Rolex
gmt master 2 tritium all black - vintage serie S

Luxury men’s watch Rolex 16710 GMT Master II Oyster Perpetual from 1993, the iconic timepiece for airline pilots and world travelers, featuring a bi-directional rotating black bezel indexed in 24 hours. This automatic watch, born in the late 1950s, marked a turning point in horological history with its red arrow-shaped GMT hand, designed to display a second time zone via the bezel—quickly becoming the focus of much attention and admiration.

As long-distance travel became more accessible, with transoceanic business flights multiplying across the Atlantic and Pacific, a wealthy clientele began living perpetually between time zones during the economic boom of the post-war decades. For the Rolex GMT Master, this period was a golden opportunity. With its unique features, the GMT Master combined the refinement of the luxury world with the groundbreaking functionality of dual-time display—becoming an obvious choice in a world increasingly driven by international exchange.

To craft this horological masterpiece, the GMT Master II 16710 was equipped with the Rolex Caliber 3185, a movement also used in the Explorer II Polar reference 16570 from the 1990s. This 31-jewel movement delivered exceptional reliability, contributing to the growing reputation for excellence that Rolex enjoyed. Beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, featuring semi-quickset date adjustment via the accelerated rotation of the Mercedes hour hand, and officially certified as a COSC chronometer (indicated on the lower part of the dial), the GMT Master II quickly outshone its competition among Swiss watchmakers.

Another standout component is its 40mm case made of 904L stainless steel—a notable contrast in a watch industry still recovering from the quartz crisis of the 1980s. While many brands turned to more affordable, mass-produced models (such as Cartier’s “Les Must” collection, even sold in tobacco shops), Rolex pursued a different path—one of exceptional quality that ultimately paid off.

From a collector’s perspective, this Rolex 16710 Oyster Perpetual Date GMT Master II “Nightflight” or “All-Black” has become increasingly rare, especially since the recent popularity of bi-color GMT models like the Pepsi. Many owners had their original black or Coke (red and black) bezels replaced by Rolex in the early 2000s. Today, only about 10% of circulating GMT Master watches retain their original black bezel, making this version increasingly valuable—and likely to surpass Pepsi models in market demand over time.

From a functional standpoint, this timepiece offers numerous advantages to its wearer. First and foremost is its clean, understated aesthetic—departing from the often flashy design language found in some Rolex models. The 16710 All-Black presents a refined, focused look where utility takes center stage. Its standout legibility—by day, night, or low light—still ranks it among the most readable GMT watches ever made, across all brands.

The red arrow GMT hand, which indicates the reference time over 24 hours, drives the date mechanism, while the Mercedes hour hand represents local time in a 12-hour cycle. All adjustments are made via the crown in three positions—a simple and intuitive setup. With semi-quickset date, a water resistance of 10 ATM, and a 904L steel Oyster bracelet with robust folding clasp, the Rolex GMT Master II 16710 is a pleasure to wear. Thanks to its slim profile, it slips easily under a shirt cuff. Popular among flight crews and frequent travelers, this watch is a refined alternative to the Rolex Explorer II black dial, with which it shares many features and values—especially the idea that true luxury lies in simplicity.