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Singslinger · 4 November 2008, 06:54 PM

In the new book "100 Superlative Rolex Watches'' by John Goldberger there is a timeline which says the GMT-Master 2 was introduced in 1989. I know this isn't correct because I bought mine in March 1987 and was told it was a brand new model. But I recently saw a thread posted on TRF where the author said he bought his in 1983. Can anyone shed light on which is the correct year that this watch made its appearance?

Thanks in advance guys.

padi56 · 4 November 2008, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singslinger

In the new book "100 Superlative Rolex Watches'' by John Goldberger there is a timeline which says the GMT-Master 2 was introduced in 1989. I know this isn't correct because I bought mine in March 1987 and was told it was a brand new model. But I recently saw a thread posted on TRF where the author said he bought his in 1983. Can anyone shed light on which is the correct year that this watch made its appearance?

Thanks in advance guys.

The GMT Master 11 came out in 1983 ref 16760. with the sapphire crystal .

Singslinger · 4 November 2008, 07:05 PM

Thanks for that - much appreciated!

mike · 4 November 2008, 08:47 PM

The original GMT MASTER II made it's debut circa 1983 with the reference 16760. Using a 3085 movement and slightly thicker case it was the first GMT to introduce the "jump-hour" feature whereby the hands could be decoupled.

It ran untill about 1988 when it was replaced with the 16710 with it's 3185 movement and slightly thinner case.

1MAC · 4 November 2008, 09:42 PM

Spot on, Mike. The 16760 is sometimes called the "Fat Lady" due to the thicker case it used. The "jump hour" feature also comes in handy when Daylight Saving Time changes occur, as I found out Sunday.

Here's a picture of my recently acquired 16760. It's an early one from 1984 and the bezel insert has been switched from the usual red/black to KU colors.

Brushpup · 4 November 2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singslinger

In the new book "100 Superlative Rolex Watches'' by John Goldberger there is a timeline which says the GMT-Master 2 was introduced in 1989. I know this isn't correct because I bought mine in March 1987 and was told it was a brand new model. But I recently saw a thread posted on TRF where the author said he bought his in 1983. Can anyone shed light on which is the correct year that this watch made its appearance?

Thanks in advance guys.

I don't have the book yet, so I am curious as to which reference was introduced in 1989? I can't imagine such a glaring error from this author.

mike · 4 November 2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brushpup

I don't have the book yet, so I am curious as to which reference was introduced in 1989? I can't imagine such a glaring error from this author.

The 16710 began to appear about 1989. I'm always a bit leary to describe a definite timeline because with Rolex nothing is set in stone.

The 16760 is an often overlooked reference. Made concurrently with the MASTER series 16750 it was never a big seller due, some feel, to the increased price vs. it's MASTER cousin.

Some feel the 3085 movement was a bear to work on (not being a watchmaker I can't say), and was quickly (in Rolex terms) replaced by the 3185 series.

rocco1109 · 5 November 2008, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singslinger

In the new book "100 Superlative Rolex Watches'' by John Goldberger there is a timeline which says the GMT-Master 2 was introduced in 1989. I know this isn't correct because I bought mine in March 1987 and was told it was a brand new model. But I recently saw a thread posted on TRF where the author said he bought his in 1983. Can anyone shed light on which is the correct year that this watch made its appearance?

Thanks in advance guys.

Just curious....which model did you buy in 1987? It should be a 16760 but it would be very interesting if it were a 16710.

It's my understanding that the 16710 was introduced in 1988.

So which model do you have?

Thanks.

mike · 5 November 2008, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocco1109

Just curious....which model did you buy in 1987? It should be a 16760 but it would be very interesting if it were a 16710.

It's my understanding that the 16710 was introduced in 1988.

So which model do you have?

Thanks.

I would agree Will. Mine is an R series from 87.

The slightly thicker case and guards are an indicator,

sea-dweller · 5 November 2008, 03:19 AM

Great info in this post, thanks !

Singslinger · 5 November 2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocco1109

Just curious....which model did you buy in 1987? It should be a 16760 but it would be very interesting if it were a 16710.

It's my understanding that the 16710 was introduced in 1988.

So which model do you have?

Thanks.

Hi Will - yes I think you're correct. I'll have to dig out the guarantee card though, which is buried somewhere and reconfirm later so stay tuned...

