Thinking of a 1675.... Have a few Questions

[SN2354]

Hi All!

New here, but have been active on other forums and overall a big fan of Rolex watches. I have lots of knowledge on 5 + 6 digit Rolex. My latest "craving" is for a 4 digit 1675 GMT. I can't put my finger on it, but I love the idea of having an old school Rolex and kind of sway away from the current madness going on with the latest models.

I am not looking to capitalize/flip, but I do see strong value right now compared to the latest GMT. I refuse to pay above MSRP, like many others so the older GMT's look like bargains. The 1675 model in particular looks like a pretty good value in comparison, but I need some help as I have been lurking/searching and naturally have a few questions as I am almost ready to pull the trigger.

I found a 1675 that looks like it is in pretty damn nice condition overall. Not overly polished or anything either. It is a 5 mill (so figure around '77-'78) mk4 dial (oriignal dial, not mint condition but looks very nice), original Oyster bracelet, and a nicely faded insert that is original/naturally faded. The only negative is that I believe the hands may have been painted as they do not match 100% (big deal?? I do not know!)

Anyways I am looking to trade 2 pieces towards this. First is an explorer II 42mm, and the 2nd a 116300 DJ2. Given the current values, I would say combined value is about $13.5-$14k if I were to sell both. It would be a straight up trade, 2 for 1.

Would anybody concur with this trade and confirm if the 1675 is truly about that value? Or is one person getting the short end of the stick? I have done my homework, but vintage pricing is all over the place. I see some 1675's going for $10k or less, and others in mint condition for $20k. I would say this one is in the middle of the road, in nice condition, mostly original with no service parts so maybe it is worth something in the middle of $10-$20k.

Thank you very much in advance for any assistance!

[dhknola]

It's the service part mine field that creates the huge bookends in 1675 costs...Good luck on your search!

[SN2354]

Originally Posted by dhknola

It's the service part mine field that creates the huge bookends in 1675 costs...Good luck on your search!

Yes! This is my concern, but from what I see the watch is mostly original with no service parts. The only concern was the painted hands. Funny, it is even running really well within COSC about -5 sec per day

[waspy1]

Personally I’d go for better than ‘middle of the road’. I don’t value mint condition to be honest as I do wear my watches and they would very soon be not mint. I’d not settle for painted hands or less than perfect dial on a 1970s gmt. There are plenty around, but yes you may need to pay a bit more.


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[SN2354]

Originally Posted by waspy1

Personally I’d go for better than ‘middle of the road’. I don’t value mint condition to be honest as I do wear my watches and they would very soon be not mint. I’d not settle for painted hands or less than perfect dial on a 1970s gmt. There are plenty around, but yes you may need to pay a bit more.


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Thanks for the input, honestly I do intend to wear it so you are right I do not need to worry about it being in great condition. However I do not really want to add any more cash, so I was just curious if the valuation sounds about right with this GMT being worth around $14-15k in it's current condition.

[18●20●22●▼●2●4●6]

I have been looking for "it" 1675 and "a bit more" even from US$20,000 is in my opinion an understatement.

The GMT market is white-hot! I am now looking for 16750 matte dials instead.... even then, to my surprise, most vintage GMT's are so beat-up and a honest/clean ones are US$27K and above.

Originally Posted by waspy1

...There are plenty around, but yes you may need to pay a bit more.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by 18●20●22●▼●2●4●6

I have been looking for "it" 1675 and "a bit more" even from US$20,000 is in my opinion an understatement.

The GMT market is white-hot! I am now looking for 16750 matte dials instead.... even then, to my surprise, most vintage GMT's are so beat-up and a honest/clean ones are US$27K and above.

There's one right here for a good deal less than $20K

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=645920

[18●20●22●▼●2●4●6]

I have seen that listing and the seller is very knowledgeable person. However, from the photos, I do not like how the case was polished in the past... Just my preference...

Originally Posted by Kingface66

There's one right here for a good deal less than $20K https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=645920

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by dhknola

It's the service part mine field that creates the huge bookends in 1675 costs...Good luck on your search!

Ya, please provide pics if you're asking about a specific trade. Your 1675 could be at either end of the spectrum...

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

There's one right here for a good deal less than $20K



https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=645920

From December 2018? Prices have definitely moved up since then.


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[springer]

Originally Posted by 18●20●22●▼●2●4●6

I have seen that listing and the seller is very knowledgeable person. However, from the photos, I do not like how the case was polished in the past... Just my preference...

Of course it has been polished. It's not about whether it has been "polished" or not, it is about the condition and originality of the watch. 99% of them are polished...or refinished, which is the proper term. If you want one that is "unpolished" I have one of those too in very nice condition and not a "rat" like many "unpolished and uncared" for watches.

