matthewking
297
Update - comment from VRF fyi
Hello all,
I thought I would post a comment I received from the VRF forum with some great information, in case this is helpful for others here on PuristS. Below is the paraphrased response. Great info.
"Hello Matthew,
Nice looking 1675!
The serial puts it towards the end of 1971. I would guess that the caseback says '71. The case is polished but still very strong, and I believe those are original bevels still clearly visible. The crown guards are also strong. The inlay is beautiful and I would put it at a mid-to-end 70s FF. Love it! There is a chance it is an early service insert, but again, it's a FF and that is what counts 
The Mk1 dial has a beautiful and even patina with vanilla plots that match the hands. These might be early service hands but I am not certain on this and would need a closer photo to be sure. There are two aspects of the watch that are clearly not original to the watch. The first is the small GMT hand, which had been phased out completely by 1971 (this watch should have a larger GMT hand). This would not bother me because the small GMT hand is very valuable and you can easily sell if for much more than the cost to buy a period correct larger GMT hand. The other replacement part is of course the bracelet, which is a 78360 but for it to be period correct it should be a 7836 folded. I can't see from the photograph, but the date wheel should be an off white color with a closed 6 and 9.
The Mk1 dial has a beautiful and even patina with vanilla plots that match the hands. These might be early service hands but I am not certain on this and would need a closer photo to be sure. There are two aspects of the watch that are clearly not original to the watch. The first is the small GMT hand, which had been phased out completely by 1971 (this watch should have a larger GMT hand). This would not bother me because the small GMT hand is very valuable and you can easily sell if for much more than the cost to buy a period correct larger GMT hand. The other replacement part is of course the bracelet, which is a 78360 but for it to be period correct it should be a 7836 folded. I can't see from the photograph, but the date wheel should be an off white color with a closed 6 and 9. Whether this watch is right for you depends on what you are looking for. If you want a great looking 1675 Mk1 to wear every day, with a great fashion to it, than this is an excellent watch for you. If you are looking for a completely untouched example with all original parts, than this might not be the best watch for you, since certain parts are not period correct. All in all, a great looking 1675!"
Great comments. I hope others here find them useful. My hunt continues!
Best,
Matt
Matt
Available on the marketplace
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Calling GMT Experts - 1675 advice request
Hello friends, My hunt for a GMT 1675 Mk1 continues. Would you kindly comment on the below watch? Thoughts on original (or not original) parts, condition, and so on would be very much appreciated. I will try to get more info on the watch, but at the momen...
That is not enough. We need to know the case number, the quartal and the year.
If you don't want to get a re assembled Watch, we need to know these informations. Best, Nicolas
He does not know, private seller.
So can only estimate based on serial #, which I guess means between 1969 and 1971.
I would rather say 1970, maybe '71. The case back is the only way to confirm that...
The serial number is consistant with the year and the quartal.... First MK 1 dials appeared, certainly in 1968, maybe a bit earlier in 1967. Best, Nicolas
Yes...
Well the case appears to have been polished quite a bit - it is very shiny and the crown guards seem very worn down. But I am not a GMT expert, so I was hoping to get some thoughts from those that are. Also, 1970/71 seems a little late to have a small GMT...
Update - comment from VRF fyi
Hello all, I thought I would post a comment I received from the VRF forum with some great information, in case this is helpful for others here on PuristS. Below is the paraphrased response. Great info. " Hello Matthew, Nice looking 1675! The serial puts i...
This is why I thought it was a re assembled watch.
I didn't notice the bracelet, but the small 24 hour hand made me doubt. When you sell a vintage Rolex, you need to give all the informations you can give. In this case, the year and the quartal are important. Back on the hunt, then! Best, Nicolas
Re small 24 hr hand
There have been and I have seen matt dial 1675 MK1 with small 24hr hand. But they are/were very early serial right at the point of changing from gilt to matt for example I had seen a 1.59 mil mk1 matt dial with a small 24hr hand. But this is the exception...