Have you seen 16700 dial with "GMT II" & "Swiss - T < 25"? Need help with decision

[Wisher]

I am considering the following options from reputable gray-market dealers. Either a 16710 or a 16700. I am curious to hear opinions from other members, as this is my first GMT and I want a Pespi.

And have you ever seen a dial on a 16700 with both "GMT II" and "Swiss - T < 25"? Pic from dealer's website below on the left.

(option 1) 16710 P (2000) or K series (2001)
SEL
Lug holes
Box & Papers
Non-faded bezel
Never been serviced (AFAIK)
K is $ 100 higher, and P is $190 higher, than than (option 2) the 16700 U below.

(option 2) 16700 U (1988) Pic below on the right. (from dealer's website)
Non-SEL
Lug holes
Box & Papers
Serviced by RSC in 2002 (serviced and "bezel disk" replaced)

Blue on bezel still looks sharp, but red has faded a little. This bezel is supposedly newer the P and K bezels, which have no signs of fading. Or do you think it's the original, which the previous owner kept and put back on?
The fading makes the watch "look" its age (more vintage?) but why did it fade, while the others haven't? It seems like this happens, but it's a curious phenomenon.

(option 3) U series 16700 w/ box/papers. Tritium dial has both "GMT II" and "Swiss - T > 25". Box, papers. Bezel has sharp coloring.
USD $670 more than the other U serial watch above, which I assume is the premium factored in for the fluke on the dial.

[HogwldFLTR]

Both 16710 and 16700 started manufacturing at the same time; I doubt there were any 16700 branded as 16710 although I guess it is possible. More likely that the 16700 had a dial swap along the line. Also what does the case indicate on the 16700/16710? I could also have been a movement swap. It's impossible to prove it's original, I believe.

[Colin10101]

I prefer the 16710 over the 16700 and the fact that it has SEL is just icing on the cake. That's the route I would go.

[fskywalker]

16710 would be my choice

[Wisher]

Thanks for the feedback. I was also thInking that there had been some dial, etc. changes to that U. But a mix on the dial markings still seems strange . I will go and ask in person today, if the dealer can make any sense of this.

I get the feeling that the 16710 is the preferred, but I also see many/some members who have or had have both, prefer the 16700 in the end. Hummm, still thinking.
Q

[springer]

The early 16710 dials read SWISS T 25. Beginning around 1999, they read SWISS MADE.

The watch on the left appears to be a GMT II, model 16710, pre-1998.

MY guess is that the dealer incorrectly identified the year and model for the photo on the left - incorrectly calling it a 16700.

[GoldnGuns]

16700 = GMT Master (blue/red or black bezel)
16710 = GMT Master II (blue/red, black/red, or black bezel)

There are GMT references that pre-date the 16700, and of course there are more current references, but the above still applies. Check the papers and serial number on the case to confirm the reference. If the dial has been changed at some point (with a GMT-II in GMT serial) I would probably walk away, but it is more likely that this is just a simple mistake regarding the advertised reference 16700/16710.

Just in case you are not already aware, authentic bezel inserts can be sourced with just a little searching, so my suggestion would be not to get too caught up on the red/blue vs. black vs. red/black, but definitely confirm that the reference number matches the dial.

Lastly, I may be a little biased, but it's 16700 all the way for me!

[Tools]

Option 3 doesn't exist.

Option 2, the 16700 with blue/red would be the classic here.

[Wisher]

I went to the AD to confirm the U watch, and by the time I had gotten there, it was listed as a "16710". So, the confusion was caused by a typo on the website.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Wisher

I went to the AD to confirm the U watch, and by the time I had gotten there, it was listed as a "16710". So, the confusion was caused by a typo on the website.

I'd feel much better about the watch knowing it's correct. I agree with Larry that the 16700 is the classic and the less common of the group although I recently swapped my Pepsi insert for a black one on mine. It's nice to have options.