2000 Rolex GMT-Master II Black Bezel 40mm 16710
Ref: 16710
Specification
Lugs : 20mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with a later Rolex box. It comes paired with its brushed 20mm Rolex Oyster stainless steel 78790A bracelet with solid end-links, which has the Oysterlock system that prevents the bracelet from accidentally opening; 11 links are provided, and it will fit up to a 7.2-inch wrist. The watch is from Circa. 2000. The watch is showing signs of wear that can be seen on the case and bracelet, but overall, it is in very fair condition for its age. A full case and bracelet refurb can be provided at an additional cost on request. The watch also comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1052KWstlXb22ywAFsq8D9_02NKtQ1CRb?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 1:52 - https://youtu.be/R3ojpj5fMug
The Watch
Here, we have a 2000 Rolex GMT-Master II Black Bezel 16710 with a curvaceous 40mm stainless steel case, ergonomically shaped with its subtle curve to the lugs, making for a very comfortable fit on the wrist. The polished sides transition with the brushed top surface. Crown guards protect the screw-down crown from any knocks. Its bidirectional bezel has a black aluminium insert, and 24-hour GMT numerals radiate around the bezel. The sapphire crystal sits slightly above the bezel and has the Cyclops magnifier over the date at 3 o’clock. The black dial has SuperLuminova-filled discs and batons marking the hours, and Mercedes hands with SuperLuminova infill, complete with a sweeping second hand and a lollipop counterbalance; the red GMT hand has a white SuperLumiNova arrowhead. At 12 o’clock, we have the “Rolex Oyster Perpetual”, and at 6 o’clock, the “GMT-Master II Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” completes this charismatic traveller companion. On the reverse, a plain coin-edged case back, inside, an automatic Rolex Cal. 3185, 31 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, it has both hacking and quick-set date functions. It comes paired with its brushed 20mm Rolex Oyster stainless steel 78790A bracelet with solid end-links, which has the Oysterlock system that prevents the bracelet from accidentally opening; 11 links are provided, and it will fit up to a 7.2-inch wrist. The watch also comes with a later Rolex presentation box.
Personal Note
There is no denying that the Rolex GMT-Master II is a classic Rolex and instantly recognisable. For me, the black bezel is one of my favourites and, surprisingly, the least seen whilst also being the most affordable of the bunch. This reference 16710 features its original black bezel insert and looks at home on and off the wrist. If you are considering adding a Rolex GMT-Master II to your collection, I'd book an appointment to come try this one on for yourself!
The Brand
In 1905, German-born Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law Alfred Davis set up a company in London that imported Swiss movements, which were installed in British cases and sold to jewellers who put their names on the dials. Recognising the potential for their brand, Wilsdorf created the brand name Rolex in 1908. In 1910, a Rolex became the first wristwatch to carry the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, awarded by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne, Switzerland. Demand for Rolex watches rose swiftly, and British taxes on the Swiss movements Rolex used prompted Wilsdorf to move the business to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1919. With production costs lowered, Wilsdorf quickly set out to solve the age-old problem of moisture and dust entering a watch case and damaging the movement. The Rolex watchmakers came up with a fully sealed watch case, which Wilsdorf named the Oyster and released to an appreciative audience in 1926. In 1931, Rolex introduced the first automatic winding wristwatch, giving it the legendary name Oyster Perpetual. In 1945, they released the Datejust. The Datejust was the first watch to have the date jump instantaneously at midnight. The 1950s saw a whole lot of releases, such as the Air-King (1958), the Explorer (1953), the Submariner (1953), the GMT Master (1955), the Day-Date (1956), the electromagnetic field resistant Milgauss (1956), the Lady-Datejust (1957) and the first Deep Sea model (1960). Wilsdorf’s death in 1960 saw ownership of Rolex S.A. (a collection of sub-companies) passed to the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which was founded by Wilsdorf in 1945, the mission of which is simply to sustain Rolex S.A. indefinitely.