Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII Hong Kong Friday, November 24, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1983
    Reference No: 16750
    Movement No: 0’950’534
    Case No: 8’230’067
    Model Name: GMT-Master
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78360”, endlinks stamped “580”, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “78360”
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by original purchase invoice dated 6 April 1987, service invoices, Rolex instruction manual, product literature, Tiffany & Co. fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Making its debut in 1980, the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750 stood as the successor to the iconic ref. 1675, in production since 1959. While most iterations of this new reference boasted glossy black dials with luminous white gold indexes, early examples retained the matte black dial so redolent of its predecessor.

    Though retaining the beloved aesthetics, the ref. 16750 ushered in technical upgrades including the cal. 3075 movement beating at 28,800 vph, nearly 50% faster than its forerunner. Rolex also equipped it with a convenient quickset date function and doubled the water resistance rating from 50 to 100 meters. After an eight-year run, the ref. 16750 was discontinued in 1988, making way for the ref. 16760.

    This particular example hails from circa 1983, as evidenced by its 8.2 million serial number. Bearing the inimitable stamp of eminent retailer Tiffany & Co., this rare and well-preserved ref. 16750 represents a trophy for discerning collectors seeking only the finest and most elusive versions of iconic Rolex references.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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897

Ref. 16750
A very rare and well-preserved stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with bracelet, center seconds, date and presentation box, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

Circa 1983
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 200,000 
€12,100-24,200
$12,800-25,600

Sold for HK$279,400

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVII

Hong Kong Auction 24-25 November 2023