Rolex GMT Master

Why We Love It If we had to sum up in a few words why we love root beer GMTs, they would be: that dial though. In the world of vintage watches, the dial can be the all-important element that ties the whole watch together. Make no mistake about it, the dial of this GMT really pops. This sort of dial is often referred to as “root beer” by collectors, thanks to its similarity to everyone’s favorite sassafras-based soft drink. But that’s not all that this watch has going for it. Dating from the mid-80s, it boasts a sharp Oyster case in the classic 39mm size, with a gorgeously faded brown bezel. Throw on a 62523/450 D-link Jubilee and you get an excellent example of a stylish—and substantial—reference of GMT. The Story The Reference 16753, released in the 1980s, provided a fresh new look to the GMT line. The combination of steel and gold perfectly encapsulated the preppy stye that prevailed in that period. Moreover, this shifted Rolex into the luxury sphere, which established an upward sales trend that infused much needed life into the manufacture. Visually and technically, the 16753 stands out from other iterations of the GMT Master. The glossy black dial and painted bezel give the watch a sleek appearance that’s magnified by the flashes of gold. But these changes didn’t only go skin deep—a new movement was fitted inside that had hacking capabilities as well as a quickset date. Sleek and functional, the 16753 a GMT for the sophisticated traveler.