The Rolex GMT-Master II reference 16713, a two-tone marvel of horological engineering, holds a special place in the hearts of collectors and enthusiasts. Its production run, spanning from 1989 to 2005, saw a significant evolution in materials, dial variations, and even the subtle nuances of its lume – the "Leuchtmasse Farbe" – a topic often debated and dissected within the Rolex community. Pinpointing the exact shade of lume across its entire production period is, however, a challenging task. While we can’t definitively answer the question of a singular "Leuchtmasse Farbe" for the entire production run, we can explore the watch's history, its variations, and the factors influencing the appearance of its lume.
Understanding the Rolex GMT-Master II Reference 16713
Before delving into the complexities of the lume, it’s crucial to understand the watch itself. The Rolex GMT-Master II 16713 is a two-tone (TT) version of the iconic GMT-Master II. This means it features a combination of materials, typically 18k yellow gold and stainless steel. This combination contributed to its popularity, offering a luxurious aesthetic without the full cost of a solid gold model. The 16713 is instantly recognizable by its distinctive Oyster bracelet, its characteristic bezel with a 24-hour graduated insert, and its highly legible dial. These features, combined with its robust construction and the reliable Calibre 3185 movement, cemented its reputation as a versatile and durable timepiece.
The Calibre 3185, a self-winding mechanical movement, is a workhorse known for its accuracy and reliability. It features a quick-set date function, a crucial feature for frequent travelers, and the ability to display a second time zone independently, thanks to the independently adjustable 24-hour hand. This functionality, a hallmark of the GMT-Master line, makes it ideal for pilots and globetrotters.
The production run of the 16713 spanned sixteen years, a considerable period during which Rolex made subtle but significant changes to its watches. These changes, while often minute, can affect the appearance of the lume, making it difficult to assign one specific "Leuchtmasse Farbe" to the entire collection.
The Evolution of Lume in Rolex Watches
The term "Leuchtmasse" simply refers to the luminous material used on watch dials and hands. Over the decades, Rolex has employed various luminous compounds, each with its own unique characteristics and aging properties. Early Rolex watches often used radium-based lume, a now-discredited material due to its radioactivity. Later, tritium, a less hazardous isotope of hydrogen, became the standard. However, tritium also has a limited lifespan, gradually losing its luminance over time.
By the time the 16713 was in production, Rolex had begun transitioning to Super-LumiNova, a non-radioactive phosphorescent material. This transition wasn't instantaneous; there was a period of overlap where different batches of watches might have used different lume compounds. This explains the variability in the appearance of the lume on 16713 watches, even within the same year of production.
Factors Affecting the Appearance of Lume on the Rolex 16713
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