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Rolex GMT-Master 2 Rootbeer, Steel and Yellow Gold, Model 16713, circa 1993 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Rolex GMT-Master 2 Rootbeer, Steel and Yellow Gold, Model 16713, circa 1993

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Rolex (maker)
Date
c. 1993
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
yellow gold
Dimensions
Case 40 mm
Stock no.
VWS1084
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (VWS1084)
Catalogue title (original)
Rolex GMT-Master 2 Rootbeer - Steel and Yellow Gold - Model 16713 - c.1993 - With original Box and Paperwork (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number VWS1084), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1993. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: yellow gold. Recorded dimensions: Case 40 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Rolex GMT Master II Rootbeer, S/S and Yellow Gold, Oyster Perpetual, 40mm Case, Reference 16713, Serial L605xxx with Box & Papers The Rolex GMT-Master "Root Beer" is a popular and distinctive model in the Rolex GMT-Master collection. The "Root Beer" nickname is often associated with the watch's brown and gold colour scheme, which resembles the colours of a root beer float. The combination of brown and gold gives the watch a warm and vintage aesthetic. The Rolex GMT-Master collection was originally designed for professional use by pilots and frequent travellers. The GMT-Master watches are known for their ability to display multiple time zones simultaneously, thanks to a 24-hour hand and a rotating bezel with a 24-hour scale. What’s On Offer Here we have an exceptional Vintage Rolex GMT-Master 2 reference 16713 aka Root Beer sold when new in November 1993, as per the original paperwork that accompanies this watch. The Root Beer has become a sensation in the watch collecting world for its unique colourway and awesome look on the wrist. This particular watch as can be seen from the images, has been very well cared for and was last serviced at Rolex in 2011 according to the service paperwork that also comes with the watch along with its original box and papers. Don't worry, that's not the last time the watch was serviced, it comes from the boss's collection of watches, so rest assured it has been serviced regularly by our watchmakers. The two-tone stainless steel and yellow gold jubilee bracelet almost in new condition looks dashing against the brown bezel. Also in superb condition are the Bronze coloured sunburst dial and the lume plots that have coloured to a lovely caramel colour with time and look excellent with the contrasting colours. The hour markers, hands and crown are also crafted from 18k gold, we think the hour and minute hand may have been changed at the last Rolex service, but apart from that the watch is one of the most original pieces we have had the pleasure of seeing. These Rolex models came with a calibre 3185 movement with 31 jewels and a power reserve of 50 hours and of course, you must remember the GMT function. At 40mm it is a comfortable size and a dazzling look for the wrist you cannot go wrong with a vintage Rolex when it comes to statement pieces.

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Military, pilot and travel watches

The wristwatch owes much of its adoption by men to warfare and aviation. Wristlets — small pocket watches soldered with lugs and worn on a strap — were used in colonial campaigns and became standard equipment in the First World War, with protective grilles over the crystal ('shrapnel guards'). Louis Cartier's Santos (1904), designed for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, is often cited as an early purpose-made pilot's watch.

In the Second World War governments specified watches in detail: the German B-Uhr observation watches, the American A-11, and the British 'W.W.W.' (the 'Dirty Dozen' set of 1945). After the war, jet travel brought GMT and world-time watches, which show two or more time zones at once — Louis Cottier's world-time mechanism and the Rolex GMT-Master (1955) are examples.

What to look for

  • Military markings on the case back: broad arrow, issue numbers, 'W.W.W.', 'A.T.P.'
  • High-legibility black dials with luminous Arabic numerals; oversized crowns for gloved hands.
  • 24-hour hands and rotating 24-hour bezels or city rings on GMT/world-time watches.
  • Wire lugs on early wristlets converted from pocket watches.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug wristlets: c. 1900–1925.
  • Military specifications of the Second World War: 1939–1945.
  • GMT and world-time wristwatches: mainly after 1950.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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