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Thread: 1970 Rolex GMT-MASTER just back from service

  1. #1
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    1970 Rolex GMT-MASTER just back from service

    1970 Rolex GMT-MASTER 1675 just back from Steven Hale after full service ... included new crystal, replacement winding tube, replacement auto drive wheel, replacement rotor axle, one replacement bracelet link.
    Fitted with its original folding links bracelet ... it's a full set apart from outer Rolex box.

    Q&D pix using kitchen window light ... reflections on cyclops hides the date










    Watch was left for service with Steven Hale South Molton St Mayfair on 11/11/21 when I was quoted 6 months ... they apologised for delay ... staff coping with Covid

    This was my first Rolex sports watch bought s/h in 1999 from Austin Kaye.

    Bracelet with new folded link looks a lot better than pre-service

    Watch worn for special occasions only ... too risky wearing as an everyday watch ...especially in Central London ... original dial / lume has aged nicely.

    dunk
    Last edited by sundial; 21st June 2022 at 13:58.
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  2. #2
    Craftsman
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    Stunning :)

  3. #3
    Master
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    Very cool

  4. #4
    Craftsman dustybottoms's Avatar
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    What a beauty!

  5. #5
    Craftsman Doug86's Avatar
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    Absolutely stunning, a watch I want to own one day!

  6. #6
    Master
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    Gorgeous watch!

  7. #7
    Grand Master Neil.C's Avatar
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    That's handsome Dunk.

    Been a great investment too!
    Cheers,
    Neil.

    My Speedmaster website:

    http://www.freewebs.com/neil271052

  8. #8
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Neil.C View Post
    That's handsome Dunk.

    Been a great investment too!
    Yes Neil a good investment ... I love the aged dial. I sold my other Rolex watches ... too risky.

    dunk
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  9. #9
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Thank you for all the +ve comments ... it's a keeper :) I should have included its 'bits' in the pix .. i.e. box / papers etc

    dunk
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  10. #10
    Journeyman
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    Congrats, its a classic and in top condition. One day....

  11. #11
    Master
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    Wibble

  12. #12
    Grand Master Onelasttime's Avatar
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    I soooo prefer the old 'rattly' vintage models over anything Rolex produces today. The watches used to have soul, now they're just cold, calculated marketing bling.

    Superb example. Lucky man

  13. #13
    Craftsman
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    Flipping heck thats absolutely lovely.
    I am lucky enough to have a really nice 16750 and its almost the ugly sister in comparison.

  14. #14
    Craftsman
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    have a very similar 1675 bought on this very forum over 10 years ago. They are lovely things to own and wear. Horrible to set after a long time in the safe though! :-)

  15. #15
    Master
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    That has aged so well. What a beautiful watch.


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  16. #16
    Craftsman TF23's Avatar
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    That is truly spectacular!

  17. #17
    Master
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    Wow! Dial is incredible! Thanks for sharing

  18. #18
    Looks lovely and curious what it cost in 1999 from Austin Kaye!

  19. #19
    Master
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    Wow that looks great :-)

  20. #20
    Craftsman
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    Aye she's a beauty.

    Thanks for the photo's, really liked the first one.

  21. #21
    Craftsman kinyik's Avatar
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    That patina is sweeeeet!


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  22. #22
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by boring_sandwich View Post
    Looks lovely and curious what it cost in 1999 from Austin Kaye!
    Just checked Austin Kaye invoice ... actually purchased June 2002 ... I'd bought an Omega in 1999 ... in 2002 Austin Kaye had a sale when all their stock was reduced by 15% ... From memory, supposedly to celebrate England winning one of their matches in FIFA 2002 World Cup ? ... But maybe was a cash raising exercise? ... I bought 3 watches including a Zenith Prime for my brother (which he still has) and a Sea Dweller

    At that time was possible to buy a s/h GMT Master for £reasonable ... The Rolex 2002 catalogue shows NEW s/s GMT Master II listed at £2350 ... Not sure if there was a waiting list for new sports models ... if there was then maybe 'new grey' sold for a premium?

    Vintage GMT-Master 1675 is now sought after but back in 2000-ish was considered 'fairly ordinary'. Fashions change.

    dunk
    Last edited by sundial; 22nd June 2022 at 00:33.
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  23. #23
    Master
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    That looks absolutely beautiful.
    I've had 2 1675's and sold both as I never felt they were substantial enough for everyday wear unlike a 1680,5513 or 1665 which I have used as daily wearers.
    I'd buy that one in a minute though to give it another go.

  24. #24
    Master Skier's Avatar
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    What a thing. I use the word 'thing' as it's a watch, it's jewellery, it's stunning, it's almost as old as I am, it's something to be treasured. I'm assuming in your hands, and beyond, it will become a family heirloom.

  25. #25
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Skier View Post
    What a thing. I use the word 'thing' as it's a watch, it's jewellery, it's stunning, it's almost as old as I am, it's something to be treasured. I'm assuming in your hands, and beyond, it will become a family heirloom.
    That would depend on the UK rate of inflation ...
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  26. #26
    Master blackal's Avatar
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    Have the hands been renewed? My 1980 16750 looks like it has new hands, but if yours hasn’t- then poss mine hasn’t either, and they don’t age at the same rate?

    Your bezel looks just right - I’m not a fan of the totally-washed out bezels of many older GMTs.

  27. #27
    That is a stunning piece.
    No wonder it's a keeper.

  28. #28
    Journeyman
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    That dial is amazing. Love the vintage lume. Congrats.


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  29. #29
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackal View Post
    Have the hands been renewed? My 1980 16750 looks like it has new hands, but if yours hasn’t- then poss mine hasn’t either, and they don’t age at the same rate?

    Your bezel looks just right - I’m not a fan of the totally-washed out bezels of many older GMTs.
    Hands not renewed.

