GMT-Master II 16710

February 27, 2025

I suppose that I could be faulted for featuring the rather newish GMT-Master II 16710?in a #TBT article, but Ill live with it.Ive covered a couple newer pieces in this series such as the Explorer 14270 and, more recently, the IWC Mark XII, so Im more on the side of featuring what Id call classics instead of purely vintage. Definitions aside, the 16710 is definitely a classic and one that continues to be on the acquisition list of many people; lets find out why.The GMT-Master II 16710 was around for so long – nearly 20 years – that it s still hard to believe it s goneThe GMT-Master II 16710Its awfully hard to believe that the GMT-Master II 16710 has been gone from showrooms since roughly 2007. Thats nine years ago! Its hard to believe because the 16710, itself, debuted all the way back in 1989 and seemed like one of those omnipresent pieces C especially when it came to buying a piece like the one before you with a so-called Pepsi bezel. If my research is correct, made a Pepsi-bezeled watch in either GMT-Master or GMT-Master II form from the inception date of the line in 1954 through 2007 and then, poof, they stopped. Today, as we all know, is back with a Pepsi-bezeled GMT-II but its only for the extremely well heeled because its offered solely in an uber-pricey white gold case. Look, its not as if hurt for business while not serving up a Pepsi C in fact, when the 116710 debuted with only a black bezel in 2008, people were on waiting lists C but its odd when a famed company decides to kill off its golden goose. Blame ceramics technology I suppose.The 16710 GMT-Master II features Solid End Links in a nod to modernity, but still has nice slim lugs and a smaller crownThe 16710 is a future classicAside from the long lifecycle of the GMT-Master II 16710 giving some sort of credence to the watch as a future classic, I have other reasons as well. First and foremost, much like the aforementioned Explorer 14270, the 16710 is part of what I consider as the last of the old line from . These watches werent in any way inexpensive, so dont confuse me when I say they were comparatively reasonable by todays standards, but, in fact, they were. Furthermore, the 16710s, along with the Submariners, Sea Dwellers, Explorers, Explorer IIs, and even the Daytonas used trademark old-school cues like rattling bracelets, clasps, smaller indices/hands and featured slim lugs and small crowns where appropriate. I dont mean to decry s current offerings C I actually think that with the newly announced Explorer that theyre headed back on track C but Ive always said that I miss the more pure and, dare I say, rough and tumble look of the old pieces. Pieces like the 16710 looked like the type of watches youd actually swim with or not think twice about when rummaging through your toolbox and I get the feeling that todays GMT-II is treated much differently. Credit pricing or a whole lot more polish for making todays watches less sacrificial, but I guess it just makes me sentimental.For me, the highlight of the GMT-Master II 16710 must be the Pepsi bezelTwo physical traits stand out to make the GMT-Master II 16710 a real standout as well. With the GMT, its really all about the bezel. Historically, this blue and red bezel was developed for use by Pan-Am pilots starting in 1954 and was even issued as standard equipment. It was such a popular design that other companies followed suit such as Zodiac, Heuer, Seiko, and Wittnauer C to name but a few. Originally crafted in brittle bakelite, the bi-colored bezel soon gave way to becoming an aluminum inlay and it stayed this way until the models demise in 2007. Its this bezel, in bright or faded form, thats so damn attractive. Im all for new materials such as the Cerachrom that uses today for its bezels, but owning an aluminum bezeled and having it age along with you is one of those rites of watch ownership that everyone should experience. And by the way, at various times, the GMT or GMT-II was offered with a Pepsi, Coke (black and red), or black aluminum inlay on the stainless models C all are fantastic. The other characteristic I enjoy about the 16710 is its matte bracelet. Nothing riles me more than a sports watch with polished center links C maybe I can excuse it on Daytona, but the GMT, to me, belongs with brushed centers. A matte finish simply adds to the tough look of the watch and stems back to the introduction of the watch. On this specific