The Rolex GMT-Master II 16710 — Why This Reference Still Matters

The 16710 was Rolex's GMT-Master II from 1999 until its discontinuation in 2007, and it occupies an interesting spot in the model's history: the last GMT-Master II built on the older 3-link Oyster bracelet with solid end-links before Rolex moved the range to ceramic bezels and the current case design. That transitional position is exactly what makes it interesting to collectors today.

The reference is best known for its two-tone bezel inserts. The "Coke" (red and black) and "Pepsi" (blue and red) versions are the most sought-after, partly because Rolex paused Pepsi production for a period during the 16710's run, making early and late examples genuinely distinct from a production-history standpoint. The all-black bezel version is more common and correspondingly more affordable, but still a serious, road-ready GMT.

Mechanically, the 16710 houses the calibre 3186, an upgrade partway through production from the earlier 3185 — the 3186 added a hacking seconds function and a few reliability refinements. Either movement is robust and well understood by independent watchmakers, which matters for long-term servicing costs.

What pushes the 16710 higher in collector demand than you might expect for a 20-plus-year-old steel sports watch is scarcity of good, honest examples. Because it was a genuine daily-wear tool watch rather than a safe-queen, most examples in the wild have some combination of stretched bracelets, polished cases, and replaced bezel inserts. A 16710 with its original sharp case edges, correct bracelet stretch for its age, and a matching, unfaded bezel is meaningfully harder to find — and priced accordingly.

If you're considering one, prioritise originality over cosmetic perfection. A honestly worn 16710 with all its original parts is a better long-term buy than one that's been polished and had parts swapped to look newer than it is. Ask for service history, and if buying the Pepsi variant, check the bezel colour carefully — fading and mismatched replacement inserts are common issues worth pricing in.