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Jeweler Finds: Meister Constellation Deluxe and Rolex GMT Master Faded Pepsi

AJDay
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She’s home and tucked away in the safe.

Serial number starts with 695; I assume that’s appropriate?

Bracelet clasp looks like it has a “4” above “60”, not sure what that means. Is there a way to tell the bracelet reference? End links are 80.

I tried to take some pictures but it’s hard using a phone at night trying to get light from a desk lamp...

IMG_7317.jpg IMG_7315.jpg IMG_7313.jpg IMG_7314.jpg IMG_7318.jpg
 
AJDay
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DesignerV DesignerV
What an incredible find! Very happy for you to have gotten this one.

Some information on Rolex bracelets:
https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-oyster-bracelet-historical-perspectives

I would think your markings indicate 4th quarter of 1960 as the production timeframe of the bracelet.
I like the inscription on the clasp as well.

Can you show us a side-view, with the rivet heads visible?

I'll take a couple pictures tonight/over the weekend.

I like the inscription, too. Actually, with the information that the jeweler mentioned (that the owner owned his own insurance company, lived in Zurich/bought the watches there, bred racehorses, etc.) I was able to find his obituary and match it with the initials. So now I know exactly who the original owner was...
 
Maganator
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AJDay AJDay
I'll take a couple pictures tonight/over the weekend.

I like the inscription, too. Actually, with the information that the jeweler mentioned (that the owner owned his own insurance company, lived in Zurich/bought the watches there, bred racehorses, etc.) I was able to find his obituary and match it with the initials. So now I know exactly who the original owner was...

It must be very nice to be able to tie it to the original owner. Congratulations with all of this - and sounds like you've got yourself a great deal by being up front and decent about it all. 👍
 
Radiozoop
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This is amazing. I recently had a similar experience (albeit not to the level of your GMT find) at my local jeweler. Someone brought in a consignment 321 "pre-Seamaster" chronograph, listed it for extremely cheap, and I was able to snap it up. I did the same thing as you and told the jeweler how valuable it was, but the lady who put it up accepted my offer and was elated it was going to someone who would care for it.

Congratulations!

Edit: By the way, those pictures are amazing. I would have a hard time selling that thing. I would also have a hard time wearing it.. I would be in pieces being so careful with my wrist! AMAZING!
 
gatorcpa
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AJDay AJDay
Serial number starts with 695; I assume that’s appropriate?
That serial number would place the watch production around 1961 based on this chart:

https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-serial-numbers

Given that the bracelet dates from late 1960, it is probable they have always been together.

This is the horological equivalent of finding an original Shelby Mustang in an old barn.

Congratulations!
gatorcpa
 
Delroyb
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Awesome find and goes to show that being honest and fair pays off. It is good to know that there are still gems to be found out there!
 
seekingseaquest
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Very nice - congratulations!

I love how helpful the forum has been with helping you navigate the situation. The real credit goes to your wife, though.
 
AJDay
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seekingseaquest seekingseaquest
Very nice - congratulations!

I love how helpful the forum has been with helping you navigate the situation. The real credit goes to your wife, though.

I’m very appreciative to the online communities who helped me navigate this; I would have never been able to spend that kind of money without your guidance.

And I’m extra appreciative for my wife who trusted me on this...
 
wwhntr
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kyle L kyle L
The Rolex GMT is probably worth $25k+...I haven't been following prices too closely but that is a very nice gilt 1675 with a closed chapter ring and pcgs.

I own same ref GMT, bought from original owner, but dial has some lume loss. Your dial is spectacular...looks almost 100%!!! Your insert is also correct and has turned a very desirable “orange” color! I have been told the hands on mine are probably original, non flat style, even though the radium turned green, does not match radium on dial. Need to have mine serviced as GMT hand does not follow hour hand correctly.

