Rolex

*Unpolished* 1989 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 16700) "Pepsi"

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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 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 timezone on the 24-hour scale.

The reference 16700 GMT-Master started production in 1988 as the improved upon version of its 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. Interestingly enough, the ref. 16700 had notably fewer production numbers than its big brother the 16710 making for an overall harder watch to obtain as a result.

Stock #
RLXGMT16700-89
Brand Rolex
Style GMT-Master
Model 16700 
Serial E8XXXXX
Size Men's
Material Stainless Steel
Dial Black Glossy
Millimeters 40
Bracelet Rolex 78790A Oyster Bracelet W/ 501 B End Pieces

CASE & BRACELET

The excellent case is believed to remain unpolished as the factory finishing and chamfers remain fully present through the lugs and crown guards, the case does exhibit honest signs of use. The original "Pepsi" bezel insert is in excellent overall condition, displaying only minimal signs of previous use. The Rolex 78790A Oyster short clasp bracelet with 501 B end pieces is dated later than the watch and retains 12 links that show almost no stretch from use.

DIAL & HANDS

The glossy black dial with white gold surround markers is in flawless original condition, showing no age or damage. The tritium lume plots remain bright white in coloration and show no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly, under U.V. light inspection the lume in the post of the hour hand features a small spot of missing lume and remains stable, the rest of the lume in the hand stack is in perfect condition without degradation.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch just received a full service and comes backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.