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Subexplorer · 31 March 2010, 10:38 PM

A tale of two GMT´s

As I have stated before, I´m very fond of Subs in any of its many variations, both modern and vintage. And though I own several other Rolex models, a Sub is on my wrist most of the time.

I remember buying a GMT (1675 reference) as a present for my father in law, some 24 years ago. This watch became his favorite: he is now in his 80`s and still wears it proudly, and the watch keeps doing its job in a great form.
The old watch got it´s red and blue bezel elegantly faded a bit, and the big numerals aged in a yellowish shade, giving it a beautiful vintage look.

But for many decades as a Rolex user and fan, I had never thought too much about buying a GMT for myself … till I joined TRF a couple of years ago!
By the end of year 2009, I began thinking that a classic GMT was something I really needed to complete my collection.

Then, after reading and enjoying a post Lets have a GMT picture thread started by fellow member DWdrummer, a couple of weeks ago,
(see: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=119753), I really got the GMT fever bite!

What I wished was to get a brand new GMT (not pre owned), but of the old version with the red and blue bezel (Pepsi!!).
I personally feel that though the all black, and the so called “Coke” bezels are all beautiful, the GMT is “more iconic” yet, in the red/blue combo. Just a personal point of view!!

I had been doing a research some three months ago, calling several local AD, and the answer was always the same: no more “never owned” “old GMT” available in Argentina. Only the current ceramic version is being offered.

Even my old good friend Rodolfo, owner of a local AD where I bought most of my Rolex, and the person who helped me to find my 5513 and my Grial no guards Sub, was unable to help me with my Pepsi GMT.
Then, I had decided that the only option was to get a good pre owned specimen.

Now, the miracle happened.
Two weeks ago, just a few days after reading the above mentioned post, I received a phone call from Rodolfo, telling me that he had a meeting with several national AD owners, and during the chat, one of them was complaining about having a brand new 16710 in stock which he felt was impossible to sell, as every one of his customers asked for the new ceramic version!!

Rodolfo listened in awe, and remembered our conversation of three months ago, asking for this kind of watch.

As you can imagine, I got that watch immediately, complete with all papers, tags, box, etc, even with the transparent case and bracelet protection stickers on. The original paper guarantee was extended to me and dated March 2010.
For collecting oriented readers, I may tell that this 16710 is of Z 60x.xxx serial number, has no rolex-rolex rehaut ring, and it is of about 2007 vintage, I feel.

I feel very happy with this discovery, which may very well be considered as the last of the traditional GMT´s sold brand new in my Country!
And I wished to share the thrill of it with the nice fellow members at TRF!
Hope you like the pictures!
Very cordially, Abel

Dan Pierce · 31 March 2010, 10:43 PM

Congrats, Abel!!

Glad you were able to get one of the last classic GMT's. wear it in good health, my friend.

dP

mike · 31 March 2010, 10:46 PM

Wonderfull story and congrats on such a classic piece.

Esexx · 31 March 2010, 11:02 PM

Amazing! Congrats on your new watch!

speedo · 31 March 2010, 11:07 PM

lucky you!

Renoir · 31 March 2010, 11:14 PM

Congrats Abel!

Enjoy the GMT.

PhilM · 31 March 2010, 11:34 PM

What a great post and of course a superb result in the end

swissautopro · 31 March 2010, 11:37 PM

Great story - congrats!

kyle L · 31 March 2010, 11:42 PM

Wow congrats Abel! You have my grail watch!

Subexplorer · 31 March 2010, 11:45 PM

Hello Dan, Mike, Dean, Speedo, Renato and Phil!!
Thank you so much for your kind comments!! I´m delighted to know you liked the story and watch!
It´s incredible how TRF induces the collecting fever!!
And how nice to be able to share a passion and interest with all the nice people at TRF!!
Very cordially, Abel

Subexplorer · 31 March 2010, 11:48 PM

Thank you Mike!!

Kyle: Dear young friend: Thanks for your comments. I´m glad to know your grial is the GMT and I wish you´ll get one for yourself soon.
Enjoy you beautiful watches in the meantime Kyle!!
Very cordially, Abel

karmatp · 31 March 2010, 11:50 PM

Good for you Abel, great find.

Cru Jones · 31 March 2010, 11:52 PM

awesome story! thanks for sharing. looks FANTASTIC.

Casey VP-26 · 1 April 2010, 12:12 AM

Congrats Abel: Good thing your friend Rodolfo remembered you. Enjoy your watch.

