16710 - Box/papers vs. SELs

[rattyray]

Hi all, I'm faced with the decision of purchasing a 16710 - both watches are similar, both priced roughly the same and good condition / unpolished. One has:


Box/papers tritium dial & hollow end links and a coke bezel

While the other has lug holes, SELs, pepsi bezel but no box and papers.

Any suggestions on which has better value here / I should prioritize for my next watch? I could see an argument both ways.

If I get the coke, I plan on purchasing a second pepsi bezel, but I don't mind having to source that.

[hutch300]

Focus on condition. For me all equal the fist watch is more appealing to me. I don't care about SEL on a neo-vintage watch. Depends on the person and collection.

[pursang_]

I'd lean towards the latter more so for the Superlume dial.

[rattyray]

Originally Posted by hutch300

Focus on condition. For me all equal the fist watch is more appealing to me. I don't care about SEL on a neo-vintage watch. Depends on the person and collection.

Mind if I DM you some pics of both watches? I'm relatively new so I might be missing some signs of wear / condition but IMO both are solid.

[hutch300]

Happy to take a look but there are many better eyes on the forum than mine. You should post them in this thread and you'll get lots of feedback. Are you looking for a daily watch? I like tritium because I like the charm.

[rattyray]

To complicate this - what about an unpolished pepsi 16700 no box/papers but also great condition?

[rattyray]

16700 - no box, no papers

[rattyray]

16710 - SELs, no box, no papers

[rattyray]

16710 - hollow end links, box/papers, coke bezel insert (I'll source a pepsi)
















Appreciate any thoughts here - all similar pricing and great watches but just trying to figure out which is the best value for daily wear / most collectable

[Tools]

Don't obsess over "value", they will both hold, or increase in value as time goes by.

Get the one you want in the best condition you can find for the money you choose to spend.

[Lunaen]

One thing to note is if you ever want to use a modern Rolex bracelet on the watch, the one with SEL bracelets are much more likely to be compatible.


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[rattyray]

Originally Posted by Tools

Don't obsess over "value", they will both hold, or increase in value as time goes by.

Get the one you want in the best condition you can find for the money you choose to spend.

In terms of condition, does 1 out of the 3 stand out? They seem relatively similar to me with maybe the coke being the best

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by rattyray

Attachment 1333189

Attachment 1333190

Attachment 1333191

Attachment 1333192

Attachment 1333193

16710 - SELs, no box, no papers

The pictures here are not all of the same watch.

The last picture, showing the bracelet horizontally has a non-SEL end link, while the other pictures show a watch with solid end links (SEL).

Other than that odd picture, I do like the watch here and the faded serif bezel.

But for me, I’d stick to a very trusted seller in the neo-vintage space, like Jacek at TropicWatch.

[Fifteen]

I’m looking to purchase a 16710 as well. What years did they start producing SELs? I know they ended using tritium in 1997 (which I want), but how do I know if it has SEL? Thx

[sski]

SEL started from approx. 2000 with the P serial#'s (not sure if any later 1999 models had SELs too but 2000 is when the transition happened)