Rolex GMT-Master 16700

Sold
Sold
  • Free worldwide delivery

The reference 16700 is the perfect neo-vintage GMT.The ref. 16700 was introduced in 1988 and was the first GMT to feature both a glossy black dial with applied white gold hour markers and a sapphire crystal. This specimen is a very early execution, dating back to 1988. It comes with a nice and thick stainless steel Oyster case and bracelet, together with a beautiful lightly faded aluminium ‘Pepsi’ bezel insert. The watch runs on the calibre 3175 that includes a quickset date but does not yet have the quickset GMT setting.

Introduction

Rolex GMT-MasterFasten your seatbelts for the story of the inimitable Rolex GMT-Master! As civil aviation took off after World War II, airlines began to fly over longer distances. As a result, pilots required accurate watches that could display multiple time zones simultaneously. In the early 1950s, Pan American Airways (Pan-Am) requested Rolex to develop a watch for this very purpose. The GMT-Master (‘GMT’ standing for ‘Greenwich Mean Time’) was introduced in 1954. It featured a 24-hour hand alongside the regular 12-hour hand. In combination with a bidirectional 24-hour bezel, this GMT hand could be used to read the home time zone while the 12-hour hand displayed the ‘local’ time.Despite its close links to aviation and its professional purpose, the Rolex GMT enjoys a fanbase far beyond the pilots it was originally intended for. Over the years Rolex has introduced many wonderful variations of the GMT: take your pick!

Specifications

Shipping

Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped within the Netherlands by Registered Mail through the Dutch carrier PostNL and for other countries by Fedex. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For most destinations tracking is available.