Editorial
The GMT-Master 16700 is the last single-crown steel GMT with the original Pepsi bezel configuration, produced from 1989 until Rolex retired the GMT-Master line in 1999 and consolidated to the GMT-Master II. It uses caliber 3175, a date-equipped movement with an independently-settable 24-hour hand, making it a genuine two-timezone tool watch rather than the simplified quick-set variant found in the 16760 and later II models.
The 16700 replaced the 16750 in 1989, carrying over the 40mm Oyster case and aluminium black/red "Pepsi" bezel while adopting the updated caliber 3175. Production ran ten years, ending in 1999 when the GMT-Master II 16710 became the sole steel GMT offering. Dial variants include glossy and matte finishes across the production run; later examples typically show the "Swiss Made" text at 6 with improved printing.
The aluminium bezel insert fades and scratches with wear, and original unpolished examples with intact bezel color are increasingly hard to source.
Check the bezel insert closely: original red/blue aluminum fades unevenly with age, and replacement inserts usually show overly saturated, uniform color. Lug condition is critical, over-polished cases lose the sharp chamfer between the top and side of the lug, which cannot be recovered without adding metal. The bracelet should be an Oyster 78360 with 501B end links for a period-correct fit; aftermarket or later bracelets are common and affect value.
Confirm the GMT hand is original and properly timed against the 24-hour scale, as mismatched or replaced GMT hands appear on heavily-serviced examples. Service history matters here because the 3175 requires full disassembly to regulate the GMT hand independently, and poorly-done services are not uncommon.
