The GMT-Master 16700.....A Forgotten Reference

[HogwldFLTR]

This was a great write-up; I recently bought one and it should arrive tomorrow. Thanks for all the hard work in posting the information on the 16700. Mine is an E series.

[G Francis]

Now on a Jubilee but probably going back to the oyster!

[HogwldFLTR]

Larry, I just want to say how helpful this thread was in my buying my 16700. I would have been scared silly without it as a reference. Mine is an E serial with 78360 bracelet, with 501B ends and P7 date code on the clasp.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by lordcon

I find it interesting that the Rolex instruction manual refers to the watch as a "GMT Master I" as opposed to just "GMT Master". The "I" implies that there is a "II"? somewhere amist?

The 16700 was introduced at the same time as the GMTII. This is why it had a shorter manufacturing run.

[charles22]

I realised when reading back through this thread that, some 10 months ago, I said that I had a 16700 incoming.

A bit late in the day, but here's the one and only wrist-shot!

'A' serial, 'swiss' only. Drop-dead gorgeous!

It got worn for the photo and has remained in it's box ever since. Can't bring myself to wear a mint example that still has the caseback sticker intact and a bracelet as stiff as the day it was made. Sad eh :-(

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by charles22

I realised when reading back through this thread that, some 10 months ago, I said that I had a 16700 incoming.

A bit late in the day, but here's the one and only wrist-shot!

'A' serial, 'swiss' only. Drop-dead gorgeous!

It got worn for the photo and has remained in it's box ever since. Can't bring myself to wear a mint example that still has the caseback sticker intact and a bracelet as stiff as the day it was made. Sad eh :-(

Lend it to me; I'll break it in for you. Which clasp does yours have?

A beautiful example. Strangely my E Serial still glows in the dark. Dimmer than my Luminova EXP II but good enough to read in bed at night.

[steve.r]

Can I ask how you tell what serial number the watch is? My 16700 is in the UK right now and it needs a service, so I can't tell what it is.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by steve.r

Can I ask how you tell what serial number the watch is? My 16700 is in the UK right now and it needs a service, so I can't tell what it is.

You have to remove the bracelet. One side of the case will say 16700 and the other side has the serial.

[steve.r]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

You have to remove the bracelet. One side of the case will say 16700 and the other side has the serial.

Ah ok, thank you Powerfunk. I will ask the RSC to make note of what it is for me.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by steve.r

Ah ok, thank you Powerfunk. I will ask the RSC to make note of what it is for me.

If you sent it to RSC, you should be all set. Your estimate paperwork will have the serial number on it.

[steve.r]

Originally Posted by powerfunk

If you sent it to RSC, you should be all set. Your estimate paperwork will have the serial number on it.

Cool, thanks.

One more question if you don't mind. My GMT has a Pepsi bezel, would they fit in a service a new ceramic Pepsi if i asked them or do they like to keep them all genuine? I have also had thoughts of changing the bezel to black or black/blue for a change. I guess I could always change back to original if I wanted to. Any advice welcome.

[powerfunk]

Originally Posted by steve.r

Cool, thanks.

One more question if you don't mind. My GMT has a Pepsi bezel, would they fit in a service a new ceramic Pepsi if i asked them or do they like to keep them all genuine? I have also had thoughts of changing the bezel to black or black/blue for a change. I guess I could always change back to original if I wanted to. Any advice welcome.

The ceramic bezel inserts only fit in the new models that came with them. Your watch will take any aluminum GMT insert for a sapphire crystal model. The good news is aluminum inserts are only like 40 bucks or so from RSC.

[steve.r]

Thanks Power' I think I can afford to get a couple of different bezel inserts and I saw the web page on how to remove the insert properly so i might go for it. It will give the watch a completely different feel and look like a new watch each time i change. thanks again

[HogwldFLTR]

Mine was serviced by Rikki a few months back...

[steve.r]

Beautiful, I cant wait to get mine back

[steeldreams]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Mine was serviced by Rikki a few months back...

looking at this photo, I think I like the look of the Pepsi bezel now.. for more than twenty years, I wore a Coke 16710.

[ABChop]

The price of these sure seems to be on the rise over the last 5 yrs or so.

Mine came with the original black bezel, I then wore a coke for 4 yrs, and a Pepsi since last March. I think I like the coke the best.....but the Pepsi gets the most attention for sure.
This is my most favourite watch and daily wear as I live in western Canada and work in Scotland. I also find it very comfortable to wear......great watches for sure!!

[Sherpa23]

This was the first Rolex that I ever bought and I still own it. It's a Pepsi bezeled "A" serial. I recently sent it back to Rolex for service and have worn it sparingly since. It's so nice that I get unsolicited offers every time I wear it but it just doesn't seem right to sell your first Rolex. I have gone through several models but this one stays. It's such a special watch.

[steve.r]

Originally Posted by Sherpa23

it just doesn't seem right to sell your first Rolex. I have gone through several models but this one stays. It's such a special watch.

