Review Of The Rolex GMT II 116710LN

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I thought I'd posted this review of mine here but couldn't find it, so here it is...

The Rolex GMT Master is a model with a grand story behind it, and it would go beyond the scope of the review of the Rolex GMT II 116710LN to go into details of the fascinating history and aspects of the predecessor GMT's.

For those who want to read more about the "old" GMT's there are various articles, and the following links contain essays that give a short, but still good overview over GMT models and their history:

GMT article.

GMT Transition.

GMT - Past and present.

and last, but not least, various comparative reviews of the GMT II 16710 and GMT II 116710 have been made, but I will recommend the following excellent comparative review by Sheldon:

Two Rolex GMT's.

Now to the review of the GMT II 116710LN.

The various parts of the watch (case, crystal, bezel, crown, dial, bracelet, clasp and movement) will receive "scores" from 1-5, depending on how well the various parts are made / function:

• 1:Not satisfactory
• 2: Mediocre
• 3: Satisfactory
• 4: Very good
• 5: Excellent

The GMT II 116710LN was introduced at the Basel World Fair in 2007. The steel/gold version (ref. 116713) came a year earlier, and the all-gold GMT II (ref. 116718) was launched in 2005 as an "Anniversary" model, sporting an all-green dial (later the all-gold version also came with a black dial option). The green-dialled all-gold GMT II is still made and has never been "limited".

"LN" stands for "Lunette Noir" (French for "Black Bezel"), by the way.

The Oyster case of the GMT II 116710LN (from now on referred to as the "new GMT II") has been updated compared to the predecessor GMT II's. The case now has:

• "Super Case" (sometimes also called "block case"): Larger lugs with vertical satination instead of diagonal, coarser sationation of the lugs than of those of the "old" GMT II's.
• Triplock Crown as compared to the Twinlock Crown of the "old" GMT II's.
• Flatter crystal and lower lying caseback.
• AR (Anti-reflective) coating of the cyclops lense.
• Green GMT hand (AKA "24-hour hand")
• Green "GMT MASTER II" writing on the dial.
• "Maxi Dial" (i.e.: larger hands and larger indices that provide more lume of the applied SuperLuminova).
• Ceramic bezel insert (24 clicks) with numbers filled out with Platinum as compared to the anodized aluminium bezel insert of the "old" GMT II's with 120 clicks.
• Updated bracelet and clasp: Solid, polished centre links. A heavier and much more complicated construction of the clasp, including a hidden "Easy Link".

Some photos of the new GMT II reviewed here, showing the above updates:








CASE:

The case gets 4 points for the following reasons:

PROS:

• Lower lying caseback provides a better fit on the wrist.
• Triplock crown is easier to handle (and although the new GMT II still is "only" waterproof to 100 metres, the Triplock crown on its own is rated to be able to withstand a depth of 1,220 metres. This adds to more security).

Contras:

• Lower lying caseback makes the case sit tighter against the skin, resulting in quicker developing of smudge and dirt on the case sides and caseback.
• Optically, the Super Case style is too large compared to the bracelet width. But that is a matter of personal preference and taste.

Here are some pics:




Case width versus bracelet width:


(Pic by hannes; oysterworld.de).

A Rolex Sea-Dweller compared with the new GMT II which shows the new, "big" design of the new GMT II:


(photo by Mike)


CRYSTAL:

The crystal gets 5 points for the following reasons:

• Lower sitting crystal makes the watch easier to wear under shirt sleeves.
• AR coating of the cyclops makes for an easier view of the date.

BEZEL:

The bezel scores 4 points, because:

• it turns much more smoothly than the aluminium version.
• it is scratch resistant and also not influenced by fading due to exposure of UV rays.

Contra point:

• Only 24 clicks instead of 120

Here is a drawing of the construction of the new bezel with ceramic insert:


(Pic by Sheldonsmith).

CROWN:

The Triplock crown - tested by time already - gets 5 points for:

• Enhanced water resistance due to extra seals and gaskets, and
• easier handling of the Triplock crown than of the Twinlock crown, especially if you have large hands/fingers.

Here are some pics and drawings of the Triplock crown that has FIVE seals (an O-ring on the crown tube, visible to the eye, one between crown tube and case and finally one in the crown and two inside the tube):


(Pic by Jocke).


(Pic by Tools).

By the way: The reason why the new GMT IIc is NOT waterproof to 1,220 metres (which the Triplock is rated to) is that the crystal and caseback are of "normal thickness" unlike the Sea-Dweller and Sub Dates.

DIAL:

The design and quality of the dial scores 5 points since:

• the Maxi Dial provides much better lume at night and makes for an easier reading of the time during the day due to the bolder hands and indices.
• the quality work of the (18 kt. white gold) hands and indices, combined with the perfection down to the tiniest detail of the letter fonts and immaculate glossy dial is outstanding

Some dial details (note also the "RBR" - [ = Rolex Branded rehaut] with "ROLEXROLEX" on the angled, satinised edge along the dial):





The "LEC" (Laser Etched Coronet) in the crystal at six o' clock:



Bracelet:

The bracelet receives a score of 4, because:

PROS:

• The SOLID centre links makes the bracelet much sturdier and less "noisy" (some of the old Oyster bracelet can make a rattling sound when handled).

Contras:

• Polished centre link much more proned to getting scratches and becoming smudged by fingerprints.

Here is a new GMT II that shows significant signs of wear (it is only ONE week one, though):


(pic by Grey ("Mullman").

And here is a pic of the new GMT II clasp (after one month wear):


(photo by Leighton).

CLASP:

The clasp gets 4 points and is a chapter on its own even though it is part of the bracelet. Where the clasp of the old GMT II was made of simple bent sheets of metal (either steel or gold), the NEW clasp is much more sturdily made and quite complicated in its construction.

Here is a drawing of the construction of the new clasp:


(Pic by Sheldon).

Only drawback is the polished centre part of the clasp (like the polished centre links of the bracelet) that gets scratched very easily.

Strangely enough, most new GMT II's have a code on the buckle of the clasp saying "15/423". The significance of that code is still unknown, but the new GMT II that is reviewed here does NOT show this code. It seems that is has been omitted with the very latest M-series (M2728XX). Here is a picture (note the "EO9" code that means that the BRACELET - not necessarily the watch/case on its own! - was manufactured in September 2007):



(for more "date codes on clasps, see www.oysterworld.de).


MOVEMENT:

The Cal. 3186 movement (predecessor that the Cal. 3185 movt.) has received various updates, among them the installation of the Parachrom Bleu hairspring which is a Rolex invention and this new hairspring is virtually impervious to the influence of magnetic fields and changes in temperature.

For more about the Parachrom Blue hairspring:

Article 1.

Article 2.

Article 3.

The movement scores 5 out of 5 possible points due to its amazing precision and superb construction. The new GMT II tested here has a precision of ½ a sec/day.

Here is a pic of the GMT II cal. 3186 movement:


(Pic by hannes; oysterworld.de).

From the launch of the new GMT II until recently, only the OLD GMT II booklet was included in the box. For those owners of the new GMT II or for those who want to see the booklet, here it is (thanks to "Blackeagle"):