The GMT-Master 16700.....A Forgotten Reference

[Tools]

When Pan-Am first commissioned Rolex to develop a two timezone watch for the new Boeing 707 jets in 1956 , their concern was to keep the pilots reference to home time intact, while still allowing them to track the different time zones they travelled through. It was felt that keeping a home-time reference would alleviate jet-lag as the pilots could still keep their circadian routine.

Their efforts resulted in the GMT-Master ref. 6542. The GMT stood for Greenwich Mean Time, which was the world standard for a unified or universal time clock.

It's use in practice was initially envisioned as having the watch set for local time, and the bezel was rotated to the new timezone... Local was read at the dial and the timezone you were presently in would be displayed in 24hr time on the bezel....simple. When you got back home the bezel triangle should be back at the 12 o'clock position.

The New GMT and it's line soon became the "standard" and a pilots must-have time-piece. NASA test pilots were given GMT-Masters during development of the record breaking X-series jet aircraft, and they were the personal time-piece of many American astronauts.

The ref 16700 that was produced from about 1988 until 1999 was the last of those watches with synchronized 24hr and 12 hour hands, but with the upgraded sapphire crystal, hacking seconds, and quick-set date.

Specifications
Model: .........................GMT-Master
Reference Number: ........16700
Production Years: ..........1988-1999
Movement: ...................Caliber 3175
Power Reserve: .............48 Hours
Water Resistance: .........100m
Bezel:.......................... Bidirectional
Crown: ........................Screwdown Twinlock
Crystal:....................... Sapphire
Diameter: ....................40mm
Thickness: ...................N/A
Weight: .......................123 grams
Bracelet: .....................Steel, Oyster or Jubilee
Lug Width: ..................20mm
Watchwinder Direction: ..Both


From my personal collection, a 1997 T series GMT 16700:
34666

One of the last of the tritium dials:
34660

Lug holes case....a treat for the eyes:
34659

There are no numbers here....this is one of the originals: :thumbsup:
34661

The GMT 16700 came equipped with the 28,800bph ca 3175 movement:
33771
This movement features a full balance bridge for stability and accuracy, one of Rolex trademarks.. You can see the KIF shock spring at the balance pivot jewel:
33772

A 24 hour hand that travels around the dial exactly one half the speed of the main hour hand:
The bezel is turned to the number of hours you are from local time to track any other time-zone in 24hr time, provided you have set your watch to local.

Here is an excerpt from the GMT 16700 Owners Manual:
33991
33992
33993
33994

While flying and controlling in Alaska I would set the bezel at -8 hrs to keep track of GMT time, a useful reference for pilots.
34663

One unusual aspect of the 16700 - It was offered with the 93150 Sub Style bracelet (perhaps to fit over a flight suit?), a popular option which I preferred at the time:
This one still has the original 93150/501B bracelet - V9, Sept 1996 clasp code...Purchased in early 1997:
34664

This was the last of it's kind, almost ignored because of the new 16710 and only a few of them were made:
34665

[glocati]

Great write up and pics, Larry. I love my 16700 !

[karmatp]

Great post Larry, thanks. :dude:

[Duc-904]

Good stuff Larry! I recently picked up up one of these gems and can't keep it off my wrist!

[jdc]

Great write up and pictures, thanks :thumbsup: :cheers:

[mike]

Excellent review Larry.:thumbsup: The 16700 holds a special place in the heritage of the GMT....one that collectors are starting to take notice of.:thumbsup:

Stunning example.:clap::clap::clap:

[redshirt1957]

I know what you mean.

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd177/redshirt1957/16700002.jpg

[glocati]

Good stuff Larry! I recently picked up up one of these gems and can't keep it off my wrist!

Glad to see another 16700 wearer in Portland !

[seantk]

Good write up and history

Sean

[Duc-904]

Glad to see another 16700 wearer in Portland !