    BW, dunk
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  30. #30
    Grand Master
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    That is glorious.
    Reading the first bit i thought it was a sc post in the wrong place. Very glad it isn't!

  31. #31
    Looks amazing - enjoy!


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  32. #32
    Quote Originally Posted by blackal View Post
    Have the hands been renewed? My 1980 16750 looks like it has new hands, but if yours hasn’t- then poss mine hasn’t either, and they don’t age at the same rate?

    Your bezel looks just right - I’m not a fan of the totally-washed out bezels of many older GMTs.
    More than likely replaced at some point.

  33. #33
    Craftsman
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    That is just stunning!

  34. #34
    Quote Originally Posted by verv View Post
    That is glorious.
    Reading the first bit i thought it was a sc post in the wrong place. Very glad it isn't!
    I wish it was… birth year watch for me!

    That would be hard to resist, what a lovely watch.

  35. #35
    Apprentice
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    Beautiful watch:)

  36. #36
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Update ... Not happy with watch after service ... Await SH's complimentary postage pack so can return for adjustment ... bezel is far too stiff / tight to the extent I broke my nail trying to turn it ... I need to use the GMT function. And timekeeping could be better ... gaining over 10 seconds/day after fully winding.

    dunk
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  37. #37
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by sundial View Post
    Just checked Austin Kaye invoice ... actually purchased June 2002 ... I'd bought an Omega in 1999 ... in 2002 Austin Kaye had a sale when all their stock was reduced by 15% ... From memory, supposedly to celebrate England winning one of their matches in FIFA 2002 World Cup ? ... But maybe was a cash raising exercise? ... I bought 3 watches including a Zenith Prime for my brother (which he still has) and a Sea Dweller

    At that time was possible to buy a s/h GMT Master for £reasonable ... The Rolex 2002 catalogue shows NEW s/s GMT Master II listed at £2350 ... Not sure if there was a waiting list for new sports models ... if there was then maybe 'new grey' sold for a premium?

    Vintage GMT-Master 1675 is now sought after but back in 2000-ish was considered 'fairly ordinary'. Fashions change.

    dunk
    I bought my GMT-II at list in early 2003 if memory serves. I was being quoted a year or so wait time by ADs in London, but at that time I was up and down to Edinburgh a lot where I ended up getting one in 2-3 months.

    I'm wearing it today, and it's certainly picked up its fair share of um...patina over the years, but it's a great workhorse of a watch. Unfortunately somewhat tarnished by the stupid prices and attitude around the brand these days.

  38. #38
    Craftsman AmosMoses's Avatar
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    Wow, looking absolutely lush that.


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  39. #39
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sundial View Post
    Update ... Not happy with watch after service ... Await SH's complimentary postage pack so can return for adjustment ... bezel is far too stiff / tight to the extent I broke my nail trying to turn it ... I need to use the GMT function. And timekeeping could be better ... gaining over 10 seconds/day after fully winding.

    dunk
    Vintage GMT-MASTER received back this morning after bezel adjustment and rate & amplitude now fine. And my broken thumbnail has recovered too.

    EDIT 10/7: watch rate now within 1 to 2 secs/day
    Last edited by sundial; 10th July 2022 at 14:12.
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  40. #40
    Grand Master Onelasttime's Avatar
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    This is the second report I've read about a watch having to go back to Steve Hale after servicing.

    I've been looking for somewhere to service my 16570 Explorer II but not so sure Steve Hale is the man for the job.

  41. #41
    Grand Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Onelasttime View Post
    This is the second report I've read about a watch having to go back to Steve Hale after servicing.

    I've been looking for somewhere to service my 16570 Explorer II but not so sure Steve Hale is the man for the job.
    If Steve Hale reads this perhaps he’ll make that decision for you!

  42. #42
    That is a super example of a vintage 1675 so thanks for sharing the pictures. I used to always enjoy looking in the Austin Kaye window whenever I was walking down the Strand.

  43. #43
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Onelasttime View Post
    This is the second report I've read about a watch having to go back to Steve Hale after servicing.

    I've been looking for somewhere to service my 16570 Explorer II but not so sure Steve Hale is the man for the job.
    That was LTF and his 5513.

  44. #44
    Master earlofsodbury's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by walkerwek1958 View Post
    If Steve Hale reads this perhaps he’ll make that decision for you!
    Anyone technician who can't accept valid criticism of unsatisfactory work is undoubtedly best avoided.

  45. #45
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Woody74 View Post
    That is a super example of a vintage 1675 so thanks for sharing the pictures. I used to always enjoy looking in the Austin Kaye window whenever I was walking down the Strand.
    Austin Kaye appears to be in the process of being repurchased from the liquidators.https://find-and-update.company-info...filing-history
    Last edited by sundial; 10th July 2022 at 02:17.
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

  46. #46
    Grand Master learningtofly's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by seabiscuit View Post
    That was LTF and his 5513.
    It was indeed. It went back a couple of times, and to be fair to Steve he responded as well as I could have hoped on both occasions (and the first return resulted from a broken mainspring which, whilst unwelcome, was probably just one of those things).

  47. #47
    Grand Master sundial's Avatar
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    When purchased by me in 2002 I was unaware that AAFES = Army & Air Force Exchange Service.

    I'm curious as to the likely location of this particular AAFES-Europe store and whether the Guarantee / Chronometer certificate, might offer a clue?

    Also enquiring via MWR.

    And wondering if could have been purchased from, e.g., a UK USAF PX store, e.g., Lakenheath or Alconbury?

    Is anyone familiar with this particular AAFES 'stamp' style / font?

    Being a GMT watch, I'm wondering if it has any military provenance but realise it's likely not possible to trace the original purchaser.

    BW, dunk
    "Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"

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