Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2003 Reference No: 16710 Movement No: 30’244’147 Case No: F818’922 Model Name: GMT-Master II, “Coke” Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 3185, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped "CL10", "78790A" Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Yes Watch Co., Ltd., Hong Kong dated 15th July 2005, purchase invoice, international service guarantee and service invoice, hang tags, instruction manual, product literature, suede cloth, leather card holder, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
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.
With a surge in demand by collectors in recent times, the Rolex ref. 16710 was released with three different types of bezel inserts, red/blue (Pepsi), red/black (Coke) and black offering collectors’ options for their desirability. The present Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 features a coke bezel from circa 2003 bears an F serial. Boasting equally attractive contrast as the Pepsi, the present Coke offered with its original guarantee and presentation box is furthermore preserved in an absolutely gorgeous condition.
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.