16760: what do I need to know?

ErichPryde · Oct 17, 2023

Hey all- I'm considering picking up another watch. I already have several I'm happy with so I'm not in a hurry to do so and have plenty of time to do research.

There's something that I generally like about the 16760 overall look and dimensions. Not sure what it is, might be that the lugs look slightly slimmer than modern GMTs to my eyes, which gives the watch a more curvy, rounded shape- but this could be my imagination.

What do I need to know about this reference? What do you all think of this reference?

Any tips would be appreciated, thank you.

Added: I'm digging through Rolexforums trying to find some decent threads...

Added: Not sure I'm concerned about service dials- why, or why shouldn't I be? Is there a larger number of service dials in this model?

Added: Seems there are multiple bracelet types, I'd be interested in one on an Oyster bracelet. How does this effect price?

What are the top four or five most important things to look for with this ref?

How much should I expect to pay- what range? I'm assuming box/papers increases price fairly significantly?

spacemission · Oct 18, 2023

Why a 16760?

UWG · Oct 18, 2023

Thicker Case, more „curvy look“. Google for Rolex „Fat Lady“ you will find more specific Infos.

Dimitar Adamski · Oct 18, 2023

I like all the GMTs. Good luck.

Dan S · Oct 18, 2023

First ref with a sapphire crystal if that's what you want. The case shape is slightly different, but I don't know how much that means to you. Service dial will kill the collectible value, of course. Bracelet is a matter of taste. Keep in mind that the 16760 only came with Coke insert originally.

You also have the choice of 16700 and 16710 if you're interested in sapphire/WGS models. The differences are subtle, but this involved the transition from GMT-Master to GMT-Master II.

Personally, if you want a 5-digit, I prefer the early matte dial 16750. It has a vintage look with acrylic xtal and no WGS, but a quick-set date.

ATWG · Oct 18, 2023

760 was also the first GMT Master 2. The dials and hands are prone to corrosion and many have been swapped with replacements. Dials came with 2 variations, MK1/MK2, you'll need to do your diligence to identify differences. Many of the dials have lost the shine and developed spotting and the Tritium used during that era has a tendency to develop beautiful patina which is the draw for most collectors.

From a collectability perspective, they're more desirable than 16700/10's for sure since they had a much shorter production run. Finding one with B&P is quite rare and adds significant value. The watch came with either oyster 78360/580 or GMT Jubilee 62510/50x.

To @Dan S comment above, the 760 does wear differently than the 750, it's bulkier for sure. Much like Dan, I prefer the 750 and consider the reference as the best GMT of the neo-vintage era. A nice 750 coupled with a 62510 is hard to beat in terms of comfort and feel on the wrist.

Good luck with your hunt.

ErichPryde · Oct 18, 2023

spacemission
Why a 16760?

I've considered hunting down a Rolex from the 1980s off and on for a while, but nothing in the Rolex line has ever really held my interest for more than a couple of days. That's not true of the 16760 though, something about the dimensions make it look more sleek and supple than (especially modern refs) many other Rolexes I've seen. I also feel like I more often see the standard blue/red GMT bezel, or the black/blue bezel, but that may be my imagination (and I now know some people like to exchange bezels).

This is just my starting point- I have a lot more research to do before I even start looking seriously at individual pieces.

For you: why not a 16760? Is there another ref you would recommend more strongly?

ErichPryde · Oct 18, 2023

Dan S
First ref with a sapphire crystal if that's what you want. The case shape is slightly different, but I don't know how much that means to you. Service dial will kill the collectible value, of course. Bracelet is a matter of taste. Keep in mind that the 16760 only came with Coke insert originally.

You also have the choice of 16700 and 16710 if you're interested in sapphire/WGS models. The differences are subtle, but this involved the transition from GMT-Master to GMT-Master II.

Personally, if you want a 5-digit, I prefer the early matte dial 16750. It has a vintage look with acrylic xtal and no WGS, but a quick-set date.

I'm not really worried about sapphire or not in this case. I hadn't thought a ton about dial yet, but when I was looking at 1980s subs I did prefer the matte dials to the glossier ones, so that's an excellent point I hadn't yet considered.

ErichPryde · Oct 18, 2023

ATWG
760 was also the first GMT Master 2. The dials and hands are prone to corrosion and many have been swapped with replacements. Dials came with 2 variations, MK1/MK2, you'll need to do your diligence to identify differences. Many of the dials have lost the shine and developed spotting and the Tritium used during that era has a tendency to develop beautiful patina which is the draw for most collectors.

From a collectability perspective, they're more desirable than 16700/10's for sure since they had a much shorter production run. Finding one with B&P is quite rare and adds significant value. The watch came with either oyster 78360/580 or GMT Jubilee 62510/50x.

To @Dan S comment above, the 760 does wear differently than the 750, it's bulkier for sure. Much like Dan, I prefer the 750 and consider the reference as the best GMT of the neo-vintage era. A nice 750 coupled with a 62510 is hard to beat in terms of comfort and feel on the wrist.

Good luck with your hunt.

I think I'd read that about the dial/hands, which explains why so many of the ones I've seen seem to have service replacements, thanks for the info.

ATWG · Oct 18, 2023

Here is a side-by-side of my 750/760. Coincidently, the 760 is a full set with green hang tag which includes the matching serial.

ErichPryde · Oct 18, 2023

Dimitar Adamski
I like all the GMTs. Good luck.

Thank you.

ErichPryde · Oct 18, 2023

ATWG
Here is a side-by-side of my 750/760. Coincidently, the 760 is a full set with green hang tag which includes the matching serial.

Thank you for the pictures, both of your pieces here are absolutely fantastic. With the two stacked- the 760 is on bottom- with the noticeably larger bezel?

ATWG · Oct 18, 2023

ErichPryde
Thank you for the pictures, both of your pieces here are absolutely fantastic. With the two stacked- the 760 is on bottom- with the noticeably larger bezel?

Yep, that's correct.

spacemission · Oct 25, 2023

ErichPryde
I've considered hunting down a Rolex from the 1980s off and on for a while, but nothing in the Rolex line has ever really held my interest for more than a couple of days. That's not true of the 16760 though, something about the dimensions make it look more sleek and supple than (especially modern refs) many other Rolexes I've seen. I also feel like I more often see the standard blue/red GMT bezel, or the black/blue bezel, but that may be my imagination (and I now know some people like to exchange bezels).

This is just my starting point- I have a lot more research to do before I even start looking seriously at individual pieces.

For you: why not a 16760? Is there another ref you would recommend more strongly?

I'd look for a calibre 1575 without hacking.

16760: what do I need to know?

ErichPryde

spacemission

UWG

Dimitar Adamski

Dan S

ATWG

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

ATWG

ErichPryde

ErichPryde

ATWG

spacemission

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