Fine Watches
Fine Watches
Rolex
Reference 16718 GMT-Master | A yellow gold automatic dual time wristwatch with date and bracelet, Circa 1991
Lot Closed
December 12, 05:45 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Dial: brown
Caliber: cal. 3185 automatic, 31 jewels
Movement number: 5’787’054
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw down case back
Case number: N’148’859
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 40 mm, bracelet circumference approximately 175 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Rolex presentation box with outer packaging, booklets, leather card holder, handkerchief, polishing cloth, hang tag, leather bi-fold notepad with notepad, and additional notepad
The GMT has been a constant in the Rolex range of sports watches since its launch in the 1950s. Conceived for pilots flying transatlantic routes more regularly, the dual-time zone function became a useful tool for them. Predominantly made in steel, the GMT has also been offered with bimetal (steel and gold) and full gold cases. The nickname 'Root Beer' derives from the color of the bezel insert—either brown, brown/gold, or brown/black—combined with black or brown dials, giving it a warm and charismatic look.
Rolex Root Beer references have retained their own reference numbers. The Ref 6542/8 (gold only) was produced between 1958 and 1959, References 1675/3 (bimetal) and 1675/8 (gold) were made between 1960 and 1981, References 16753 (bimetal) and 16758 (gold) were available between 1981 and 1988, and References 16713 and 16718 (gold) were in production from 1988 to 2006.
The current watch, Ref 16718, includes two upgrades from its predecessor: an independent hour hand thanks to the new caliber 3185 movement and a sapphire crystal.