Story of an Icon: Rolex GMT Master History

In this video, I would like to discuss the Rolex GMT Master and its history since 1954 with its many iterations and adjustments. These changes take a piece designed as a tool through to the role of a luxury item with many curious variations in between.
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[@alejpix]

I’m a gmt guy since the 80s when I was a teenager… I couldn’t afford one of course but every time I passed an AD I admired it when it was on display. I learned about the history all the way and as an aviation enthusiast I even more wanted that piece. Three decades later I finally had the opportunity to buy one. I wear it on a daily basis and its beauty still amazes me every time I see it.

[@DudeEsq]

Dude, your knowledge of this beautiful historic piece is INSANE! Great job.

[@armallthetime]

Stumbled upon your channel by accident, subbed right away. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are a joy to listen to.

[@bombpop2461]

People who can afford a Rolex will buy at least one in their lifetime. People who can't will complain that they are ugly or too expensive.

[@Beastzz77]

iFats true as hell

[@Nontacticalboy]

Not true. Because there are some who cant afford, save up and eventually buy 1. While they cant afford it, they had a positive mind set. Be positive.

[@Beastzz77]

arvid gunardi that not what he's talking about if they were like u then yea people like u described r people that have a high chance of being successful in life being positive work hard for ur goal and enjoy life but the people that can't afford it and coming saying it's ugly or too expensive r the stupid am talking about they r so bitter negative and jealous these people are a waste of fresh air

[@Nontacticalboy]

Lucifer Morningstar "People who can't will...." thats generalization and thats not true.

[@Beastzz77]

arvid gunardi seem like ur a women and ain't that bright

[@WatchGeek]

Another great video and a wonderful history lesson, can't wait to see what's next 👍

[@creedriley1578]

instaBlaster

[@djones1304]

if it had the Sub glidelock, it would be the perfect watch.

[@Lee_K_5555]

I agree with the others -- this is another excellent addition to the Story of an Icon series. Well-researched, informative work Armand!

[@nelsomc12]

I just inherited my father’s 1972 1675 and find myself wanting to learn as much as I can about the watch and Rolex history. I can’t thank you enough for your well paced, intentional delivery of such interesting facts from 1954 onward. Cheers!

[@175139]

As always, a great quality video. Very informative and entertaining. Thank you!

[@Sams911]

Good video and history... clearly however you carry a bias against gold models, which is fine.... my personal favorite is the 126715CHNR Rose Gold GMT II.. but they're all beautiful.

[@erickhernandez4668]

Just purchased a black GMT Master II with the green hand, very informative thank you!!

[@paulwinkfield6560]

Thank you for creating this history lesson! 😆 you answered all my questions I had for this time piece! If we ever meet, I'll treat first round!

[@0xss]

This channel deserves way more subscribers. Sad to see people flock to the channel run by the fake aristrocrat. Love your videos Armand!

[@ginyamaguchi1421]

You mean tgv?

[@davelee9791]

TGV is just pretentious nonsense ...

[@ItsTimePictures]

Dave Lee true that

[@Sevenotford]

Archie luxury is the man for watch reviews

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

yeah, americans fall for the fake accent.

[@512bb]

As a longtime Rolex collector your retrospective was superb & every bit as good as your Submariner video. Your channel is truly a great credit to our hobby, thank you Armand for all your hard work. The only thing I would add is that as you made a brief reference in the video I would like to point out the ultra rare & collectable model few are aware of the last of the aluminum bezel GMTs that had the new 3186 movement from the new ceramic bezel super case GMTs that replaced it in 2007. Rolex will not disclose the number but it is believed there are fewer then 1000 & maybe as little as 100 in existence, sometimes referred to as stick dials written as "GMT II" on the dial as opposed to the more common roman version. If your lucky enough to have the old GMT II with the new 3186 movement & the stick dial all I can say is "H olly Cow "

[@phmwu7368]

VRFM = Vintage Rolex Field Manual - Chevalier Edition a 266 pages expanded hardcover, a collectors' manual by a vintage wristwatch fan for vintage wristwatch fans !

