Searching for the right model GMT Master II

[NineBolts]

Hello Everyone,

This is my first proper post on the forum, I've finally got around to joining up as I have some specific questions. Although I have been lurking for a while and already have a vintage DJ.

I'm getting very tempted by a GMT, part of me would like a birth year 1675 but I also have to be realistic and I want a watch that I can still wear as a daily especially if I'm travelling. There are features of the 16710 that make it appealing to me such as the independent GMT hand, the sapphire crystal and the slightly more modern looking white gold edged markers.

I'm in the process of weighing up the options of buying a good solid example of the spec I want versus buying a full set. The spec I'm after would be as follows:

• GMT Master II
• Early-ish example
• Tritium Dial
• Drilled lugs
• Original Coke or Pepsi bezel (not Black)
• Jubilee bracelet

If I'm buying Full Set then I'd like it to be a full set of the above config and I guess that it might be a bit rare. My questions are about how that spec should appear on documentation and differences of style codes.

Browsing the online ads, I can see that the European paperwork differs a little to the US certificates. The US seems to list the specific bracelet codes, whereas in the European certificates I've seen they have all been for Oyster bracelet watches and include the bracelet code as part of the style. I've seen a lot of examples where the paper work has style IDs

R1670LN78790 (black bezel Oyster Bracelet)
R1760N30B7879 (black bezel Oyster Bracelet)
R1760A30B7879 (Coke bezel Oyster Bracelet)

Am I correct in thinking an original Pepsi has a B or BLRO style code?
If a European watch was originally paired with a Jubilee does it come with a different style code perhaps one including the bracelet code 62510?

Should I be looking for a watch with a specific style code something like

R1760A30B62510
R1760BLRO62510

I'm in the UK and there's no shortage of these in Europe, a quick look online shows a few hundred options. Prices in the UK seem to be higher than the rest of Europe, Looks like a polished unboxed UK example is about equivalent to a European with box and papers.

Buying from a dealer in London has the advantage of being able to assess the watch in the metal. Buying from Europe is going to involve more exchanges of information and photos, I'm not uncomfortable with that process but the questions about style/model numbers are so I can spot where alternative parts have been used.

[Nairn1980]

I bought recently a full set 16710 year 2000. It’s mint condition and a 160 UK watch.

I got it with Pepsi, Coke and Black inserts. The black and Pepsi were brand new and the Coke was, I believe, the original.

However in the UK I don’t believe there is any way to tell. My paperwork all says just 16710 and serial number. There is no mention of original bezel colour.

With this in mind, I wouldn’t get too hung up on not originally being a black, and buy on condition. Beautiful example full sets are in some cases £8k plus now.

Good luck.

[CPRWATCH]

Please don't don't overlook the 16700 . It's the last of the GMT master references & also last versions had white gold edged markers & sapphire crystal , quick set date but no independent GMT hand .

[Etschell]

post this in the vintage forum too imo

[NineBolts]

seems to be a few differences in the paperwork across the years and territories.

My main concern is paying top price and finding out the combination is wrong.

[DoctorA]

It depends which one you like more...... but.........

My logic is as follow:
BLNR is now rare but will get more rare in the future if/when it gets discontinued (lesson learned from the ss Pepsi)

Ss Pepsi and Coke are sky rocketing in price and doubt will go any higher especially if Rolex decides to make ceramic ss Pepsi or Coke

PM or TT don’t hold their value as good as ss

So look at all of the above and you’ll find the answer easy. BLNR is the right choice. Pepsi and Coke already are overpriced because of the ss shortage and can go down when other ss models are more available or if Rolex releases a new ss one. And BLNR will become “today’s Pepsi” in a few years

[paltak]

I prefer lug holes and SEL in 16710, models P, K, Y generally speaking.

[henrylee]

SEL and lug holes are my favorite 16710.

[sensui]

I wouldn't exclude the 1675 if that's where your heart is at. Maintained/serviced it's perfectly fine for traveling....I just wouldn't swim with it. And yes if it's the us warranty certificate...16710b denotes having blro insert originally.

[NineBolts]

There's a watch I quite like it's listed on Chrono24. I know the rules about posting links to sales is a no no. I'd like to share the link to get opinions on what is a very nice looking almost NOS watch.

The seller is german and seems to struggle with comms, I've seen a few reviews of him and it seems like short direct answers are his way. You might tell I'm more verbose.

The questions I have about this are generally related to region of origin which effects the paperwork and the model listed.

Also the box artwork. I've checked the reference section and I don't see a description of the different outer box designs. This one seems to come in an Oyster box that has been describerd as moon crater but I think looks more like an aerial shot of snow. I've seen other examples of the same desingn, It seems less common than the boxes that are mainly green/blue that look like moss on slate or granite.

Then there is the strap, it's not Jubilee but looks like an Oyster 78360. Did those come as standard with a foldover clasp in 1996. The reference material on here makes me think it should be a tuna can clasp but again I've seen lot of GMTs on the market with a foldover.

I'm doing a lot of research but the more I look the more questions I have.

[NineBolts]

Originally Posted by sensui

I wouldn't exclude the 1675 if that's where your heart is at. Maintained/serviced it's perfectly fine for traveling....I just wouldn't swim with it. And yes if it's the us warranty certificate...16710b denotes having blro insert originally.

TBH I'm swaying more towards the more modern version. It's a heart/head thing, in that A really old hesalite crystal rattly bracelet, creamy lume etc. would be nice. But I do want to wear it quite a bit and I like some of the modern bits.

I'm not a big fan of the BLNR, I could be convinced if they did a modern SS Coke.

For me the one of the last Tritium drilled lugs is the sweet spot. It will age and look vintage in years to come but is new enough to have a sapphire crystal and I like the movement in the Master II.

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by CPRWATCH

Please don't don't overlook the 16700 . It's the last of the GMT master references & also last versions had white gold edged markers & sapphire crystal , quick set date but no independent GMT hand .

Would agree....don't rule out the 16700.....great watch!