Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 16760

Vintage Rolex 40mm GMT-Master II, Black Dial, Oyster Bracelet, Ref. 16760

The Rolex GMT-Master was initially developed in 1954 in collaboration with Pan American Airways, with the aim of providing pilots with a watch that could display multiple time zones simultaneously. The original model featured a 24-hour bezel and a fourth hand that could be set to a second time zone. Over the years, the GMT-Master underwent various design changes and upgrades, including the addition of the iconic red and blue “Pepsi” bezel in 1959. In 1982, the GMT-Master II was introduced, which allowed for the independent adjustment of the hour hand, making it easier to track multiple time zones.

The reference 16760 was the first of the new GMT-Master II collection. In terms of design, the GMT-Master II 16760 sported a thicker case, a wider bezel, and larger crown guards than its predecessors. These design details led to the ref. 16760’s famous nickname, the “Fat Lady”. The Rolex GMT-Master II 16760 was in production until 1988 and was only ever crafted in stainless steel with a red and black bezel. This was the first time Rolex used that color combination on the bi-directional bezel and it quickly gained the nickname “Coke”. Prior to the ref. 16760, GMT-Masters were protected with acrylic crystal. The first GMT-Master II was inaugurated with a sapphire crystal instead, which makes for a more scratch resistant timepiece. New to the dial of the GMT-Master II 16760 was the use of 18k white gold around the luminous hour-markers. This was done to prevent tarnishing on the dial in an effort to maintain the watch’s beauty for as long as possible. Today, all Rolex watches are made using 18k gold to surround the indexes.  Perhaps the biggest innovation was the new generation automatic mechanical movement from Rolex that allowed the center hour hand to be set independently from the arrow-tipped 24-hour hand, thus also independently from the minute and seconds hand. Therefore, when travelers arrived to a new destination they could easily set the watch to the local time by having the center hour hand “jump” from hour to hour (forward or backward) autonomously from the minute and seconds hand, thus maintaining the precise time.

This remarkable timepiece boasts a 40mm stainless steel case featuring a bi-directional rotating bezel with a black and red ‘Coke’ aluminum insert and a black dial adorned with tritium-lumed hour markers. The hands however are service hands offering luminous visibility in low light. Powered by a self-winding 3085 caliber movement, the GMT-Master II 16760 ensures impeccable timekeeping accuracy, making it the perfect companion for globetrotters and those who appreciate precision engineering. The watch is not only a paragon of functionality but also a style statement. Its stainless steel Oyster bracelet is not only durable but also adds a touch of elegance to your wrist. Whether you’re crossing time zones or attending a sophisticated event, the Rolex GMT-Master II 16760 combines the best of form and function.