Likewise! :cheers:

[pinoy]

very well put!!! :clap:

[pwrslider]

Good write up and history

Sean

Very cool stuff!!!:thumbsup:

[Lol-x]

Very interesting Larry, thanks for sharing those great photos and the story :thumbsup:

I really like the movement photos :cheers:

[Tools]

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Rolex attempt to send watches into space that later couldn't hack it somehow. Wasn't it an Omega that ultimately became the official watch.

A story I take ZERO pleasure in relaying, since we all know Omega is a Rolex cover band.

Well...That's not exactly the case..

NASA bought several different brands, including Rolex, back in the early 60's, and put them through a series of torture tests. The winner of these tests, and the "official" watch to be used for space walks was the Omega Speedmaster.

Astronauts can use practically any other watch they want while in space, except for official outside-the-shuttle walks, and many of them do wear a Rolex..

[jm433]

One thing I've often wondered about is why the two-colored bezels? I'm assuming the idea was to separate day from night at a glance, but never thought this made much sense. Daylight doesn't necessarily correspond to 6 am to 6pm and the use of military-time hour indicators on the bezel already indicates a.m. versus p.m. at a glance.

Was the two-colored bezel just for decoration? You've shown your black bezel model and I don't think you lose any functionality with that....:thumbsup:

[Tools]

One thing I've often wondered about is why the two-colored bezels? I'm assuming the idea was to separate day from night at a glance, but never thought this made much sense. Daylight doesn't necessarily correspond to 6 am to 6pm and the use of military-time hour indicators on the bezel already indicates a.m. versus p.m. at a glance.

Was the two-colored bezel just for decoration? You've shown your black bezel model and I don't think you lose any functionality with that....:thumbsup:

This has been the topic of conversation...some of it heated, over the years..

The original ref 6542, which had a very short life was black over red. Keeping in mind that this was a pilots watch, the design is similar to an artificial horizon instrument, probably the main instrument used by pilots.

The color quickly became the familiar "pepsi" dial within a few years. Now, at the time Pan-American colors were bright blue and silver or white, depending on if you were looking at the airplane of the uniform, and red/white/blue was uniquely American, so blue over red seems a natural..

It does provide a quick reference when looking at it as the 6 am to 6pm area is generally daylight and it is red, whereas, the 6 pm to 6 am time is evening/dark and the bezel is black/blue in this area. (another theory for the colors)

The functionality of the black bezel is the same, but I do notice a difference in "hunting" for the 24 hour hand without the two colors..

[jm433]

Interesting that the first reference model was black over red. I had always assumed that the pepsi bezel was the first. I guess its just the most iconic.

[jm433]

After having had my GMT 16710 for a few months, I think I might give up the independent hour hand for the quickset date of the 16700. It's kind of a pain to set the date without the quickset feature. And I have been wearing mine with the hour hand and 24-hr hand synchronized anyway. I rotate the bezel for the second time zone.

[Leighton]

After having had my GMT 16710 for a few months, I think I might give up the independent hour hand for the quickset date of the 16700. It's kind of a pain to set the date without the quickset feature. And I have been wearing mine with the hour hand and 24-hr hand synchronized anyway. I rotate the bezel for the second time zone.

I can see your point, but for me with the international travel I do, nothing is cooler than pulling the crown out to position 2 and turning it to your destination time zone while the watch continues to tick on! :cheers:

[Z-Sub]

Excellent Review.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[what3ver]

since we all know Omega is a Rolex cover band.

Ouch. I wouldn't say that, considering Omega has existed almost twice as long as Rolex for one. I actually own more Omega's than Rolex's, and I assure the price difference has nothing to do with it.

[DSJ]

Great review. I hope to have a GMT Master (or II) some day.

[jtrader]

I love the look of the GMT with the all black bezel. In fact if I would have bought mine with an all black bezel if I could have. But my only option at the time was the Coke with the new 3186 or a pepsi with the 3185. So I decided to go with the 3186.

Does anyone know how I might get my hands on a black bezel. I understand that there prob no longer being made since Rolex came out with the new ceramic bezel's.... Is this something that I would half to send in threw my AD to have done, or would I be able to find an AD that would order one for me?

Any advise would be great as I am wanting to expand my options with this timepeice!!

