Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1984 Reference No: 16750 Movement No: 1’048’166 Case No: 8’566’830, repeated inside caseback 16750 Model Name: GMT Master Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78360”, endlinks stamped “558 B”, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “U5” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Uheren Sonntag Germany and dated 2nd July 1986, instruction manual, Rolex green card holder, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Making its debut in 1980, the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 was the successor to the iconic ref. 1675 that was in production since 1959. While most examples of the new reference featured a glossy black dial with white gold luminous filled indexes, early examples of the reference featured a matte black dial similar to the ones on ref. 1675. Though its general aesthetics are very much retained, the ref. 16750 is fitted with a then-new cal. 3075 running at 28,800 bph compared to its previous 19,800 bph. Notably, it was updated with a practical quick-set date function. Its water resistance was also improved by doubling its previous depth rating from 50 meters to 100 meters. After a successful 8-year production run, the ref. 16750 was subsequently discontinued in 1988 to make way for the ref. 16760.
The present example Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 with a 8.5 million serial from circa 1984, featuring a well-preserved matte black dial. Offered in attractive overall condition and complete with its original guarantee and presentation box, it is perhaps the vintage appeal combined with its practical functioning that collectors adore about the ref. 16750.
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.