Born in the 1950s for Pan Am pilots, the Rolex GMT-Master was designed to display two time zones simultaneously and quickly became an icon of aviation and travel. The reference 16700, introduced at the end of the 1980s and discontinued in the late ’90s, represents the last evolution of the “classic” GMT-Master before the transition to the GMT-Master II. It preserves the pure design and simplicity of the original line while offering a robust and reliable movement.
This 1993 example, serial N4xxxxx, stands out for its outstanding preservation and vintage charm. The tritium hour markers with their signature “bicchierini” have aged into a beautiful warm yellow patina, perfectly matching the original hands. The glossy black dial is immaculate, free from spidering or matting, maintaining deep shine and crisp print. The stainless steel case shows sharp edges, thick lugs and well-defined bevels.
The watch comes complete with its original box, punched warranty paper, booklets and document holder, making it a full collector’s set. These complete examples of the 16700 are increasingly difficult to find, especially in such untouched condition with tritium dial and hands. A rare opportunity to own an authentic piece of Rolex history, combining vintage aesthetics, original patina and full set collectibility.