Rolex - Phillips Watches Online Auction: The Hong Kong Sessions, Fall 2023 Hong Kong Thursday, September 21, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1984
    Reference No: 16750
    Movement No: 1’060’075
    Case No: 8’631’078
    Model Name: GMT Master II
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3075, 27 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78’360”, endlinks stamped “580”, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “I6”
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial. Movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Watches of Switzerland Edinburgh UK and dated 22nd August 1985, instruction manual, product literature, green document holder, hang tag, additional spring bars and fitted presentation box.

  • 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 is offered complete of its original accessories, most notably presenting its main feature is the superior “spider” dial. A form of aging (akin to topicalization), the spider effect comes from the glossy zapon finish cracking with age and assuming the look of a spiderweb when light hits it at the right angle. The effect can acquire different forms, with the “mesh” being more or less tight. The less tight, the more spiderweb-like the dial appears and thus the more attractive it is.

    -The present specimen distinguishes itself for a superb, textbook example of “spidering”: with large plaques featuring intact glossy finish. It truly looks like a real spiderweb was placed upon it. It is not an overstatement to say the present watch is one of the most attractive examples of a ref. 16570 with spider dial.

  • 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.

    View More Works

8100

Lot offered with No Reserve

Ref. 16750
A fine and attractive stainless steel dual-time wristwatch with center seconds, date, "spider dial", bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1984
40mm diameter
Case, dial. Movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$40,000 - 60,000 
€4,700-7,000
$5,100-7,700

Sold for HK$95,250

Contact Specialist

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

Phillips Watches Online Auction: The Hong Kong Sessions, Fall 2023

21-28 September 2023