This replica GMT-Master 16720 revives a reference that bridged the gap between the original GMT-Master and the modern GMT-Master II series. The 16720 was produced from 1988 to 1999, making it the last GMT-Master to carry certain transitional features: it introduced sapphire crystal to the line while still using the older-style case proportions and a simpler bezel construction than today’s ceramic models. At 40mm the case matches modern dimensions, but the overall feel carries the slimmer, more vintage character of late-1980s production.

Build Details

• Case diameter: 40mm
• Dial: black
• Crystal: sapphire (first generation with sapphire on GMT-Master)
• Bezel: aluminum insert, bi-directional
• Bracelet: Oyster with folding clasp
• Movement: automatic GMT caliber
• Functions: dual time zone, date

The aluminum bezel on the 16720 develops a patina over time that ceramic versions never will. That aging characteristic is part of what drives collector interest in this specific reference: each example develops its own look through years of light exposure and wear.

What Collectors Notice

Three elements define the 16720 for enthusiasts. First, the drilled lug holes, which are visible on the side of the case between the lugs and were phased out on later references. Second, the aluminum bezel insert that fades from its original color toward a softer, washed-out version over time. Third, the tritium-to-luminova transition: early production 16720 watches used tritium lume, while later examples switched to Super-LumiNova, and both types carry their own market appeal. The gmt master vintage replica market considers the 16720 a gateway piece between affordable vintage and high-value early references. For the current-generation comparison, see the 116713 two-tone GMT-Master. Browse the full GMT-Master collection to see how the design evolved from this reference forward.

This vs Other Versions

The 16720 occupies the transitional space in the GMT-Master timeline. It lacks the ceramic bezel durability and independent hour-hand adjustment of the 116710 and 126710 generations, but it offers character and proportions that modern references have moved away from. The thinner case profile, the drilled lugs, and the aluminum bezel create a wrist presence that feels distinctly different from a current-production GMT-Master II. For buyers interested in the roots of the dual-timezone lineage rather than the latest specifications, the 16720 is where that search typically starts. This replica GMT-Master 16720 captures the transitional era that shaped every GMT-Master that followed.