[Dan Pierce]

Great read, Larry.:clap::thumbsup: I'd love to own a 16700 someday. Very interesting about the [Sub] bracelet used for a while.:thinking:
Thanks for sharing.:cheers:
dP

[redshirt1957]

Great read, Larry.:clap::thumbsup: I'd love to own a 16700 someday. Very interesting about the [Sub] bracelet used for a while.:thinking:
Thanks for sharing.:cheers:
dP


Yep, I was lucky to get one with the original Sub bracelet. Makes it kind of unique.:cheers:

[Dan Pierce]

Yep, I was lucky to get one with the original Sub bracelet. Makes it kind of unique.:cheers:

Very cool, Joe!:clap::cheers::thumbsup:
dP

[FrankinCA]

I like reading this historical information about how the watch came about.

best,

Frank

[lordcon]

I find it interesting that the Rolex instruction manual refers to the watch as a "GMT Master I" as opposed to just "GMT Master". The "I" implies that there is a "II"? somewhere amist?

[etp095]

great looking watches,you guys have there.

[JimC]

Excellent review and photos! I've been searching for a GMT (not sure which one) and this thread provided me with a wealth of information. Really useful to see how it works, plus the explanation right from the manual. Wasn't sure of the differences between the GMT I and II; this review and the comments said it all.

Thanks!

[yannis7777]

Fantastic pictures and a very well written review! My passion for my GMT keeps on growing (though mine is not a 16700)!

[Rolexito]

Beautiful piece!......I´ve got one like it!

[GeoGio Greece]

A very nice post ! Thank you.

We consider GMT-Master as one of the best ever, and we love them. Two of these, ticking in Athens, Greece.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/273/dsc06832qn0.th.jpg (http://img134.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc06832qn0.jpg)

There are still many more, on this side of the world.

[nikhileshsingh]

how do you sort out minutes in another time zone? or only the hour can be set??

[superformance]

What was last year or series of the GMT 16700? Also what series did the fliplock type bracelet appear? thanks

[roscoe58]

Thanks for the great information and pictures. I'm lovin' my 93' Pepsi GMT!

[kzm40]

I love the look of the GMT with the all black bezel. In fact if I would have bought mine with an all black bezel if I could have. But my only option at the time was the Coke with the new 3186 or a pepsi with the 3185. So I decided to go with the 3186.

Does anyone know how I might get my hands on a black bezel. I understand that there prob no longer being made since Rolex came out with the new ceramic bezel's.... Is this something that I would half to send in threw my AD to have done, or would I be able to find an AD that would order one for me?

Any advise would be great as I am wanting to expand my options with this timepeice!!

In the UK it's easy to get replacement bezels..I have Pepsi and Black..

[slc1310]

I just purchased a gmt, thank you for such a great lesson of it history,great post

[lobsterlee]

I'm seriously looking at a 16700... I do have one question though...

Q: A Serial 1999 "Swiss" only superluminova dial version - made for just 2 years in 1998/9

Is the above statement correct?

Much appreciated & what sort of ballpark figure am I looking at, as I have not seen many to compare...

Many thanks

[eyen]

I've seen U series with swiss dial.

[116520]

My 16700 is a "A serial".

http://i339.photobucket.com/albums/n470/chanwa00/IMG_9246copy.jpg

[sexner]

Very nice write up, Larry. My third Rolex was an A series 16700. She served me well for 10 years. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[bartonjet]

All the looks of a sub with an additional complication...perhaps the best value for your dollar with regards to Rolex sports.

[4000 feet]

4000 feet here. I received a Rolex 16700 for high school graduation. I love the watch. It is an R serial number making it one of the first ones produced. I think this watch is undervalued and as time goes on collectors will take notice. Great watch and I am glad that I got one. at the time I got it I didn't know much about Rolex and all the stuff I have learned now. I urge anyone who wants one to get one . ya won't be sorry. thx 4000 feet.

[Jet]

I'm seriously looking at a 16700... I do have one question though...

Q: A Serial 1999 "Swiss" only superluminova dial version - made for just 2 years in 1998/9

Is the above statement correct?

