Rolex GMT-Master 16700 Pepsi Bezel Box and Papers
Released in 1954, the Rolex GMT-Master resulted from a collaboration between now-extinct airline Pan Am and Rolex, on a watch that would display the time across two time zones at once. Thanks to the popularisation of commercial air travel, planes were becoming more advanced and traveling longer distances. This resulted in pilots crossing time zones during flights more frequently, and thus a need for uniformity across the aviation industry was highlighted. To eliminate errors caused by time confusion, the industry adopted a standard time-zone, Greenwich Mean Time. As such, the GMT-Master's fourth hand, its 2nd hour hand, was used to constantly display Greenwich Mean Time, as its model name implies, while its regular hour hand displayed local time. While the aviation industry's standard time-zone switched to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in 1972, the name of the legendary GMT-Master was far too long in use for Rolex to change it. Today, the GMT-Master has become one of Rolex's most iconic models, with very few pilot's watches, if any, rivaling its level of fame, popularity, or signature design – and it certainly looks like it will stay that way.
Released in 1988, the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16700 replaced the outgoing ref. 16760 "Fat Lady," as collectors longed for a slimmed-down GMT-Master without the Fat lady's thicker case, beefier lugs, and larger design. Discontinued in 1999, the ref. 16700 was produced alongside the modern GMT-Master II and its successor, the GMT-Master ref. 16710, which was released a year after in 1989. As both of these options were more technically advanced than the ref. 16700 that we have here, the ref. 16700 failed to perform as well as it might have, with collectors spending the extra money to buy either the ref. 16710 instead, or the GMT-Master II when it was released. This has enabled the ref. 16700 to enjoy superior demand within the modern market as collectors seek out this now scarce timepiece. Offered with either an all-black bezel or the iconic red and blue Pepsi bezel, the ref. 16700 is the quintessential GMT-Master with its elegant design and vintage traits such as an aluminum bezel insert, hollow end links, hollow center links, and tritium lume (until 1997).
Brand : Rolex
Dimensions : 40mm
Model : GMT-Master
Movement : Automatic cal. 3175
Reference : 16700
Bracelet : Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
Year : 1999
Condition : Exellent
Material : Stainless steel
Included : Watch, box, and papers
Dial Color : Black
THE DIAL Introducing white gold hour markers and hands to the GMT-Master collection, the ref. 16700's dial furniture is far more resistant to corrosion and visual inconsistencies than its predecessors. As such, this example's dial and handset appear in strikingly good condition. Additionally, this example boasts a "Swiss only" dial whereby it only says "SWISS" at 6 o'clock, a rare novelty only seen on watches from 1998 and 1999.
THE CONSTRUCTION Featuring its iconic 'Pepsi' bezel, so named due to its blue and red colors that are used to indicate either AM or PM at a glance, the ref. 16700's aesthetic is distinctly 'Rolex' with its Oyster bracelet and timeless case design.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
