Rolex
1994 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 16700) "Pepsi" With Papers and Hangtags
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 # |
RLXGMT16700-94 |
|
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | GMT-Master | |
| Model | 16700 | |
| Serial | S8XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | Stainless Steel | |
| Dial | Black Glossy | |
| Millimeters | 40 | |
| Strap | Rolex Oyster 78360 Bracelet W/ 501B End Pieces |
CASE & BRACELET
The excellent case has been lightly polished in the past and retains full, even lugs. The original "pepsi" insert remains in great overall condition and has faded to a charming light blue/ pink coloration. The original caseback sticker remains affixed to the caseback. The Rolex 78360 Oyster bracelet with 501 B endpieces retains 13 links and showing ligh wear annd minimal stretch from use.
DIAL & HANDS
The black glossy dial with white gold surrounds remains flawless. The tritium lume plots show no patina, remaining bright white in coloration and exhibit no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original hands match the dial perfectly and show no lume loss or degradation under U.V. light inspectetion.
ACCESSORIES
The watch comes with it's original Rolex "punched" warranty paper, serialized hangtag, and red chronometer hang tag. The watch is keeping time at spec, previous service history is unkown.