I had a GMT2c, timed it to within 1 second a day. I understand why a collector might want one for the novelty, but I doubt the 16710s with the 3186 movements will hold their value.

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree Larry but whats all the fuss over a slighly modded 3185 into a 3186.Wonder back in 1988 when the changed from the 3035 to the 3135 did they get the same movement hysteria then I would doubt it.

Peter, Larry, and anyone else with an opinion.....Do you know if today there appears to be any premium being paid for those with the initial 3135 movements? And if no, why might it be different in this situation? It certainly is intriguing the premium being asked/paid today for those 3186's.....and like mcgee I wonder if time will ultimately dilute the interest/premium......

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by p_mcgee

I had a GMT2c, timed it to within 1 second a day. Later I sold it & replaced it with a 7 year old K series GMT (+$1,700). Timed the new one to within 2 seconds a day. In my experience the 3186 enhancements didn't add much & certainly were not worth the extra money.

I understand why a collector might want one for the novelty, but I doubt the 16710s with the 3186 movements will hold their value.

Agreed.
And you also now have the real future collectable GMT as your K series has both SEL's and lug holes.
dP

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Agreed.
And you also now have the real future collectable GMT as your K series has both SEL's and lug holes.
dP

Now you have done it Dan, god help now it will be lug hole, against non lug hole Rolex collectivity.Wonder if my Rolex is more collectible as it has the hologram on case back preserved for posterity with a special Rolex embalming fluid.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by padi56

Now you have done it Dan, god help now it will be lug hole, against non lug hole Rolex collectivity.Wonder if my Rolex is more collectible as it has the hologram on case back preserved for posterity with a special Rolex embalming fluid.

Well I don't know if the "super rare" SEL/ lug hole combo will be the future double red Comex big crown Sub seen worn by a famous celeb on an Italian magazine cover. Nor do I care.
But I do know it's the perfect balance of old and new which allows easy strap changes. I buy 'em to use 'em now.
dP

[Kanger]

Anytime there is 20000 of something made by Rolex, it's worth a premium.

[nauticajoe]

I've got the box variant with my M serial:

[RRGHOST1]

As somebody already said, its not worth the extra for the 3186 as the 3185 movement is very good and reliable and as for being better well it probably is better but i wouldn't pay a premium for it.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Dan you can not be 100% sure unless you open it...

[jekuo]

I think it is the combination of the 3186 movement, the various font variations, and the limited production run all contribute to the premium that the 3186 seems to garner. There are plenty of the older 3185s around, but the 3186 with the stick or box fonts are just harder to find. Supply and demand will determine price in the long run, so as long as there is interest in those pieces, people will continue to buy them. I enjoy my 3186 GMTs for what they are...great looking and well built time pieces. The appreciation in prices have just been a nice bonus.

[Casey VP-26]

I just don't understand the hype by some trying to knock the premium being paid for the 3186 movement in the Late 16710 GMT. It is what it is and if it is selling for a premium, So be it. Also the gear change in the 3186 movement causes the 24 Hr. hand to jump 8 times with one revolution of the crown, the 3185 only jumps 5 or 6 times, this should be a positive that you have a 3186 movement . Gears are a positive unless they are stripped or damaged. Every 116710 GMTc using the 3186 movement that I have checked using the crown method , the 24 Hr. hand has jumped 8 times. IMHO the late 16710's with the 3186 movement will continue to bring a premium despite the negative opinion of some. IMHO IMHO IMHO.