35k for a caseback? Sounds high…

[Milkshake]

I came across a listing for a Rolex GMT 116710LN “Sea King” which apparently was only made in 123 examples and only sold to servicemen in the UK. The watch is identical to a normal 116710LN except for the caseback, which has an engraving of the helicopter known as the Sea King. There is no special reference number, nothing on the warranty card to distinguish it from a run of the mill GMT LN, just a basic machine engraving. The asking price is 50k USD.

Am I alone in thinking this seems like an extremely high premium?

[123Blueface]

I wouldn’t pay that for it.
But…….bet someone will.

[Jerrocop]

Only 123 out of the thousands of other LN’s out there. I’d say that’s rare. The value is only there if someone is willing to pay for it. My guess is the seller is testing to see if there is a market for this unique reference and hoping to get at or near the asking price. I think the right buyer might pay that but if it’s new to the market without any other examples being sold I would definitely offer what you feel it’s worth and negotiate from there.


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[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

I wouldn’t pay that for it.
But…….bet someone will.

I wonder. Would it be a Rolex enthusiast or a military one? There is no historical connection between the two.

[Brian Page]

In a word "no"

[GBD]

It might be rare, but to fetch that price someone has to want it. Maybe someone out there does?

Case back engraving looks awful.

[skipstar]

Not for me

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

I came across a listing for a Rolex GMT 116710LN “Sea King” which apparently was only made in 123 examples and only sold to servicemen in the UK. The watch is identical to a normal 116710LN except for the caseback, which has an engraving of the helicopter known as the Sea King. There is no special reference number, nothing on the warranty card to distinguish it from a run of the mill GMT LN, just a basic machine engraving. The asking price is 50k USD.

Am I alone in thinking this seems like an extremely high premium?

That is a cool watch. I wouldn’t pay the ask for it but I wouldn’t be shocked if someone out there would.

[996marty]

No chance

[CarlOver]

Does this have same “rarity” as the Space Dweller and blueberry bezels?

[espanol]

This was a mass-produced watch that had alterations to make it limited to a small number of serviceman. I’d never appreciate it as an owner having never been a part of the missions.

Kinda reminds me of the Ed Sheeran BB58s with a logo on the dial. If you had one and weren’t part of the tour isn’t that a bit strange?

[KatGirl]

I have to believe, that if real, it came with some type of special documentation. The engraving looks sloppy to me. I’d be suspicious of its authenticity.

Kat


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[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by espanol

This was a mass-produced watch that had alterations to make it limited to a small number of serviceman. I’d never appreciate it as an owner having never been a part of the missions.

Kinda reminds me of the Ed Sheeran BB58s with a logo on the dial. If you had one and weren’t part of the tour isn’t that a bit strange?

Exactly my thinking.

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

I have to believe, that if real, it came with some type of special documentation. The engraving looks sloppy to me. I’d be suspicious of its authenticity.

Kat


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The seller is as reputable as they come and this version of the watch certainly exists. The warranty card and booklets are shown in the listing, absolutely nothing to separate it from a standard 116710LN.

[Moonwatcher]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

I came across a listing for a Rolex GMT 116710LN “Sea King” which apparently was only made in 123 examples and only sold to servicemen in the UK. The watch is identical to a normal 116710LN except for the caseback, which has an engraving of the helicopter known as the Sea King. There is no special reference number, nothing on the warranty card to distinguish it from a run of the mill GMT LN, just a basic machine engraving. The asking price is 50k USD.

Am I alone in thinking this seems like an extremely high premium?

Hmmmm….Where did i put that engraving machine???

[Kenny G]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

The seller is as reputable as they come and this version of the watch certainly exists. The warranty card and booklets are shown in the listing, absolutely nothing to separate it from a standard 116710LN.

I stumbled across a video on YouTube that covered this particular batch of watches some time back..

To your original question though (and assuming it’s one of the authentic pieces), someone out there would likely pay a lot more for one but how much more is tough to say. I definitely would not.

[ArtNouveau]

I don’t think there’s enough demand to warrant that price.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by GBD

It might be rare, but to fetch that price someone has to want it. Maybe someone out there does?

Case back engraving looks awful.

Have to agree and would doubt it it's a official Rolex project,just case backs engraved by a third party and myself would not pay that money for one.

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree and would doubt it it's a official Rolex project,just case backs engraved by a third party and myself would not pay that money for one.

What’s interesting is that it is unworn and bears all the original stickers. I assume the stickers are put on at the factory before being shipped so I also assume Rolex was involved in the production. But there is also a saying about the word assume

[warrior]

This.

Originally Posted by Milkshake

The seller is as reputable as they come and this version of the watch certainly exists. The warranty card and booklets are shown in the listing, absolutely nothing to separate it from a standard 116710LN.

[Watch-Geek]

I'd wait until Perezscope confirms it's actually legit

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[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

Only 123 out of the thousands of other LN’s out there. I’d say that’s rare. The value is only there if someone is willing to pay for it. My guess is the seller is testing to see if there is a market for this unique reference and hoping to get at or near the asking price. I think the right buyer might pay that but if it’s new to the market without any other examples being sold I would definitely offer what you feel it’s worth and negotiate from there.


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It’s rare by choice and not by necessity. I wouldnt value this as a rare piece.

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

It’s rare by choice and not by necessity. I wouldnt value this as a rare piece.

You make a good point. However IF it came from Rolex (meaning they engraved it) then I still think it’s rare. However if it was done aftermarket then there is little to no added value.


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[nighthawk77]

A number of special force regiments in the UK, including the likes of the SAS, occasionally order watches from manufacturers including Rolex. Orders are usually run every few years and watches are delivered engraved.

One recent example was for the SAS who in around 2012 ordered a batch of Rolex Explorer II 216570 in both dial options. There’s plenty of information online and these have been covered on YouTube by a number of channels. Several of these models have found their way to the secondary market, including to auctioneers Sotheby’s who have sold several of these - see photo below for a previous example sold at Sotheby’s. These watches feature the SAS insignia engraved on the case back and “Who Dares Wins” on the side of the case.

A common misconception is that these watches are issued for use in active duty, similar to years gone by where special forces were issued with milspec watches. This is not the case although some owners may of course opt to wear their watches when on duty.

The engravings are usually done to a very high standard, but this is all there really is to separate these watches from the normal civilian versions.

The secondary market prices have an extremely high premium for an engraving in my opinion, but these are no doubt special and will certainly appeal to some collectors.

[jimcameron]

Didn't we go through this a month or two ago? Different group, but same camaraderie with group of law enforcement agents. They all bought the same watch, and had them engraved. Unless a buyer had some connection to the group, it's just another watch.

[Rolexken]

If there’s a willing buyer and a willing seller then who is to judge. Not for me though.

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by jimcameron

Didn't we go through this a month or two ago? Different group, but same camaraderie with group of law enforcement agents. They all bought the same watch, and had them engraved. Unless a buyer had some connection to the group, it's just another watch.

Not aware of that situation.

This watch is fully stickered. I assume watches have the stickers applied at the factory before being shipped. That leads me to believe the engraving was done by Rolex.

[wm82]

Its legitimate but engraving wasnt done by Rolex SA, so not worth any premium whatsoever.

[Milkshake]

Originally Posted by wm82

Its legitimate but engraving wasnt done by Rolex SA, so not worth any premium whatsoever.

How do you know? Will you please state and share the source.

[wm82]

Originally Posted by Milkshake

How do you know? Will you please state and share the source.

https://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...hlight=seaking


HTH!