90s Rolex 16700 GMT Master Case Condition

[ppgs]

Looking to acquire this particular GMT 16700 from mid 1990s , would like to ask your opinion on the case condition. Is it overpolished? Is it missing any bevel required of this model? Is this a good condition overall?

[HogwldFLTR]

It looks like it's been polished but not overly so. i think it looks pretty good.

[rgwarden]

Agree with the last poster. Looks light polish but more than acceptable.


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[ppgs]

What is the community's view on these level of polishing? Should I look for one completely unpolished or is this good already?

Also is there a way to get the the original bevels back? Reading around I saw these should have some slight beveling

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by ppgs

What is the community's view on these level of polishing? Should I look for one completely unpolished or is this good already?

Also is there a way to get the the original bevels back? Reading around I saw these should have some slight beveling

My view is that the only way you're going to find a "completely unpolished" 5-digit reference is if you're lucky enough to buy it directly from the original owner...and even then, only if he intentionally kept it from ever being polished.

Also, the word you're looking for is chamfer, not bevel. There's a difference, albeit minor....

[ppgs]

[QUOTE=mtgjr;8082310]My view is that the only way you're going to find a "completely unpolished" 5-digit reference is if you're lucky enough to buy it directly from the original owner...and even then, only if he intentionally kept it from ever being polished.

Also, the word you're looking for is chamfer, not bevel. There's a difference, albeit minor....


Yes I think its the only to make sure I can get it unpolished.

Thanks for the correction! If ever I am to get a hold of this watch, is there a way to get the original chamfer back? Or am I better of not touching it and leaving it the way it is.

[The Libertine]

Polished, yes, but not too much.

Up to you if you want to wait for an unpolished model. Took me about a year to find a 16710 in unpolished/mint condition, all the while the price steadily rose for this model. My advice, if you are satisfied with the condition, get it. Prices are only going to keep climbing, and models in decent condition (polished or not) will only be harder to find.

[Rockrolex]

I have this watch in the II flavor (Y-series). Never been polished or serviced. It's my favorite watch. It's gone up in price on the grey market 2 1/2 - 3 X what I paid 15+ years ago but I would never sell it.

[Roy Rolls]

Watch looks good.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ppgs

What is the community's view on these level of polishing? Should I look for one completely unpolished or is this good already?

Also is there a way to get the the original bevels back? Reading around I saw these should have some slight beveling

The 16700 never had very noticeable chamfers and they all get rounded off over time. You can cut some if you like the looks, but it removes a lot of base-metal.

[Onikage]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

My view is that the only way you're going to find a "completely unpolished" 5-digit reference is if you're lucky enough to buy it directly from the original owner...and even then, only if he intentionally kept it from ever being polished.

This is assuming that a watch can't pass through multiple hands without being polished. I don't see why, lots of people don't polish their watches or have them refinished.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by Onikage

This is assuming that a watch can't pass through multiple hands without being polished. I don't see why, lots of people don't polish their watches or have them refinished.

Before selling Rolexes on online forums like this one became a thing, most pre-owned Rolexes were traded in to dealers toward a new watch or other jewelry. Before they were resold, they were polished. The same thing happens with pre-owned watches that are sold by the so-called trusted sellers who sell on this forum. The chances of a 5-digit reference having passed through multiple hands, as you say, without passing through the possession of a dealer, are very slim. And 90%+ of the time, a dealer will polish the watch before reselling it.

[panosr1200s]

This is how unpolished should look
my 16700 A series (1999) swiss only dial

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[Onikage]

Originally Posted by mtgjr

Before selling Rolexes on online forums like this one became a thing, most pre-owned Rolexes were traded in to dealers toward a new watch or other jewelry. Before they were resold, they were polished. The same thing happens with pre-owned watches that are sold by the so-called trusted sellers who sell on this forum. The chances of a 5-digit reference having passed through multiple hands, as you say, without passing through the possession of a dealer, are very slim. And 90%+ of the time, a dealer will polish the watch before reselling it.

Fair comment. I can't disagree with that. I suppose the things to look for are mild signs of wear ie weren't worth polishing out in order to make the piece saleable, crispy chamfers and the 'leather'-like bumpy look on the polished sides - These won't survive many polishes and dealers generally won't re-cut chamfers.

[mtgjr]

Originally Posted by Onikage

Fair comment. I can't disagree with that. I suppose the things to look for are mild signs of wear ie weren't worth polishing out in order to make the piece saleable, crispy chamfers and the 'leather'-like bumpy look on the polished sides - These won't survive many polishes and dealers generally won't re-cut chamfers.

Agreed.

[ppgs]

Originally Posted by Tools

The 16700 never had very noticeable chamfers and they all get rounded off over time. You can cut some if you like the looks, but it removes a lot of base-metal.

Thanks Tools, basing on panosr1200s' photos, it indeed is not as chamfered as that of the 16710. Really considering a 16700 but I want the case as close as possible to the original shape.