Much appreciated & what sort of ballpark figure am I looking at, as I have not seen many to compare...

Many thanks

Is it true that the A serial "Swiss" only superluminova version was made only in 1998/9? I am excited because mine is indeed an A serial w/ "Swiss" only. I also purchased it new in 1999.

Can someone please confirm?

[sea-dweller]

Nice review !!!

[Juggernaut]

One unusual aspect of the 16700 - It was the only GMT to be offered with the 93150 Sub Style bracelet, which I preferred at the time:


Did the Sub bracelet have the diver's extension???

[2toneYachtMaster]

Great review!! Great pics!! My first Rolex was the GMT-Master 16700 E serial (1990). I purchased this watch a few years ago from a lady in South Carolina and it has been great. I have the original box and papers and come to find out it was purchased at Eurasia ltd. I had never heard of them before and found out they are an AD in Israel, thought that was interesting. I was wondering if anybody would know what they might have paid for the watch back then in Israel, more or less than in the US??? Great review, enjoyed it.


GMT master 16700 E serial Pepsi
Yacht Master M serial 18k/SS white dial

[dcvelo]

Did the Sub bracelet have the diver's extension???

No, just the Sub style with the safety clasp, but no extension.
Cheers!

Tools Edit: The 93150 bracelet always comes with the extension, whether it is on the GMT (pilots flight suit extension), or on the Sub (diver's wet suit extension).

[Watch-connoisseur]

Great stuff and great watch. Mine say hi: :thumbsup:

http://i556.photobucket.com/albums/ss3/caramon76/DSCF8206.jpg

[noobperson]

Hello there,

I would appreciate your help on this. Do all GMT Masters, and specifically 16700s, have luminous markers?

Thanks.

[Tools]

Hello there,

I would appreciate your help on this. Do all GMT Masters, and specifically 16700s, have luminous markers?

Thanks.

Yes............. However, before 1998 they used Tritium, which may, or may not still be active... since the 16700 was discontinued in ~1999, there are only 2 years where they used Luminova and those will still glow brightly when charged by light.

So, the reality is that most 16700's will have lume that no longer glows in the dark..

[noobperson]

Great--thanks for the quick reply!

[jets]

I love these threads. Just like candy...

[MikeyTX]

:drul::rokn: Help ............. Need more storage space .......................... :rofl:

[WouterN]

Another 16700 owner says hi from the Netherlands. Picked up this beauty yesterday morning. A nice addition to my collection (Sub Lv, Seadweller and some watches from other brands like Maurice Lacrois and Breitling). I think the watch is beautifull.. It's a 'Swiss only' (A serial) from 1999 with a Coke styled inlay. I am looking for a Pepsi inlay also just to have that option :)

http://www.pocketinfo.nl/wouter/small_vandaag130610.jpg

[ABChop]

Just picked up this "A" series...........love it.

And yes that is the original black bezel that came with it.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s172/ABChop/GMT%2016700/DSC00313.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s172/ABChop/GMT%2016700/DSC003161.jpg

[liv2rce]

Hello everyone, I found this forum after doing some research on the purchase of my very first Rolex. I picked it up from an Estate Jeweler in Charlotte, N.C.

From not really knowing much about all the different models available, I feel that I got very lucky on my first purchase of a Rolex. It is a 1989 GMT-Master 16700. It has the black 18k and stainless "Tiger's Eye" bezel, which is what caught my eye. I had never seen one like this and from all that I have now read, I realize that this did not come standard for this year but was an option (maybe someone can clarify).

The watch came with an aftermarket crocodile band with white stitching. It looks nice and fits with the whole black theme but I was thinking of getting a two tone 18k and stainless band to dress it up. I understand this model came with the oyster band, which I actually prefer over the jubilee. I know that to get and original could run me thousands (which I really can't do) but I want to stay true to the look. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I read that we shouldn't post links to aftermarket sites, so you can PM me with any info that might help.

