16750 GMT Try before I buy. Keep or return.

[Rolex_Bob]

Hi Guys.......

A few months ago I told my watchmaker that my son was interested in a 16610 Sub and I was interested in a plexi GMT.....

My son found an mint 2007 Sub, all complete so that was that.

Anyway.... he rings me a couple of weeks ago to tell me he has just bought a 1985 GMT (16750) and he will be doing a full service, new hands, new dial, and new Pepsi insert. I asked him how much once complete and ready to go?

Answer...... or so I thought US$4,850.00..... ($5,500.00) Aussie dollars.

Soooooooooo... the worm has been turning in my belly but I really can't justify the spend at the moment and it will put a major dent in my cash reserves. That said, knowing what a service costs, plus all the NOS parts I figure it would be a keeper and a really nice addition to my mint 1994 TT Blue Sub.

I spoke to him last night and agreed to come over this morning for a good look. The watch itself is perfect except for the fact that it has a service dial.
SWISS only under the 6 o'clock marker.

The bracelet was my initial concern lightly polished but it looked like Stevie Wonder did the work.

My watchmaker is great on watches but doesn't believe in too much polishing. Unfortunately a light polish just looked poor with an inconsistent flow through the bracelet. The 12 o'clock 580 end piece was slightly out of shape which detracted from the overall appearance of the watch.

I was sort of relieved and politely told him that for his asking price I'd rather spend a little more and get a more modern watch in better nick.

He looked at me funny and said it's not $5,500 it's $4,500 Aussie dollars which equates to exactly $4,000 US dollars!

Anyway I was a bit stunned at this and must have looked like a deer caught in headlights not knowing what to do. I couldn't help but think at that kind of money it's hard to think I'd find another one.

After procrastinating like some some old fool, he said....

"Bob....... You been a good customer for 20 years, take the watch, wear it for a few days and if you like it, buy it if not bring it back and I sell it to one of my retail shop customers".

How can I go wrong?

I bring the watch home and just could live with the bracelet presentation. Out comes the 2000 grit wet and dry sandpaper and the Scotchbrite heavy duty green scourer.

90 minutes later its perfect..... Lovely brushed finish consistent throughout the bracelet and I re-aligned the end piece so it fits perfect. All in all now a really nice clean watch that is pleasant to look at.

Please note that it does have a bit of stretch but I guess after 28 years it's to be expected. The below pics may give the impression that there is dust under the dial, that's not the case it's on the plexi which I didn't notice until I downloaded the pics.

My question is do I keep it or return it?

I think I know the answer........

A 1985 GMT Master with complete movement service, new seals and pressure tested. New service dial, new hands and new Pepsi insert. All 13 links on the watch so I believe it's fully linked at $4,000 US dollars. Is that a bargain or more just run of the mill?

I'm 70/30 on keeping it what would you guys do?

Thanks,

Bob.

[padi56]

First let me get this straight you took in on yourself to sand a bracelet on a watch that was on loan to you then IMHO you should keep it. As now you have brushed it like it the watch was already your own bought watch.

[cop414]

Looks like you did a fine job on the bracelet, the watch looks great, I'd keep it. Also as Peter said, you have brass balls (no offense intended) to take 2000 grit to a watch that was loaned to you. I imagine that by doing that you knew in the back of your mind you were going to keep it. Looks great, price is good... no question in my mind, it a keeper.

[Rolex_Bob]

Originally Posted by padi56

First let me get this straight you took in on yourself to sand a bracelet on a watch that was on lone to you then IMHO you should keep it. As now you have brushed it like it the watch was already your own bought watch.

Trust me it now looks the way Rolex made them....... If you would have seen it before you would know what I mean.
He would thank me for what I've done and I've done plenty of this type of refurbing work over the last 20 years. There is a good chance he thought I would do it anyway. Let me make it quite clear, if there was in issue over this I would buy it regardless but that's not my question. My question is .... is the watch as I have described good value at $4K?

[AJMarcus]

Originally Posted by padi56

First let me get this straight you took in on yourself to sand a bracelet on a watch that was on loan to you then IMHO you should keep it. As now you have brushed it like it the watch was already your own bought watch.

Ditto.. I think you bought it and should keep it. Great pick up on a classic

[Casey VP-26]

In my opinion, When you decided to sand the bracelet, you decided to buy the watch.

Again, OMHO.

[joe100]

Originally Posted by Casey VP-26

In my opinion, When you decided to sand the bracelet, you decided to buy the watch.

Again, OMHO.

This

[lsettle]

Beautiful Watch!!!

[impalass]

Keeper ! Compared to Canadian prices that's a very good buy.

[samsmart]

Its a great watch. Do look at it as you are buying another watch. With this one, you are just putting money in the bank. It looks great!

[samsmart]

Originally Posted by samsmart

Its a great watch. Do look at it as you are buying another watch. With this one, you are just putting money in the bank. It looks great!

*Don't

[kryten2001]

Hey bob. If you don't buy it pls put me in touch with your watch guy. Where is Aus are you?

[Rolex_Bob]

Originally Posted by kryten2001

Hey bob. If you don't buy it pls put me in touch with your watch guy. Where is Aus are you?

Sydney...... (North West).

[kryten2001]

Originally Posted by Rolex_Bob

Sydney...... (North West).

It's a great buy. I've been looking for one for a while. Either that or a 70s model. Most are either beat up or expensive.

Consider it money in the bank.

[HL65]

Yes it is so keep it.

[Billywiz]

KEEP IT NO QUESTION...Price about right...you know you LOVE IT (me too)
Congrats on your new classic...

[mrhy]

keep it or sell it to me

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by mrhy

keep it or sell it to me

+1

[landroverking]

Keep

[CyberPaol]

Keep it!

[datejusting]

You said it would put a major dent in your cash reserves and you already have a tt sub, so it's not like you need it. Take the watch back, if the dealer has no problem with you brushing the bracelet. If he thinks you should keep it because you worked on it, them you should keep it.

[Ajaxeed]

Keep it for sure!

[Shade]

If you are worried about denting your reserves, return it. A watch is not a neccessity...

[azguy]

I think for that price I'd keep it

[Tudor66]

The price is right, and you have already made it your own- I would wear it everyday. While you are it it, pick up a spare Coke and all black bezel inserts, and a jubilee band, which gives you lots of options....

[Tools]

Great price considering it has 1,500 worth of labor and parts..

I would have trouble passing up this one; it would be a great every day wear without worries..

[Xman74]

Originally Posted by Tools

Great price considering it has 1,500 worth of labor and parts.

Is a full service on one of these really $1,500??

Sent from my GT-P7310 using Tapatalk 4

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Xman74

Is a full service on one of these really $1,500??

Sent from my GT-P7310 using Tapatalk 4

Full service, plus new dial, hands, insert and likely crown and tube, then add in his own bracelet finish labor..

Yes, easily could be 1,500 in parts and labor..

Sent by fingertip while sipping coffee

[Jim M]

Great watch at an excellent price. Make the grab without hesitation!

[gmtm2]