Rolex - Rolex GMT-Master 16750 "Pepsi Transitional" - Rare

Introduced in 1954, the now cult classic Rolex GMT was initially designed as a pilots and travelers watch with its roots tied to Pan Am. The first examples featured a "Pepsi" bezel insert which provided ease of use for deciphering day/night in an alternate time-zone and remains in production to this day. Over the decades, various iterations of the GMT have been released from the "Root Beer" to the blue "Batman." Today, the "Pepsi" GMT is as practical as it is popular with collectors, offering great beauty in its four digit examples as each has lived its on unique life and display its history with various shades of red, pink and blue.

In 1979 Rolex debuted the ref. 16750 which updated the now iconic 1675 with a higher grade 3075 caliber, most notably including a quickset date. The new reference featured matte dials in its early production (many of which were swapped to glossy dials during service), and moved to glossy dials with gold surrounds for the markers in the early 80s, running through 1988. We're thrilled to offer this particular example as it is a first year of production transitional model. This watch has a gorgeous and near mint dial with no notable blemishes, a beautiful lightly faded insert and a strong case/bracelet. The watch have an engraving of "Alan Broude" on its caseback but it is also beautifully done and we've opted to leave its history intact. If you've been hunting a special and rare GMT master this piece has all the story and "wabi-sabi" a collector could desire.

Dial: Fantastic with no notable blemishes under magnification. All of the tritium plots have take on a "beige" patina that's clean and even, matching the hands nicely.
Bezel insert: Excellent with normal signs of use consistent with age. The bottom half has faded to a gorgeous tone that's turning "pink."
Hands: Are slightly lighter than the dial and are matching. All of their lume is present and stable. Case: Remains strong with thick and even lugs. Some of the original chamfers are still showing. The caseback has a nice looking engraving with "Alan Broude," we opted to leve this part of the story but it can be polished off on request. Correct signed crown.
Bracelet: Comes on a 78360 oyster (marked S for service replaced in November 2003) with folded link clasp and medium to light stretch. 10 links and will fit up to a 7.25 inch wrist.
Crystal: Clear.
Accessories: Just the right splash of color.

The movement is running well on our timegrapher and comes with our 1-year mechanical warranty.