The Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN often called the Green Arrow was launched in 2007 till 2019 and was displaced by its sibling model 116710BLNR.
The very first example of the new six-digit generation of Rolex GMT-Master II watches was the ref. 116718LN from 2005, which was constructed from solid 18k yellow gold and offered with either a black or celebratory green dial to commemorate the GMT-Master collection’s 50th anniversary. The solid gold model was followed by the two-tone Rolesor ref. 116713LN in 2006, and the stainless steel ref. 116710LN appeared the following year in 2007.
However, the much demand steel model was finally launched during Baselworld 2007 with the Super Case, 40mm case diameter. The overall profile was noticeably chunkier thanks to thicker lugs and crown guards nearly twice the width of the previous model. It has been commonly called 綠針 in Hong Kong.
There are several nice changes. Firstly, complementing the bolder case was another novel was the use of the Maxi dial. The Maxi dial was first seen on the green bezel 50th Anniversary edition Submariner from 2003 (“Kermit”), the Maxi dial features larger indexes and broader hour and minute hands.
In addition, it has the the use of a Triplock crown instead of the Twinlock variety found on older models. Originally developed for the Sea-Dweller to ensure its fearsome water resistance, Triplock crowns are now found on all of Rolex’s dive watches, along with modern Daytona, Yacht-Master, Yacht-Master II, and GMT-Master II watches.
Naturally, the headlines surrounding the Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN all centered around its bezel with Rolex’s newly patented material (known as “Cerachrom”) which had been made from aluminium since the 1950s. I was hoping for an aluminium bezel initially and this was one of the reason I didn’t get the watch when it was first launched.
The movement inside the ref. 116710 is the in-house Rolex Caliber 3186. It was the replacement for the previous generation’s Cal. 3185 which had been in use since the late 1980s and in truth, the two movements were almost identical. The main reason for the change in caliber number was the slightly updated jump-hour mechanism and the implementation of Rolex’s proprietary blue Parachrom hairspring, which took the place of the Nivarox version found in the Cal. 3185.
An alloy of zirconium and niobium with a blue oxide coating, Parachrom is touted as being completely antimagnetic and virtually immune to temperature variations, along with being approximately 10-times more resistant to shocks. It first appeared inside the Caliber 4130 from the current series of the Daytona and has now been rolled out across almost the entire collection of Rolex movements, with the only exceptions being some of the smaller calibers that use Syloxi (silicon) hairsprings.
The Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN has a modernized three links oyster bracelet making it steady and comfortable to wear.
The links of the Oyster bracelet featured high-polished centers and were now entirely solid (including end-links), thus ensuring a solid weight and resilience, the newly redesigned bracelet also introduced the patented Easylink extension to the clasp. Rolex’s Easylink system allows for 5mm of extension (or contraction), completely on the fly and without the need for any tools. This means that the bracelet can be adjusted throughout the day to compensate for the natural fluctuations in wrist size that occur due to factors such as ambient temperature and humidity.
The Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710LN is the final example of the Rolex’s legendary pilot’s watch to be released with a single color bezel. With its all-black Cerachrom bezel and green GMT arrow hand. I am very to be able to trade two Explorers for this beauty.
Key summary features:
– Reference Number: 116710LN
– Production Years: 2007 – 2019
– Case Size: 40mm
– Materials: Oystersteel (904L Stainless Steel)
– Functions: Time w/ Runnings Seconds, Date Display, GMT-Functionality
– Dial: Black w/ Luminou Hour Markers
– Bezel: Bidirectional, Black Ceramic Insert w/ 24-Hour Scale
– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)
– Water Resistance: 100 Meters / 330 Feet
– Movement: Rolex Caliber 3186
– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet
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