Thoughts on this 1675 GMT

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ATWG

·Dec 20, 2025

Looks as advertised, watch will need some TLC. The hands can easily be relumed/color matched for $150. The crystal can be replaced for $450 and of course much needed service which can range from $500-1500 depending on parts.

The case does look promising, provide the serial when you can….couldn’t make out the numbers.

I would perform the bare minimum restoration on this watch. Get it to the point of being a daily beater and be happy with it. The hands and crystal will make all the difference.

Welcome to the 1675 club, one of the best references.

 

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Dan S

·Dec 20, 2025

This continues to be a good time to buy, as long as you're comfortable buying in auctions. The gap between dealer asking prices and auction sales remains huge. In addition to your nice pick-up, this long-E just sold for $10,700 in a popular auction house. I realize prices are higher in the UK.

A gilt 1675 with a really nice dial also sold at this auction for $17,500, but the case was very soft.

Edited: Dec 20, 2025

 

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bralofsky

·Dec 20, 2025

The bracelet being wrong is definitely a factor, and there could be other issues that aren't immediately apparent. Also, the market for vintage watches can be unpredictable. Sometimes prices are lower than expected.

 

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Davidt

·Dec 20, 2025

ATWG

Looks as advertised, watch will need some TLC. The hands can easily be relumed/color matched for $150. The crystal can be replaced for $450 and of course much needed service which can range from $500-1500 depending on parts.

The case does look promising, provide the serial when you can….couldn’t make out the numbers.

I would perform the bare minimum restoration on this watch. Get it to the point of being a daily beater and be happy with it. The hands and crystal will make all the difference.

Welcome to the 1675 club, one of the best references.

The serial is 5.16x xxx so I believe around ‘77.

My plan is for this to be worn fairly frequently, almost as a daily, so my plans broadly align with your suggestions.

The bracelet is dated for ‘81 and has the owners name engraved on the divers extension. I understand it’s incorrect but I’m wondering if it could have added in at purchase. I don’t mind either way, but if it’s reasonably likely it’s been on the watch since new, I might keep it. It will however need some TLC so if it’s unlikely to be original to the watch I’ll likely sell it and source a period correct bracelet.

My watchmaker has a Rolex parts account but I’m assuming the modern service crystals don’t have the same dome profile as vintage ones?

Does the same apply to the crown? Should I be working towards retaining the existing crown or is a modern service tube and crown ok? I will get any replaced parts back.

 

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Dan S

·Dec 20, 2025

I don't think that service 1675 crystals are significantly different than vintage ones, not enough to matter. It's not like a 5513 or 1665 crystal.

 

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Davidt

·Dec 20, 2025

Dan S

I don't think that service 1675 crystals are significantly different than vintage ones, not enough to matter. It's not like a 5513 or 1665 crystal.

Thanks Dan, good to know. I haven’t had a lot of luck lately with vintage crystals (the last two I’ve found, supposedly NOS and in original packaging were knackered), so if a modern service crystal is close enough aesthetically that makes things easier.

 

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ATWG

·Dec 20, 2025

The 1675 and 16750 both take the same crystal 25-116. If your WM has a RLX parts acct, he can order it. Here is the catch, for the 16750 the stated RLX price is $150, however for 1675 it is $450. If you overhaul the watch I’d replace the retention ring as well since it has visible corrosion. I’d assume it will also need crown and tube to ensure tight seal.

I would not pay too much attention to the bracelet, keep it as is. It is definitely not original to the watch. I have worn my GMTs on 93510 bracelets, not a big deal. As a matter of fact, it was an option for the later 16750. My only concern would be stretch, you’d have to be the judge on that. And if the endlinks don’t fit as nicely, easy enough fix with purchasing 580s for $300 which offers the correct 2.00 mm GMT spring bar diameter.

Best.

 

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alane24

·Dec 29, 2025

Awesome watch. Love when they come in this well-used condition. It means it hasn't likely been F'd with, and you get to clean it up!

 

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southtexas

·Dec 31, 2025

great buy, all of it looks very nice.

 

D

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DoricSpiker

·Jan 1, 2026

Looks like a really good pick up at a great price. Congrats

 

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Majork

·Jan 2, 2026

Great buy. Always loved the 1675 for the slimness and great crownguard shape
I think it will come out great and will bring you a lot of joy.

 

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emilio

·Jan 3, 2026

Awesome catch at that price!

Sternkreutz/ steinkreutz/ stoneinyourcrotch(?) makes nice aftermarket crystals for 1675’s. Then you are done at no more then €100. Put one on my 1675:

Rolex bracelets are interchangeable for approximately the same amount of money unless it’s a riveted 7206. Which is way older then your gmt.

So to conclude: definitely a nice buy!

 

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Davidt

·Jan 16, 2026

And we’re back and on the wrist!

It’s the hour minute hand that are service replacements. GMT and second hands are tritium. I haven’t had the hour/minute hands colour matched but may do in the future.

Edited: Jan 16, 2026

 

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hansaboy

·Jan 17, 2026

Wow David!
What a lovely dial, and the lume looks amazing, just the right color!
The case and bezel looks nice also - they have the perfect vintage feeling, not to perfect, but with the right look!

Congrats!
👍👍👍

 

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Davidt

·Jan 17, 2026

Thanks Hans. Really happy with this one. With a new genuine crystal the dial really pops and although the case has its share of age related wear, it remains thick with decent facets.

I’ve just bought a red back Pepsi insert but keeping it on the black for a few days.

 

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hansaboy

·Jan 18, 2026

Put on the insert now, I think that the dial will really pop and look even more amazing!
😀

 

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Davidt

·Jan 18, 2026

hansaboy

Put on the insert now, I think that the dial will really pop and look even more amazing!
😀

Yeah I think it’ll look amazing with that insert. I’m just showing a bit of restraint and keeping it original for a few days before I change it.

I’ve got it on a 78360/580 at the minute which fits perfectly but I have a 7836/380 on the way which will likely take its place.

 

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nkhandekar

·Jan 19, 2026

David that is a nice GMT. I am a fan of the all black bezels, despite popular opinion. You did really well.

 

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southtexas

·Jan 19, 2026

Davidt

Yeah I think it’ll look amazing with that insert. I’m just showing a bit of restraint and keeping it original for a few days before I change it.

I’ve got it on a 78360/580 at the minute which fits perfectly but I have a 7836/380 on the way which will likely take its place.

i'll look great with that red blue insert. It was probably more likely to have been originally fitted with that color as opposed to black. In any case, we can't know, so I say to wear what you like...

 

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spacemission

·Jan 21, 2026

Davidt

Thanks Hans. Really happy with this one. With a new genuine crystal the dial really pops and although the case has its share of age related wear, it remains thick with decent facets.

I’ve just bought a red back Pepsi insert but keeping it on the black for a few days.

I hope you didn't pay too much for it.