Rolex

1998 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 16700) "Pepsi" W/ Paper & Hangtag

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The Rolex GMT is the jet-setting icon of the Rolex sports watch family. The history of this sophisticated, versatile style dates back to 1954 when Rolex received a request from Pan Am to create a technical pilot's watch that could indicate two time zones simultaneously.   As advances in aviation made transcontinental flights commercially available Pan Am needed a watch that could be issued to their crews on long-haul international flights.

GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time - the time zone that regulates world clocks and is required for all aviation planning and schedules. The Rolex GMT Master has a fourth 24-hour hand that directly displays the same time zone as the standard 12-hour hand but on a 24-hour scale. The addition of this GMT hand enabled crews to set the watch to GMT or another time zone, and, using the rotating 24-hour scale bezel, correct the offset to display a second time zone on the 24-hour scale.

The reference 16700 GMT-Master started production in 1988 as the improved upon version of it's predecessor, the 16750. Featuring the updated 3175 movement and sapphire crystal. Rolex offered the 16700 GMT-Master as a more affordable "GMT" option alongside the more upgraded GMT-Master II, and production went on for a surprising 11 years when it ceased production in 1999. Interesting enough though, the 16700 had notably fewer production numbers to its big brother the 16710 making for an overall harder watch to obtain and in result to that, a favored "modern-vintage" piece among collectors today.

Stock #
RLXGMT16700-98
Brand Rolex
Style GMT-Master
Model 16700 
Serial U3XXXXX
Size Men's
Material Stainless Steel
Dial Black Glossy W/ WG Surround Markers
Millimeters 40
Strap Rolex 78790 Oyster Bracelet W/ 501B End Pieces

 

CASE & BRACELET

The exceptional case displays lights signs of use and appears to have only been very gently polished once in its past as the factory dimensions remain intact with chamfers and factory brushing present. The original "Pepsi" bezel insert shows gentle signs of use and has achieved and excellent fade, the red has changed to a bubblegum pink while the blue remains bright in coloration. The original Rolex 78790 Oyster bracelet W/ 501B end pieces retains 13 links that show almost no stretch and will fit up to an 8 inch wrist.

DIAL & HANDS

The glossy black dial with white gold surround markers is in visually flawless original condition, showing no age or damage. The tritium lume plots exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light and remain bright white in coloration. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly with no degradation present under U.V. light inspection.

ACCESSORIES 

The watch comes with its original Rolex Guarantee paper and serialized hangtag. The watch was recently serviced and is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.