1978 GMT Master 1675

[Amphib44]

I'm new to the forum, and was hoping to get some feedback on a GMT Master that I have had for about 25 years. It's been serviced once during my ownership, and to be honest, I don't wear it that much ('85 Speedmaster every day...).
Ref. # 1675
Serial # 515****
the bracelet has 7-70 stamped on the inside of the clasp.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

[MorningTundra]

That's a beautiful piece. I'm sure it'll find a lot of admirers around here. Worth a pretty penny, I'm sure


Sent from my cracked, broken, hand wound Phone

[Micha]

Springer will chime in here shortly...

[OmegaBear]

beautiful!!!

[Tom1675]

MKII dial, great safe-queen orange patina. Your pics are a bit tight so I cant speak to the case but nice watch. Your dial is in GREAT shape and I think within reason for the serial number.

I don't think a 5m serial should have that stamp on the clasp but maybe its within the margin of error for the way Rolex put these together, unless you bought it as a replacement. One of the experts will chime in soon and confirm or correct that statement... Also, did they replace the insert when you had it serviced?

[swish77]

Bracelet is earlier, based on the serial number. The 5.1 mil. would put it around 1977, and even with a couple of years latitude, it's still earlier. Nothing wrong with that. Rivet bracelets are super cool, no matter the year.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Tom1675

MKII dial, great safe-queen orange patina. Your pics are a bit tight so I cant speak to the case but nice watch. Your dial is in GREAT shape and I think within reason for the serial number.

I don't think a 5m serial should have that stamp on the clasp but maybe its within the margin of error for the way Rolex put these together, unless you bought it as a replacement. One of the experts will chime in soon and confirm or correct that statement... Also, did they replace the insert when you had it serviced?

Just curious, why is the clasp incorrect for a 5 million serial number?

[Amphib44]

It has been recommended that I post some pictures of the case back and bracelet. I apologize in advance for the poor quality.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

[sensui]

I don't know the tidbits about correctness per say....but man that is a smoking example of a 1675.....great looking patina and the watch seems to be in great condition.

[saskmh]

Looks like it has a few good gouges in the case sides but overall it's one gorgeous watch.

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by springer

Just curious, why is the clasp incorrect for a 5 million serial number?

Foot in mouth, i have done more reading... thanks for the clarity...

[Amphib44]

So can anyone give me some insight as to the specifics of this watch? Does it have the correct bits and pieces for its manufacture date/serial number? Any historical context or details about the bracelet?

I know there is a wealth of info within the forum, but when I look at the pictures available of, for example, the 1675 dial over time, they mostly look the same to me (novice).

Anyway, I'm very interested in learning more about this GMT. Thanks

[sea-dweller]

It's very classy!

[saskmh]

I think the consensus is that aside from the service insert everything looks good and original. The dial looks great. Case has a couple of gouges but that is just character for some people. You have a really nice example there!

[springer]

Originally Posted by Amphib44

So can anyone give me some insight as to the specifics of this watch? Does it have the correct bits and pieces for its manufacture date/serial number? Any historical context or details about the bracelet?

I know there is a wealth of info within the forum, but when I look at the pictures available of, for example, the 1675 dial over time, they mostly look the same to me (novice).

Anyway, I'm very interested in learning more about this GMT. Thanks

The serial number is very high for a Mark II dial. I would think at 5.1 million, it would be a Mark V or Mark IV or even an elusive radial dial. The bracelet was changed at some point to an earlier one. As others mentioned , the bezel insert appears to be a later blue-back service insert.

[saskmh]

Originally Posted by springer

The serial number is very high for a Mark II dial. I would think at 5.1 million, it would be a Mark V or Mark IV or even an elusive radial dial. The bracelet was changed at some point to an earlier one. As others mentioned , the bezel insert appears to be a later blue-back service insert.

This is why we wait for Springer to comment when it comes to GMT's .

[Amphib44]

At the risk of incurring the wrath of the forum for asking the same question a million times, I'd like to revisit the dial/serial number combo (Mark 2/serial # 515****) for the above referenced watch.

In researching the very detailed threads concerning the various dials used on GMT Masters, I'm having difficulty determining why this dial is a Mk 2. My failing eyesight aside, I think it most closely resembles the Mk 4 as described in one of the GMT dial threads.

Sorry to keep hammering on this, but what characteristics make it a Mk 2. Thanks for your patience...

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by springer

The serial number is very high for a Mark II dial. I would think at 5.1 million, it would be a Mark V or Mark IV or even an elusive radial dial. The bracelet was changed at some point to an earlier one. As others mentioned , the bezel insert appears to be a later blue-back service insert.