[@Mike-hr7pc]

Truly, truly a great informative video.... I wish more people would do this kind of video on youtube. Really loved watching !

[@phmwu7368]

Rolex watches made it into both American and Soviet-Russian space programs. Astronauts and test pilots privately purchased Rolex wrist watches and got a preference for the GMT-Master 1675 model. It was worn aboard X-15 test flights, Apollo 13, 14 and 17, aboard space shuttles Columbia, Endeavour and Discovery (astronauts Altman, Chiao, Hammond, Williams,etc...).

[@terryfranks8040]

Yes Armand I love following this Chanel it's such a wonderful viewing pleasure and I always learn from you thanks for doing the Rolex GMT master kind regards Terry

[@blueshirtbuddah1665]

A very informative and complete history of a classic watch. Thanks Armand.

[@belava82]

Great vid, really appreciate your dedication to this kind of content. It is unique and very informative! Tanks for your work!

Absolutely wonderfully informative and entertaining. Thank you for sharing your time! ;-)

[@Halfmoon67]

Another Fantastic vid ! Thanks a lot and congrats for the hard work you put in these vids !

[@mikemills54]

How about a video on the Explorer? Loved the last one.

[@PrivTrd]

Excellent content, I loved this and the time/length of the video was not at all a problem. Sometimes long form videos are very much necessary.

[@josejoaquinmiguel7099]

This video needs an update to include the rootbeer and the ss pepsi ceramic

[@rupert93r]

I subscribed because of this video. Excellent job. Please do the El Primero next (yeah yeah, everybody wants the Speedy, but that would be such an *enormous* undertaking on your part, in terms of research, that perhaps you might ought to work up to it ;) ).

[@fugitive88888]

I love your films Armand

[@mryuck5473]

Well Done....Finally someone who knows what there talking about!!!

[@michaelfleming8490]

*they’re

[@jameshoward9700]

Brilliant stuff, even on a much later re-watch! What a fantastic channel this was.

[@nikcertified8778]

another great video Armand! very detailed explanation and knowledge from an expert. perfect timing as i am in the market for a new GMT Rolex!

[@skrads]

Perfect! This is what I was waiting for to supplement my research on this “my next watch” to wear when traveling! Thanks!

[@Rosay__]

Thank you for making this video...excellent history lesson!

[@robdove8341]

The 16700 was the "lower end" of the Master line? In 1991, it was only £33 cheaper than the Master II. Not much of a consideration when spending £1500 on a watch. Maybe Rolex lowered the 16700 price as the decade progressed, but it didn't start off that way.

[@herjenderlally4795]

Rolex Make iconic Watches. probably one of the top 10 brands in the world. I personally have had a Pepsi and a Hulk which is just a fabulous style of watch to wear. The problem is they are like Rocking Horse Shit. Which you just can't get..

[@psidvicious]

Generally a good and informative video but all the information given, shouldn’t be accepted as gospel. One of the mistakes that I took note of the time stamp when I heard it was at ~16:00 when you said the matte dial was discontinued after 1983 and changed to tritium filled applied hour markers. Matte finish dials could be had as late as 1987. In fact in 1987 both types of dials were produced with the matte being the rarer and therefore more collectible choice.

[@closer71]

Chromalight was introduced in 2015. The ref. 116718LN has a Super Luminova dial.

[@thewatchguyinc.7429]

Your ref model 16760 in slide 1986 states on dial GMT master II. Master II came out later on if I’m not mistaken

[@UXXV]

Owned 3 GMTs now and your video was a great history lesson. Deserving of the run time this one.

[@RootBeerGMT]

Nothing else compares.

