I am currently trying to find an early 1980s matt dial 16750 Pepsi GMT.

As I am often in Central London I have tried all the usual Central London sources including Hatton Garden, Royal Exchange and Clerkenwell etc. but no luck.

Yes I have found some in the Vintage Rolex shop in the Burlington Arcade but as these are always over polished and over priced they are a no go.

Ebay have a few but I need to see it and handle it before purchase as my requirements are very specific. I want an original and unpolished one similar to this................



I appreciate that this makes my search even harder and have to assume that they all reside with collectors/enthusiasts so it is a waiting game until someone decides to sell.

Can anyone put a figure on approximately how many where produced?

 

I sympathise mate. I am in the same boat as you. Been looking for one but there ain't much out there.

 

There’s many out there. Thing is people are hoarding them. For pricing to go up.

 

Totally agree. 5513 prices have climbed rapidly in the past few months too. Rolex SS sports watches appear to be a good investment at the moment. Which is a bit of a bugger for people that want them for other reasons than investments.

 

Might have to start looking at the more widely available 16700.

 

Or a later gloss dial 16750

 

A matt dial 16750 is a must.

Fortunately I do already have one on a Jubilee and it is my favourite and most comfortable watch to wear. This is why I am trying to upgrade to an original unpolished example.

 

Prices are going way up. Think this is why

 

Unpolished vintage Rolex watches are nearly impossible to find. Most watches receive a light brush or refinish during service which makes this a near impossible task. I look for nice examples with nice thick lugs, dial & hands. I picked up this unpolished piece a while back, and am hanging on to it.

Good luck in your hunt.

 

I think these are great. Under appreciated.

 

They definitely are but I prefer the dials without the WG surrounds on the lume plots.

 

Thanks ATWG and whilst I agree with you your words 'nearly impossible' inspire me to search.

I do have a matt dial 1983 16800 Sub with lugs like the GMT in my original post and I do know of at least 2 GMTs in untouched condition but owners not willing to sell!

 

Don’t we all....

 

And so do I , the 16700 is still pretty much the sleeper of GMTs . It was of the GMT Master references & has always been under the shadow of the vastly more popular 16710 GMT Master II .So I recommend grabbing grab one while you can ,before they become out of most peoples reach like every other 4 or 5 digit steel GMT reference . I bought mine new back in July 99 from goldsmiths in London, while on a long weekend .

 

If you have to go modern, I'd go for glossy 750, essentially the same watch as the matte with WG dial, and still very affordable.

 

Yes this probably is a factor and I can understand people want to hold onto an appreciating asset.

Although I was initially looking at a straightforward purchase, with this in mind I would consider some sort of trade for an exceptional 16750 with one of my watches listed below which are also appreciating assets.

1. Rolex 16800 matt dial unpolished.
2. Omega SM300 Big Triangle.
3. Omega Speedmaster 105.003 Ed White.

All three come with near complete box sets.

 

Honestly, I own/ed all the watches you have listed above, to me, nothing comes close to a matte dial GMT with nice patina....although the EW would be somewhat enticing.

 

for quite some time the 16750 and 16800 were underappreciated and undervalued relative to the 1675 and 1680. these are true transitional references with the modern improvements of upgraded movements, and a sapphire crystal for the 16800 while maintaining the vintage charm of the matte dial. both of these references were produced for a (relatively) very small time period and many of them had their matte dials swapped for WG surround dials during service. there are much much fewer of these watches out there than run of the mill 1675s or 1680s. both have increased significantly over the last few years and the 16750 matte, especially, is getting exceedingly harder to find in nice condition. the 16800, in particular, develops a really unique patina relative to other Submariner references. mine has a bezel that has faded to a very dark blue with a burnt amber pearl. it changes color from dark grey to purple to navy blue depending on the lighting. i have only seen a few other bezels like this on 16800s. i have B&Ps with this watch and it was originally sold in Hong Kong so perhaps the humid, subtropical climate there has something to do with it.

i wouldnt sell any of the three you listed to get the 16750. adding the 16750 would really round out that collection nicely. if you had to dump one, i guess it would be the 300 but im a bit biased.

 

Nearly three months on and I'm still searching!

I even managed to post a WTB when my post count reached 200 but no luck.

Any suggestions?

 

Wait until the market cools off a bit, everyone is hoarding at the moment expecting boundless price increase. We all have seen this movie before, patience is a virtue.......