The lineage
Its place in the line.
The 16710 is the final generation of the GMT-Master II before the line moved to ceramic bezels. It kept the aluminium bezel insert and the classic case profile, and it offered the colour combinations — including the celebrated red-and-blue "Pepsi" and black-and-red "Coke" — that made the model an icon of travel watches.
Its long production run and aluminium bezels make it the bridge between vintage GMT character and modern reliability — a favourite for collectors who want a usable everyday traveller with genuine heritage.
What collectors look at
The variants worth knowing.
Bezel colourways
The 16710 is defined by its interchangeable aluminium bezel colours — Pepsi, Coke and all-black. The colourway substantially shapes an example's appeal, and faded "ghost" bezels have their own following.
Dial generations
Across its run the dial moved through recognized generations, including the much-discussed transition in the rehaut (inner bezel) engraving on later examples. Identifying the generation helps place and evaluate the watch.
Before you buy
What to verify.
The questions a careful buyer asks before money moves — the same discipline Caveau applies on every sourced piece.
Bezel originality
Aluminium bezels are easily swapped and replaced. Whether you want a crisp original or an honestly faded one, confirm the bezel's status — it is a key part of the watch's value and story.
Case and polish history
As with any steel-sports Rolex of the era, ask about polishing. A case with honest, original geometry is preferable to one polished smooth at successive services.
Service and movement health
The 16710 is a reliable, serviceable watch. A recent service or a clean timing check, plus an honest account of its history, matters more than an unverified "all original" claim.
At a glance
Specification.
- Steel GMT / traveller
- GMT
- Automatic
- In-house automatic
- 40mm
- Stainless steel
- 100m
- Steel bracelet (Oyster or Jubilee)
- Sapphire
Related on the shelf
A piece in this spirit, in the preview.
Why it endures.
The 16710 is the everyday grail — heritage colours, aluminium-bezel character and modern dependability in one watch. It is the GMT-Master many collectors consider the last of the "old guard" before ceramic, and it wears as well now as it ever did.
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