Sorry if I hijacked this thread but when I did a Google search on the GMT, this was the thread it brought me to.......which is absolutely incredible by the way :cheers::cheers:

[dogtown]

I just swapped my Sea-Dweller out for a 1999 A Series 16700 Pepsi and I love it!
Nice quickset date and gorgeous dial. I also have the black bezel cause those look killer too.


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b216/skorb/my16700A-serialcloseuponwrist.jpg

[Medtech]

What was last year or series of the GMT 16700? Also what series did the fliplock type bracelet appear? thanks

The last year of the 16700 was 1999.

As discussed, the fliplock was an option on all the 16700s. Not sure when that bracelet "first" came to be.

[Frosty]

This is a very informative article with great pictures of a beautiful watch. I really enjoy mine.

[Grissom]

I would like to thank Larry (Tools) for a GREAT, informative article, which helped me tremendously, with regards to my recent acquisition of an "A" Serial Number (1999) 16700. Pic of my 1999 16700 (Luminova) marked Swiss Made dial along with a screen pic of his 1997 16700 (one of the last Tritium Dials) marked Swiss - T < 25 dial, from this very thread, as well as a lume shot of mine, now some 10+ years old! :cheers:

Threads like this are one of the many reasons to love being a member of TRF. :clap:

Again, thanks, Larry!! :cheers:

Nathan

[Medtech]

Larry,
Many thanks for this excellent article and the awesome pics.

Here is my one and only Rolex, an E serial 16700 (1990). Original sub bracelet and pepsi bezel (pics shown w/ cheap aftermarket black insert).

[model7el]

great post

[Pencinta Masa]

Thanks Larry for the very useful information. :thumbsup:

This is my first post here, and this is my first Rolex - an E series 16700.
:cheers:

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/pencintalego/4.jpg

[Newportkrieger]

Thanks Larry for the very useful information. :thumbsup:

This is my first post here, and this is my first Rolex - an E series 16700.
:cheers:

http://i401.photobucket.com/albums/pp95/pencintalego/4.jpg

I too have an E series 16700. Its a great watch that combines the best of old and new for a great daily wear watch. I am activly looking for an U or A series 16700 with the luminova dial to add to my GMT collection. I personally think that wiht the realatively short production run/numbers this may start to gain some interest in the vintage community despite its sapphire crystal. To me its the "transitional GMT".

fast beat movement
quickset date
scratch resistant sapphire crystal
traditional GMT 24 hr hand function

My daily wear GMT, currently giving me +1 sec/day accuracy:

[sorsara]

when they say Crystal= sapphire

what part of the watch are they talking about exactly?

[Newportkrieger]

when they say Crystal= sapphire

what part of the watch are they talking about exactly?

The crystal is the clear covering over the dial of the watch. A Rolex with a crystal made of plastic/acrylic is considerred "vintage" where as a man made sapphire crystal is considered modern.

[dddrees]

Another excellent review Larry. Thanks again for helping me to build my knowledge on these watches.

[SWIMPRUF]

Nice review Larry.

[604Rolex]

great information! I'm currently looking to purchase a 1999 GMT black bezel with original oyster bracelet. On the box it says 16700 movement.

How much is reasonable to pay for this watch? Condition is fair, normal wear.

[AndersB]

Tools! A great thread and a great watch. One thing though: I believe the weight that you have included in the facts list (127 grams) is for a watch with Solid End Links, and most (or all?) ref 16700s came with non-SEL bracelets didn't they? The non-SELs weigh a couple of grams less. Cheers

[Tools]

Tools! A great thread and a great watch. One thing though: I believe the weight that you have included in the facts list (127 grams) is for a watch with Solid End Links, and most (or all?) ref 16700s came with non-SEL bracelets didn't they? The non-SELs weigh a couple of grams less. Cheers

This is true, the 16700 will weigh around 123 grams, depending on the bracelet it comes with.

[michigander]

I find it interesting that the Rolex instruction manual refers to the watch as a "GMT Master I" as opposed to just "GMT Master". The "I" implies that there is a "II"? somewhere amist?

Because the GMT-Master II was sold along side it.

Here's my N (1991)