Vintage GMT - 2.1M serial but papers say purchased years later

[youenjoymyself]

Does this seem unusual? I recently purchased a 2.1M serial GMT 1675 (charts online date it to 1967 production year) but the (sparse) papers it came with state that the watch was sold in 1974.

The serial number on the papers match the watch but seven years seems an awfully long time for the watch to be sitting around unsold.

Maybe I'm just reading into things way too much... Here's the watch below. I'm already aware of the 'superlative' text issue which doesn't bother me too much. I can tell the date wheel was replaced at some point because of the closed 6's and 9's. I pray, however, that the hands and face are original and have not been re-lumed. The crown is admittedly not as tight as I would like and the bezel is very tight and tough to turn.

I want to source a nicely faded pepsi bezel and I have a 9135 bracelet to put it on but need it sized.

I hope nobody gives me a case of buyer's remorse now!

[SohAIS]

don't know much to be able to answer your questions. I am in the market for a similar GMT.
Beautiful watch though! enjoy in good health.

[harry in montreal]

nice watch. what is the superlative matter you mention? my 1972 1675 has the same printing ont he dial.

[GeoGio Greece]

May be it is the photo that distorts, but it seems that the date window ( cyclops ) is not aligned.

Also from the photo it seems that the dial is relumed, looks very white for that age, but with this size ( and clarity ) photo, not many, at least me me can tell more.

What I can tell is ENJOYYYYYYY


If possible, give more photos from different angles.

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by harry in montreal

nice watch. what is the superlative matter you mention? my 1972 1675 has the same printing ont he dial.

You probably can't see it well but part of the 'T' and 'I' in "Superlative" are missing or rubbed off. Either a QC defect or damage during a service in my opinion.

[youenjoymyself]

Originally Posted by GeoGio Greece

May be it is the photo that distorts, but it seems that the date window ( cyclops ) is not aligned.

This is the angle of the photo (or because my iphone) - the cyclops looks good when you're staring head on!

Also from the photo it seems that the dial is relumed, but with this size ( and clarity ) photo, not many, at least me me can tell more.

I hope it's not relumed! I'm worried about that but there is no lume to speak of in the dark. The markers and hands are a bit creamier / more patina'd in real life. They look quite white in the picture.

What I can tell is ENJOYYYYYYY

Thank You!

If possible, give more photos from different angles.

Here are more photos. The ones with the leather strap are mine, the others are the sellers.

[GeoGio Greece]

Looks good.

I have also leather straps on my GMT ( brown, black, blue ) + Oyster + Jubille.

I cannot access my photos now.

[Jim M]

Nice grab, looks excellent, enjoy!

[springer]

The hands look original to me based on the small bits of corrosion that is visible. Seven years is late for a warranty paper to be dated, but it is hard to judge without seeing it.

What type of box did it come with and what type of warranty paper or warranty booklet? Did you receive other accessories with the watch? I'd like to see photos of them if possible.

[Warnsboy]

Very Nice! I have a 16753 with S/N dating to late 1979 / early 1980, with papers indicating that it was sold in Aug 1982....

[gregorpal]

I have seen watches sold up to 10 years after the date of production. It is rare but it happened. The most important thing is to check serial numbers and legit papers

[Tools]

Originally Posted by youenjoymyself

Does this seem unusual? I recently purchased a 2.1M serial GMT 1675 (charts online date it to 1967 production year) but the (sparse) papers it came with state that the watch was sold in 1974.

The serial number on the papers match the watch but seven years seems an awfully long time for the watch to be sitting around unsold.

Maybe I'm just reading into things way too much... Here's the watch below. I'm already aware of the 'superlative' text issue which doesn't bother me too much. I can tell the date wheel was replaced at some point because of the closed 6's and 9's. I pray, however, that the hands and face are original and have not been re-lumed. The crown is admittedly not as tight as I would like and the bezel is very tight and tough to turn.

I want to source a nicely faded pepsi bezel and I have a 9135 bracelet to put it on but need it sized.

I hope nobody gives me a case of buyer's remorse now!

Yes, you are reading too much into things..

There is an anomoly in the Internet charts around.. a 1967 serial number base is around 1.5mil. Then there is a known 1968 data point at 2.4mil, then 1969 goes back to 2.0mil..

So, your serial could be more into the 70's, which is within the range of serial spreads (1 to 4 years). Look inside the caseback and you should find a stamped date which is a better indicator than just looking at the serial..

Enjoy it and don't fret over research charts that are only there if you do not have any data, not if you do have papers or other evidence showing provenance..

[pdoukas]

Originally Posted by Tools

Yes, you are reading too much into things..

There is an anomoly in the Internet charts around.. a 1967 serial number base is around 1.5mil. Then there is a known 1968 data point at 2.4mil, then 1969 goes back to 2.0mil..

So, your serial could be more into the 70's, which is within the range of serial spreads (1 to 4 years). Look inside the caseback and you should find a stamped date which is a better indicator than just looking at the serial..

Enjoy it and don't fret over research charts that are only there if you do not have any data, not if you do have papers or other evidence showing provenance..

X2 and I'm betting it's a 1968/69.....closer to 68

Dial looks good, correct mk1 for that serial range.

[Mark020]

I just picked up a 5.6 serial (so dating 1978) which was sold in 1986....

[Vincent65]

many watches have sat in ADs all over the world, for many years, before being sold.

[youenjoymyself]

Thanks for everyone's answers! The seller said it was a '68 so that sounds reasonable.

It didn't come with lots of papers - just the Rolex wallet with one of the registration papers (with serial number on it), the original purchase receipt, import documents and last service documents.

Hearing that the face, hands, etc. look good helps me sleep at night! God knows it would be impossible to buy one of these old things without the helpful and knowledgeable people on these forums.

Cheers!

[Pete17]

Quite common to see watches sold years after they were made. I've seen Mk4 red subs first sold in the mid 70's. DRSD's are all over the place too due to out of sync serial # runs.

In your example, 7 years is quite a stretch but entirely plausible.