Pre-owned watches


Performance of the Rolex GMT-Master and the GMT-Master II

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June 2019


Performance of the Rolex GMT-Master and the GMT-Master II

Since its introduction in 1954, the Rolex GMT-Master has always been the watch of choice for the world traveler. With each passing year, this model and its brother GMT-Master II continue to grow in popularity and price. The online marketplace Chrono24 shares its data.

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olex first introduced the GMT-Master in 1954. It was originally developped for Pan Am pilots who often traveled between different time zones. The original model bore the reference number 6542, lacked a crown guard, and featured a Bakelite rotating bezel. However, the most popular vintage GMT-Master is the ref. 1675. This particular watch was introduced in 1959 and was outfitted with the caliber 1565, a crown guard, and an aluminum bezel. The Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675 could display two different time zones, came on a Jubilee or an Oyster bracelet, and was available in steel, gold, or a combination of the two.

While the Rolex GMT-Master 1675 was very affordable about 15 years ago, prices have gone up quite a bit since then. In recent years, it has become especially difficult to find a completely original and authentic 1675, and those you do find come at a price. The chart in this article uses data from the Chrono24 Watch Collection to show this timepiece’s performance since 2009.

We also took a look at a discounted Rolex GMT-Master II, the reference 16710. This GMT-Master II premiered in 1989 and was actually the second edition of this timepiece. Unlike the GMT-Master, wearers can set the hour hand of the GMT-Master II independently of the minute hand. Clever use of the bezel even allows you to keep track of a third time zone. The 16710 was the last of the GMT-Masters to feature an aluminum bezel. It was replaced by the 116710LN with a ceramic bezel in 2007. Prices for the GMT-Master II 16710 have increased drastically over the last two or three years.

GMT-MASTER 1675

  • The 40-mm Rolex-Master 1675 received a movement upgrade in 1965. The (newer) caliber 1575 featured a stop-seconds mechanism and a higher beat rate.
  • From 1968 onward, the steel 1675 was also available with the comfortable Jubilee bracelet.
  • In 1970, Rolex introduced a bicolor version of the GMT-Master under the reference 1675/3. A full gold version (1675/8) had already debuted alongside the original model in 1959.
  • The Stainless steel 1675 was valued at around $7’500 in 2009. Today, the average price is over $15’000.
Performance of the Rolex GMT-Master and the GMT-Master II
© Chrono24

GMT-MASTER II 16710

  • The GMT-Master II 16710 was available in three bezel configurations: blue&red (Pepsi), red&black (Coke), and all black
  • Bicolor (16713) and gold versions (16718) of the GMT-Master II have also been a part of the collection since its premiere in 1898.
  • The very last 16710 watches had a newer movement (the 3186 instead of the 3185) with Parachrom mainspring.
  • In 2009, a pre-owned GMT-Master 16710 typically sold for about $4’500, while a NOS (New Old Stock) changed hands for approximately $7’000. As of 2008, prices range from around $8’500 for a pre-owned 16710 to $12’500 for a NOS watch.
Performance of the Rolex GMT-Master and the GMT-Master II
© Chrono24