Most guys selling watches, including many trusted sellers, claiming to offer unpolished are hyping refinished or polished watches to the masses that do not know better. Based on a couple decades of ownership and sales of vintage Rolex, just because a watch is called, or is,"unpolished" does not make it more valuable.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by 18●20●22●▼●2●4●6

I have seen that listing and the seller is very knowledgeable person. However, from the photos, I do not like how the case was polished in the past... Just my preference...

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you are going to have conversations like these, private messaging is probably the more appropriate venue. Just put yourself in the place of the seller.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by waspy1

From December 2018? Prices have definitely moved up since then.


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Look again! Yes, it was first posted in 2018, but it's not only been updated, but lowered in price...so...definitely moved down since then!

[Laserflorida]

If you want an great watch and an honest deal then just deal with springer. I have bought 6 watches from him and traded him 2 others and love all the ones i got from him. You wont be disappointed or have to worry about authenticity. PM me for any more info

[18●20●22●▼●2●4●6]

From the posts he have done, he is a magnificent contributor to this forum. I will wait for "my grail" untouched case with perfect dial to come up and pay the price.... "patience is virtue."

Originally Posted by Laserflorida

If you want an great watch and an honest deal then just deal with springer. I have bought 6 watches from him and traded him 2 others and love all the ones i got from him. You wont be disappointed or have to worry about authenticity. PM me for any more info

[dbfagan]

Originally Posted by Laserflorida

If you want an great watch and an honest deal then just deal with springer. I have bought 6 watches from him and traded him 2 others and love all the ones i got from him. You wont be disappointed or have to worry about authenticity. PM me for any more info

Ditto. I have also bought and sold from Springer, he is a stickler for authenticity.

[waspy1]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Look again! Yes, it was first posted in 2018, but it's not only been updated, but lowered in price...so...definitely moved down since then!

Ah, right you are!


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[77T]

Originally Posted by SN2354

Hi All!



New here, but have been active on other forums and overall a big fan of Rolex watches. I have lots of knowledge on 5 + 6 digit Rolex. My latest "craving" is for a 4 digit 1675 GMT. I can't put my finger on it, but I love the idea of having an old school Rolex and kind of sway away from the current madness going on with the latest models.



I am not looking to capitalize/flip, but I do see strong value right now compared to the latest GMT. I refuse to pay above MSRP, like many others so the older GMT's look like bargains. The 1675 model in particular looks like a pretty good value in comparison, but I need some help as I have been lurking/searching and naturally have a few questions as I am almost ready to pull the trigger.



I found a 1675 that looks like it is in pretty damn nice condition overall. Not overly polished or anything either. It is a 5 mill (so figure around '77-'78) mk4 dial (oriignal dial, not mint condition but looks very nice), original Oyster bracelet, and a nicely faded insert that is original/naturally faded. The only negative is that I believe the hands may have been painted as they do not match 100% (big deal?? I do not know!)



Anyways I am looking to trade 2 pieces towards this. First is an explorer II 42mm, and the 2nd a 116300 DJ2. Given the current values, I would say combined value is about $13.5-$14k if I were to sell both. It would be a straight up trade, 2 for 1.



Would anybody concur with this trade and confirm if the 1675 is truly about that value? Or is one person getting the short end of the stick? I have done my homework, but vintage pricing is all over the place. I see some 1675's going for $10k or less, and others in mint condition for $20k. I would say this one is in the middle of the road, in nice condition, mostly original with no service parts so maybe it is worth something in the middle of $10-$20k.



Thank you very much in advance for any assistance!

Without pictures of any of the pieces in your equation, nobody can comment accurately about your suggested trade.

But a couple of general comments...

The 1675 may have had service hands put on instead of refinished as you suggested. If the seller can’t tell you, then you are dealing with the wrong seller.

On value, you are dealing at a disadvantage because the seller asking retail value on his 1675, but will offer you trade value for your pieces (aka wholesale).

Therefore, all things being equal, (and in vintage that is seldom the case) you are 25-33% underwater.

In other words you are overpaying by definition.


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[lhanddds]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

Ya, please provide pics if you're asking about a specific trade. Your 1675 could be at either end of the spectrum...

Yes, the only way to get a good opinion

[SN2354]

Originally Posted by 77T

Without pictures of any of the pieces in your equation, nobody can comment accurately about your suggested trade.

But a couple of general comments...

The 1675 may have had service hands put on instead of refinished as you suggested. If the seller can’t tell you, then you are dealing with the wrong seller.

On value, you are dealing at a disadvantage because the seller asking retail value on his 1675, but will offer you trade value for your pieces (aka wholesale).

Therefore, all things being equal, (and in vintage that is seldom the case) you are 25-33% underwater.

In other words you are overpaying by definition.


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Thanks. I will get some photos and post up. I am new, so it might not work, but I will certainly try.

On the valuation, I was giving retail value on my watches as well. I was at $6k on the DJ2 and an EXPII 42mm at $7500. That is where I am hoping to be equal with the 1675 in question.