Rolex GMT MASTER 16700: This is the moment to celebrate my 25th year in collecting watches.

May 01, 2023,09:07 AM
 

Why the GMT MASTER, and why the 16700? Because it was my first serious watch, THE watch which made me jump into the watch madness. 


In fact, when I was 16, I fell on a TV Series, called Magnum, in French. I saw Thomas Magnum as child saluting his father's coffin, wearing his father's Rolex 1675. 


I immediately fell in love with this watch and made the promise to myself that I will get one, one day. I had to wait 20 more years to achieve this dream. And it was a 16700, which I stupidly sold. 

Here are some photos I found on the net, to pay homage to this watch, and more precisely to this reference. 

Credit: Amsterdam Watch Company: 




Credit: Lunar Oyster: 



Credit: Babaorum.



Credit: Christies, for these last two pictures: 




Mine had the blue and red insert. 

This reference led me to watch madness, as since then, I caught the virus / bug, in a frenetical way. 

But the GMT MASTER was and still is very dear to my heart. This watch has everything I like: An incredible look, a friendly complication and a lot of character. At the point that when I decide, one day, to put a final end to collecting, I think it will be with a last watch... A GMT MASTER. 

Another lesson I learned, during all these years: Do never sell your first watch!

Best,

Nicolas 


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It could have been worse

 
 By: Arronax : May 1st, 2023-09:26
You could have developed a strong taste for manly facial and body hair, probably why the gmt master looked so good although a red 308 helped too

Fantastic story! This timepiece is #1 on my wish list!

 
 By: 777Dave : May 1st, 2023-09:51
I can certainly relate to the Magnum PI narrative. He is one of my all time favourite TV stars. I confess to watching all the old episodes and even went to Hawaii to celebrate my wife’s 50th just before covid cruelly stopped free travel. We hired a conver... 

Gorgeous

 
 By: Gelato Monster : May 1st, 2023-10:06
IMHO GMT is the most quintessential Rolex (more so than daytona, sub)🙂

I totally agree. ;)

 
 By: amanico : May 1st, 2023-10:23

Happy 25th!

 
 By: Aquaracer1 : May 1st, 2023-10:45
Hindsight is 20 / 20. Only then do we realize how it made us feel. Perhaps you were chasing something else, maybe raising funds for a different project. Not to worry, if you want it back, I’m sure you will find a way to make that happen!

Magnum, my favourite series back then

 
 By: brauner : May 1st, 2023-11:29
Remember this part of the series very well. But it needed plenty more years to buy a GMT Master II. And I sold it too.🤨

Too bad!

 
 By: amanico : May 1st, 2023-12:32

Your posts are always inspirational

 
 By: Horology75 : May 1st, 2023-13:49
Thank you for sharing your journey with us Mon Ami .. the Gmt is just a perfect timepiece and I can see why you were attracted to this beauty ..

++++1. Thank you, O.

 
 By: amanico : May 1st, 2023-14:20

You know it could be worse if you kept every watch

 
 By: cazalea : May 1st, 2023-14:19
According to sources I've seen (not asking him directly) Jay Leno has over 181+ exotic cars & trucks in his collection, and 160 these vehicles are stored in his garage in Burbank, California which today occupies more than 120,000 square feet. I heard him...  

Yes, in my case I probably have as many watches as he has cars

 
 By: cazalea : May 1st, 2023-14:22
But sadly not so much money or storage!

LOL!!!

 
 By: amanico : May 1st, 2023-14:23

Fun story to share Mon Ami!

 
 By: darrony : May 1st, 2023-14:48
That scene with the boy and the dad’s watch on is a great one I never knew. Alas, no Rolex for me.

The GMT is truly perfect!

 
 By: andrea~ : May 1st, 2023-15:50
No other travel watch is as iconic and well designed as the GMT. It's the quintessential Rolex sports watch, even more than the sub and the daytona in my humble opinion.

A legend and for good reason.

 
 By: vitalsigns : May 1st, 2023-22:57
And Magnum, P.I. is a great show for a young kid to watch in the 80s. It sure was for me... What's not to like? Free rent in paradise, use of a Ferrari, sporting a Rolex GMT, and sun and babes...lots of babes. )) My first nice watch was also a Rolex in th... 

Rolex GMT MASTER 16700

 
 By: lefore : May 2nd, 2023-02:09
I have always been a huge fan of this beautiful 16700. One of my favorite Rolex watches.

Congratulations on your 25th year of watch collecting!

 
 By: ayush.netqueuetech : May 2nd, 2023-07:42
The GMT MASTER series is an iconic collection from Rolex, and the 16700 model is a classic choice with its versatile design and reliable functionality. It's no surprise that it has become a favorite among watch collectors, and owning one is definitely a s... 

Happy collector 25th Anniversary dear Nicolas!! Nice to remember your first "serious" watch specially when it was the one which fired your passion for watch collecting.

 
 By: Subexplorer : May 2nd, 2023-14:16
It is a shame you don´t own it. It´s a good advice not to sell a first watch. I commited same mistake and regret that so much today even if it was not a well known brand or important watch. I would love to still own it. Anyway you already own some superb ... 

A lo mejor... ;)

 
 By: amanico : May 2nd, 2023-21:18

👍👍

 
 By: Subexplorer : May 2nd, 2023-22:53

congratulations and great memories!

 
 By: Jakx : May 3rd, 2023-06:29
Lots of common sentiments. There is nothing quite like the original Magnum and his GMT!

How true! ;)

 
 By: amanico : May 3rd, 2023-06:48

Cool.

 
 By: amanico : May 3rd, 2023-15:56

beautiful story...

 
 By: hl99 : May 5th, 2023-21:53
...and great pics as usual Nico. I have no doubt your final GMT Master will be something special 😉 ...  

Beautiful story you can feel the passion.

 
 By: Bill : May 6th, 2023-20:37
I got lucky i still have my first Rolex but passed it on to the next generation. ...