1978 GMT Master - collectable enough ?

vonrozen · Jan 4, 2025

hello , I am hesitant whether to spend 8OOO E. on this 1978 GMT Master in very good condition. It is not a Pepsi , the price is not a cheap but then again, especially here in Europe, you won't get a 1070 Pepsi for 8 Bucks. Are those GMT becoming collectable and expensive or is the price pretty stable as is the case with some models ?

How collectable / valuable are these Masters ? I know this is a very vague and relative question.

If you had this sort of budget would you rather spend it on another vintage model and why .

All replies appreciated

Happy New Year from Paris .

Alexander

Dan S · Jan 4, 2025

The two-tone models don't have as wide an audience of enthusiasts and as a result they are less expensive. But some people like them, it's purely a matter of personal taste. I had one of the root-beer versions, everyone said it was beautiful, but ultimately I didn't really bond with it, so I passed it on to someone who hopefully liked it more.

If you are asking whether it's a good investment, nobody can answer that question. The two-tones have been less popular for a long time, and I don't imagine that they are suddenly going to become broadly popular again. But who knows.

All vintage Rolex prices have been soft for the past few years, but are starting to rebound. Do your own research and make a decision. As always, watches that are not in excellent condition are always harder to sell.

This is the one I sold.

ATWG · Jan 4, 2025

To get into a decent 1675 Pepsi, you will need to budget $13-15K. The prices have been soft but stabilized in recent months.

I personally am not a fan of two tone GMTs, for that budget I suggest looking into 16710s which offer modern movement and are highly desirable. They can also be easily modified with coke or black inserts relatively cheaply. These watches are referred to as neo-vintage and the earlier models come with tritium markers which can age to nice creamy colors.

Good luck with your search.

djmusicman · Jan 4, 2025

It makes no sense to spend all that money on a watch that you're not even sure that you like... What kind of hobby is that? Personally, I don't like that design at all anyway, the 1675 pepsi is a legendary watch and that two tone isn't close.

pdxleaf · Jan 4, 2025

Dan S
The two-tone models don't have as wide an audience of enthusiasts and as a result they are less expensive. But some people like them, it's purely a matter of personal taste. I had one of the root-beer versions, everyone said it was beautiful, but ultimately I didn't really bond with it, so I passed it on to someone who hopefully liked it more.

If you are asking whether it's a good investment, nobody can answer that question. The two-tones have been less popular for a long time, and I don't imagine that they are suddenly going to become broadly popular again. But who knows.

All vintage Rolex prices have been soft for the past few years, but are starting to rebound. Do your own research and make a decision. As always, watches that are not in excellent condition are always harder to sell.

This is the one I sold.

Mein Gott im Himmel! 🤯

That is gorgeous. Whoever got it is a lucky sob.

vonrozen · Jan 4, 2025

ok , thank you very much DJ Musician, ATWG and of course Dan S for the helpful comments. I got your point. Yes , better add more money and go for a legendary design of something totally different - like the Explorer , for ewample. Thank uyou very much for your contributions.

Davidt · Jan 4, 2025

It depends what you like though. Do you like the two tone? Yes the market values the steel versions more and I personally prefer steel, but you should follow your tastes and seek the models that appeal to you.
Just be aware of the market values so if you do like two tone, you can negotiate harder and expect a better deal than on an 1675 or 16710.

sdre · Jan 4, 2025

vonrozen
ok , thank you very much DJ Musician, ATWG and of course Dan S for the helpful comments. I got your point. Yes , better add more money and go for a legendary design of something totally different - like the Explorer , for ewample. Thank uyou very much for your contributions.

I understand where you are coming from; especially if you are a beginning collector.

A useful tip I learnt throughout the years of collecting is that instead of throwing big amounts of money at a watch design/style that you are not sure that you will like; you could buy an alternative brand / but similar style.

For this instance; https://www.watchgecko.com/blogs/magazine/affordable-alternatives-to-rolex-gmt-master

What I do is I'll head over to Aliexpress and look for Pagini and buy something of that style and color and wear it.