I have come across several 1675's in the past with 5.1mil serials and MK2 dials.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

I have come across several 1675's in the past with 5.1mil serials and MK2 dials.

That doesn't make them correct. If this were true, then 5.1 million serial numbers could be found with Mark 2, 3, 4 and 5 dials.

Frankly, I don't believe I've ever seen a GMT 1675 with a Mark II dial with a 5.1 million serial number.

I've seen many 1675s with incorrect dials lately and I'm sure that it's due to the supply of correct dials drying up when someone needs to replace a damaged or service dial with a correct dial.

[Michael M.]

Originally Posted by springer

That doesn't make them correct. And to speak frankly, I never have.

I've come across two from original owners, one of which had never been serviced. Per my experience, there was a small run of MK2 dials in 5.1mil 1675 cases.

A simple google search of "1977 rolex 1675" will yield over a dozen examples of 5.1mil cases with MK2 dials.

I would agree with you if we observed MK2 dials in multiple 5mil serial ranges, however in this case (no pun intended) we only see MK2 dials present in 5.1/5.15mil 1675 cases.

[TimeToGo]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

I've come across two from original owners, one of which had never been serviced. Per my experience, there was a small run of MK2 dials in 5.1mil 1675 cases.

To the OP, if the watch sings to you go for it! Very nice colors.

I like GMTs and have never came across one in that range either, I echo Springer's assessment.

To the OP, if the watch sings to you, go for it. Very nice colors. You can always quote that MichaelM has seen two and he said there was a small run of Mk2s with 5.1, at least you can quote where it was made up.

[Amphib44]

Well, I think the consensus is that I have a 1978 GMT Master with an earlier Mk2 dial. I don't know when the dial was swapped, but certainly before my ownership.
I have owned the watch for 25 years, and have no intention of getting rid of it, I was simply curious about what, primarily, made the dial a Mk2.

[springer]

Originally Posted by Michael M.

I've come across two from original owners, one of which had never been serviced. Per my experience, there was a small run of MK2 dials in 5.1mil 1675 cases.

A simple google search of "1977 rolex 1675" will yield over a dozen examples of 5.1mil cases with MK2 dials.

I would agree with you if we observed MK2 dials in multiple 5mil serial ranges, however in this case (no pun intended) we only see MK2 dials present in 5.1/5.15mil 1675 cases.

Your google search should pull up thousands of 5.1 million cases that do not have a Mark II dial.

Sorry Morgan, too many dials being placed on to the wrong watches lately. Original owner quotes are always a red flag for me. I've purchased many original owner watches the past 40 years and not one Rolex GMT had a Mark II dial in that high of a case number. Maybe I've missed something during the decades that I have been collecting.

Finding a GMT 1675 with the wrong dial is not uncommon. As you are aware, there are many late 1960s GMTs wearing Mark IV and Mark V dials but that doesn't make them correct.

[springer]

Originally Posted by TimeToGo

To the OP, if the watch sings to you go for it! Very nice colors.

I like GMTs and have never came across one in that range either, I echo Springer's assessment.

To the OP, if the watch sings to you, go for it. Very nice colors. You can always quote that MichaelM has seen two and he said there was a small run of Mk2s with 5.1, at least you can quote where it was made up.

[Amphib44]

Is it difficult to source the correct MkIV dial?

[roh123]

I also know of odd mk2 dials popping up in early 5m cases. Not that I'd persobally get one but I am familiar with it. For what it is worth..

[greekbum]

Originally Posted by springer

Your google search should pull up thousands of 5.1 million cases that do not have a Mark II dial.

Sorry Morgan, too many dials being placed on to the wrong watches lately. Original owner quotes are always a red flag for me. I've purchased many original owner watches the past 40 years and not one Rolex GMT had a Mark II dial in that high of a case number. Maybe I've missed something during the decades that I have been collecting.

Finding a GMT 1675 with the wrong dial is not uncommon. As you are aware, there are many late 1960s GMTs wearing Mark IV and Mark V dials but that doesn't make them correct.

Ive bought 100s if not way more GMTs off the street over the last 25 years. My favorite watch and i have NEVER found one with an MK2 dial from what i would consider an untouched watch. Way to late for it.

[Amphib44]

I realize it has been re-dialed prior to my purchase in 1992. I still love the look of it, but would it be worthwhile to find a Mk IV dial and swap?

My guess is that it would be difficult to find an appropriate dial with the same nice patina.

[RC2]

Still looks nice I think


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[springer]

Originally Posted by roh123

I also know of odd mk2 dials popping up in early 5m cases. Not that I'd persobally get one but I am familiar with it. For what it is worth..

I am now familiar with it too!!!!