Singslinger · 6 November 2008, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocco1109

Just curious....which model did you buy in 1987? It should be a 16760 but it would be very interesting if it were a 16710.

It's my understanding that the 16710 was introduced in 1988.

So which model do you have?

Thanks.

OK sorry for the delay but yes, the model I bought in March 1987 was a 16760. The timeline in the Rolex book I mentioned earlier states the 1989 model as the 16710 so I guess the author didn't get it wrong, it's just that there was an earlier model which he didn't feature.

Tools · 6 November 2008, 01:42 PM

This has always seemed an oddity with the GMT to me..

The 16760 GMT II was released during the same time as the 16750..1983/1988, but the 16750 Master was the more popular..

When the 16710 GMT II came out to replace the 16760, they also released the 16700 GMT Master to take the place of the 16750.

But the 16710 GMT II was so popular that the 16700 Master only lasted until 1999 before it was phased out..

RossInIllinois · 6 November 2008, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singslinger

In the new book "100 Superlative Rolex Watches'' by John Goldberger there is a timeline which says the GMT-Master 2 was introduced in 1989. I know this isn't correct because I bought mine in March 1987 and was told it was a brand new model. But I recently saw a thread posted on TRF where the author said he bought his in 1983. Can anyone shed light on which is the correct year that this watch made its appearance?

Thanks in advance guys.

I have serious doubts about that 1983 date. I purchased a GMT in 1985 brand new and it was not a 2 and I shopped for that watch all over and no one had any 2s. I do remember the 2s coming out about 2 years after I purchased mine however.

mike · 6 November 2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RossInIllinois

I have serious doubts about that 1983 date. I purchased a GMT in 1985 brand new and it was not a 2 and I shopped for that watch all over and no one had any 2s. I do remember the 2s coming out about 2 years after I purchased mine however.

The introduction of the 16760 has been well documented both in the written word and among collectors with known examples (even the first run "OYSTER PERPETUAL" only dials.
It has been my good fortune to have handled several examples from early 84 (even an OP dial).

4 November 2008, 06:54 PM	#1
Singslinger Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 6,469	When exactly was the GMT-Master 2 introduced? In the new book "100 Superlative Rolex Watches'' by John Goldberger there is a timeline which says the GMT-Master 2 was introduced in 1989. I know this isn't correct because I bought mine in March 1987 and was told it was a brand new model. But I recently saw a thread posted on TRF where the author said he bought his in 1983. Can anyone shed light on which is the correct year that this watch made its appearance? Thanks in advance guys.

4 November 2008, 09:42 PM	#5
1MAC "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Mike Location: Leawood, Kansas Watch: Submariner 16610 Posts: 854	Spot on, Mike. The 16760 is sometimes called the "Fat Lady" due to the thicker case it used. The "jump hour" feature also comes in handy when Daylight Saving Time changes occur, as I found out Sunday. Here's a picture of my recently acquired 16760. It's an early one from 1984 and the bezel insert has been switched from the usual red/black to KU colors. Attached Images __________________ Time wounds all heels.

5 November 2008, 03:19 AM	#10
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,017	Great info in this post, thanks ! __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

6 November 2008, 01:42 PM	#13
Tools TRF Moderator & 2025 Titanium Yacht-Master Patron Join Date: May 2007 Real Name: Larry Location: Mojave Desert Watch: GMT's Posts: 44,018	This has always seemed an oddity with the GMT to me.. The 16760 GMT II was released during the same time as the 16750..1983/1988, but the 16750 Master was the more popular.. When the 16710 GMT II came out to replace the 16760, they also released the 16700 GMT Master to take the place of the 16750. But the 16710 GMT II was so popular that the 16700 Master only lasted until 1999 before it was phased out.. __________________ (Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member

4 November 2008, 07:05 PM	#3
Singslinger Banned Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: singapore Posts: 6,469	Thanks for that - much appreciated!

4 November 2008, 08:47 PM	#4
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,682	The original GMT MASTER II made it's debut circa 1983 with the reference 16760. Using a 3085 movement and slightly thicker case it was the first GMT to introduce the "jump-hour" feature whereby the hands could be decoupled. It ran untill about 1988 when it was replaced with the 16710 with it's 3185 movement and slightly thinner case.

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