model, because its a later version, it has the lovely Oysterlock 78790 (much smaller clasp than on a Sub, by the way) with solid end links (SELs).The 16710 GMT-Master II is purposeful – it blends a surprising amount of details into a very legible packageThere s just something about that bezel…I didnt grow up seeing too many GMTs in South Florida. No, per my article on the 14060M, it was clearly Submariner territory. I blame wanting a GMT-Master II 16710 on the fact that it was around for so long that it grew on me and when I really got around to realizing that the Pepsi was gone for good and any replacement would likely look a whole lot different, I wanted one. Plus, I had moved to Europe and found GMTs to be everywhere C especially in Italy where brighter colors seem to be appreciated. I got hooked on seeing faded Pepsis and Cokes dangling off the wrists of sun-tanned Mediterraneans C yep, I wanted one. I knew I wanted a newer Pepsi and it actually took me several months to find a good one with all of its papers, etc. I finally did, via chrono24, drove to pick it up during 2012, and you can see the result. GMT-Master II 16710 features SuperLuminova – this is a modern watch with many historic nodsThe GMT-Master II 16710 before you is an F-series (mid-2003/2004) and the person who sold it to me sparingly wore it C he was about to buy a Deepsea Sea- Dweller. I believe he was the second owner because he bought it in 2009 and the watch was originally sold in 2006. As you can see, the watch is in beautiful condition and the bezel really pops! The blue and red are absolutely gorgeous and unbeknownst to me, the surface of the inlay is actually not glossy. This actually contrasts nicely with the inky black gloss dial with its white gold applied indices. About those indices C theyre really sized well in my opinion. Theres nothing too large or too small on this dial including the hands. Im normally not even a fan of the Cyclops but I even find that to simply be a part of the design that I expect.The GMT-Master II 16710 is a great all-around watch – it serves well as the only piece to bring with you on a trip – from the beach to the boardroomThe 16710 is wearable and versatileAnother word about size comes into play when talking about the case of the GMT-Master II 16710 and thats lightweight. Of course, its not truly a featherweight, but for a watch that looks a lot like a Submariner, its much more svelte. The case thickness, crystal thickness and things like the crown and crown guards are all more diminutive. This was a real surprise for me and at first, it almost felt like something was wrong, but I quickly grew to appreciate it from a comfort perspective C especially when youre jet-lagged and everything feels heavy C and for fitting under dress shirts. That leads me to a couple more points C wearability and travel. First off, the 16710 is like a Submariner, that rare tool watch that can be worn with anything. I wear mine swimming (100m of water resistance is there plus a twinlock crown) and then right into the office the next day. Sure, blue and red might seem to clash with your suit, but it wont C in fact, its a good-looking accent!For heavy travelers, the GMT-Master II 16710 presents a very useful complicationRegarding travel, the GMT-Master II 16710 was absolutely built for the purpose. I spend a lot of time on planes and I find GMT-style watches very helpful. From my Seiko Astron to my recently acquired Enicar Sherpa Super Jet, I enjoy them a lot and the utility is really there. Honestly, as many times as Ive flown to Asia or the Americas, ones Outlook calendar doesnt always adjust correctly, but my watches run true. I have an old GMT 1675 and I really had no idea that the GMT hand C that red hand with arrow C was not able to be set independently. No, instead, much like on the Enicar, one sets the time and the arrow travels around at half speed and you simply twist the bezel to show a time zone at home or wherever else youre tracking.The GMT-Master II 16710 looks like a larger watch, but it s actually 40mm like a SubmarinerUsing the 16710…With the GMT-II, however, you dont get to adjust the red hand independently, but you do get to quick set the hour hand. This is helpful because you can basically move the hour hand at a slow pace in order to move the red GMT hand to where youd like it (likely keeping the bezel with the arrow at 12:00) and then adjust the hour hand using the quick set to adjust the date