Rolex tool watches are some of the most collectible and sought after timepieces today, and the GMT-Master, first released in 1955, has been part of the Rolex collection ever since. At the dawn of the Jet Age, Rolex developed this dual time zone watch in conjunction with Pan American airways so their personnel could tell both “local” and “home” time while traveling. Rolex created an ingenious method using a rotating bezel, which worked in conjunction with a fourth, 24-hour center hand permitting the wearer to clearly keep track of two time zones. The first model, reference 6542 had a robust, masculine appeal with highly legible dial and blue and red Bakelite bezel, however always looking to improve upon design and precision mechanics, the GMT-Master has continuously evolved its nearly 70 years on the market.

Introduced in 1988, the Rolex GMT-Master reference 16700 featured modern aesthetics and technical upgrades during a transitional period for the brand. Featuring a sapphire crystal for the first time on the model, it provided enhanced robustness and improved water resistance.

Retailed by Tiffany & Co., the present watch is a wonderful, extremely rare, and superbly complete example of this transitional reference. Stamped prominently with the prestigious retailer’s signature at 6 o’clock, the watch comes accompanied by the original guarantee stamped ‘Tiffany & Co’, along with two Rolex service warranties dated from 2002 and 2006, as well as the original blue Tiffany &Co. outer packaging.