Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1999 Reference No: 16710 Movement No: 8’512’117 Case No: A807’384 Model Name: GMT-Master II Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78790A”, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster clasp stamped “AB3” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Schaap Citroen Amsterdam dated 7th June 2000, instruction manual, product literature, 2000-2001 calendar card, green card holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Developed and released initially during the golden age of air travels of the 1950’s in association with Pan-Am Airways, Rolex developed the GMT-Master with a dual-time function allowing jetsetters and pilots to keep track of home and local time. Recognized by its vibrant multi-colored red and blue bezel reminiscing the iconic colors of “Pepsi”, the GMT-Master immediately became an icon in the lineage of Rolex Sports watches.
In production from 1989 to 2007, the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 replaced the former ref. 16760 retaining much of its desirable aesthetical attributes. With a production spanning 18 years, the reference witnessed minor transitional upgrades with the earliest examples featuring Tritium, then Luminova and later examples with Superluminova as luminous materials on the dial and hands.
The present example Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 with an A serial from circa 1999 with a “Swiss Made” dial is perhaps one of the earliest examples of the reference featuring Superluminova. Presented in attractive overall condition and accompanied by the full set of accessories, the present example with a faded bezel is certainly one to have in any collection.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
