Welcome to our unboxing series, where we unbox and discuss new arrivals on camera. Today we received the cult favorite GMT Master II ref. 16760: www.bobswatche...
Reference 16760 hails from the iconic GMT Master II collection, characterized by a rotatable 24-hour bezel and a dedicated hand on the dial. While it was developed as a pilot’s watch, the GMT Master II has since become widely sought-after by Rolex enthusiasts of all professions and lifestyles. Interested in adding one to your collection? Shop the pre-owned Rolex GMT Master II here: www.bobswatche...
The GMT Master is a pillar of the Rolex catalog that came to market in the 1950s and continues production today as the GMT Master II. It joins other iconic professional series watches, including the Submariner, Explorer, and Milgauss. In its original form, the iconic pilot’s watch featured a 24-hour bezel and coordinating arrow hand on the dial for reading home and local time simultaneously.
The GMT Master underwent numerous upgrades in the decades that followed its release until it was ultimately discontinued and replaced with the GMT Master II in the 1980s. With the new iteration, the GMT hand became independent of the other hands on the dial, ultimately allowing the wearer to read up to three time zones at once - two on the dial and one on the bezel.
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REFERENCE 16760
The very first GMT Master II reference was 16760. It was only produced for a short time, between approximately 1982 and 1988, before being discontinued and replaced with the long-running ref. 16710. Its role in the GMT Master II’s history and its limited production run makes the Rolex 16760 a very prized collector’s item among those in the know.
THE FAT CASE
Reference 16760 also features a unique case shape that many find intriguing. When Rolex released ref. 16760, it was equipped with a then-new calibre 3085 Perpetual movement, an upgrade from the calibers 3075 and 3175. As we previously mentioned, with this upgrade came an independent GMT hand. Before that, it was permanently linked with the 12-hour hand. Because the time can be adjusted separately from the GMT hand, the GMT Master II can essentially read up to three time zones at once.
As a newer innovation at the time, the movement also required a slightly thicker case, which has since become known as the “Fat Lady” or the “Sophia Loren.” When Rolex released its successor, ref. 16710, the movement and case were refined and slimmed-down, resulting in a much thinner watch. The second iteration of the GMT Master II became an instant success because of the upgraded case. It went on to enjoy nearly 20 years of production before being replaced with the 6-digit generation.
ROLEX 16760 FEATURE SET
Reference 16760 is every bit a modern Rolex with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, water-resistance up to 100 meters/330 feet, and a high-beat self-winding movement with both hacking seconds and a Quickset feature. It was produced on both the three-piece link Oyster and five-piece link Jubilee bracelets during its short production run.
However, reference 16760 was only ever produced in stainless steel. Additionally, it was only produced with the “Coke” bezel, featuring a two-tone black and red insert to distinguish between day and night hours. This bezel option was brand-new at the time, adding even further to its appeal among collectors in the know. On the secondary market, it is possible to find examples of the ref. 16760 with replacement bezels in red and blue “Pepsi” or even all-black.
Reference 16760 was also one of the first GMT Master watches to feature white gold surrounds on the hour markers, which are filled with Tritium lume unless previous owners replaced the material over the years. It was also the first GMT Master ever to feature a sapphire crystal. Previous references were outfitted with acrylic.
Reference 16760 was produced during the 1980s, meaning that the case will feature holes on the lugs. Finally, while the case keeps the collection’s standard 40mm diameter, it is flanked by larger crown guards. This small detail adds even further to its intriguing nicknames Fat Lady and Sophia Loren.
Rolex no longer produces the GMT with a Coke bezel. Furthermore, it was only ever produced in aluminum - it is impossible to buy a GMT Master II with a ceramic Coke bezel as of the filming of this video. Many collectors seek ref. 16760 for this reason alone.
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