Asking for GMT 16700 buying advice

cfinley · Feb 16, 2021

Hi folks, I've been looking for a birth year (1991) GMT and it looks like I may have found a good one but I could use your help! I've attached the photos from the listing as well as some close ups of the lugs. It looks to me like the end links, bracelet, and dial are correct for a N serial 16700. The case has been polished but I'd like to know if it would be a deal breaker for you guys. Asking is $11,400 but they're open to offers. Comes with box and booklets but no papers. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Dan S · Feb 16, 2021

Hands look like luminova replacements, which is a bummer since the dial markers have taken on a nice yellow color.

Faz · Feb 16, 2021

The asking price certainly warrants crisper pictures to be be included. I agree with @Dan S re the hands. Case has certainly seen a polishing wheel. The 5 o'clock lug in particular? Maybe an optical illusion?

At that price, a deal breaker for me combined with the lack of service history

cfinley · Feb 17, 2021

@Dan S good call on the luminova hands
@faz15 I see that too. I think you're right.

I think I'll pass on this one. Thanks!

stevec14 · Feb 17, 2021

The hands changed are a big turnoff. I’d rather they stuck a service dial in also.

I’ve definitely seen worse. But at the price, I suspect you can do a bit better.

asrnj77 · Feb 17, 2021

You can also find 16710 and 16713 models from 1991. If everything else was perfect except luminova hands, it wouldn’t be a deal killer for me. You can find tritium hands but would just need to factor that into the total cost.

Larry S · Feb 17, 2021

I was gonna contest the hands issue since light can play tricks but no, pretty obvious.

leefowler · Feb 17, 2021

I think you could find better being honest.

ATWG · Feb 17, 2021

The price is way too high for a 16700 which a) has replacement hands b) case has been poorly polished c) the set is missing most critical warranty paper. This is a, $8.5K watch at most.

Keep looking, make sure you have your watch alerts on and you'll come across very nice examples in that price range.

ATWG · Feb 17, 2021

For reference, here is my N serial 16700 full set. The tritium used in this particular serial is prone to developing beautiful patina.

leefowler · Feb 17, 2021

My X serial 16700 with a very small amount of patina.

Faz · Feb 17, 2021

ATWG
For reference, here is my N serial 16700 full set. The tritium used in this particular serial is prone to developing beautiful patina.

Here's your beacon @cfinley !

cfinley · Feb 18, 2021

@ATWG and @leefowler I'm so jealous. Those are beautiful examples.

cfinley · Feb 19, 2021

What do you guys think of this one? https://www.swisswatchexpo.com/watc...-black-red-coke-bezel-mens-watch-16710-31931/

leefowler · Feb 19, 2021

cfinley
What do you guys think of this one? https://www.swisswatchexpo.com/watc...-black-red-coke-bezel-mens-watch-16710-31931/

Personally I dont like the crown guards.

cfinley · Feb 19, 2021

leefowler
Personally I dont like the crown guards.

Do they look over polished? I'm not sure I know what you mean.

Jonathan40 · Feb 19, 2021

How do you feel about it not being a complete set? If it doesn’t bother you then negotiate a price and buy it. They are increasing in price monthly.
However if in 3 months you wished you’d bought a complete set then walk away because for similar money you can get a full set of a nice example if your a cash buyer and are patient.
I have a 1675 without papers, I bought it 10 years ago and every day I wish it had box and papers.
But for what I paid I’ve missed the boat on correcting my mistake.
They have added lots of paperwork to sell it but it still misses the guarantee papers, it almost looks like an added together package to sell the main item. So unless you get a good deal think twice.

cfinley · Feb 19, 2021

Jonathan40
How do you feel about it not being a complete set? If it doesn’t bother you then negotiate a price and buy it. They are increasing in price monthly.
However if in 3 months you wished you’d bought a complete set then walk away because for similar money you can get a full set of a nice example if your a cash buyer and are patient.
I have a 1675 without papers, I bought it 10 years ago and every day I wish it had box and papers.
But for what I paid I’ve missed the boat on correcting my mistake.
They have added lots of paperwork to sell it but it still misses the guarantee papers, it almost looks like an added together package to sell the main item. So unless you get a good deal think twice.

That's a great point. I should hold out for box and papers.

Dan S · Feb 19, 2021

cfinley
That's a great point. I should hold out for box and papers.

Personally, I wouldn't. Once you go back to tritium pieces, it gets harder to find good watches that are complete sets. Don't make it so hard on yourself.

If you find a good one, buy it now and enjoy it. In the future, if you happen to come across one that is just as good and also has B&P, then buy it and sell the one you buy now. But if you insist on "holding out", then you will either end up buying a watch in lesser condition just to get the papers, or you will be waiting for another year or two, watching prices rise.

ATWG · Feb 19, 2021

Well...I’m a stickler when it comes to B&Ps with sapphire models, for me it’s a must as it’s not as big of a premium....yet. Also, there are quite plentiful. Don’t get me wrong, I will buy a watch without paper if it’s priced well, but in general I look for provenance and completeness.

I do agree with @Dan S sentiment when it comes to matte dials, the premium is too big to economically justify.

Asking for GMT 16700 buying advice

cfinley

Dan S

Faz

cfinley

stevec14

asrnj77

Larry S

leefowler

ATWG

ATWG

leefowler

Faz

cfinley

cfinley

leefowler

cfinley

Jonathan40

cfinley

Dan S

ATWG

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