Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 was very expensive on my wish list. There was also an official Rolex ad for this model as a wallpaper for Windows desktops. However, I am a student and the Rolex GMT Master II was out of reach.
Rolex GMT-Master II 16713
Rolex GMT Master II
The GMT-Master has been one of my favorites since I became interested in mechanical watches. While the history of watches certainly plays a role, I deeply admire the design of this iconic pilot’s watch. With the introduction of Reference 16760 (“Fat Lady”), Rolex has added independent time hands and has become an even more convenient travel companion. 1989, GMT-Master II ref. The 16710 was a successful “fat lady” and was produced for a long time. This also plays a role. In the mid-1990s, my interest in watches was ignited, and this was a model that was available that year (until 2006/2007).
GMT-Master Ref. 1675
I’ll go to 1675
I was aiming to own it, so I kept all those Rolex GMT Master II ads safe from the magazine. A few years later, in 2004, after graduating and starting my first job, I settled on the Rolex GMT-Master 1675 from 1971. I paid 1,800 euros, including boxes and paperwork. The GMT Master was less popular than the Submariner of the time (this trend lasted for a long time), and was available at an attractive price.
Advertisement for the Rolex GMT-Master II 16710 from CA. 2000
However, I soon realized that the vintage Rolex GMT Master 1675 wasn’t for me (I tried again after 10 years, only to the same conclusion). It was more surprising than I expected, and compared to my Sea Dellerer 16600 (I also bought it in 2004), it felt a little more vulnerable.
Gerald’s 16710
Purchase the brand new GMT-Master II 16710
I was also craving my hands for independent time. This will be a “true” GMT rather than simply adding 24 hours. In my opinion, 16710 was something I had. I sold the Rolex GMT-Master 1675, but it took me a while to buy the 16710. In 2006 I bought a new Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 Classic “cola” composition. I also changed other bezel inserts (Pepsi and Full Black) from time to time. If I remember correctly I paid about 3,400 euros for the GMT-Master II. That is, the retail price was a small discount of around 4,000 euros.
This Rolex Gmt-Master II was more modern than in 1675. At the time, I frequently traveled to different time zones for work and holidays. The Rolex GMT-Master II was extremely convenient regardless of the bezel configuration. This was before the iPhone came out (or at least before I got my first one), so using a GMT watch was the fastest way to do it.
I sold the GMT-Master II 16710 in 2010. Because I got the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26300st and paired it with the Royal Oak “Jumbo” 15202st. Alas, everyone makes a mistake.
Oddly, I rebuilt the first Rolex model I sold. I bought the Sea-Dweller 16600, the GMT-Master 1675 and the Yacht-Master 16622 for the second time, but never went to the GMT-Master II 16710 again. Prices skyrocketed and I remember a friend bought 16710 after 16710 for 7,500 euros and thought it was too much. I quickly realized this was a mistake.
Another GMT watch first…
Multiple times I have considered the possibility of buying back an older model or simply buying a modern model with a ceramic bezel. The GMT feature is very useful and I have been trying to deal with this for a while with Grand Seiko GMT (SBGJ201). I’m not saying I’d forgotten about the GMT Master, but I pushed the idea of ​​buying it deep inside my heart. 2023 Bicolor GMT-Master II ref. However, 126713GRNR changed this. After trying it a few times, I was seriously thinking about getting it. However, I was not sure about the modern version. They look different from what I like and wear. That was the reason I broke up with the modern Submariner and ceramic bezel, so I stopped thinking about the new GMT-Master II for quite some time.
Return to GMT-Master II
Then, earlier this year, I realized that the GMT-Master II had returned to my thoughts. I started browsing Chrono24 and all the regular sellers websites that I know regularly feature GMT-Masters. The heat began and my focus was 16710. At that point, I also thought about getting a Neo Vintage Bicolor 16713. I’ve always loved these. I began a survey in 16713 and decided that if any of these were needed, I would need to be in a Jubilee bracelet.
My search in 16710 continued, but I concluded that it was very wrong to spend three times the amount I once paid for a GMT-Master II watch. I also didn’t realize that the same budget would get a 16713 with a brown “Tiger Eye” dial and a jubilee bracelet. Both watches have the same movement (3185). Only the last batch has slightly different calibers (3186). In 2005, Rolex introduced blue Parallel hairsprings to this caliber to ensure stability and resistance to magnetism and shock.
Reference 16713
My common excuse is that at least I’m buying another watch now for this amount, not the same as what I once had. But this is certainly an excuse and I am completely aware of it. Searching for one reference makes life a little easier. A few weeks later I found a nice looking Rolex GMT Master II 16713 with a box, paper and original bill. It was even a vintage dealer in my town!
My Rolex GMT Master 16713 features an original fadeed bezel
I decided to visit Mambodo in The Hague and take a closer look at the watch. Aside from the discolored root beer bezel, the watch was in excellent condition. I probably had the fastest deal ever within minutes, and from that moment on (just before the watch and the incredible 2025), it’s hard to wear any other watch. To get it as a spare, I bought a new bezel with 16713 in fresh colours. However, I noticed that the new bezel made the brown dial more pop, so I decided to replace it.
As mentioned before, it was a great companion since I got it. I had a two-week interruption due to my vacation in South Africa. I knew that wearing this watch in Cape Town was not the best idea, so instead I wore a G-Shock GW-9200 Riseman. But as soon as I got home it found a way back to my wrist.
I love the color combination of Root Beer GMT, along with the brown dial, brown and gold bezels and 18K gold elements. The crown, bezel ring, hand and jubilee bracelet’s central link are all yellow gold. The precious metal perfectly complements the brown colours of the dial and bezel.
On the wrist
This 40mm watch (12mm and 48mm thick lugs) is extremely comfortable on the wrist. Due to its flat case, I think it’s more comfortable than my sea residents. The latest ceramic bezel GMT Master II model has similar dimensions, but looks slightly larger on the wrist. This isn’t an issue with my 18.5cm wrist, but I think the five-digit Rolex model is more elegant. I also prefer the Porsche 993 over the modern 992, for example. I know the 992 is a better car, but the 993 is what makes me smile even more. And, like with watches, that’s the most important thing.
My GMT-Master II 16713 dates back to 1991 (these were produced from 1989 to 2007). It came with the original box, a booklet, and even the original invoice. This indicates that it was purchased in Tornado in the same year. I have not actively searched that box and paper, but I will not reject these when available.
Set the date and time
Using the GMT-Master II is a child’s play. You can set the time and minutes by removing the Twinlock crown and pulling it out to the second position. To set your 12-hour hand independently, place the crown in its first position. Now you can set the time hand to your local timezone (wherever you are), and the instantaneous hand will not move. GMT hands refer to a 24-hour scale and indicate the time of the house. Dates are not the variety of QuickSets, but changing them using independent time settings is not too much of a hassle.
Usually I have no preference between oyster and jubilee bracelets. However, in this configuration, the Jubilee bracelet with gold center links is a little better. Of course, that’s just personal. How about tweaking? Certainly, the clasp has several holes, but you will need to change it using a toothpick. And that’s fine. The bracelet is very comfortable and doesn’t fly with a Modern Rolex watch today, but it does what you need to do.
Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16718 – Image: Chrono24
With this purchase, I put my hunger for the GMT Master still and every time I put it on my wrist it makes me smile. The only reason to let it go is to get a full gold 16718 with the brown dial.
