Since it first rolled out in 1955 for Pan Am Airline pilots, the Rolex GMT Master has been an icon - instantly recognized by that blue and red bezel. This particular reference, the 16700, is the last of the GMT Masters, before Rolex transitioned to the GMT Master II. This example shines a big ol’ spotlight on all the reasons we love neo vintage watches - you get the sweet vintage aesthetic with a perfectly faded bezel and gorgeous tritium lume but with modern upgrades like sapphire crystal and quickset date - truly the best of both worlds. The aging on this one is tough to beat, the colors are CRAZY! it has lived a life, no doubt, as it was design to do, and it brings all that glorious Wabi-sabi to the table! REFERENCE: 16700 YEAR: 1996 DIAL: Gorgeous gloss black dial with white gold hour marker surrounds and trititium lume. The lume on this one has aged well, still bright and clean but with just a hint of that cream color we love - both the dial and hands confirmed original under UV. A few light specs of dust here and there seen under macro, but all in about as clean as you find on a nearly 30-year-old example! BEZEL: One of the reasons we love these older GMT references, the aluminum bezels age with time and this one is STUNNING! The blue has this frosted gradient effect to it and the red has gone very light red/even pink depending on the light - adds so much character! CRYSTAL: Sapphire crystal presents very clean, under macro some edge wear/nicks are present but nothing that distracts from that beautiful dial. CASE: 40MM stainless case appears to be unpolished, with all the original lines, extremely sharp edges, and those great chamfers. As expected on an untouched example of this age, there are scratches and wear throughout including a few dents on the lower part of non-crown side and on the top of the lugs. The case could be cleaned up, my watchmaker could do that if the new owner wishes, but I think that would be a real shame as they’re rarely found original and it matches the overall vintage vibe perfectly. MOVEMENT: The Rolex automatic cal 3175 (a cool nerdy detail: this caliber was only used in the 16700) is running beautifully, winding and setting smoothly, quick set date works perfectly (another bonus of the 16700.) Service history unknown but timegrapher is showing great numbers, within COSC at 3 seconds a day and a very healthy amplitude of 303. BRACELET: Comes on its original Rolex 78790 oyster bracelet with correct date code stamped clasp and original 501B end links. 12 links total, fitting up to app. 7.5 inches. Bracelet also appears unpolished with a very crisp crown on the clasp and wear throughout but tight and feels fantastic on the wrist. ACCESSORIES: Watch on bracelet only. PRICE: $9750 which will include overnight fully insured shipping through FedEx anywhere in the US. Face-to-face deal in the Los Angeles area is always possible, with a small discount offered. No trades, thanks. Payment via Venmo friends and family, Zelle, or Wire. No returns unless misrepresented and it absolutely will not be, I am a passionate collector first and foremost and I go out of the way to treat buyers the way I want to be treated and I’m the buyer. Lots of great feedback to show that! TIMESTAMP: https://imgur.com/a/Y7mrThH Follow me here and on IG at thewriteroftime for more cool watches! Thanks! Richard