Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 16750 'Pepsi' - Transitional Matte Dial Unpolished

The Rolex GMT-Master is one of the most historic and iconic watches the brand ever produced. Its origin dates back to a commission request by Pan American World Airways in the early 50’s for their fleet of pilots who needed access to different time zones.

These pieces would feature a similar design to another watch that Rolex was developing around that time, the Submariner, but would include a fourth hand running on 24-hr time, and a bi-colored bezel insert to represent AM/PM times. Those colors, naturally, would be the PanAm colors: Red & Blue. Thus, in 1953, the Ref. 6542 GMT-Master was born. These early pieces were ultimately, fragile arguably flawed in some ways, and were therefor succeeded by the updated Reference 1675 in 1959.

This Reference introduced a larger case size with crown-guards and a bi-colored blue + red bezel insert made of aluminum. The Ref. 1675 underwent many small changes over its 21-year production run, with a slew of dial, bezel, bracelet, and hand variations. You know, Rolex stuff. And eventually, the 1675 would evolve into the first 5-digit GMT-Master, The Ref. 16750 that we have here. These pieces, at a glance, retain the look and feel like a 1675, but now utilize a 'quickset' date function with the Calibre 3075 movement, and are typically broken down into two difference variants, each with their own appeal. The early pieces feature matte black dials, whereas the second half of production introduced glossy black dials with the first applied Tritium-filled white gold indices.

The piece that we have here is the former, with a matte black dial. It dates to circa 1981 and remains in fantastic overall condition, with an unpolished case showing normal, honest wear with only a few small impressions on the of the tips of the bottom left and top right lugs. The dial itself is in virtually flawless condition, with evenly patinated Tritium plots and no inconsistencies to the matte texture. The handset matches very nicely and shows slightly darker under UV inspection. The bezel shows matching wear to the case with some normal sleeve polish, with a 'Pepsi' bezel insert in showing the beginning stages of a fade. It comes fitted to a slightly later, correct solid-link Oyster bracelet with a signed blade clasp that shows a bit less wear.

Overlooked for many years, these early matte-dial 16750 carry over virtually everything that collectors love about its predecessor, but have that added functionality of a quickset date. And though not exceedingly rare, are certainly not common and can still be had for less than a 1675. Sound pretty good if you ask us!