Help on a 1675

[XavierM]

Hi everyone,

Watch enthusiast, for quite a few years now, especially ROLEX, I am getting more and more interested in vintage timepieces.

This forum being an extremely interesting place in terms of knowledge, I am learning everyday reading your post, thank you !

Two vintage references I am seriously considering for my next purchase are the GMT 1675 (Matte Dial) and the Submariner 1680 (White dial)

I would like to have some expert advice on this specific timepiece:
I have asked for further pictures (caseback, movement, between lugs ...) but I would first like to have your advice on this picture (Dial, Hands, insert, crown etc).
The watch is advertised as being from 1966 (I am waiting for the serial number confirmation)

From what I have found, it looks like a Mk 0 dial with correct "small" GMT hand,insert is not so good but looks original and period correct, case looks of course polished and not so sharp but it is quite complicated to judge on this picture (waiting for the others), endlinks and bracelet look in a quite bad condition.

Please tell me what you see as my "young" eyes are probably missing a lot of stuff here.
For info it is offered at 11K$

Thanks !!

[askdanny]

I think the insert is actually one of the best features of this watch -- what a beautiful fade that is actually increasing the value of the watch. (I've owned two 1675 and one 16750). $11K is strong... and I would make a sub-$10K offer.

[shiftf7]

The insert is very nice indeed!
Im a bit worried about he dial and the hands, the lume is very white for a watch this age.
You should check if the dial is original, ask for a few closeup pics of the dial.
Also I see a very big gap between the end piece and the case, also on the top left you see the band pin sticking out, you should check the case very well, so ask for pics from between the lugs and from the side of the case also.

[XavierM]

Thanks for your answers.
I am indeed concerned about the dial and usually don't trust a seller except when he clearly states the dial is a service one. (I have seen quite a few 1680 advertised as 100% original by "trustworthy" sellers that had in fact service tritium dials, service crown and service date wheel)
This supposed Mk0 dial is not the most documented one on the web..

Regarding the insert, I love the way it looks but I fear I will find lots of scratches on it.
Concerning the Endlink, pin and bracelet I agree it looks terrible on the pic but lugs do not look so thin... Wrong pin ? I'll try to get more pics

[Tom1675]

I agree with your assessment based on this not great pic.

You could actually have a MK0, which is rare and I have had problems distinguishing b/t this and the MKII but I think this is in fact MK0 (and is correct with the small GMT hand). Insert is nice. Case is meh. Price is right from what I can see...

Looking forward to more pics and a serial #. If you can get macros of the dial that would help us a lot.

[XavierM]

Thanks Tom,
I’ll post what I can get !

[springer]

Originally Posted by askdanny

I think the insert is actually one of the best features of this watch -- what a beautiful fade that is actually increasing the value of the watch. (I've owned two 1675 and one 16750). $11K is strong... and I would make a sub-$10K offer.

If you believe $11,000 is strong these days for a nice GMT 1675, I'm led to believe that you're been out-of-touch for a while now.

[springer]

Here is a GMT Mark 0 dial. Use it for comparison to the watch found in the first post.

Also, there are several dial threads in the vintage section regarding Submariner dials. Do some research before buying and you won't get stuck with a watch wearing a service dial. There are also threads in the reference library here on TRF that depict various dials for the GMTs ( in fact, I placed one there myself years ago.)

Regarding the white plots on the dial depicted in the first post, it means nothing more than it has white markers. I've seen it many times. Without actually checking it further, it is hard to tell if the dial and/or hands have been relumed or manipulated.

Last, who are the "trusted dealers" selling Subs with service dials and misrepresenting the dials?

[askdanny]

Originally Posted by springer

If you believe $11,000 is strong these days for a nice GMT 1675, I'm led to believe that you're been out-of-touch for a while now.

Nope. Bought a 1675 this week actually. Listed price is not sold price.

[Paulie 50]

Originally Posted by askdanny

Nope. Bought a 1675 this week actually. Listed price is not sold price.

Springer is only trying to educate you. If you just researched his posts alone! you would be well on your way to being a GMT expert.

[askdanny]

Originally Posted by Paulie 50

Springer is only trying to educate you. If you just researched his posts alone! you would be well on your way to being a GMT expert.

I'm not the OP.

[1675-David]

Coloration of tritium on the dial I has not so much to do with age than the circumstances in which the watch was used. My 1675 is from 1970 and has very light dial.

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by askdanny

Nope. Bought a 1675 this week actually. Listed price is not sold price.

I don't think he was commenting on your (or anyone else's) ability to negotiate, but that your statement of $11k for a "nice GMT" was a "strong price."

[XavierM]

Originally Posted by springer

Here is a GMT Mark 0 dial. Use it for comparison to the watch found in the first post.

Also, there are several dial threads in the vintage section regarding Submariner dials. Do some research before buying and you won't get stuck with a watch wearing a service dial. There are also threads in the reference library here on TRF that depict various dials for the GMTs ( in fact, I placed one there myself years ago.)

Regarding the white plots on the dial depicted in the first post, it means nothing more than it has white markers. I've seen it many times. Without actually checking it further, it is hard to tell if the dial and/or hands have been relumed or manipulated.

Last, who are the "trusted dealers" selling Subs with service dials and misrepresenting the dials?

Thanks for your answer,
That’s exactly the picture I have used to compare and it led me to the conclusion of being a Mk0 dial. I just think I might have missed something, that’s why I opened this thread.

Concerning the « trusted Dealers » selling service dials without stating, I have two dealers in mind that are quite well established in Paris (France) and have been around for many years now.

I try to do my homework as much as I can but it is always more comfortable when you’re able to get more experienced people’s opinions.

Concerning the « how to know if dial has been relumed or manipulated », is there something specific I could do ? Or is it just well educated eyes and a good magnifying glass ?

Regards,

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by XavierM

Thanks for your answer,
That’s exactly the picture I have used to compare and it led me to the conclusion of being a Mk0 dial. I just think I might have missed something, that’s why I opened this thread.

Concerning the « trusted Dealers » selling service dials without stating, I have two dealers in mind that are quite well established in Paris (France) and have been around for many years now.

I try to do my homework as much as I can but it is always more comfortable when you’re able to get more experienced people’s opinions.

Concerning the « how to know if dial has been relumed or manipulated », is there something specific I could do ? Or is it just well educated eyes and a good magnifying glass ?

..

Regards,

Any "trusted seller" would be open to sending a proper suite of photos to a potential buyer. Post them here, have the experts look at the dial and help you determine if its been altered. If they wont send pics then you know your answer.

I don't know that Springer is saying yours is NOT a MK0 but encouraging you to confirm it is on your own.

[Pocosso]

I would check the Endlinks as well, can you post some pictures of the codes?

[XavierM]

Hi everyone,

I have managed to get some pictures from the dealer.
I think I'll pass on that one...
What I liked about it was the Mk0 dial with the correct small GMT hand but with better pictures, this dial does not meet my expectations...
Serial number is 1 595 XXX.
Endlinks: no answer
Caseback: No picture... :(