The History of the Rolex GMT Master

The History of the Rolex GMT Master

by www.tendancehorlogerie.com

The beginning

Rolex  GMT is a watch designed initially for pilots. Indeed, the watch second hand has for aim to display an additional time zone. Pilots used it in the past to obtain Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). On the 21st century, Greenwich Mean Time became a time standard, replacing in 1972 the CUT (Coordinated Universal Time).

Rolex  GMY Master was developed in partnership with the American airline company: Pan American World Airways. This air carrier is also famous for many innovations it brought into the market.

In 1954, the aircraft industry is booming and pilots have to travel through many times zones. Pan American World Airways asked the house Rolex  to develop a watch which will enable the reading of two times zones simultaneously. A partnership was born between the captain Frederick Libby and Rene Paul Jeanneret, Rolex Public Relations Director on that time.

Rolex GMT Master Ref. 6542

The first Rolex  GMT Master (Ref.6542) was inspired by the model Turn-O-Graph and comes modified movement. The watch is equipped with an additional 24 hour driving wheel, the movement 1030, and a different bezel. In 1954, the first Rolex  GMT Master was born.

The first version used to have a luminescent Bakelite bezel, but because of its fragility this one was replaced in 1959 by steel. Among other particularities, this model displays the pair numbers of the date in red.

From 1957, this model has been equipped with calibre 1065 and 1066. Rolex  GMT Master is also called the “Pussy Galore”, referring to the character wearing this model in James Bond Saga.

Rolex GMT Master Ref. 1675

The reference 1675 introduces the apparition of the crown guards. The Dial is market: “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” Initially the GMT had a thin hand. This one was replaced by a larger one on 1970′s. Two movements followed one another: the Calibre 1565 was produced from 1954 to 1964, then the calibre 1575 produced from 1965 to 1980.

Rolex GMT Master Ref. 16750

The reference 1675 was followed by the 16750. Although these two models are quite similar, the 16750 is equipped with a upgraded calibre (3075), and offers a quickset feature. The hands of the 6750 also differ from the 1675.

Ref.1675: GMT/Hour/Minute/Second

Ref.16750: Hour/GMT/Minute/Second

Rolex GMT Master Ref. 16700

In 1988. the reference 16700 replaced the 16750, but kept a similar design.

This 16700 is a cheaper version of the 16710 which was launched at the same time. The 16700 is equipped with calibre 3175 (non-independent hour hand), a Sapphire crystal glass and white gold hands.

Rolex GMT Master Ref. 16760

With the reference 16760, Rolex  introduced in 1983 the GMT Master II. This one was produced until 1988 and was built with a black and red bezel.The 16760 is equipped with caliber 3085 and Plexiglas crystal.

Rolex GMT Master Ref. 16710

Rolex  16710 was produced from 1989 to 2007.Considered as the twin-sister of the 16760, the 16710 is however equipped with a Sapphire crystal glass. Additionally it is also equipped with a 3185 calibre.

Source: www.tendancehorlogerie.com