1996 Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 16700)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1996
Maker / issuer
RolexThe Rolex GMT-Master (Ref. 16700) is a stainless steel wristwatch featuring a black glossy dial and a rotating 24-hour 'Pepsi' bezel. It is powered by the Rolex caliber 3175 movement and incorporates a fourth 24-hour hand, allowing for the simultaneous display of two time zones.
The watch dates to 1996, falling within the production period of the 16700, which spanned from 1988 to 1999. The timepiece is presented on a Rolex 78790 Oyster bracelet with 501B end pieces. Construction includes a sapphire crystal. The case remains in an unpolished state, retaining original factory finishing, and the case back features the original Rolex green factory sticker. The dial includes white gold surround markers and tritium luminous plots, which match the original tritium hands.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- GMT-Master
- Model
- 16700
- Bracelet
- Rolex 78790 with 501B end pieces
- Material
- Stainless Steel
- Movement
- Rolex 3175
- Crystal type
- Sapphire
- Case diameter
- 40 mm
- Maker / attribution
- Rolex
- Production year of watch
- 1996
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The watch features a glossy black dial with markers surrounded by white gold. The luminous material used for the dial plots and the hands is tritium. Under ultraviolet light inspection, the source reports no degradation of the luminous material, which exhibits an ivory color. The dial configuration includes the standard GMT-Master layout with a date aperture at the three o'clock position, magnified by a cyclops lens, and a red GMT hand for the second time zone tracking.
- Visible features
- • Original green factory sticker intact on the case back • Rotating bi-color blue and red bezel insert • Tritium lume plots and hands showing ivory-toned aging • Cyclops lens over the date aperture
- Case and Bracelet
- The stainless steel case of this reference 16700 is reported by the auction description to be unpolished, retaining the factory-applied finishing and chamfers. The bezel is the bi-color 'Pepsi' variety, described as being in near-flawless condition. The case back retains its original Rolex green factory sticker. The watch is fitted with an Oyster-style bracelet, reference 78790, which utilizes 501B end pieces. The bracelet includes 11 links and is described as having minimal stretch, suitable for wrists up to seven inches in circumference.
- Movement and Functionality
- This timepiece is equipped with the Rolex caliber 3175 movement. The reference 16700 succeeded the 16750 and was produced alongside the GMT-Master II reference 16710. The 3175 allows for the independent adjustment of the 24-hour hand via the rotating bezel, which serves to display a second time zone. The source indicates that the watch is currently functioning and keeping time as expected.
Identification
- Reference
- 16700
- Serial number
- T8XXXXX
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Exact serial number is partially redacted in the source (T8XXXXX)
- Research required: The exact production volume of the 16700 relative to other references remains qualitative in the provided text