Thoughts on this GMT?

[Nate0624]

Hey Gang,

I am relatively new to the world of vintage luxury watches and came across this GMT. I'd love to know your initial thoughts on it. https://m.imgur.com/gallery/FCTaf

I could get additional detailed pics.

It has sat untouched for approximately 15 years. Movement started right up with only basic wrist movement. The crown popped right off when I tried to unscrew it. The bezel is extremely loose. The bracelet feels much flimsier than my early 2000 Submariner. Owner tells me case back is frozen.

Are there any glearing concerns that stick out?

Thank you,
Nate

[TimeToGo]

Get more information, partial serial to check on approximate year of production and see if the dial is appropriate. Love that it has the small 24h hand.
A few spots on the dial, no big concerns.
You definitely want to follow up on the "case back frozen" issue. A competent watchmaker may be able to get it open.

[Nate0624]

Thanks. I'm not why album link isn't working. Try this picture as well: http://i.imgur.com/ntab5OF.jpg

[harry in montreal]

Caseback frozen? If it can't be opened I would pass unless it's the deal of the century

[Tom1675]

Plusses - sm gmt hand, great insert, deep and uniform patina

Minuses - some over polishing, dial spotting, prob a replacement clasp, loose bezel, frozen caseback...

As always it comes down to price, if you are comfortable with it, wear it... I don't know if a frozen case back means it can be opened somehow or not, Im sure I am about to learn... you will want to post some pics of the back of this watch to get some expert opinions.

[lupus66]

should be a 1.6-1.8 mk 1. with minor issues. around 10k these days.

[Nate0624]

Thanks gang. In in the process of vetting this watch through my local watchmaker. It is not mine just yet. However a good friend stumbled upon it in his garage. I'm trying like heck to be as transparent about what he had and intend to offer a fair price with intentions of fixing it.

Stay tuned.

Thanks again for suggestions.

[buenosdias]

Super rare MK0 dial!
Spots on the dial. Dial and hands look like humidity-damage. So seeing the movement before buying is important.
Looks like a nice case and insert from this 1 pic.
Bracelet was changed in the past.
Try to have a look at the dial and hands if it still glows after having been charged with light.
This kind of dial (lume = tritium zinksulfit mixture) should glow.

If caseback can be removed and movement is ok it could be a great find.
Good luck!

[Nate0624]

Update:

A few more pictures added to the album. https://imgur.com/a/FCTaf

I am taking the watch to the watchmaker on Thursday afternoon to have the caseback opened. If he can. The last person could not get it undone. Pics of movement coming soon.

The crown screws right off and visible crud can be seen inside the hollow space inside the case. However, the hands are moving beautifully. I put it on the winder and left it at my friends house to establish a baseline on how much it is off by.

Serial numbers appears to be "142XXX". Am I missing a digit? Thoughts on this #. early model?

Anyone care to take a guess at the bracelet? Is it true to this GMT or a replacement. Authentic Rolex?

[springer]

Originally Posted by Nate0624

Update:

A few more pictures added to the album. https://imgur.com/a/FCTaf

I am taking the watch to the watchmaker on Thursday afternoon to have the caseback opened. If he can. The last person could not get it undone. Pics of movement coming soon.

The crown screws right off and visible crud can be seen inside the hollow space inside the case. However, the hands are moving beautifully. I put it on the winder and left it at my friends house to establish a baseline on how much it is off by.

Serial numbers appears to be "142385". Am I missing a digit? Thoughts on this #. early model?

Anyone care to take a guess at the bracelet? Is it true to this GMT or a replacement. Authentic Rolex?

Looks like you have your work cut out for you. In regard to your bracelet question, the bracelet is not "true" to the GMT and is a later replacement bracelet. The Mark 0 dial, which is what is installed on the watch, appears to have oil or water droplets on the dial. It might very well wipe off.

Is see a few of the markers are missing tritium which is usually the result of someone working on the watch movement without removing the dial. I've seen this before and it's always disheartening when I see it. Also, based on the serial number, it would place the watch within gilt dial territory.

Hopefully the case back comes off properly with a visit to your watchmaker. Good luck.

[Nate0624]

Originally Posted by springer

The Mark 0 dial, which is what is installed on the watch, appears to have oil or water droplets on the dial. It might very well wipe off.

Thanks Springer. Just to clarify, you are stating this was not the original dial? But, an insert or re-dial?

thanks,
Nate

[springer]

Originally Posted by Nate0624

Thanks Springer. Just to clarify, you are stating this was not the original dial? But, an insert or re-dial?

thanks,
Nate

No I'm not saying that! I can't say for sure when the Mark 0 dials started to appear. 1.4 million cases are normally found within the gilt era.

Additionally, the possibly exists that your case was released later after Rolex started using the non-gilt dials. The serial number is close enough to the gilt era that it could quite possibly have came with either dial. Again, I can't say for sure since I did not know of any book or reference material where this dial info exists - that's because it does not.

[BrendanL]

Geat find. Current condition and w/no certification I'm thinking 10k is too high though. Good luck with it.

[Nate0624]

Hey Gang,

Just an update: I ended up purchasing the watch from my neighbor.

After he told my about keeping it in his garage in a can, I made him dig it out and show me. My jaw nearly hit the floor. As you can imagine, he is not a "watch guy".

In short, I paid to service the watch with the intentions of buying it from him. I insisted he have it appraised after repairs - with the idea of being as transparent in the transaction as possible. He had one online appraisal and one done online. We agreed on a price and she's been strapped to my wrist ever since.

The vintage bracelet is way too big on my wrist. Therefore, I'm on the hunt for a nice bracelet that can fit a smaller wrist such as mine. I had it on my Submariner bracelet for a few days, but decided to use the leather racing strap until I can find a suitable replacement where the links can be removed.

Thanks for any insight provided.

Here's a few additional pictures:

[roh123]

Were you able to open the caseback?

[Andad]

Originally Posted by roh123

Were you able to open the caseback?

I thought the watch was serviced?

[roh123]

Originally Posted by directioneng

I thought the watch was serviced?

Maybe. Ligtning fast service if that was the case.

[Nate0624]

My local watchmaker was able to take a torch to it, merely to heat the case back. It opened right up. It needed a replacement crown. Crystal got replaced as well.

[watchcrank]

very nice garage find.

[harry in montreal]

Torched ! Great news man. This is My personal favourite silver-age Rolex.

[Ghould]

Looks like you were able to get those bubbles off? Lovely find, the copper colored insert looks fantastic!

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Nate0624

Thanks. I'm not why album link isn't working. Try this picture as well: http://i.imgur.com/ntab5OF.jpg

Yeah, what WERE those bubbles?? Ands how did you get rid of them?
BTW, that insert is awesome.

[Nate0624]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Yeah, what WERE those bubbles?? Ands how did you get rid of them?
BTW, that insert is awesome.

Apparently it was an oil of some sorts from the prior service. I'm amazed at how smoothly this watch runs.

I'd really like to get a nice bracelet, possibly jubilee, but something that'll first 6 1/2 wrist.

Thanks for the complements gents.