Why This Watch Matters This "Root Beer" GMT-Master is a real stunner, from the gorgeous patina on the lume to the sharp case and two-tone Jubilee bracelet. The Full Story The Rolex GMT-Master is one of the most recognized watches in history. As a purpose-built tool watch, it was introduced in 1955 for commercial Pan Am pilots crossing the globe. The 24-hour rotating bezel along with the GMT hand allowed, at a glance, a reading of one's local and home time without having to adjust the crown during travel. With the ref. 16753, the second generation of the two-tone GMT, there are a few differentiating characteristics in both design and functionality. First, as a watch from the 1980s, we have some creature comforts in a quick-set date that was made possible by the updated Rolex caliber 3075 inside. Second, this ref. 16753 retains an acrylic crystal. Around this period, Rolex was transitioning to sapphire but there are examples with the older crystal type. A design aspect that Rolex fans love about the earlier ref. 1675/3 is what is known as a "nipple dial." The name comes from the smaller, circular, applied hour markers with luminous material in their centers. Rolex stuck to this hour marker design in early ref. 16753 examples before eventually transitioning to larger, more conventional, applied hour markers. The quickest way to tell if a two-tone GMT is a ref. 1675 or a ref. 16753? Look at the crown on the dial. Ref. 1675s have applied metal coronets at 12 o'clock on the dial, whereas ref. 16753s have printed logos like the example we have here. Rolex also changed the order of the hands on this generation of the GMT-Master. The ref. 1675 stacks the hands in the following order: GMT, hour, minute, seconds; while on the ref. 16750 (all-steel) and ref. 16753 (two-tone), the GMT hand is positioned above the hour hand but below the minute hand. While the GMT-Master was meant to be a hardy tool watch, the two-tone variant feels like more of a hybrid between a tool watch and an elegant dress watch due to its combination of steel and gold. The beautifully aged bezel insert has changed color from light red to golden copper and lends a one-of-a-kind luxurious feel. The "Root Beer" gets its nickname from the brown dial that, at times, is known to change in the light from a rich chocolate brown to a more reddish burgundy tone, or anywhere in between. The well-preserved dial color on this example transitions from a rich earthy brown to a deep wine color depending on the light. Add to that the gold "nipple" hour markers and the gilt text, which each fit quite nicely with the light yellow patina on the lume. To finish off the look, it’s fitted with a classic two-tone Jubilee bracelet, a wonderfully comfortable complement on the wrist. The Fine Print Maker: RolexModel: GMT-MasterReference: 16753Year: 1983Case No: 8049708Material: Stainless steel and yellow goldDimensions: 39mm diameter; 13mm thicknessCrystal: PlexiglassLume: Yes, tritiumCaliber: Rolex, self-winding, caliber 3075Bracelet/Strap: Rolex, stainless steel and yellow gold, ref. 62523H.18 Jubilee bracelet with no. 450 end-links (7.75 inches/197mm)Lug Width: 20mmBox/Papers: N/A What We Love And What You Should Know Things We Love: - "Root Beer" motif- Two-tone case and bracelet- "Nipple" dial with excellent patina on lume Things To Know: - Scratches on case- Engraving on caseback This GMT-Master is in overall great and honest condition. The case is strong with scratches. The case appears to have been lightly polished. The numbers are visible between both sets of lugs. The back of the lugs have some marks from the removal and placement of the bracelet. The caseback has an engraving that reads "CSM." The dial has developed a light patina throughout. The lume on the hour markers on the dial has developed patina and has aged to a creamy, almost golden color. The dial printing is crisp. The handset has some patina and is of the correct length and style for this period. The lume on the hands has developed patina and is very close in color to that of the dial lume. The lume on the GMT hand has a very slight crack. The bezel is in overall great condition with one slight indentation near the "16" marker and there is slight wear on its knurled edges. The bracelet is in good condition with scratches; there is little stretch between the links. The clasp is stamped "H4," corresponding to a month of manufacture in April 1983, which makes sense for the production date of the case. The clasp shows some signs of polishing on its corners. The crystal has scratches. This watch was photographed on a 175mm/6.9inch wrist.
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