Rolex GMT Master II

There are vintage watches, there are modern watches, and then there's the Rolex GMT Master II Reference 16710.

Like its cousin the Submariner, the GMT Master was intended from its inception to be a tool watch. Its no-frills appearance (a clean, black dial with healthy dollops of luminescent material on the hour plots) and its trademark two-tone bezel set the standard for a particular breed of pilot’s watch. Not as martial in appearance as Breitling’s Navitimer, nor as spartan as the Glycine Airman, the GMT Master was meant for commercial pilots, specifically the enterprising men of Pan-American Airlines.

The references from the mid 1960s to the 1980s represent the pinnacle of collectibility for GMTs in the eyes of collectors. The Reference 1675 in particular is often dubbed the reference to obtain. 

However, the desirability of matte dial examples from the 1960s and 1970s has created a scarcity of them on the market.

Many collectors turn to the Reference 16750, with which Rolex replaced the Reference 1675, as the next best thing. Produced for only eight years, the Reference 16750 has the hallmarks of the 1675—matte dials in earlier examples—with the added benefits of a sapphire crystal and a quickset date. However, due to the Reference 16750’s short production run, it’s less plentiful than the Reference 1675.

A collector seeking to snatch up a GMT Master for himself might be tempted to throw up his hands and buy a Submariner, but the good news is that Rolex didn’t stop making the model when the last 16750s rolled off the production line in Geneva.

In 1989, Rolex rolled out this watch, the Reference 16710. This, along with the Reference 14060 Submariner, is the last of 'old guard' sports Rolexes. Whereas the current crop of GMT Master IIs have gotten fatter and larger with white gold cases, the Reference 16710 is still a svelte 39mm, having the proportions of a GMT of yesteryear, with thin lugs and a bracelet with brushed—not polished—center links.

The only concessions to modernity are the glossy and and the ever-present sapphire crystal. Earlier versions (such as this one) had tritium on the dial, before transitioning to Super Luminova. The movement is different, too, a COSC-certified Calibre 3185 hacking movement with a quick-set date.

The Reference 16710 is a seamless blend of old and new, with vintage looks and modern technology—all that we could ask for in a Rolex.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.