Juggernaut · 1 April 2010, 12:18 AM

Congrats!
It's my favorite too! (but I like the Coke insert)

jets · 1 April 2010, 12:29 AM

That is remarkable. Congratulations to you on a great find!

B Square · 1 April 2010, 12:32 AM

Wonderful story Abel. Congratulations and hoping you wear in good health for many years

Boyd

sakuraba · 1 April 2010, 12:34 AM

Congratulations, Abel!

A BNIB Z series is truly a great find!

sea-dweller · 1 April 2010, 12:36 AM

Nice story !

SLS · 1 April 2010, 12:46 AM

Great story! There seems to be a few of the 16710's still floating around in AD's cases, there was a similar story posted a few weeks back! Congrats & enjoy the GMT!
Scott

buz-lh · 1 April 2010, 02:22 AM

Big congratulations to you for being able to acquire that beauty bnib. It's a winner!

jdc · 1 April 2010, 02:29 AM

great find and it looks fantastic

Daytonamania · 1 April 2010, 02:50 AM

Fantastic find my friend that is exactly what i want , you lucky boy ..
Congratulations..

Deyn Man · 1 April 2010, 03:01 AM

good story! excellent score abel!

Timber Loftis · 1 April 2010, 03:57 AM

A beautiful watch. I sometimes miss mine. It's probably earlier than 2007 vintage if there is no Rehaut. You can check numbers on the bracelet/clasp and go pair those up with charts that are fairly easy to google and find out the month and year of the bracelet's vintage, which should also fairly indicate the age of the rest.

TheVTCGuy · 1 April 2010, 04:30 AM

Congrats! Can you get another for me!?

TimeOnHand · 1 April 2010, 04:32 AM

Wow... very cool indeed... Hope you enjoy many years with your new GMT!

acce1999 · 1 April 2010, 04:55 AM

Great story, great find! I enjoyed reading your post.

Congrats!

Best,

A

Subexplorer · 1 April 2010, 05:07 AM

Thank you so much for all kind comments and suggestions received.
I´m delighted to share this experience and new addition with all you nice folks!
Your nice comments just add to the enjoyment of my new watch.
THANKS A LOT!!
Kind regards, Abel

GVmil · 1 April 2010, 05:16 AM

My first Rolex was a 1675, I chose black on black, whose serial number puts it at my year of birth. Exactly what I was looking for and my then grail. The search took me a little over a year and I quickly realized that NOS would not be an option.
I've flipped a few watches purchased since and the GMT doesn't get the lion's share of wrist time, but it remains my favorite.
Destined for my eldest's 18th birthday.

Enjoy your 16710 and wear it in good health
Cheers
J

31 March 2010, 10:38 PM	#1
Subexplorer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,234	A TALE OF TWO GMT´s A tale of two GMT´s As I have stated before, I´m very fond of Subs in any of its many variations, both modern and vintage. And though I own several other Rolex models, a Sub is on my wrist most of the time. I remember buying a GMT (1675 reference) as a present for my father in law, some 24 years ago. This watch became his favorite: he is now in his 80`s and still wears it proudly, and the watch keeps doing its job in a great form. The old watch got it´s red and blue bezel elegantly faded a bit, and the big numerals aged in a yellowish shade, giving it a beautiful vintage look. But for many decades as a Rolex user and fan, I had never thought too much about buying a GMT for myself … till I joined TRF a couple of years ago! By the end of year 2009, I began thinking that a classic GMT was something I really needed to complete my collection. Then, after reading and enjoying a post Lets have a GMT picture thread started by fellow member DWdrummer, a couple of weeks ago, (see: http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=119753), I really got the GMT fever bite! What I wished was to get a brand new GMT (not pre owned), but of the old version with the red and blue bezel (Pepsi!!). I personally feel that though the all black, and the so called “Coke” bezels are all beautiful, the GMT is “more iconic” yet, in the red/blue combo. Just a personal point of view!! I had been doing a research some three months ago, calling several local AD, and the answer was always the same: no more “never owned” “old GMT” available in Argentina. Only the current ceramic version is being offered. Even my old good friend Rodolfo, owner of a local AD where I bought most of my Rolex, and the person who helped me to find my 5513 and my Grial no guards Sub, was unable to help me with my Pepsi GMT. Then, I had decided that the only option was to get a good pre owned specimen. Now, the miracle happened. Two weeks ago, just a few days after reading the above mentioned post, I received a phone call from Rodolfo, telling me that he had a meeting with several national AD owners, and during the chat, one of them was complaining about having a brand new 16710 in stock which he felt was impossible to sell, as every one of his customers asked for the new ceramic version!! Rodolfo listened in awe, and remembered our conversation of three months ago, asking for this kind of watch. As you can imagine, I got that watch immediately, complete with all papers, tags, box, etc, even with the transparent case and bracelet protection stickers on. The original paper guarantee was extended to me and dated March 2010. For collecting oriented readers, I may tell that this 16710 is of Z 60x.xxx serial number, has no rolex-rolex rehaut ring, and it is of about 2007 vintage, I feel. I feel very happy with this discovery, which may very well be considered as the last of the traditional GMT´s sold brand new in my Country! And I wished to share the thrill of it with the nice fellow members at TRF! Hope you like the pictures! Very cordially, Abel __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