[@ThePhiltastic]

I just went to buy a brand new Gmt master 2 ref. 116710 it was packaged in alle the plastic and everything, but it had a gold! seconds hand. The dealer said he's never seen anything like it. I didn't get it in the end and will wait till a new one arrives with the correct hands.. Never thought about Rolex making mistakes like that

[@michaelfleming8490]

Just bought a Batman (oyster link) for a hefty premium at $13,750USD (no tax) with full complete box and papers with time still left on the 5-year factory warranty. All-in-all, I think I did nicely considering the prices in general right now for grey market, contemporary steel sports models. I still haven’t received the watch yet. Two more days (an eternity, it feels like).

[@RootBeerGMT]

You did well. Now add a Rootbeer and your set

[@mrmo4059]

THIS VDEO WAS EXCELLENT AND DIDNT DRAG ON FOR A SECOND. NEEDS AN UPDATE NOW THOUGH IF YOU DONT MIND

[@AlfredWeck]

Ist keine neue, ist ne cpo - das Band mit der verdeckten Schließe gibts so nichtmehr, auch mit der weiße Hangtag zeigt cpo 😉 aber trotzdem, top Datejust 💪

[@easyeagle3730]

After watching this video I had an epiphany! I have always wanted a Rolex GMT since I first saw one on the television show Magnium P.I. In the television series 1980-1988 Magnum, played by Tom Selleck, wore his fathers Rolex GMT. His father died in Korea. His father's watch could not have been the Rolex ref. 16750 that Selleck actually wore. What has been seen can not be unseen. Thanks for the truth. I bought a GMT BNLR this year (2018).

[@martinwyllie9706]

Hi, I’m currently seeking to buy a Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm steel , I was hoping for some words of inspiration either from yourself or your viewers regarding the brand quality customer service etc . Hope you can help. Thanks

[@ItsTimePictures]

This is a truly superb video you have put together. Props to you. I'm too damn lazy to put in this much work!

[@Tonyip83]

Lovely vid. Though you did miss out or i must have missed it. That the very last year of 2007 the 16710 Rolex installed their new 3186 movement with a very rare stick dial. As oppose to there out going serif dial with the older 3185 movement.

[@jamesmoninger1982]

Really tired of hearing about the Rolex Pepsi.

[@mtbone4945]

I just found this vid, wow you really did your homework and spent a lot of time on this. Well done! So much has happened since, with the steel pepsi and crazy rising prices. And even more maybe this month at Basel. You will need an update soon!

[@thethirty30]

Wonderful video Armand, such a knowledgeable video..it deserve more likes..the question now is..will rolex ever release the coke bezel again? Thanx alot👍🏻

[@MrVoayer]

And again encyclopedia of curious and most valuable information on Rolex GMT models and generations. Excellent video !!! Now to Explorer and Daytona !

[@thegorn]

It all went pear shaped in 2005. The maxi case is OK, but overized bezel numbers and oversized applied indicies look terrible

[@yvrclimber]

Question for you Armand - I have a 1675 Pepsi GMT that I have been told was a 1968 model. It does have the larger 24-hour hand that you indicated was introduced in 1968. However, when I brought it in for servicing, my watch repair person found a Manufacture Date of 1967 on the caseback. I was born in 1967, so would love to call this my 'Birth Year Rolex", but can I? What's your opinion? Is it just a 1968 model manufactured in 1967, or can I call it a 1967 Rolex GMT?

[@ArmandTheWatchGuy]

+Adrian Burke: That is certainly a very interesting question. I would imagine (baring in mind Rolex habits) that you have a watch which had its case manufactured in 1967 but which was finished and sold in 1968, thus giving it an earlier case reference. The other option is that the GMT hand was replaced in a service. A sign of this is whether it (and the other hands) match the dial in terms of patina.

[@yvrclimber]

The lume/patina all looks fairly similarly coloured between the hashes/dots, hands and 24-hour hand. So I think the "manufactured in '67, finished and sold in '68" is the more likely answer. Maybe I will just have to use that long-form label. ha ha.

[@yvrclimber]

I emailed a picture :-)

[@toocoolforu]

Do you think a Pepsi buyer can "lose" his bezel, get a new one from Rolex, and of course make a huge amount of money by selling it ?

[@clevelandaeromotive]

What years were Serti dials available?

