Fedex brought me a Coke fresh from US ...

[sys12345]

After some delay and frustration dealing with Fedex, my BNIB Rolex GMT Master II - 3186 has arrived. :-*





Like a kid with a new found toy in a wrapped up present, i immediatly tore off the plastic wrapping containing some documents and got the box opened. Whats underneath the paper wrapping?





Yet another wrapping but its a bubble pack wrap.





I was expecting to find the crown box but i found this instead ...





Looks like i have to jump through loops and hurdles to get to my new toy! I pulled this out from the paper bag, the crown box at last!





The contents inside the crown box containing the watch box and the usual Rolex guide and docs. It came with the updated guide featuring the 116710 and the parachrom hairspring.





Opening the green box reveals the gem, its the Rolex GMT Master II 16710A sitting on a watch holder.





Here are some pics of the watch, after removing most of the pesky transparent plastic films. This is an M serial 16710A that comes with the latest 3186 movement and the rectangular II font on the dial. Unlike other M serial sports model, this one does not have the RRR on the rehaut. Its all clean and simple.









The watch came with a SS Oyster bracelet with a flip lock clasp design. It has solid end links but the middle links are hollow. I'm glad the bracelet, for the most part, has a brushed SS finish. The only shiny portion is at the sides. Despite having hollow middle links, the bracelet seems sturdy and well designed. It holds the watch well without flapping or wobbling and the flip-lock clasp keeps the bracelet secured to the wrist.







Though the watch may not be as weighty as some of my Ball watches, it feels very well balanced on the wrist. I have a sneaky feeling that hollow link bracelets are more comfortable on the wrist, as with my DJ and the jubilee bracelet. I must be pretty lucky as the watch fits well on my wrist right out of the box, without the need for any bracelet adjustment (though it has a provision of an easy micro adjustment).





I've not had much wrist time with this as i've only had it for three days. I'm getting approx - 1.5 secs/day. I'll need more wrist time to determine the actual accuracy of this watch. Last but not least, here's a lume shot of the watch.





I'm really pleased with this watch so far. I like the timeless design and the comfortable brushed SS bracelet. It can be worn for just about any occasion, without looking overly sporty nor dressy. The quick-set time functionality without stopping the movement is very handy for travellers. You can track up to 3 time zones with this watch. The only drawback is the absence of a quick set date feature, which can be a little more hassle if this watch is not kept ticking. I guess its time to source for another winder.

[Andad]

Welcome to the GMT II 3186 CLUB.

Excellent observations and pix - especially that lume shot.

Enjoy wearing it.

[sys12345]

Thanks for the welcome Eddie! Better late than never to join the 3186 club.

Originally Posted by directioneng

Welcome to the GMT II 3186 CLUB.

Excellent observations and pix - especially that lume shot.

Enjoy wearing it.

[Irish Dan]

Wow!
Congrats
Great documentation of a momentous event.

[JJ Irani]

Congrats on a tremendous acquisiton.

However, just curious to know why the latest model does not have the Rolex inscription on the rehaut ring.

JJ

[sys12345]

JJ, i think only Rolex knows the answer to this one. Have u seen any 16710s with the rehaut/chapter ring?

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Congrats on a tremendous acquisiton.

However, just curious to know why the latest model does not have the Rolex inscription on the rehaut ring.

JJ

[sys12345]

Thanks for the kind words fellows!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by sys12345

JJ, i think only Rolex knows the answer to this one. Have u seen any 16710s with the rehaut/chapter ring?

I'm pretty sure I've seen some of the newer ones with the inscription!!

[sys12345]

JJ, i've never seen the newer 16710s with the chapter ring. Z96... dont have, M36.. dont have, M44.. dont have, M62.. dont have... u must have seen some rare pieces. None of the 16710-3186 i've seen online has the RRR chapter ring.

Take a look ...

http://www.minus4plus6.com/paracromblu16710.htm

http://forums.timezone.com/index.php...0&rev=&reveal=

there's more if u do a search ...

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

I'm pretty sure I've seen some of the newer ones with the inscription!!

[Wolfgang427]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Congrats on a tremendous acquisiton.

However, just curious to know why the latest model does not have the Rolex inscription on the rehaut ring.

JJ

JJ, Rolex knew that the old style GMT was getting discontinued when the GMT-C came out for sale, but they had tons of unused old-style cases in stock. Thus they simply extended the sale of the old-style GMT so they could use up the cases.


Congrats on your GMT. A classic for sure.

[ashu2289]

Originally Posted by wolfgang427

JJ, Rolex knew that the old style GMT was getting discontinued when the GMT-C came out for sale, but they had tons of unused old-style cases in stock. Thus they simply extended the sale of the old-style GMT so they could use up the cases.


Congrats on your GMT. A classic for sure.

Even i think the same and the irony is, its a bargain for Rolex and a premium for customers

[sys12345]

The engraved rehaut and the laser edged crystal was an attempt made to separate the real deal from a replica. Unfortunately, the replicas are getting better. That said, i've not known of a replica 16710 that has the quick-set time feature. I believe this is something that cannot be easily duplicated. In addition, with production stopped, perhaps the engraved rehaut isnt so important for the 16710?

Originally Posted by wolfgang427

JJ, Rolex knew that the old style GMT was getting discontinued when the GMT-C came out for sale, but they had tons of unused old-style cases in stock. Thus they simply extended the sale of the old-style GMT so they could use up the cases.


Congrats on your GMT. A classic for sure.

[learnmore60]

congratulations!

Now those are the sort of pics we want to see.. great job on the photos!!

[shoppy]

Congrats on a fantastic watch a classic.

[buz-lh]

Congratulations. IMHO The best looking 16710 out there and you got the 3186 movement. Excellent.

[gmtobsessed]

Congratulations on the classic choice

[toph]

great choice and pictures!!

[SLS]

Congrats on the GMT! You made a great choice on that piece!
~Scott

[marshallr47]

Very nice. Congrats on a beautiful watch. Enjoy it for many years to come.

[Dan Pierce]

Congrats on one of the last true classics.
dP

[kcmo]

Congrats! Looks great!

[DeepSeaWatches]

Big congrats!

[sys12345]

Thanks!!! Its nice to get one on my wrist finally!

[INXTCY]

nice piece! why did u acquire it from the u.s?????

[sys12345]

Thanks! For the 16710-3186, they are no longer available BNIB from ADs in Singapore. They are also sold out in Hong Kong as well. As the demand greatly outstrips supply plus Rolex has stopped production for this model, the price for one has gone above US$6900!!! Thats assuming u can find one somewhere in this region and there's somebody willing to let off at this price.

Originally Posted by INXTCY

nice piece! why did u acquire it from the u.s?????

[pwrslider]

Congrats!! I know the feeling! I got a coke about 2 months ago....and it's been my daily 24/7 wearer since......I feel bad for my other watches!

[ashu2289]

Huge congratulations!!!!
A new Rolex to the collection is a feeling beyond words and I am still in it as just got the same watch few days ago
Nice description of the experience
Wear the watch in great health

[thetuk]

Great watch. Wear it in good health. I have the same watch and love it.

[PeterT]

Here in the UK there are no GMTs left. I have not heard of a UK M serial GMT either so people in the US are very lucky.

PeterT

[sys12345]

Peter, u are right about that. I think most of the 16710-3186s can only be found in the US. I've checked with friends in UK, Australia, HK, etc., the search turned up blank.

Originally Posted by PeterT

Here in the UK there are no GMTs left. I have not heard of a UK M serial GMT either so people in the US are very lucky.

PeterT