Introduction
Released in 1954, the Rolex GMT-Master resulted from a collaboration between now-extinct airline Pan Am and Rolex on a watch that would display the time across two time zones at once. Thanks to the popularisation of commercial air travel, planes were becoming more advanced and traveling longer distances. This resulted in pilots crossing time zones during flights more frequently, and thus a need for uniformity across the aviation industry was highlighted. To eliminate errors caused by time confusion, the industry adopted a standard time-zone, Greenwich Mean Time. As such, the GMT-Master's fourth hand, its 2nd hour hand, was used to constantly display Greenwich Mean Time, as its model name implies, while its regular hour hand displayed local time. While the aviation industry's standard time-zone switched to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in 1972, the name of the legendary GMT-Master was far too long in use for Rolex to change it. Today, the GMT-Master has become one of Rolex's most iconic models, with very few pilot's watches, if any, rivaling its level of fame, popularity, or signature design – and it certainly looks like it will stay that way.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 9
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$20,000 – $30,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
40mm
Model
GMT-Master II
Movement
Automatic cal. 3185
Reference
16718
Bracelet
18k Gold Jubilee bracelet
Year
1991
Condition
Excellent/ Nr-Mt
Material
18k Yellow Gold
Included
Watch Only
Dial Color
Brown

THE DIAL
Featuring a beautiful "tiger's eye" brown sunburst dial, this example's monochromatic aesthetic is stunning as its dial and bezel wonderfully complement its 18k gold case and bracelet.

THE CASE
Offered in truly exceptional condition, the example we have here features thick bevels and a stunning patina on the surface of its 18k gold construction - a true testament to this examples age and heritage.

TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
The overall condition is excellent to near mint. Dial is mint, case is very sharp with a nice chamfered edge. Watch has a rich patina throughout, with minimal superficial wear. Bracelet is very tight with hardly any stretch. There is a total of 22 links in the bracelet. Two of them are removable.
Our Perspective
One of the last vintage GMT-Master II references before Rolex introduced their cerachrom bezel to the collection, this near-mint example offers the wonderful opportunity to lay claim to one of Rolex's most visually cohesive GMT-Master II references as it appeared when it was originally displayed by its retailer.