Very true

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

I know what you mean.

Terrific picture!

[dantheman3u4i]

Hey all,

I just purchased a 16700 myself with the black bezel insert. I am thinking about going pepsi in the near future. I recently saw a number of people say that RSC sell the inserts for $40? Will they actually just sell you an insert without service? Any help is greatly appreciated!

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by dantheman3u4i

Hey all,

I just purchased a 16700 myself with the black bezel insert. I am thinking about going pepsi in the near future. I recently saw a number of people say that RSC sell the inserts for $40? Will they actually just sell you an insert without service? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Yes, they do, I have a lot of them

[dantheman3u4i]

So it turns out RSC U.S. will not just sell me one here in the U.S. nor will any AD, anyone here willing to sell one of their pepsi bezel inserts, or could point me in the right direction?

Thanks,

Dan

[juju38]

hello

yes This is the big advantage of the Gmt
different bezel insert for different watch













16700 E586XXX with 78360 clasp O1

[ABChop]

I got one bezel insert from an AD in Canada.
The other from a watchmaker in Dallas.
I assumed an AD could get them?
You see them for sale here on the forum now and again.

[Cockyteal]

Love GMTs. My current interest is the 16710.

[scott k]

Just picked up A serial, box and papers...from original owner. Like new

[Pepsee]

I heard Rolex re-released the GMT Master II "Pepsi" but in white gold only ($30,000+). Do you guys think they'll make it again but cheaper in the future? I don't know if I should wait or buy a used one.

[jkyrolex]

Originally Posted by Tools

When Pan-Am first commissioned Rolex to develop a two timezone watch for the new Boeing 707 jets in 1956 , their concern was to keep the pilots reference to home time intact, while still allowing them to track the different time zones they travelled through. It was felt that keeping a home-time reference would alleviate jet-lag as the pilots could still keep their circadian routine. This also gave Jet Navigators an in-cockpit GMT time reference necessary for Celestial Navigation of the era.

Their efforts resulted in the GMT-Master ref. 6542. The GMT stood for Greenwich Mean Time, which was the world standard for a unified or universal time clock.

It's use in practice was initially envisioned as having the watch set for local time, and the bezel was rotated to the new timezone... Local was read at the dial and the timezone you were presently in would be displayed in 24hr time on the bezel....simple. When you got back home the bezel triangle should be back at the 12 o'clock position.

The New GMT and it's line soon became the "standard" and a pilots must-have time-piece. NASA test pilots were given GMT-Masters during development of the record breaking X-series jet aircraft, and they were the personal time-piece of many American astronauts.

The ref 16700 that was produced from about 1988 until 1999 was the last of those watches with synchronized 24hr and 12 hour hands, but with the upgraded sapphire crystal, hacking seconds, and quick-set date.

Specifications
Model: .........................GMT-Master
Reference Number: ........16700
Production Years: ..........1988-1999
Movement: ...................Caliber 3175
Power Reserve: .............48 Hours
Water Resistance: .........100m
Bezel:.......................... Bidirectional
Crown: ........................Screwdown Twinlock
Crystal:....................... Sapphire
Diameter: ....................40mm
Thickness: ...................N/A
Weight: .......................123 grams
Bracelet: .....................Steel, Oyster or Jubilee
Lug Width: ..................20mm
Watchwinder Direction: ..Both


From my personal collection, a 1997 T series GMT 16700:
Attachment 34666

One of the last of the tritium dials:
Attachment 34660

Lug holes case....a treat for the eyes:
Attachment 34659

There are no numbers here....this is one of the originals:
Attachment 34661

The GMT 16700 came equipped with the 28,800bph ca 3175 movement:
Attachment 33771
This movement features a full balance bridge for stability and accuracy, one of Rolex trademarks.. You can see the KIF shock spring at the balance pivot jewel:
Attachment 33772

A 24 hour hand that travels around the dial exactly one half the speed of the main hour hand:
The bezel is turned to the number of hours you are from local time to track any other time-zone in 24hr time, provided you have set your watch to local.

Here is an excerpt from the GMT 16700 Owners Manual:
Attachment 33991
Attachment 33992
Attachment 33993
Attachment 33994

While flying and controlling in Alaska I would set the bezel at -8 hrs to keep track of GMT time, a useful reference for pilots.
Attachment 34663

One unusual aspect of the 16700 - It was offered with the 93150 Sub Style bracelet (perhaps to fit over a flight suit?), a popular option which I preferred at the time:
This one still has the original 93150/501B bracelet - V9, Sept 1996 clasp code...Purchased in early 1997:
Attachment 34664

This was the last of it's kind, almost ignored because of the new 16710 and only a few of them were made:
Attachment 34665

Larry- I have the exact same watch...what is the source of you stating that not many of these were made? Thx

[HogwldFLTR]

After organizing photobucket my links don't work. Here are a couple of pictures. I really like having the last of the GMTs.