Please Educate Me on GMt Master II

[azguy]

Great forum guys; I have two Breitlings, Navitimers, and a Omega Seamaster Professional for everyday use. It's time for a Rolex. I love the GMT Master II with the coke bezel

But I really know nothing except for what I have picked up on here. I have tons of questions:

I see some with green 24 hour hand and some with red, the red appear older ?

I see 167xx serial numbers on these models, can they be dated by this number?

Within reason how new should I try and stay; 2007 and up? 2005 and up, etc. I see some in great condition as old as early 1990's.

Is the bezel inexpensive to replace if I find the right watch with the black bezel? By now you know I want the coke colors, lol...

I'll probably buy from one of the members on this site and not flea-bay or AD.

Thanks in advance-

AZguy

[Pilot518]

I've found this link very handy. http://www.gmtmasterhistory.com/gmt-..._ref_1675.html

but i prefer pepsi :)

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Pilot518

I've found this link very handy. http://www.gmtmasterhistory.com/gmt-..._ref_1675.html

but i prefer pepsi :)

Great place to start.

The green 24 hand was introduced with the latest version or GMTIIC as the red 24 hand was used on versions prior.

The GMTIIC uses a Ceramic Bezel insert which is fairly expensive but scratch resistent. Versions prior used an aluminum insert which tended to fade and was easier to scratch, however it was cheaper to replace and you could get it in more colors.

Whether you chose the latest version GMTIIC or any version of the GMT prior you are going to get one heckl of a great watch. There are some differences however which may or may not appeal more to you.

Oh, and the reason you see a lot of the older ones in such great condition is because a Rolex is built tough and made to last a very long time. No matter which one you decide to get, as long as you chose a Rolex you have made the right decision.

[Dan Pierce]

If you travel and/ or work w/ clients or family members in different timezones, you'll find the Rolex GMT a must. Plus, w/ 3 bezel and 2 bracelet options, the classic 16710 is the most versatile Rolex ever made.
dP

[MortgageGuy]

As above a great watch, I love the 16710 for versatility... Yes you can purchase the aluminum insert very inexpensively to replace the black insert to a "coke" or a "pepsi"... I happen to have the coke insert on currently but also have the black and pepsi too

Here you go:

[azguy]

Great stuff so far; the website link provided was amazing. I never buy new, cars, boats, Harley's or watches. I hate sales tax and would rather someone else takes the hit in year 1, 2 or 3, when you by new-

I think I'll start looking for 16710 that is between 5 and 10 years old. I think I saw some in the for sales forum here for about $5,000 give or take.

Don't mean to switch topics but what about service ? I know on my Breitlings it's about every 5 years at a cost of about $600, although I have gone 7 years on occasion.

What about Rolex? Should I only by something that has been serviced in the last few years ?

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by azguy

Great stuff so far; the website link provided was amazing. I never buy new, cars, boats, Harley's or watches. I hate sales tax and would rather someone else takes the hit in year 1, 2 or 3, when you by new-

I think I'll start looking for 16710 that is between 5 and 10 years old. I think I saw some in the for sales forum here for about $5,000 give or take.

Don't mean to switch topics but what about service ? I know on my Breitlings it's about every 5 years at a cost of about $600, although I have gone 7 years on occasion.

What about Rolex? Should I only by something that has been serviced in the last few years ?

May I suggest the P, K, and/ or Y series [2001 thru 2003, I think] GMT II's. The reason is these have both lug holes [for easy strap changing and that classic tool watch vibe] and SEL's [solid end links]. These were only made for a few years and allow you to enjoy the best of both vintage and modern at the same time.



As far as service, The 5 to 7 year rule works fine if you wear them on a daily or regular basis. If not, and they are part of a larger rotation, you should be able to go longer between service intervals. If service history is unknown I'd include that cost in your purchase unless you have a good relationship w/ a watchmaker [preferably w/ a Rolex parts account] who can check on the movement.
dP

[dddrees]

Make sure you look into getting all three inserts Black, Black\Red, and Blue\Red. Also at some point you may want to consider a jubilee as well as the oyster bracelet.

[azguy]

which bracelet is which? I'm kinda just assuming the "busier" is the Jubilee and the "simpler" bracelet is the Oyster ? correct ?

After some qucik research I'm thinking 16760, A Fat Lady, thoughts?

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by azguy

which bracelet is which? I'm kinda just assuming the "busier" is the Jubilee and the "simpler" bracelet is the Oyster ? correct ?

After some qucik research I'm thinking 16760, A Fat Lady, thoughts?

The Super Jubilee is shown in my post, and the Oyster in Dan Pierce's post.

[ufboy73]

never a big fan of jubilee...but the only watch i ever thought i would wear it on would be GMT...something really nice about that combo and pepsi!