and hour. Of course, if youre in a rush, you can simply set the time and date (again, date is only set by using the quick set hour hand to race around the dial), let the red hand fall where it may, and adjust the bezel. Note that the bezel has some seriously nice ratcheting action and is bi-directional. The movement doing the job is the chronometer-rated 3185, which beats at 28,800 bph. When introduced this movement, it replaced a similar performing 3085 movement (found in the Fat Lady) but lost a lot of thickness. The very last batch of reference 16710 GMT-Master II watches had the updated caliber 3186 movement, with Parachrom hairspring. Do note that up until 1999, sold a GMT-Master alongside the GMT-II. It was a lower cost model that had a quick set date but independent GMT hand C meaning the bezel was necessary for showing a second time zone. Its hard to believe that two GMTs were available at one point when looking at todays somewhat slimmed-down lineup!The 16710 GMT-Master II Fliplock bracelet – much slimmer than on the Sub and without a wetsuit extensionAs this GMT-Master II 16710 is from 2004, it already has Super Luminova and that continues to shine brightly. Earlier models had Luminova or even Tritium. Prior 16710s even had stamped end links and drilled lugholes C a lovely trait. Id invite you to head to this fantastically clear site to read about the differences that occurred over the models life. From bracelet options to dial variants C its all there.The GMT-Master II looks like a Sub head-on, but it s actually quite slim and fits under a shirt nicelyFinding your GMT-Master II 16710Of course, no one knows the production totals of the GMT-Master II 16710, but this was a very popular model. From a collectability standpoint, I dont think were looking at the next manual wind Daytona, but as I mentioned, as the last of the breed, these 16710s are very popular. Theyre modern watches with all the reliability youd expect but with a decent dose of old-style charm. Bezel switching seems to occur and Ive not really found a good way to prove what a watch originally came with or not C bezel inlays have codes (BLRO is the Pepsi), but I dont see this marked on the papers from . Still, it seems that Pepsis tend to be the most popular of the trio. Prices for 16710s are surprisingly expensive and with price increases happening at least annually on 116710s, I often find that predecessor s trend upward as well. Budget anywhere from $5,000 C 7,000 for a nice piece depending on condition model year and whether all the boxes and papers are included. Pieces are definitely out there, but well-priced examples move swiftly.THe 16710 GMT-Master II dial font – that II was made in several variations and drives collectors nuts!Thanks for taking a look at one of my favorite newer watches C the GMT-Master II 16710. Its a nice alternative to a Submariner if youd like a but want something a little less common. Also, Id actually guess that the GMTs functionality is more usable than that of the Subs C I think more of us travel than dive. Happy hunting and until next week- 16710 GMT-Master II on the wrist The 16710 GMT-Master II is purposeful – it blends a surprising amount of details into a very legible package For me, the highlight of the 16710 GMT-Master II must be the Pepsi bezel The 16710 GMT-Master II was around for so long – nearly 20 years – that it s still hard to believe it s gone The 16710 GMT-Master II looks like a larger watch, but it s actually 40mm like a Submariner The 16710 GMT-Master II Fliplock bracelet – much slimmer than on the Sub and without a wetsuit extension THe 16710 GMT-Master II features those bracelet stampings that, for me, make up charm that s now somehow lost The 16710 GMT-Master II looks like a Sub head-on, but it s actually quite slim and fits under a shirt nicely For heavy travelers, the 16710 GMT-Master II presents a very useful complication The 16710 GMT-Master II is a great all-around watch – it serves well as the only piece to bring with you on a trip – from the beach to the boardroom The 16710 GMT-Master II features Solid End Links in a nod to modernity, but still has nice slim lugs and a smaller crown 16710 GMT-Master II has a matte bracelet – something I wish the company still offered THe 16710 GMT-Master II dial font – that II was made in several variations and drives collectors nuts! 16710 GMT-Master II features SuperLuminova – this is a modern watch with many historic nods