My PCG exclamation mark dial is marked II.61 inside case back with a 696,xxx case serial #. Came with a replacement insert...sourced the faded red back insert. By the way, your bezel is also correct “sawtooth” deeper, straight cut, non cupped, serrations (mine is later, probably changed when insert was replaced).

(I am very curious as to what qtr/year your case back is marked.)

Thanks so much for posting. The provenance of your watch helps confirm two things that have been questioned about my GMT! 1) green radium hands & 2) exclamation mark dial correct for serial # range!!!

Enjoy!!!!

22DD81F0-940E-45C4-B27E-190156FB17FD.jpeg 902D81EF-1AB2-442D-8595-F4EC6F0C3F8B.jpeg 2FE31727-B201-4AA2-A556-2E6265F65B6A.jpeg
Edited:
 
AJDay
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I had a watchmaker open her up; the movement is very clean!

Movement is caliber 1560. I didn’t look closely at the caseback after seeing 1675, so not sure what the smaller markings are.

E3F19D1A-39EE-4A6C-9930-483333FD0413.jpeg 728A13BA-54BE-4AF6-94F4-D19B09E0B307.jpeg
 
wwhntr
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AJDay AJDay
I had a watchmaker open her up; the movement is very clean!

Movement is caliber 1560. I didn’t look closely at the caseback after seeing 1675, so not sure what the smaller markings are.

E3F19D1A-39EE-4A6C-9930-483333FD0413.jpeg 728A13BA-54BE-4AF6-94F4-D19B09E0B307.jpeg

II.61 (2nd qtr 1961) Could be my 1675’s brother/cousin at 1,000 or less case serial #’s apart👍
 
t_swiss_t
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AJDay AJDay
I had a watchmaker open her up; the movement is very clean!

Movement is caliber 1560. I didn’t look closely at the caseback after seeing 1675, so not sure what the smaller markings are.

Just FYI -- the movement is actually caliber 1565 (the GMT feature moves it from 60-->65) but they are all marked with the base movement number 1560 since Rolex used to be too cheap to care. Congrats again!
 
EdtheAussie
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Very nice Corino case and Lovely chapter dial 😀

Shows that being helpful and willing can lead to a good karma situation in the end! Wish I was in the same boots. A great opportunity to get a stunning piece at a price that makes both parties happy I guess!

I remember a story where a collector had found a DRSD for sale from the original owners wife. The collector scrambled to find the appropriate funds for a market price purchase. Upon meeting, the wife had only wanted a low amount for the watch, the collector explained the true value of the piece - but in the end the lady was happy to sell it for the price sheet wanted.

Or something like that!

Enjoy and wear in good health - follow the advice from those above 😀
 
watchyouwant
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very nice ! have the movement serviced. replace the back seal. they should remove the lints under the crystal, but never even touch the dial. polish the crystal; no new one. do not touch the case. maybe repalce the crown seal. repair the band at Michael Young in Hong kong. after all that, you have a very original and valuable GMT. kind regards. achim
 
Archer
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t_swiss_t t_swiss_t
Just FYI -- the movement is actually caliber 1565 (the GMT feature moves it from 60-->65) but they are all marked with the base movement number 1560 since Rolex used to be too cheap to care. Congrats again!

Rolex date movements will end with the digit 5, so it's the date that makes it a 1565, not the GMT function. The Cal. "1565" has no GMT function, just the date.

The actual movement designation is "1565 GMT", and the GMT at the end is what designates it as having the 24 hour hand.

Cheers, Al
 
Speedmasterfan88
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EdtheAussie EdtheAussie
I remember a story where a collector had found a DRSD for sale from the original owners wife.

Sounded familiar 😉.

He got it for 5k in the end.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ethical-questions-in-watch-collecting.60519/#post-753656

He showed the watch to me when I met him once a few years back. unfortunately this is the only (crappy) pic I have of it, its in the middle of the case:

357BCA72-C46F-474B-8CC6-E60C859DDF3D.jpeg


I‘m a firm believer, that honesty goes a long way in life and in watch collecting!

Cheers,

Max
 
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