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In 1981 Rolex brought out the third incarnation of its GMT-Master, the 16750. Considered a transitional model, it was in production from 1981 to 1988.
While it was very similar in style to its predecessor - same case, same crystal, insert, bezel etc as the GMT-Master 1675, the 16750 offered some technical improvements, namely the Rolex Calibre 3075 automatic movement, 28800A/h, with a hacking and quick set feature.
With this change of movement, the order of the hands got changed:
1675: GMT/Hour/Minute/Second.
16750: Hour/GMT/Minute/Second.
The quick-set date feature allows setting the date independent of the hour hand, meaning you adjust the date by simply turning the crown rather than continuously turning the centre hands around the dial until you get to the right date, which is what you had to do on the 1675, and any Rolex that didn't have a quick-set date feature.
Another improvement featured on the GMT-Master 16750 is its water resistance - 330 feet (100 meters), which is double to that of previous GMT-Master models.
During its eight years of production, the Rolex GMT-Master 16750 had two distinct dial variations within its steel case - a transition within a transition.
The first generation had matte black dials with tritium hour markers applied directly to the dial, while the later ones had glossy black dials with tritium filled white gold indices.
This model to me is the best of both worlds between the 1675 and the 16710 models - the slim, compact case, fat bezel insert and Hesalite crystal of the 1675, and the bling and shine of the glossy white gold indices dial 16710.
Specs on this build:
Commissioned Vietnam case with 16750 stamped case back, engraving between lugs and a 1981 serial reference number.
Because some lume plots were stained, he original tritium lume was removed, mixed with binder and used to relume the hands and dial.
Rolex crystal, Rolex bezel insert, Rolex crown, tube and spring bars.
Swiss low beat ETA.
Chinese hands and jubilee bracelet.
While it was very similar in style to its predecessor - same case, same crystal, insert, bezel etc as the GMT-Master 1675, the 16750 offered some technical improvements, namely the Rolex Calibre 3075 automatic movement, 28800A/h, with a hacking and quick set feature.
With this change of movement, the order of the hands got changed:
1675: GMT/Hour/Minute/Second.
16750: Hour/GMT/Minute/Second.
The quick-set date feature allows setting the date independent of the hour hand, meaning you adjust the date by simply turning the crown rather than continuously turning the centre hands around the dial until you get to the right date, which is what you had to do on the 1675, and any Rolex that didn't have a quick-set date feature.
Another improvement featured on the GMT-Master 16750 is its water resistance - 330 feet (100 meters), which is double to that of previous GMT-Master models.
During its eight years of production, the Rolex GMT-Master 16750 had two distinct dial variations within its steel case - a transition within a transition.
The first generation had matte black dials with tritium hour markers applied directly to the dial, while the later ones had glossy black dials with tritium filled white gold indices.
This model to me is the best of both worlds between the 1675 and the 16710 models - the slim, compact case, fat bezel insert and Hesalite crystal of the 1675, and the bling and shine of the glossy white gold indices dial 16710.
Specs on this build:
Commissioned Vietnam case with 16750 stamped case back, engraving between lugs and a 1981 serial reference number.
Because some lume plots were stained, he original tritium lume was removed, mixed with binder and used to relume the hands and dial.
Rolex crystal, Rolex bezel insert, Rolex crown, tube and spring bars.
Swiss low beat ETA.
Chinese hands and jubilee bracelet.
