Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1995 Reference No: 16710 Movement No: 7’167’587 Case No: W612’061 Model Name: GMT-Master II Material: Stainless Steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 78360, endlinks stamped 501.B, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped "W.11" Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Dial, case, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
As the successor of the ref. 16760, the new reference launched in 1989 featured a slimmer case design, although bearing the same caliber as its senior. The ref. 16710 GMT-Master II was offered to clients with three contrasting options, in this case, the bezel. As most collectors are aware of the term “Pepsi”, clients were able to choose from two other configurations, such as the “Coke” bezel or an all-black bezel. The present example is fitted with a “Pepsi” bezel.
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.