Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1989 Reference No: 16713 Movement No: 5’381’591 Case No: L'597'244 Model Name: GMT-Master II “Root Beer” Material: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 215 mm. Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped “78.363.18” Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Bucherer Certified Pre-Owned guarantee service card stamped 24th July 2020, Bucherer fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Rolex’s GMT-Master was one of the most revolutionary timepieces available when it was first released in 1954. Introduced at the dawn of commercial aviation and developed in collaboration with Pan-Am airlines, it featured a historic innovation that permitted travellers to simultaneously tell time at both their “home” and “local” destination. The model evolved over the decades with several design changes and in 1982, its successor, the GMT-Master II, was introduced, employing for the first time a quick-set hour hand that could easily be moved forwards and backwards.
The present two-tone Rolex GMT-Master II reference 16713 demonstrated Rolex’s fresh twist on the classic. Perfectly combining functionality, elegance and edginess, the watch features a two-tone brown bezel, now referred to by collectors as the “Root Beer” and a brown tone dial, which almost opalescent, reflects bronze hues to its beholder.
Offered without reserve, the present watch represents the ultimate sporty-chic accessory that anyone could wish for - gold for a touch of sparkle and steel for robustness. Attesting of its perfect functionality, the watch is further accompanied by its Bucherer service guarantee dated 24th July 2020.
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.
