Vintage 16700

[JW1988]

Hi All,

I’m about to buy my fiancé’s Dad’s 1997 GMT 16700. It’s quite beat up as you can see in the pictures below but it is all original, runs great, has never been serviced and is complete down to the purchase receipt!

How would you restore the watch? Should I just replace the crystal? Replace the Bezel? Send it off the the RSC? Curious in everyone’s thoughts!

Thanks for the help. Really looking forward to hearing everyone’s perspective.


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[offrdmania]

Everything you said is what you dont want to do. The value of the watch is in its original parts. Send it to Phillip Ridley and he will service it without effecting its originality and overall, its value. You can also send the bracelet to Michael Young in Hong Kong to have the bracelet restored or to Rolliworks just outside of San Francisco. They can take those dented corners out and tighten up the links for you.

[interestedwatcher]

Hows the stretch on the bracelet?

[Likestheshiny]

Me? I'd service it and replace everything (but keep the original parts) and get a proper expert (RSC or one of the acclaimed independents) to polish it to like-new state.

However, I suspect the most common answer will be to service it but touch none of the parts and leave the case alone. That is, give the internals the necessary maintenance but don't touch a thing otherwise. That's a really interesting fading pattern, and a lot of folks would want to wear it just like it is.

[mineral]

This is beautiful neo vintage 16700 which many collectors are going after nowadays. I’d suggest to replace the sapphire crystal at least since it is chipped and other internal parts to ensure the functionality of movement. But please do not replace the faded Pepsi bezel and polish the case, these are most collectors want from this first owner watch.


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[JW1988]

Originally Posted by interestedwatcher

Hows the stretch on the bracelet?

Stretch is bad but not awful. Almost makes it more comfortable.

[JW1988]

Originally Posted by mineral

This is beautiful neo vintage 16700 which many collectors are going after nowadays. I’d suggest to replace the sapphire crystal at least since it is chipped and other internal parts to ensure the functionality of movement. But please do not replace the faded Pepsi bezel and polish the case, these are most collectors want from this first owner watch.


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Yea, this is exactly what I was thinking. Would you use RSC?

[mineral]

Originally Posted by JW1988

Yea, this is exactly what I was thinking. Would you use RSC?

I think if you send to RSC they probably will replace some exterior parts (tritium dial, handset etc) due to the aged condition. Any experienced vintage 3rd party Rolex watchmakers are highly recommended as they will suggest what to do to keep the watch in its most original state. You are lucky to own this beautiful gmt and do research and plan properly what to do next. As suggested early, don’t polish the case or replace the insert if you don’t mind used condition.


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[sillo]

I would remove the entire bezel insert and bracelet. Then I would send just the watch head to RSC and explicitly tell them you don't want the dial and hands touched. As long as there's no cracks or tritium falling out of the dial/hands they won't replace them. Get it serviced, get a new crystal and a second bezel insert and ring.

I would then send the bracelet to Rolliworks or Michael Young and have them work their magic.

[GGGMT]

I own this exact watch and it’s in similar shape. I’d buy a new band, store the old one, and replace no original parts other than seals etc. careful with RSC.


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[JW1988]

Thanks everyone. I have a call with Phillip Ridley today who is a vintage expert. More to come!

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by JW1988

Thanks everyone. I have a call with Phillip Ridley today who is a vintage expert. More to come!

Wise choice, you will not be disappointed by his work.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by sillo38

I would remove the entire bezel insert and bracelet. Then I would send just the watch head to RSC and explicitly tell them you don't want the dial and hands touched. As long as there's no cracks or tritium falling out of the dial/hands they won't replace them. Get it serviced, get a new crystal and a second bezel insert and ring.

I would then send the bracelet to Rolliworks or Michael Young and have them work their magic.

Very very good idea.


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[Robtayham]

Before you do anything, you need to tell your future father-in-law that as a sign of welcoming you to the family, he needs to give you the watch! :)

[exador]

That's crazy what's happened to the red half of the insert.

