ROLEX GMT-Master & GMT-Master II

 

Originally the watch was conceived from a request from the airline Pan-Am to provide their crew members with a watch that would allow them to have 2 time zones (they were going to start doing transatlantic flights). The first generation was produced from 1954 to 1959 and the first transatlantic flight from Pan-Am happened in 1958.

The design of the watch had a main dial with the 12 hour layout and a bezel with 24 hours, plus an extra hour hand for the 2^nd time zone. The design came as modified version of the then Turn-O-Graph model which had a bezel that counted the 60 seconds instead. The GMT in the name came from the Time Zone Reference denomination (Greenwich Mean Time, what since 1972 is known instead as Universal Coordinated Time or UTC).

 

The watch, in time, became very popular not only among airline pilots and crews, but in the air force and among travelers who needed to track two time zones. Many decades later the watch became a symbol of status, very valuable and very collectible like so many other Rolex watches.

 

ROLEX GMT-MASTER VERSIONS

 

First Generation ROLEX GMT-Master (reference 6542)

 

The first generation was the 6542, from 1954 to 1959, which as mentioned before was a modified version of a Turn-O-Graph model but with a 24 hr bezel, The first version had a bezel insert made out of Bakelite and it was luminous. However, that material proved to be too frail and it would crack and break easily so for the second version the bezel was replaced with a metal one ( in 1956). The watch became famous because it was worn by Bond Girl “Pussy Galore” in the James Bond film “Goldfinger” (in 1964).

 

The case was pressure proof for 50 meters (or 165 feet).

 

The first generation used 3 different movements: from 1954 to 1959 some had caliber 1036, from 1957 to 1959 some had caliber 1065, and from 1957-1959 some had caliber 1066.

 

The first generation had an extra hand that was narrow and had at the tip a small triangle.

 

 

 

Second Generation ROLEX GMT-Master (reference 1675)

 

The second generation was introduced in 1959 and made until 1980, and it was the 1675.

 

The 1675 was still pressure proof for 50- meters but it now featured crown guards and the dial had an inscription that said “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified”.  This version came in several variations like gold with a leather band or the option of Oyster or Jubilee bracelets, a Stainless Steel and Gold variant with Oyster or Jubilee bracelet.

 

The 1675 featured throughout its production different movements.

 

The first 1675 watches had a caliber 1565 which had a ticking number of 18,000 vph and by 1966 it was replaced by a 1575 which had a ticking number of 19,000 vph. By 1971 one of the functions of the movement was modified, by pulling out the crown the seconds would stop).

 

Reference 1675 variants:

• Reference 1675/0 which came in Stainless Steel with an option of Oyster Bracelet (78360) or Jubilee Bracelet (62510).
• 1675/8 which came in Gold with an option of  a Leather or Oyster Bracelet (7208/8) or Jubilee Bracelet (6311/8).
• Reference 1675/3 which came in Stainless Steel and 14k Gold, a Sapphire Crystal  and with an option of an Oyster Bracelet (78363) or Jubilee Bracelet (62523).

 

 

 

ROLEX GMT-MASTER (reference 16750) 

 

The GMT-Master reference 16750 was introduced in 1980, It had a new movement and glossy dials. The new movement was the caliber 3075 and it featured a “quickset” date and its ticking number was much higher at 28,800 vph.  The pressure resistance was increased from 50 meters to 100 meters (330 feet). This specific version of the GMT-Master was in production until 1988 and it is highly collectible today.

 

Reference 16750 variants:

• Reference 16750 which came in Stainless Steel with an option of Oyster Bracelet (78360) or Jubilee Bracelet (62510).
• Reference 16753 which came in Stainless Steel and Yellow Gold with an option of Oyster Bracelet (78363) or Jubilee Bracelet (62523).
• Reference 16758 which came in Yellow Gold with an option of a Leather or Oyster Bracelet (7206/8) or Jubilee Bracelet (6311/8).

