Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2007 Reference No: 116718 Movement No: 1’784’798 Case No: Z872’969 Model Name: GMT-Master II Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3186, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, end links stamped “78208”, max length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 10th November 2007 stamped Deutsch & Deutsch, instructions manual, product literature, numbered sale tag, hang tag, outside packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Rolex GMT-Master, Rolex launched in 2005 the redesigned GMT-Master II 116718LN made in gold and introducing a ceramic bezel insert called Cerachrom. It uses the new cal. 3186 with Parachrom hairspring, which provides greater resistance to shocks and temperature variations. To contrast with the black bezel, Rolex fitted the anniversary timepiece with a striking green dial which is referred to as the “Maxi dial”, in reference to the bigger lume plots, giving the watch a more modern and updated look.
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.