Rolex
Tropical 1979 Rolex Two-Tone GMT-Master (Ref. 16753) "Rootbeer"
The Rolex GMT-Master, a symbol of sophistication and versatility, has a storied history that dates back to 1954. It all started when Rolex received a request from Pan American Airways (Pan Am) to develop a technical pilot's watch capable of displaying two time zones simultaneously. With the advent of commercial transcontinental flights, Pan Am needed a watch for their long-haul international flight crews that would enable them to keep track of time in multiple locations.
GMT, which stands for Greenwich Mean Time, is the universal time standard that regulates the world's clocks and serves as the basis for aviation planning and schedules. The Rolex GMT-Master is equipped with a fourth 24-hour hand that displays the same time zone as the standard 12-hour hand but on a 24-hour scale. This GMT hand allows wearers to set the watch to GMT or any other time zone and then adjust the offset using the rotating 24-hour bezel to display a second timezone. This remarkable feature makes the Rolex GMT-Master a must-have for anyone who frequently travels across multiple time zones, allowing them to keep track of two time zones with ease and precision.
| Stock # | RLXGMT16753RB-3 | |
| Brand | Rolex | |
| Style | GMT-Master | |
| Model | 16753 | |
| Serial | 61XXXXX | |
| Size | Men's | |
| Material | SS / 14K YG | |
| Dial | "Tropical" Copper Brown / Orange | |
| Millimeters | 40 | |
| Bracelet | Rolex 62523 H14 Two-Tone Jubilee Bracelet W/ 450 End Pieces |
CASE & BRACELET
The strong case retains full and symmetrical lugs that have been previously lightly polished and show light signs of honest use. The original "Rootbeer" bezel insert is in excellent overall condition, showing light signs of use throughout while retaining vibrant colors. The original Rolex 62523 H14 two-tone Jubilee bracelet with 450 end pieces retains 22 links that show expected stretch for the style and age of the bracelet and will fit up to a 7 3/4-inch wrist.
DIAL & HANDS
The original and exceptionally vibrant "nipple" dial boasts a truly fascinating and beautiful patina that showcases vibrant orange and red colors mixed with the original copper-brown coloration of the dial. The dial itself exhibits no damage and the only elements of age present are the aesthetic-enhancing patina and the subtle green oxidation in the second half of the "Rolex" text. The tritium lume plots have aged to a perfect creamy patina and exhibit no degradation when inspected under UV light. The original tritium hands match the dial perfectly with no degradation present when inspected under UV light. The hands show light oxidation which is common in the era and actually matches the dial patina nicely. The metallic gold date wheel is orignial with "open" 6's and 9's.
ACCESSORIES
None. The watch is keeping time perfectly, backed by a 1-year warranty on accurate timekeeping.