31 March 2010, 10:43 PM	#2
Dan Pierce 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Real Name: D'OH! Location: Kentucky Watch: Rolex-1 Tudor-3 Posts: 36,215	Congrats, Abel!! Glad you were able to get one of the last classic GMT's. wear it in good health, my friend. dP __________________ TRF Member# 1668 Bass Player in TRF "AFTER DARK" Bar & NightClub Band Commander-in-Chief of The Nylon Nation The Crown & Shield Club Honorary Member of P-Club

31 March 2010, 11:02 PM	#4
Esexx "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Real Name: Dean Location: Redondo Beach, CA Watch: ing TRF All Day Posts: 2,105	Amazing! Congrats on your new watch! __________________ Member Number 34171 "Remember: No matter where you go... there you are." Buckroo Banzai _________________________________________

31 March 2010, 11:37 PM	#8
swissautopro "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mike Location: South Carolina Watch: 3.3M 1655 Mk I Posts: 2,384	Great story - congrats! __________________ "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a bandit, and scarcity like an armed man." Proverbs 24 "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt." Unknown "Better to be a nobody and yet have a servant than pretend to be somebody and have no food." Proverbs 12

31 March 2010, 11:45 PM	#10
Subexplorer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,234	Hello Dan, Mike, Dean, Speedo, Renato and Phil!! Thank you so much for your kind comments!! I´m delighted to know you liked the story and watch! It´s incredible how TRF induces the collecting fever!! And how nice to be able to share a passion and interest with all the nice people at TRF!! Very cordially, Abel __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

31 March 2010, 10:46 PM	#3
mike "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 22,683	Wonderfull story and congrats on such a classic piece.

31 March 2010, 11:07 PM	#5
speedo "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: bp, hu, eu Watch: dj 16234, 116610ln Posts: 2,376	lucky you!

31 March 2010, 11:14 PM	#6
Renoir "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: Renato Location: New York Posts: 2,396	Congrats Abel! Enjoy the GMT.

31 March 2010, 11:34 PM	#7
PhilM "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Phil Location: London Watch: Sea-Dweller Posts: 1,765	What a great post and of course a superb result in the end

31 March 2010, 11:42 PM	#9
kyle L "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Watch: Rolex Explorer I Posts: 10,278	Wow congrats Abel! You have my grail watch!

31 March 2010, 11:48 PM	#11
Subexplorer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,234	Thank you Mike!! Kyle: Dear young friend: Thanks for your comments. I´m glad to know your grial is the GMT and I wish you´ll get one for yourself soon. Enjoy you beautiful watches in the meantime Kyle!! Very cordially, Abel __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

31 March 2010, 11:50 PM	#12
karmatp "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Real Name: Trevor Location: Arizona Posts: 5,740	Good for you Abel, great find. __________________ My grails:

31 March 2010, 11:52 PM	#13
Cru Jones 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Paris, France Posts: 35,299	awesome story! thanks for sharing. looks FANTASTIC.

1 April 2010, 12:12 AM	#14
Casey VP-26 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: America Posts: 2,721	Congrats Abel: Good thing your friend Rodolfo remembered you. Enjoy your watch.