I'd actually want a Pepsi to look like a Pepsi so would get a new service insert, keeping the old one if you ever decide to sell

[77T]

Originally Posted by JW1988

Thanks everyone. I have a call with Phillip Ridley today who is a vintage expert. More to come!

I agree with Matt that this is the smartest move. A vintage expert can handle the job to your specs.

I wouldn’t remove anything, nor send it to RSC. Get the best treatment consistent with your goals for the watch.

Later, if you want a bracelet refurbish or a new insert it is easy to do this once you’re sure of your options.

Mr. Ridley can provide those options.


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[meyers]

Wow that faded pepsi insert is, FREAKING GORGEOUS

Polish? NO
Replace insert? HELL NO

Happy you are heeding the advice of the smart folks here!

[JW1988]

Originally Posted by Robtayham

Before you do anything, you need to tell your future father-in-law that as a sign of welcoming you to the family, he needs to give you the watch! :)

Ha! I would rather keep it simple and buy it.

[strafer_kid]

Beautiful watch - would definitely get it serviced now maybe by one of the better known specialists if possible or failing that, by RSC though with the caveat (if RSC agree to such) about retention of the bezel insert. They may well raise an issue about the bracelet, though I have heard conflicting reports through the years on their consistency of approach in that particular regard. In any event, 16700 is a great watch and you will love it!

[Redtele58]

Beautiful watch!

Send it to Phillip. He'll treat you and the watch right.

[swish77]

I'll go against the grain a little, although the Ridleys would do a great job, of course.

I'd take the watch to a Rolex Service Center for a service, but only if you get a confirmation that the dial and hands wouldn't be touched and that they wouldn't polish the case. Having Rolex service paperwork does indeed add value to the watch, and the horror stories you hear about RSCs are over-stated, IMHO. This GMT, while fantastic, isn't a 6263 after all, and RSCs do honor customers demands to keep the original parts on the watch, except the crystal. (I've done it with a 5512 and a 1675 without issue at the NYC RSC.) And if they say they need to change the dial and hands for whatever reason, simply walk away.

On a rarer, more valuable vintage piece I'd probably avoid an RSC, but for a mid-'90s 16700, I'd have no problem going to an RSC for a movement service only, especially since you'll be get Rolex paperwork back with the watch.

Great advice above about the insert. Take it out and save it if you're going to an RSC and just say it fell out at some point. They'll install a brand new vibrant Pepsi insert, and then you'll have the best of both worlds. You could also remove the bracelet and tell them it was lost, and they'd sell you a brand new one, and you'll still have the original.

Good luck either way.

[sillo]

Originally Posted by swish77

I'll go against the grain a little, although the Ridleys would do a great job, of course.

I'd take the watch to a Rolex Service Center for a service, but only if you get a confirmation that the dial and hands wouldn't be touched and that they wouldn't polish the case. Having Rolex service paperwork does indeed add value to the watch, and the horror stories you hear about RSCs are over-stated, IMHO. This GMT, while fantastic, isn't a 6263 after all, and RSCs do honor customers demands to keep the original parts on the watch, except the crystal. (I've done it with a 5512 and a 1675 without issue at the NYC RSC.) And if they say they need to change the dial and hands for whatever reason, simply walk away.

On a rarer, more valuable vintage piece I'd probably avoid an RSC, but for a mid-'90s 16700, I'd have no problem going to an RSC for a movement service only, especially since you'll be get Rolex paperwork back with the watch.

Great advice above about the insert. Take it out and save it if you're going to an RSC and just say it fell out at some point. They'll install a brand new vibrant Pepsi insert, and then you'll have the best of both worlds. You could also remove the bracelet and tell them it was lost, and they'd sell you a brand new one, and you'll still have the original.

Good luck either way.

Agreed. I actually just picked up my 16700 today from RSC NY. Tritium dial and hands untouched and case was untouched. They replaced the crystal (not sure why anyone is suggesting he keep the chipped crystal) and I removed my bezel ring and insert to get a second set so I can now swap inserts without having to remove it from the ring.