Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 16750 - Vintage of the Week Episode 18 | Bob's Watches

For this episode of our Vintage of the Week series, we’re taking a closer look at the Rolex Explorer GMT Master ref. 16750. Shop vintage Rolex watches: https://www.bobswatches.com/vintage-r...

Shop our entire collection of GMT Master watches, modern and vintage, here: https://www.bobswatches.com/rolex-gmt...

Join us each week as the team examines a different vintage luxury watch from our inventory. We receive hundreds of remarkable watches here at Bob’s Watches each month. Check back soon to see which timepiece we feature next!

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The GMT Master ref. 16750

Rolex introduced the GMT Master in the 1950s, just as transatlantic flight started to become popular. The pilots of the extinct Pan American Company needed a reliable way to tell the time while flying from one continent to another, which is where Rolex and the GMT Master come in.
Rolex developed the series at the behest of Pan Am, equipping it with a striking red and blue bezel in a similar hue as the company’s logo.
The bezel itself features a bi-color insert for a reason, to distinguish between day and night hours. It also features a 24-hour scale that can be read against the arrow-tipped GMT hand on the dial to read a second time zone.

The GMT Master also boasts the distinction “Oyster Perpetual” on its dial, meaning that it utilizes Rolex’s beloved waterproof Oyster case and Perpetual movement.

The “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text that also appears on the dial assures the wearer that their vintage Rolex is a highly reliable timepiece.

Today, the GMT Master is one of the most sought-after Rolex watches in the brand’s portfolio, coveted for both its dual-time capabilities and its nostalgic design.

It remains in production as the GMT Master II via the 1267XX generation.
ROLEX GMT MASTER 16750 HISTORY

Reference 16750 is a transitional Rolex of sorts that holds a place between the 4-digit ref. 1675 and ref. 16700, the latter of which is the very last GMT Master produced before it was discontinued and replaced with the current GMT Master II collection.

It was produced for about seven years between the early 1980s and about 1988. Although its production run was relatively short, it did produce several design set variations worth mentioning.

First is the dial, which was available in either a glossy finish with white gold applied hour markers or matte with painted indices.

As you might have already guessed, the matte variation is more desirable than the glossy dial because of its distinctly retro aesthetic.

With the transitional GMT Master 16750, Rolex also introduced a newer movement, caliber 3075. It replaced the caliber 1575 used in ref. 1675 and brought with it a higher frequency of 28,800 bph and a Quickset function.

The Quickset function allows the wearer to adjust the date mechanism with a quick twist of the crown instead of winding the crown a full 24-hour rotation to advance the date.

Reference 16750 is a stainless steel GMT Master. However, it also spawned a few metal finish variations, including ref. 16753 in two-tone steel and gold, and 16758 in only yellow gold.

Other details of note include water resistance up to 100 meters, Tritium luminescent material on the dial, and either a three-piece link Oyster or five-piece link Jubilee bracelet.

OLD MEETS NEW
Reference 16750 is available with both the higher-beat Quickset movement and the matte dial and older-style acrylic crystal, giving the wearer the best of both worlds in regard to vintage and modern design elements.

It’s a truly remarkable vintage Rolex to examine and wear. If you happen to have one in your watch box, consider yourself very lucky!

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