It’s no secret that many Rolex watches perform very well as financial assets. You only have to look at the prices of the most in-demand models on the secondary market to see how valuable a fake Rolex can be as an investment if you choose the right one at the right time. The trick, of course, is to be able to spot which watches will appreciate in value in the future, and this is still a long way from an exact science. However, there are specific characteristics that can be used as indicators of investment potential, and the replica Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN possesses several of them.
First, it is an example of one of the world’s most famous luxury travel watches, a watch that has truly become iconic in its 60+ year history. Second, the reference 116710LN has been discontinued, which means that there are a limited number of surviving examples, which will almost certainly push up the price. Third, this particular model has a special place in Rolex’s history as the first stainless steel GMT watch fitted with the brand’s proprietary Cerachrom ceramic bezel, and the last to feature a single color bezel.
All in all, there are many arguments in favor of the replica Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN becoming a future classic. So, to help you decide if this particular model belongs in your collection, we’ve put together this guide to tell you everything you need to know about this unusual and important Rolex reference.
The model 116710LN 116710LN is not actually the first example of the new generation of six-digit Rolex GMT-Master II watches. This honor was bestowed by the 2005 Ref. 116718LN was introduced in 2005 and was made of solid 18k yellow gold and offered with a black or celebratory green dial to mark the 50th anniversary of the GMT-Master collection. It was followed by the two-tone Rolesor ref. 116713LN, introduced in 2006, and the stainless steel ref. 116710LN the following year. 116710LN appeared the following year, in 2007.
However, the steel model was the one everyone was waiting for, and it appeared at Baselworld 2007 in Rolex’s recently introduced Super Case. While it maintains the same 40 mm case diameter as its predecessor, the overall profile is significantly thicker thanks to thicker lugs and a crown protector almost twice as wide as its predecessor. The updated case proportions are Rolex’s response to the calls from many collectors for an increase in the size of its Professional Collection models, at a time when the trend towards larger watches was in full swing.
Complementing the bolder case is another addition to the collection, the Maxi dial, which first appeared on the green-bezel 50th Anniversary Edition Submariner in 2003, featuring larger indexes and wider hour and minute hands. Like the super case itself, the larger dial furniture is more appealing to some than others, but there is no doubt that it improves overall readability.