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Comparing fat font bezels and thin on a 1675 and a 16750

airansun
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Yeah, yeah, I’m a little bit of a bezel freak. To me, I’m amazed at how many nice watches I see that are spoiled by their bezels.

A couple of years ago, I picked up a really nice 16750 from 1986 and, a few months later, a 1675 from 1972. Both had thin font bezels. Yuck.

It’s taken me awhile, but I finally put fat font bezels on both of them — yes, a red backed bezel for the 1675 and a blue one for the 16750. I think the new bezels make both watches.

Here’s one before and two after shots.
71B6C07A-B382-4537-8200-880B4946F4CA.jpeg 29935F51-40C7-47A6-921E-1489C3C8A3AC.jpeg 165BF8C9-C1F1-4280-BACF-30453A69F9D9.jpeg

What do you guys think?
 
CoDiffe
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Correct me if I’m wrong but the fat font bezel is not correct for a 16750 right? I do love the way it looks though. The bezel on my 83 is a thin and a red back.
 
K
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looks correct - later 16750 would have blue back (font sizes may differ)
 
K
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it’s very tricky....for plexi/acrylic early 1675 could have a super fat font or fat font smooth (non-stepped), red-back insert, early 16750 could have a fat font (not sometimes not as "fat," non-stepped) red-back insert, later 16750, 1675X would be smaller font(non-stepped) font blue back.
It’s Rolex so no hard and fast rules because I have seen super fat and fat font inserts later than the "rules" would indicate.
16700 starts with a different design
 
Dan S
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Who else thinks that @killer67 knows way too much about watches to be posting without an avatar? 😁
 
ATWG
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Very interesting, I love listening to insert experts, plenty around specially on TRF. I’ll keep thoughts to myself.

Inserts do in fact make the watch. I love the insert on the 1675 , quite lovely pair.
 
mmaggi
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Nice bezels, but what does it for me is the matte dial on the 1675. I wish Rolex never would've changed from the matte dials on the GMTs.
 
993watch
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Fat font bezel inserts look great on a 1675. Here’s my unpolished Mk2 with a mega fat font. I think that’s the latest ref that a mega ff would be period correct.
5D6C6579-D37F-4DEB-AAFE-080B1C802EAB.jpeg
Edited:
 
Chris75
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They are both very nice watches ( I especially like the 16750: it looks unpolished with a very nice patina) and I like the new inserts.

I am afraid the one on the 16750 (the new fat font I mean) is a later service insert: in fact a couple of years ago Rolex released a batch of service fat font insert that looked this way.

Indeed it looks good on your watch, but I believe the slim font in the first picture is the correct one.
 
t_swiss_t
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993watch 993watch
Fat font bezel inserts look great on a 1675. Here’s my unpolished Mk2 with a mega fat font. I think that’s the latest ref that a mega ff would be period correct.
5D6C6579-D37F-4DEB-AAFE-080B1C802EAB.jpeg

The MFFs are from the mid/late sixties to early seventies. Not originally seen on the chapter ring gilt dials, though a lot have migrated onto them because people like how they look. While the Mark 2s are seen with them, the early batch Mark 4’s with the 3.0-3.3m serials have been seen with them too, so that’s the last iteration that they’re considered period correct on.
 
ATWG
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993watch 993watch
Fat font bezel inserts look great on a 1675. Here’s my unpolished Mk2 with a mega fat font. I think that’s the latest ref that a mega ff would be period correct.
5D6C6579-D37F-4DEB-AAFE-080B1C802EAB.jpeg
I have a near twin insert, also on my MK II
 
1FEF2F21-2D2E-4AF1-B997-8702F3F57671.jpeg
airansun
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ATWG ATWG
Very interesting, I love listening to insert experts, plenty around specially on TRF. I’ll keep thoughts to myself.

That’s a shame. Even if I don’t agree with you, I’d be interested to hear your more experienced (than me) view.

The new 16750 bezel is blue backed and came from a reputable Swiss parts dealer. I think it’s right on my watch, but I admit that how nice it looks may prejudice me.

C47002AB-3536-468B-BB9F-5C4A752617F6.jpeg
 
CoDiffe
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airansun airansun
The new 16750 bezel is blue backed and came from a reputable Swiss parts dealer. I think it’s right on my watch, but I admit that how nice it looks may prejudice me.

C47002AB-3536-468B-BB9F-5C4A752617F6.jpeg

Mmmm.. this IS a tasty bezel
 
cvalue13
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airansun airansun
What do you guys think?

Sexier than the bezels is the fact you have both watches set to the exact same time (including GMT) to within 2 secs. Scratches my OCD itch.
 
K
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993watch 993watch
Fat font bezel inserts look great on a 1675. Here’s my unpolished Mk2 with a mega fat font. I think that’s the latest ref that a mega ff would be period correct.
5D6C6579-D37F-4DEB-AAFE-080B1C802EAB.jpeg

That’s THE mega faded font on a great MK 2
Edited:
 
K
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Chris75 Chris75
I am afraid the one on the 16750 (the new fat font I mean) is a later service insert: in fact a couple of years ago Rolex released a batch of service fat font insert that looked this way.

Indeed it looks good on your watch, but I believe the slim font in the first picture is the correct one.

@Chris75 how can you tell that is a service insert from that batch? Is there a tell tale sign?
 
993watch
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K killer67
That’s THE mega faded font on a great MK 2
Thank you. I’m getting a spare mega ff that has a very even fade to compliment my current insert. Happy to have found this example with a great dial and rare unpolished case for the age. These are very comfortable pieces for regular wear.
Edited:
 
FF0BA239-A8B9-4032-9FCA-65BE8905CC9F.jpeg 9ED8E44C-1422-46D5-AB52-23E3C71B5F68.jpeg
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