 

 

GMT-MASTER II (reference 16760)

 

In 1983 the GMT-Master II was introduced but it did not replace the GMT-Master, they sold for many years simultaneously.

 

The GMT-Master II was introduced as reference 16760  in 1983, and it was nicknamed the “Fat Lady” or the “Sophia Loren” Rolex, this due to the fact that the case was thicker and the crown guards were bigger.

 

The GMT-Master II was a more advanced version than the GMT-Master 16750 in several ways, it had a sapphire crystal, it had white gold borders in the indices and it could read three time zones due to the fact that the dial was able to rotate, the hour hand could be adjusted in hour increments and it was independent from the second hand so it would not disturb the minute hand or the 24 hr hand. It had the more advanced movement caliber 3085.

 

Reference 16760 variants:

• The GMT- Master II 16760 was available in only one style variant, the “Coke” style with a black and read bezel a black dial and stainless steel case, with an option of an Oyster Bracelet (78360) or a Jubilee Bracelet (62510).

 

 

 

ROLEX GMT-MASTER (reference 16700) and GMT-MASTER II (reference 16710)

 

From 1989 to 2001 the GMT-Master reference 16700 was produced (as a replacement for the 16750) and by 2001 the GMT-Master production ended Leaving only the GMT-Master II in production until today.

 

Both the GMT-MASTER reference 16700 and GMT-MASTER II reference 16710 had new movements (caliber 3175 and caliber 3185 respectively)  which had a different architecture and they featured a double balance wheel bridge. They kept their main functionally different between them with the GMT-Master only having 2 time zones and the GMT-Master II having 3.

 

 

ROLEX GMT-MASTER reference 16700 variants.

 

The 16700 Only came in Stainless Steel, but it had two types of Bezel:

• BLRO with a Blue/Red Bezel, also known as “Pepsi” (Bezel 315-16700-6)
• LN with a Black Bezel (Bezel 315-16700-1)

 

 

ROLEX GMT-MASTER II reference 16710 evolution and variants.

 

From 1989 until 2007 the 16710 line went through many changes including starting with a tritium dial and ending with Super-LumiNova dial, changes in the bracelets like removing the pin holes and adding solid end links replacing the hollow ones. Also some changes in the box and even the certificate that went from a paper to a plastic card.

 

In 2005 an all gold version was introduced (reference 116718) with many new technical features, they added a Triplock winding crown, a Parachrom hairspring,  a bezel made from a more resistant proprietary ceramic material which made it almost scratch and fade proof, also having solid links and a newly designed clasp. This version also had a larger case, larger hands and hour markers.

 

In 2007 the GMT-Master II 16710 had a movement change, went from the 3185 to the 3186 but that did not last long so those series are very valuable today (the reference 16710 with a 3186 movement).

 

Reference 16710 variants:

The GMT- Master II 16710 was offered with 3 different bezels:

• Red/Black Bezel, known as “Coke” (Bezel 315-16760-7)
• BLRO, with Blue/Red Bezel  known as “Pepsi” (Bezel 315-16700-6)
• LN,with Black Bezel (Bezel 315-16700-1)

Other Variants from the same series:

• 16713 Models with Steel and Yellow Gold Cases and Oyster or Jubilee Steel and Yellow Gold Bracelets. Available with Tigerauge (Eye of the tiger) Bezel which has a Gold and Brown color mix. Or with a Gold and Black Bezel. The dials could be black or tigerauge (know as “tiger eye brown”, “sunburst” brown or “root beer”).
• 16718 Models with  Yellow Gold Cases and Oyster or Jubilee Bracelets. Available with Tigerauge (Eye of the tiger) Bezel which has a Gold and Brown color mix. Or with a Gold and Black Bezel. The dials could be black or tigerauge (know as “tiger eye brown”, “sunburst” brown or “root beer”).

 

 

ROLEX GMT-MASTER II reference 116710.

 

In 2007 a new generation of GMT-Master II was introduced, the reference 116710. It was completely redesigned and it included many new features.

