1971 gmt

[kryten2001]

Hi Guys - looking at a birth date GMT for my second Rolex..

Here:

http://www.canards.co.uk/watches-rol...si-bezel-p-420

The bezel looks like it's due for replacement, and GMT's from this era also had a plastic (didn't they?) crystal so it's also probably due for a replacement to freshen it up..

2 questions..

1 - are the bezels and crystals easily sourced? I would only be interested in an original rolex part...

2 - price wise, is this reasonable? It appears to be a bit on the highside for a GMT/Sub of this date, but I'm not aware whether this particular model/year would be considered particularly collectable etc..

Thanks fellas.

[joe100]

Price is a bit high, hands don't match the dial plots. As for parts, your local Rolex watchmaker can source what you need. Crystals and bezels are easily sourced

[Vincent65]

It looks good to me - case is excellent, and could well be original dial and hands, they often discolour at different rates, so a slight difference does not mean they have been changed. I have no problem with slightly different patina on a 40 yr-old watch. Price is OK too, IMO (for the UK). Ask for many more high-res pics of all of it, case-back, serail no., movement etc.

edit - do not change the bezel!!!

[Puffy]

this one looks acceptable if you're after a good daily wearer

the main thing you need to be aware of is the bracelet, it's absolutely shot

those end links also look like they've had some good wear over the decades

so, you'd probably need a new bracelet (about £700) and if the end links are indeed shot then you might have to go down the serivce part route which means the end links will be slightly taller than the original ones, meaning they won't sit below the case/flush, which is unsightly.

but, overall it's not bad but too expensive for my liking

[1675-David]

Nice example! I noticed the date wheel looked very white, period should be more silver but it's sometimes hard to see especially on web images, like Vince say get some more hi- res images and post them up here....looks good so far

[drainaps]

Looks the part. I have the impression that the hands are too dark and will be a bit of an eye sore. Dial looks good. Date wheel should be closed 6 silver, but cannot tell from pics. Pics are not great, so I stand to be corrected.

Case is thick and luscious, as Vincent points out. Look at those crown guards! Bracelet is a rattler. Will need overhaul or substitution.

Bezel insert..... I don't know anymore. I vote replacement.

Hands from this period have very cracky lume and almost always look poor, so I'm not sure you'll easily find a better example. I'd base my decision mostly on the dial, barring seriously damaged or rusty hands, but you need high-rez pics.

[harry in montreal]

that is a TON of money for a 1971. you should be able to get a nice once for US$5k to 5500.

[TimeToGo]

I think the case is great and as others have mentioned the bracelet is shot.

I, particularly, do not like the dial. Also, the minute hand has some tritium missing near the tip.

[harry in montreal]

How do you guys see that it's got such a bad band. Looked ok to me.