16710 vs 116710 GMT

[sheldonsmith]

Hi All,

I posted my GMTII traditonal vs GMTII-C (116710) comparison page. After wearing the GMTII-C for a month, my notes are posted at http://members.aol.com/sheldons4/116710.htm

I am still tweaking the page getting all the images to line up.

Feel free to add comments, corrections.

Thanks,

-Sheldon

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Below is a preview...

The three year wait for an all stainless updated Rolex GMT was worth it as this watch has hit the mark on many fronts. After wearing an all stainless DateJust, a Turn-O-Graph (TOG), GMTII-T (traditional 16710), SeaDweller, and Submariner, the GMT-C (116710) has met and surpassed all my expectations. The GMT-C combines the updated bracelet of the TOG, the heaviness of the SeaDweller (SD), the maxi-dial of the Limited Version Sub, the security of a Triplock crown from the SD and Sub, and the comfort of a traditional GMT. The additions of the Parachrom Bleu hairspring, the updated clasp, the ceramic bearings under the bezel, and the ceramic bezel insert puts this watch in the next rung of re-designed Rolexes that will be around for generations.

Movement

The movement has been reexamined and the 116710 movement has redesigned elements that set it apart from the 16710. The 16710 movement is a time-tested 3185 movement that allows for moving the hour hand independently forward/backwards as the user travels through time zones. The 116710 movement includes the new Paracrom Bleu hairspring, and according to James Dowling in a TimeZone post, the wheels of the drive train are closer together removing some of the gear play felt in the 16710 when the hour hand was being set. Anyone new to Rolex would not notice, but when compared side-by-side, there is a little more slop when setting the hands of the 16710 than there is with the 116710.

The Case

The 116710 case is larger, thicker, and 1.5mm longer than the 16710 case. The increased size and weight give the watch a much heavier feel than the traditional GMT. Although the watch case is thicker, similar to a SeaDweller in thickness, the watch rides closer to the wrist because the caseback is flatand does not bubble like the 16710 (bottom picture). Subsequently, the watch rides much closer to the wrist thereby negating any watch-flop and top heaviness.