Rolex
1984 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 16750) Matte Dial "Pepsi"
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 pilots 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. This feature is just as useful today, allowing the modern traveler to easily keep track of his home time zone, no matter how far they may have journeyed.
The Rolex ref. 16750 was first introduced in 1979 and was in production until 1988. The main difference between the Rolex GMT ref. 1675 and 16750 was the introduction of the cal. 3075 movement which allowed for instantaneous date advancement also known as "quick set".
| Stock # | RLXGMT8416750 | |
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | GMT-Master | |
| Model | 16750 | |
| Serial | 81XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | Stainless Steel | |
| Dial | Matte Black | |
| Millimeters | 40 | |
| Strap | Rolex 78360 Oyster Bracelet 580 End Pieces |
CASE & BRACELET
The strong and symmetrical case appears to have only been lightly polished once in the past, retaining some slight chamfers down the lugs and showing honest signs of use. The original "Pepsi" bezel insert shows some light patina from age and has faded to a beautiful bright blue and ruby red coloration. The original Rolex 78360 Oyster bracelet with 580 end pieces shows only mild stretch from use and retains 11 links.
DIAL & HANDS
The excellent matte black GMT-Master dial is in beautiful original condition, showing almost no signs of aging. The tritium lume plots have aged to an attractive creamy coloration and show no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands aged slightly darker than the dial, and the 24hr hand has aged slightly lighter but match the fit and feel of the watch. Under U.V. light inspection the hands the sweep-seconds hand shows some very minor cracking and is stable the other hands remain fully intact. The date wheel is era correct with open 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
None. Watch is keeping time at COSC spec, previous service history is unknown.