Thoughts on Rolex Gmt Master II 16710

[Pilot1985]

Hi all,

Looking at buying this 16710 coke.

Found via local ads near me. Seller is willing to go to the Rolex dealer to verify.

From the photos the case seems unpolished.

is an X serial Clasp is R5, Bezel looks Ok serif Fat font with the 2 is non serif. have seen in other discussions here and looks Ok but would like confirmation.

The dial and hands do not have much patina. the owners says they look ivory under the sun .would have to do UV inspection myself on site.

From the photos what do you think? anything funny?

Thank you in advance

[R44]

Looks good to me. How much are they asking for it? If the price is right it looks like an example that hasn’t seen that much use. I purchased a matte 16750 a couple of years back which presented quite similar from a wear point of view. Some people buy these watches and wear them infrequently which looks to be the case with this watch. Personally I’d buy and put on an Oyster bracelet and keep the Jubilee as well. I’ve purchased a number of new bracelets from Rolex over the years (in the UK they’ll do it while you wait at Rolex HQ).

[zapokee]

Originally Posted by Pilot1985

Seller is willing to go to the Rolex dealer to verify.

I'm not sure dealers offer this verification service...

Many Rolex AD staff are salespeople, not watch experts. Try asking them what movement is in a watch and see them scramble to look it up. I went into my AD wearing my OysterQuartz, and the sales lady suggested I buy a Rolex instead. She'd never even seen an OQ.

I'd expect them to insist on an RSC service (or at least a service quote that you can then turn down), and the verifcation would be the paperwork you get from that.

Milage may vary...

[JasonBetts]

Nice fullset example. More and more difficult to find tritium 16710 fullset. Not sure if it's unpolished per se. Look at the lug holes, they look rounded


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[dannyp]

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Nice fullset example. More and more difficult to find tritium 16710 fullset. Not sure if it's unpolished per se. Look at the lug holes, they look rounded


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If I'm understanding your observation correctly, I think it may be an illusion. Because the lug tapers inward towards the bracelet, it ends up having a slightly elongated appearance in a two-dimensional photograph.

I could also imagine that, just as bracelet "stretch" is often due to years of persistent rubbing of debris against the links, so too might be lug hole rounding/widening, no?

[mineral]

I will jump in this one if price is right. Look good with period correct stuff.


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[Pilot1985]

Originally Posted by R44

Looks good to me. How much are they asking for it? If the price is right it looks like an example that hasn’t seen that much use. I purchased a matte 16750 a couple of years back which presented quite similar from a wear point of view. Some people buy these watches and wear them infrequently which looks to be the case with this watch. Personally I’d buy and put on an Oyster bracelet and keep the Jubilee as well. I’ve purchased a number of new bracelets from Rolex over the years (in the UK they’ll do it while you wait at Rolex HQ).

The asking price is 11.5k pounds I think I can bargain a bit. Is one owner and yes story is worn only in special occasions. But I tend to believe people less and less everyday... My Idea is rolex HQ in Spain and to do a service only movement and only if they will not change anything else. given the condition should not be a problem.

Originally Posted by zapokee

I'm not sure dealers offer this verification service...

Many Rolex AD staff are salespeople, not watch experts. Try asking them what movement is in a watch and see them scramble to look it up. I went into my AD wearing my OysterQuartz, and the sales lady suggested I buy a Rolex instead. She'd never even seen an OQ.

I'd expect them to insist on an RSC service (or at least a service quote that you can then turn down), and the verifcation would be the paperwork you get from that.

Milage may vary...

Not going to an AD but to Rolex Hq in Madrid with the idea to do a service on the watch. I know they will not offer a verification service but they will open it up or check if its reported stolen or is magically a japanese movement.

Originally Posted by JasonBetts

Nice fullset example. More and more difficult to find tritium 16710 fullset. Not sure if it's unpolished per se. Look at the lug holes, they look rounded


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Arent the lug holes supposed to be rounded when they are in this condition?....

Originally Posted by mineral

I will jump in this one if price is right. Look good with period correct stuff.


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Thanks I think so to!!

[THC]

The local dealers are now the best way to go nowadays imo

[Old Expat Beast]

Could be the light/angle but the inside edge of the lower-right lug looks curved.

[Pilot1985]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Could be the light/angle but the inside edge of the lower-right lug looks curved.

Looking at the other photos it looks like a shadow or light angle but I will inspect that area for sure now more closely! Thanks

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Pilot1985

Hi all,

Looking at buying this 16710 coke.
From the photos what do you think? anything funny?

Are the minute markers at positions 11 and 33 partially missing towards the dial edge?

If the dial is not 100% I would not buy it.



Is the tritium slightly cracked or locally very thin in the marked area of the hour hand?

As you wrote, carefully check the entire dial with UV light.

[Pilot1985]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Are the minute markers at positions 11 and 33 partially missing towards the dial edge?

If the dial is not 100% I would not buy it.



Is the tritium slightly cracked or locally very thin in the marked area of the hour hand?

As you wrote, carefully check the entire dial with UV light.

I have a few more photos but did not post them all. But thank you for those details to look at!

I think the dial is fine looking at other photos.But very nice catch I have to say! Another reason to love this forum more and more!! And the hand as well in this other ones. but UV check will be done and loupe as well to see any cracks or deterioration.

[storm66]

Buy it and enjoy

[khalifam]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Are the minute markers at positions 11 and 33 partially missing towards the dial edge?

If the dial is not 100% I would not buy it.



Is the tritium slightly cracked or locally very thin in the marked area of the hour hand?

As you wrote, carefully check the entire dial with UV light.

If you don't mind me asking what would checking it with an UV light do?

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[saxo3]

Originally Posted by khalifam

If you don't mind me asking what would checking it with an UV light do?