[@watchfreefall6164]

Wow, you've done it again, Armand, another great detailed video. Adding similar coverage on the Daytona would be a great fit too

[@Saints-Forever]

One of the best if not the best and most informative video of a Rolex watch model cramped and presented nicely

[@robdove8341]

The 16710 did not have a quickset date.

[@DeJaVu337]

Just received my Rolex Batman BLNR GMT MASTER II, unbelievable comfort. It's light and impressive without the bling. Already got an offer of $1,600 over my initial cost. Saved for 2 years by not vacationing and it was worth the sacrifice.

[@Treetopflyer777]

A bit late to this party but fantastic video!

[@trevorodonnell9365]

Thanks Armand, really love all the gmt's that had brown, tiger eye or root beer coloured dials

[@teamhonn]

Great Video. Thanks so much for spending all the time to put these videos together.

[@geraldwoodny5252]

Rolex owes you money because I never wanted one more after watching this

[@davelee9791]

As ever informed opinion and very well presented...thank you..

[@AlainWermelinger]

Watching the video will wearing my 116710ln

[@shonz88]

Bring back acrylic! It looks so much better

[@naurnah98]

Excellent choice of intro music!

[@oscark.902]

Amazing video. Maybe do a video on history of the Daytona next.

[@Apollonius12]

thanks a million for making a Rolex GMT vid, luv it.

[@dravenwolfe3845]

thank you for this video sir, very informative. love your videos

[@mr.z7167]

Truly fantastic video. Well done.

[@Captain-ln3vh]

I was lucky enough that my wife bought me the GMT anniversary edition when we were in Maui. Little did I know the price went insane. Diamonds aren’t forever but a Rolex is.

[@sovietpepe144]

God damn the BLNR Batman is just stunning.

[@RootBeerGMT]

White dial-GMT? News to me.

[@Cycad...]

Your videos are top notch and very professionally done. Thank you for taking the time to gather so much information for us to make better choices. Cheers Sir!

[@xmastree847]

gmt master is really a classic model in rolex

[@DongHoDocLa]

good morning

[@mauriebarnes8272]

Excellent summary of an iconic model.

[@AiDMostar]

So what does gmt stand for

[@johnlacroix1639]

yum I like ,,TY Sir

[@carlfloto7547]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@darrenrodriguez4429]

Great video 👍🏽

[@freakincrazy6932]

Great video. Can't wait to get my blnr. Been lusting over it past few years.

[@RootBeerGMT]

Just get the Rootbeer or TT in yellow gold and have a classic

[@kyleweber1994]

These are fantastic, Armand.

[@jayremi4384]

Great video. Thanks!

[@ffwardy]

Fantastic Video keep them coming maybe one on the Daytona?

[@RootBeerGMT]

Tom Ward Nah-it’s a total snoozer.

[@bryanjohnson9884]

Fantastic job. Loved it.

[@paul--b]

When did they go to 904L?

[@steffydog]

Brilliant

[@EMKWANREVIEWS]

lol the 'nipples' comment was a little... unexpected hahahahaha

[@RootBeerGMT]

Nipples on a root beer are popular

[@dallaswoods8514]

Great information! Thanks!

[@siciliangamer]

quality content big boy!

Superb review! ;-)

[@diceros69]

Awesome!

[@maxmeuleman5644]

story of an icon: datejust??

[@robertorizzo3159]

Amazing video

[@AroustabouT]

pop shield

[@harrylime5293]

Bravo.

[@user-dd5fs8uz5k]

great video!!!

[@michaelturner7949]

Do you know why the bezel was blue and red? These colours are the opposite ends of the colour spectrum and form the clearest distinction; which the black and blue does not achieve. The latter bezel is hard to discern from a few metres away.

[@overlordone1246]

Michael Turner he covers it in the video. Day and night.

[@josechua9912]

Sir, what does it means for the markings of my GMT I at 6 o'clock position, " Swiss T

[@KIckAssPinball]

AA+++ I like my Coke better!!