If I really enjoy it then I would target the real thing.

lucreative · Jan 4, 2025

I love the two tone Rolex GMT. Gold watches have been making a big come back these past few years and now especially more so that Rolex is increasing all prices on their gold watches due to the value of gold. Here is my Two Tone GMT Master II 16713, with adverts, etc. Steel sports Rolex have always been popular, but their grey market prices don't justify the value. It skyrocketed during covid and now coming way back down. Two tone has always been classy to me and a good mix of functionality, luxury, and dressiness.

Vinz Clortho · Jan 4, 2025

Cannot compare prices to anything during covid. Covid prices are a outlier for quite a few reasons with people couped up, gray market dealers pumping up prices, and everyone collectively lost their minds. Look prior, around 2019 prices to current and it will give you a better idea where the true market is.

Vinz Clortho · Jan 5, 2025

Also, never thought I would have a two-tone in my collection but was at a local jeweler to get a bracelet sized for my At. While waiting, saw some pre-owned Bluesy Subs, 16613 and a 116613.

Tried both on and was able to see the differences next to each other. Well was enamored by the blue dial and blue/purple aluminum bezel compared to the ceramic one, impulse buy for Xmas but couldn't be happier as it's something totally different I didn't have in my collection. Plus the price was great.

lucreative · Jan 5, 2025

Vinz Clortho
Also, never thought I would have a two-tone in my collection but was at a local jeweler to get a bracelet sized for my At. While waiting, saw some pre-owned Bluesy Subs, 16613 and a 116613.

Tried both on and was able to see the differences next to each other. Well was enamored by the blue dial and blue/purple aluminum bezel compared to the ceramic one, impulse buy for Xmas but couldn't be happier as it's something totally different I didn't have in my collection. Plus the price was great.

That would actually be the sub I would get too! UCLA's men's basketball coach wears the same one lol. Blue and gold looks great together.

vonrozen · Jan 5, 2025

sdre
I understand where you are coming from; especially if you are a beginning collector.

A useful tip I learnt throughout the years of collecting is that instead of throwing big amounts of money at a watch design/style that you are not sure that you will like; you could buy an alternative brand / but similar style.

For this instance; https://www.watchgecko.com/blogs/magazine/affordable-alternatives-to-rolex-gmt-master

What I do is I'll head over to Aliexpress and look for Pagini and buy something of that style and color and wear it.

If I really enjoy it then I would target the real thing.

Sorry - disagree. a VW does not compare to a Porsche . Everyone's history is different and affects his collecting : I come from art dealing family , so obsessed with collectability , price - quality , future, price patterns , etc. Rolex is my special occasions watch (like dinner parties , balls and holidays) since the Parisian metro is too dangerous. So, respectfully disagree : - )

lucreative · Jan 5, 2025

vonrozen
Sorry - disagree. a VW does not compare to a Porsche . Everyone's history is different and affects his collecting : I come from art dealing family , so obsessed with collectability , price - quality , future, price patterns , etc. Rolex is my special occasions watch (like dinner parties , balls and holidays) since the Parisian metro is too dangerous. So, respectfully disagree : - )

I disagreed with that poster's reply as well. You were asking if the Two Tone GMT was collectible enough at $8k Euro, not whether or not you could afford it. Rolex are definetely more collectible than other imitations. But of course, everything comes as a price to value worth it or not ratio. I think that $8k euro price for the original GMT two tone is fair and better value than paying $13k euro for other steel models.

1978 GMT Master - collectable enough ?

vonrozen

Dan S

ATWG

djmusicman

pdxleaf

vonrozen

Davidt

sdre

lucreative

Vinz Clortho

Vinz Clortho

lucreative

vonrozen

lucreative

Similar threads

Longines Master Collection Chronograph Automatic 44mm

Longines Master Collection XL Manual-Wound 47.5mm

Longines Master Collection XL Manual-Wound 47.5mm

Longines Master Collection World Time Automatic GMT - BIG price reduction!

Longines Master Collection Moonphase REDUCED Again

Super Vibey And Cool 1978 Rolex 1675 GMT Master. Unpolished. Faded Pepsi Bezel.