Vintage 1960 Rolex GMT Master

[Shameless]

Wanted to share vintage 1960 Rolex GMT which has been in the family since new and passed on to me. Still have the original box, papers, certificate, guarantee and receipts. My pride and joy and never been polished or serviced. Wanted to get it serviced by Rolex. but been told this would not be a good idea as it's still original.

[offrdmania]

Contact Bas, aka searchart

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=652373

[CF999]

What a beautiful watch!
Congratulations!
Keep in UK and independent Certified Rolex service specialists like Rocco Manfredi at Watchworks Bristol.
Many many excellent references

[1675-David]

don't want to rain on your parade but I'm pretty sure that watch has been serviced...

[Shameless]

No since I posted its been interesting to find out more about the watch. Apparently I think your right it has been serviced. Probably sometime early to mid sixties I have now been told. My watch was passed on by my dad who brought it in 1960.

[Shameless]

That's OK, since I posted its been interesting to find out more about the watch. Apparently I think your right it has been serviced. Probably sometime early to mid sixties I have now been told. My watch was passed on by my dad who brought it in 1960.

[roh123]

Service in the early 70’s would be my guess judging from the replaced insert and hand set. Very nice watch you have.

Beautiful tropical OCC-dial. Thanks for sharing.

[drockadam]

What a beauty! Wear it in good health.

[ryansoulsit]

Still looks nice even they replaced insert and hand set!

[chinaski]

Fabulous!

[Dan S]

Gorgeous dial.

[Mikichi]

Originally Posted by Shameless

Wanted to share vintage 1960 Rolex GMT which has been in the family since new and passed on to me. Still have the original box, papers, certificate, guarantee and receipts. My pride and joy and never been polished or serviced. Wanted to get it serviced by Rolex. but been told this would not be a good idea as it's still original.

Beautiful dial. Does the lume still glow?

[Rebel]

Fantastic watch.

[timnik]

That is very nice!

[Wahlberg]

What a gorgeous watch. I love the colour of the blue in the bezel. Stunning.

Originally Posted by roh123

Service in the early 70’s would be my guess judging from the replaced insert and hand set. Very nice watch you have.

How is the hand set noticeable? The way it's stacked or look or ...?

[roh123]

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

What a gorgeous watch. I love the colour of the blue in the bezel. Stunning.



How is the hand set noticeable? The way it's stacked or look or ...?

Big gmt-hand, curved hour hand and short minute hand.

[BigBlue1]

Plots look green, so I would assume it still has some glow to it. Love that insert. Congratulations.

[Gee2789]

And so the torch passes onto another generation.

I echo others who have said don’t send it to Rolex service. They are good for modern but I’ve heard mixed experiences with vintage. With options like LA Watch Works, Rolliworks, and other members who are vintage Rolex service experts there’s really no reason to take that risk.

Cheers to continuing a part of your family’s history.

[alwayshere]

definitely serviced prior as others have stated given the GMT hand but boy.... what a gorgeous watch! Just love the gilt dial. Wear it well.

[1watch]

OP, congrats on having such a nice family heirloom passed your way. It’s a very cool vintage gmt. Roh123 has pointed out the most obvious tells on the hands and insert. Really the gmt hand is the main one to consider swapping for a correct smaller hand. The insert is fatter, like late 60’s-early 70’s and in excellent condition. Even if not correct for an early ‘60’s, they are beautiful and very desired in that type of condition. If you haven’t, suggest you check out dial with a UV light to see if plots light up and gradually fall off and if the dial registers on a Geiger... or get a watchmaker recommended from here that’s very familiar with vintage Rolex. If so, then you have a rare OCC tropical dial with correct lume on that piece. Either way, it’s part of a family history and that’s enough on its own.

[Onequik135i]

Very nice timepiece indeed. Thanks for sharing.

[Tom1675]

To bring correct you could likely swap that insert for a correct one, pretty comparable in value. Don't let your RSC anywhere near that piece. That OCC dial is amazing IMHO.

[Speedbird-1]

Nice looking watch.


What year did Rolex first, 'surround' the lume on GMT's?

[strafer_kid]

Very nice indeed!

[interestedwatcher]

OCC dials are rare as I understand it. That dial is amazing. Good for you and wear in good health. See if you can find a small GMT hand.

[gazar]

If this watch is serviced back in the 1970s, how do you guys tell from just a few photos here?

I am amazed, doesn’t the hands look the same?

[1watch]

Originally Posted by gazar

If this watch is serviced back in the 1970s, how do you guys tell from just a few photos here?

I am amazed, doesn’t the hands look the same?

They switched from the small gmt hand in the early '70's to the version on this watch, which is correct for the matte era 1675 gmt. The minute hand on these chapter ring are conventionally believed to have the needle tip extend to the ring as well. The gmt hand is the real obvious reason to suspect the service work was done in the '70's and not '60's.

[Woody]

That is a lovely watch so many thanks for sharing. Personally I would keep it as is, it is the watch your father owned so I don't see any reason to make it "period correct". There are some good independents (many kindly listed in this thread) who will do a great job of servicing your watch. Thanks again for taking the time to share the pictures.

[Wing Zero]

Oh wow. What a beautiful watch.
You are one lucky guy.
Enjoy her.
The only thing I would do is service the movement and polish the crystal.
That’s all.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BigBlue1]

Holy Crap, Wow, This thing looks more amazing on my PC since I was traveling and away with just my IPHONE.
Beautiful is an understatement.
Very strong , true insert.
Congrats.