It would show inhomogenities, repairs, and relume of the tritium.

[SparklesMcgraw]

Looks like a shadow. Sounds pricey for the age tbh. Knock em down a bit

[ks58]

I wonder when they will bring this watch back as a new GMT

[Oyster_Jubilee]

Full set! Very nice!

[Richard2]

If you like it, get it

[dannyp]

Any service records? I'm sure it's nothing, but there look to be some scratches on the case back, just outside where that translucent sticker is. In and of themselves, no big deal. But my only concern would be that they were the result of someone who really didn't know what they were doing trying to open the case back. Service records will tell you who did so (if it's ever been serviced).

[Pilot1985]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Any service records? I'm sure it's nothing, but there look to be some scratches on the case back, just outside where that translucent sticker is. In and of themselves, no big deal. But my only concern would be that they were the result of someone who really didn't know what they were doing trying to open the case back. Service records will tell you who did so (if it's ever been serviced).

According to the one owner, It has never been serviced. I have also wondered about that sticker too. On the crater box of the watch there is also another sticker besides the normal 16710 sticker we are used to see. I think the sticker in the box is a reference from the jewelry back then. The translucent sticker TBH I doubt it's been there all this years but I will try to find out.

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

The 16710 is my favorite Rolex reference, and that one looks nice. Are there ripples on the case back, or is that some kind of reflection?

One of mine too!! The ripples are reflection of the jubilee bracelet :)

Originally Posted by storm66

Buy it and enjoy

Thanks

Originally Posted by ks58

I wonder when they will bring this watch back as a new GMT

Probably anytime soon my best guess

Originally Posted by Oyster_Jubilee

Full set! Very nice!

Thanks

Originally Posted by Richard2

If you like it, get it

Planning on going tomorrow to see it in person and make a decision.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by Pilot1985

According to the one owner, It has never been serviced. I have also wondered about that sticker too. On the crater box of the watch there is also another sticker besides the normal 16710 sticker we are used to see. I think the sticker in the box is a reference from the jewelry back then. The translucent sticker TBH I doubt it's been there all this years but I will try to find out.

I wouldn't be at all concerned by the presence of the sticker itself. It was those two scratches, just outside of it, that made me wonder if someone accidentally made them attempting to open the case back. I'm probably reading too much into their presence, though.

Cool piece! Coke was always my favorite 17610 "flavor" and would have been my choice for a five-digit GMT. Coke on Jubilee seems to be about the least common combo (just based on pics I see on the internet), which makes this an even more interesting find.

[Little machines]

Beautiful watch! Good luck with this great time piece !!

[Stan Cooper]

The 16710 is my favorite Rolex reference, and that one looks nice. Are there ripples on the case back, or is that some kind of reflection?

[GMT Aviator]

Looks pretty good to me. Seems like it has honest wear and tear and not much of that considering it’s age.
Case looks unpolished.
No5 lug has some rounding on the inner edge.
From the photos I would buy this watch if the price is right and I’ve bought a lot of these pre-owned over the years.

[Pilot1985]

Originally Posted by GMT Aviator

Looks pretty good to me. Seems like it has honest wear and tear and not much of that considering it’s age.
Case looks unpolished.
No5 lug has some rounding on the inner edge.
From the photos I would buy this watch if the price is right and I’ve bought a lot of these pre-owned over the years.

Case seems unpolished to me too. Even though some seem to disagree but I will have a better look at it tomorrow in person.

Originally Posted by htc8p

looks legit and very expensive for vintage watch

but better to have a service estimate at RSC for ease of mind.

but very nice looking coke. classic watch

The plan is to meet at the Rolex HQ in the country I live to get an estimate and if I keep it likely it will go straight for service or immediately after.

Originally Posted by GreatCircle

Bezeledges have been polished for sure, unpolished these are much sharper.
But it’s not a big deal, still a very nice example

I will have a better look at it in person thanks!

Originally Posted by Andad

Hi Pilot,

I have read all the replies so far and I would pass.

I can see that it hasn’t been looked after.
I think it has been polished and the case brushing doesn’t look original to me.

I think you can find a better one at the price point.

I would disagree on the it has not been looked after and the brushing maybe with the flash the photos I think are not the best. I will make a better assessment in person tomorrow and will make my final decision.

Originally Posted by saxo3

It would show inhomogenities, repairs, and relume of the tritium.

thx saxo3 for awnsering that one :D

Originally Posted by saxo3

Hello Pilot,

Plenty of very nice watches listed under
@vinwatchcollector IG.

This 16710 you intend to buy for selling?

Some the watches on my IG are not mine but with the permission of their respective owners. Some are mine. I have created that IG page as part of a new business idea I have for the Vintage watch community but not planning on doing advert here on the forum. My website should be going live in the next 1-2 weeks if you want to follow me let me know I'll do the same.

The 16710 is part of that idea but no it is not for sale and I am not a dealer.

Originally Posted by lamkinpark

It have been polished for sure but not too bad, still a nice example

Thanks for the feedvbback I will have a good look at it tomorrow in person.

[htc8p]

looks legit and very expensive for vintage watch

but better to have a service estimate at RSC for ease of mind.

but very nice looking coke. classic watch

[GreatCircle]

Bezeledges have been polished for sure, unpolished these are much sharper.
But it’s not a big deal, still a very nice example

[Andad]

Hi Pilot,

I have read all the replies so far and I would pass.

I can see that it hasn’t been looked after.
I think it has been polished and the case brushing doesn’t look original to me.

I think you can find a better one at the price point.

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by Andad

Hi Pilot,

I have read all the replies so far and I would pass.

I can see that it hasn’t been looked after.
I think it has been polished and the case brushing doesn’t look original to me.

I think you can find a better one at the price point.

It looks pretty good for a 30-year-old watch…