Among the new features it had a “triplock” crown instead of the traditional twinlock of previous models. It added an anti-reflective “cyclope” lens, a green 24 hr hand, a maxi dial. A ceramic a bezel with 24 clicks instead of the previous 120 and with gold or platinum numbers. The bracelets where new, with polished center links and a better clasp. The case was larger, The word Rolex engraved in the inner bezel ring.  An improved version of the 3186 movement.  

 

Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 116710 variants:

• Reference 116710 (also known as 116710LN),  it comes with a stainless steel 40mm case, a black dial, a ceramic black bezel with white numbers and an oyster bracelet.
• Reference 116710BLNR (nicknamed “Batman”),  it comes with a stainless steel 40mm case, a black dial, a ceramic black and blue bezel with white numbers and an oyster bracelet.
• Reference 116713LN, it comes with a stainless steel 40 mm case with a  bi-directional black and yellow gold bezel, a black dial and a steel and yellow gold  oyster bracelet (78203)
• Reference 116718LN, 116758SA
• Reference 116719 (Known as 1167719BLRO, from “Bleu & Rouge”), it comes with a white gold 40 mm case with a bi-directional ceramic blue and red “Pepsi” bezel with white numbers, a white gold oyster bracelet.  
• Reference 116758SA, it comes with a 18k yellow gold 40 mm case with diamonds on the sides and with a baguette blue sapphire & white diamonds bezel , a black dial or a gold & diamond pave dial and a  yellow gold or yellow gold & diamonds oyster bracelet.
• Reference 116758SARU,  it comes with a 18k yellow gold 40 mm case with diamonds on the sides and with a baguette blue sapphire, red ruby & white diamonds bezel , a black dial  or a yellow gold & diamond pave dial and a  yellow gold or yellow gold 7 diamonds combination oyster bracelet.
• Reference 116758SANR,  it comes with a 18k yellow gold 40 mm case with diamonds on the sides and with a baguette blue sapphire & white diamonds bezel , a yellow gold & diamond pave dial and a  yellow gold  oyster bracelet.
• Reference 116759SARU, it comes with a 18k white gold 40 mm case with diamonds on the sides and with a baguette blue sapphire, red ruby & white diamonds bezel , a black dial or a white gold & diamond pave dial and a  white gold  oyster bracelet.
• Reference 116759SA, it comes with a 18k white gold 40 mm case with diamonds on the sides and with a baguette blue sapphire & white diamonds bezel , a black dial or a white gold & diamond pave dial and a  white gold  or white gold & diamonds oyster bracelet.
• Reference 116759SANR, it comes with a 18k white gold 40 mm case with diamonds on the sides and with a baguette blue sapphire & white diamonds bezel , a black dial or a white gold & diamond pave dial and a  white gold  or white gold & diamonds oyster bracelet. It is very similar to the 116759SA, the difference is the design of the bezel.
• Reference 116769TBR, it comes with a 18k white gold & diamonds 40 mm case, a diamonds bezel , a  diamond pave dial (which comes in 2 different designs) and a  white gold  & diamonds oyster bracelet.

 

 

ROLEX GMT-MASTER II reference 126710 & 126719.

The most recent series of the GMT Master II line, the first version appeared in 2018, the 126710BLRO and later the 126710BLNR (2019), the new series is still 400mm in size and introduces the movement 3285  which has an extended 3 day power reserve. Relevant to the new series is the fact that the case is a little beefier and they are no longer offered with oyster bracelets (they do not fit), all the new versions are only offered with jubilee bracelets.

 

Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 126710 variants:

• Reference 126710BLRO, it comes with a traditional Pepsi blue and red bezel, stainless steel case & jubilee bezel and a black dial. 
• Reference 126710BLRN, it comes with a traditional Batman blue and black bezel, stainless steel case & jubilee bezel and a black dial. 

 

Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 126719:

This is a special edition offered first in 2018, it features the new 3285 movement, still offering an oyster bracelet, this is a white gold edition with the option of a midnight blue dial or a meteorite dial.