PICTURES: GMT-Master Evolution

[IamJacky]

What a treat! Thanks for sharing and such amazing photos!

[inadeje]

This shows the subtle way the design has been altered to create an optical illusion of greater case size

[strafer_kid]

Great pics - great watch!

[brucethemanlee]

That's so cool!

[RustyW]

WOW!!

great watches & pics

[nr1416]

Awesome pics!!!

Thanks for sharing

[Xerxes77]

Very nice

[drmizzou]

Excellent post and pics. Thanks for sharing!

[Boaters]

6542 with the Bakelite bezel you don't see those very often. Awesome collection.

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by inadeje

This shows the subtle way the design has been altered to create an optical illusion of greater case size

It's not subtle though. There really is a case size difference.

The 6542 was 38mm, same as the 6200, 6538, 6536, 5508, and 5510 subs.

There's also a case size difference between the ceramics and the 16710, as well as a weight difference with the cases.


Width edge to end of crown

116710 44.4mm

16710 42.45mm

Length lug tip to tip

116710 47.8mm

16710 47.5mm

Weight

116710 141grams

16710 135 grams

Height

116710 13mm

16710 12mm

[ltmgeller]

Amazing!!! I was drooling on the screen. Absolutely gorgeous!!!

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by Mendota

It's not subtle though. There really is a case size difference.

The 6542 was 38mm, same as the 6200, 6538, 6536, 5508, and 5510 subs.

There's also a case size difference between the ceramics and the 16710, as well as a weight difference with the cases.


Width edge to end of crown

116710 44.4mm

16710 42.45mm

Length lug tip to tip

116710 47.8mm

16710 47.5mm

Weight

116710 141grams

16710 135 grams

Height

116710 13mm

16710 12mm

These are some precise measurements...I wasn't aware...thanks for sharing!

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by dbhak22

These are some precise measurements...I wasn't aware...thanks for sharing!

Ha ha, I can't claim credit for the caliper measurements for the 16710 and the ceramic 116710. That was done over on a good Rolex site I read: https://www.minus4plus6.com/116710.php

He did a review of the differences and got his digital calipers and scale out to discuss all of the nuances of them both side by side.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Fantastic post Daniel

As a BLRO fan, I can honestly say that IMHO Rolex has done a wonderful job of updating the reference over the years. One must remember that these changes occurred over decades with many minor changes in between.


It’s truly interesting to see them all together at once. Thank you for this post

Couldn't have said it better.

[toolr]

Very cool! Love the 6542 with the stunning bakelite bezel.

[usafmedic403d]

Man the opportunity, and that collection!!!

[Boopie]

Excellent photos! Thanks for sharing.

[1665fan]

Originally Posted by Mendota

It's not subtle though. There really is a case size difference.

The 6542 was 38mm, same as the 6200, 6538, 6536, 5508, and 5510 subs.

There's also a case size difference between the ceramics and the 16710, as well as a weight difference with the cases.


Width edge to end of crown

116710 44.4mm

16710 42.45mm

Length lug tip to tip

116710 47.8mm

16710 47.5mm

Weight

116710 141grams

16710 135 grams

Height

116710 13mm

16710 12mm

16710 feels a lot lighter than just 6 grams…..not sure I believe that

[Mendota]

What would be really amazing is if it had the original radium lumed bakelite insert. Those are virtually nonexistent out in the wild, though, since Rolex issued recalls after they learned how dangerous those were. Just imagine how many people were handling them and turning them, admiring how cool they were in the dark, on those first runs until their AD politely called them to come in and swap out this radioactive hunk of plastic on your watch! 🪦

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

16710 feels a lot lighter than just 6 grams…..not sure I believe that

I don't know. I don't have either one so I can't do any weighing myself. The owner of minus4plus6 has has been around in the Rolex community for ages so I trust his measurements. He did those back when the stainless GMTIIC first came out in around '07? He's a member here, so I'm sure he would have corrected them if they weren't right.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by Mendota

What would be really amazing is if it had the original radium lumed bakelite insert. Those are virtually nonexistent out in the wild, though, since Rolex issued recalls after they learned how dangerous those were. Just imagine how many people were handling them and turning them, admiring how cool they were in the dark, on those first runs until their AD politely called them to come in and swap out this radioactive hunk of plastic on your watch! 🪦

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

My 6542 DOES have the original radium powered bakelite bezel,

It’s very rare to find one let alone one fully intact considering how brittle they are.

I also have video of it next to a geiger and it’s cracklin’ like Rice Krispies, ha!

[Mendota]

Originally Posted by dbhak22

My 6542 DOES have the original radium powered bakelite bezel,

It’s very rare to find one let alone one fully intact considering how brittle they are.

I also have video of it next to a geiger and it’s cracklin’ like Rice Krispies, ha!

Wow! Do you know any of the history about how it evaded replacement over all of those initial years? Do you have it stored somewhere safe or is that it on the watch? Just incredible. That must date it to one of the first production runs. Didn't they start replacing them after the first or second year? Original radium dial and hands, too, I'm assuming.

I love the 6542 and the 5510. I would be grateful if you could do a thread all about your 6542 sometime. The history of how you got it, what you know about the original owner, all of that, plus your fantastic photography. Maybe you've already done this over in the vintage area.

What an amazing piece.


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[rod727]

Wow...just wow

[scombs263]

Way to go Daniel. I’m loving the 70&21.

[Phahrenheit]

anyone has a submariner evolution to share?

[huba01]

Best post in a long time, thanks so much for sharing

[Boaters]

Great thread thanks for Sharing

[1675-David]

That 1675!!

[travisb]

Wow!! Thanks for sharing this!

[dbhak22]

Originally Posted by Mendota

Wow! Do you know any of the history about how it evaded replacement over all of those initial years? Do you have it stored somewhere safe or is that it on the watch? Just incredible. That must date it to one of the first production runs. Didn't they start replacing them after the first or second year? Original radium dial and hands, too, I'm assuming.

I love the 6542 and the 5510. I would be grateful if you could do a thread all about your 6542 sometime. The history of how you got it, what you know about the original owner, all of that, plus your fantastic photography. Maybe you've already done this over in the vintage area.

What an amazing piece.


Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

The 6542 has never officially been to market and I acquired it from the original owner's family. It has quite the story associated to it (what old watch doesn't?!) which I should write up and share one day. I have some great pictures of the watch too; the condition is phenomenal for a watch that was actually worn. Thanks for the idea, stay tuned, :)