Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1980 Reference No: 16753 Movement No: 0'449'803 Case No: 6'290'267 Model Name: GMT-Master "Root Beer" Material: 18K yellow gold and stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 39mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
Reference 16753 is a rare variant within the GMT family as it is cased in both stainless steel and yellow gold. Collectors dub this model the 'Root Beer' due to its beautiful brown dial and caramel and chocolate bezel. This particular bezel remains vibrant, displaying a sharp gold and light brown color, giving the watch a very charismatic appearance.
This timepiece is preserved in particularly stunning condition, with sharp satin finishes on the top of the lugs and crisp edges. The proportions are robust, and the bevels are wide and visible. Even the case back retains a strong satin finish. The dials of reference 16753 are known for flaking, yet this dial remains intact throughout and exhibits a glossy brown shade, which is particularly noteworthy and incredible.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.