1 April 2010, 12:18 AM	#15
Juggernaut "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 901	Congrats! It's my favorite too! (but I like the Coke insert)

1 April 2010, 12:29 AM	#16
jets "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Mario Location: CANADA Posts: 2,483	That is remarkable. Congratulations to you on a great find! __________________ ♛ DJII 116234 · Submariner 126610LV · Yacht Master 42 226659 ✿ Pelagos 25600TN Ω X-33 Speedmaster Skywalker · 1861 Speedmaster Modsukoshi · SMP 2254.50 · SMP 2230.50 NAC · Seamaster 300 166.0324 · Genève 162.037 Seiko SLA033 Willard · SKX007

1 April 2010, 12:32 AM	#17
B Square "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Real Name: Boyd Location: NC Posts: 1,815	Wonderful story Abel. Congratulations and hoping you wear in good health for many years Boyd __________________ 16610M 16710Z Pepsi 16570V White

1 April 2010, 12:34 AM	#18
sakuraba "TRF" Member Join Date: May 2009 Real Name: Jib Location: SJ, California Watch: sun dial Posts: 8,189	Congratulations, Abel! A BNIB Z series is truly a great find! __________________ F 14000 AirKing black F 16710 GMT Pepsi F 16570 Explorer II white T 16600 SD D 16610 LV "fine quality is remembered long after the pain of spending money" -Steve Mulholland

1 April 2010, 12:36 AM	#19
sea-dweller "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Real Name: Dennis Location: Bay Area - 925 Posts: 40,018	Nice story ! __________________ TRF Member #6699 (since September 2007)

1 April 2010, 12:46 AM	#20
SLS "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Real Name: Scott Location: GMT -7 Watch: GMT's & Sub's Posts: 10,401	Great story! There seems to be a few of the 16710's still floating around in AD's cases, there was a similar story posted a few weeks back! Congrats & enjoy the GMT! Scott __________________ "The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of lower price is forgotten." -Benjamin Franklin Member No. 922

1 April 2010, 02:22 AM	#21
buz-lh "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Real Name: Buz Location: Atlanta Watch: Rolex Tudor Pam Posts: 5,108	Big congratulations to you for being able to acquire that beauty bnib. It's a winner! __________________ Buz The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live. Peter Diamandis

1 April 2010, 02:29 AM	#22
jdc "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Real Name: Martin Location: UK Posts: 7,023	great find and it looks fantastic

1 April 2010, 02:50 AM	#23
Daytonamania "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Real Name: nigel Location: Wales Watch: SS Daytona/DSSD/LV Posts: 267	Fantastic find my friend that is exactly what i want , you lucky boy .. Congratulations..

1 April 2010, 03:01 AM	#24
Deyn Man "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Real Name: Dean Location: Philippines Posts: 1,037	good story! excellent score abel!

1 April 2010, 03:57 AM	#25
Timber Loftis "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Real Name: Jon Location: Chicago Watch: IIc,DJII,P244,A1-Z Posts: 2,857	A beautiful watch. I sometimes miss mine. It's probably earlier than 2007 vintage if there is no Rehaut. You can check numbers on the bracelet/clasp and go pair those up with charts that are fairly easy to google and find out the month and year of the bracelet's vintage, which should also fairly indicate the age of the rest.

1 April 2010, 04:30 AM	#26
TheVTCGuy Banned Join Date: Jul 2008 Real Name: Paul Location: San Diego Watch: 126619LB Posts: 21,540	Congrats! Can you get another for me!?

1 April 2010, 04:32 AM	#27
TimeOnHand "TRF" Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Real Name: Kevin Location: Hong Kong Watch: Rolex Air-King Posts: 4,468	Wow... very cool indeed... Hope you enjoy many years with your new GMT! __________________ Instagram: timeonhand1010

1 April 2010, 04:55 AM	#28
acce1999 "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: GMT+1 Posts: 2,711	Great story, great find! I enjoyed reading your post. Congrats! Best, A

1 April 2010, 05:07 AM	#29
Subexplorer 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Real Name: Abel Location: Down South Watch: Rolex Submariner Posts: 2,234	Thank you so much for all kind comments and suggestions received. I´m delighted to share this experience and new addition with all you nice folks! Your nice comments just add to the enjoyment of my new watch. THANKS A LOT!! Kind regards, Abel __________________ 50 Years of ROLEX Passion! Grail Rolex: 5508 c. 1959 "Bond" Sub.

1 April 2010, 05:16 AM	#30
GVmil "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Gotham Posts: 79	Excellent story! My first Rolex was a 1675, I chose black on black, whose serial number puts it at my year of birth. Exactly what I was looking for and my then grail. The search took me a little over a year and I quickly realized that NOS would not be an option. I've flipped a few watches purchased since and the GMT doesn't get the lion's share of wrist time, but it remains my favorite. Destined for my eldest's 18th birthday. Enjoy your 16710 and wear it in good health Cheers J __________________ Milgauss GV, TT Daytona, 5513 Sub, 1675 GMT, SS/WG TOG, Panerai 233K, Sinn U1 Black

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