Short answer

A replica Rolex 16750 is a copy of the Rolex GMT-Master ref. 16750. Rolex made the 16750 from 1981 to 1988. Genuine watches use caliber 3075, a 40 mm steel case, an acrylic crystal, and a quickset date. Replicas use Asian movements. Most replica 16750s sell for $150 to $500. A genuine 16750 sells for $9,000 to $25,000 at auction, based on dial and bezel. A replica is not a Rolex. It has no Rolex warranty or service.

What the original 16750 is

Rolex launched the GMT-Master in 1954 for Pan Am crews. The 16750 replaced the 1675 in 1981. Key changes: quickset date, caliber 3075, 28,800 vph, 27 jewels, 50-hour power reserve. Case: 40 mm Oystersteel. Crystal: acrylic. Water resistance: 100 m. Bezel: bidirectional 24-hour, Pepsi red and blue or black. Dial: matte black first, glossy black later. Lume: tritium. Bracelet: Oyster 78360 with 580 end links. The 16750 ran to 1988. The 16760 Fat Lady and 16700 came next.

Caliber 3075

Caliber 3075 is a 27-jewel automatic. It beats at 28,800 vph. It has a 50-hour power reserve. It has a quickset date. It does not have an independent GMT hand. The 24-hour hand is set by the bezel and the crown. Replicas seldom copy this movement. Most use a 2836-2 or a DG2813 with a GMT module.

How replica 16750s differ

  • Movement: Asian 2836-2 or 2813. No clone of the 3075 in most cases.
  • Crown guards: too thick or too sharp. Genuine guards are slim and polished.
  • Dial: coronet shape, font, and lume plots are off. Genuine tritium turns cream.
  • Date wheel: font and magnification. Genuine date sits under a 2.5x cyclops.
  • Bezel insert: font, color, and pearl. Genuine Pepsi fades to pastel.
  • Caseback: engravings are shallow or wrong. Genuine has 16750 and a date code.
  • Crystal: too tall or too flat. Genuine acrylic sits near the bezel.
  • Lug holes: some replicas lack them. Genuine 16750 has drilled lugs.

Replica movements in a 16750 case

A 2836-2 is a 25-jewel automatic. It beats at 28,800 vph. It has a 38 to 40 hour power reserve. It has a quickset date. It has a GMT function on some versions. A DG2813 is a 22-jewel automatic. It beats at 21,600 vph. It has a 36-hour power reserve. Both are common in replica 16750s. A 3075 clone is rare. No major replica factory makes a true 3075 copy.

What to check on a replica 16750

  1. Ask for the movement. A 2836-2 is better than a 2813.
  2. Check the crown position. Quickset date must work at position 2.
  3. Check the GMT hand. It should move with the hour hand on a 2836 GMT.
  4. Check the bezel insert. Look for a clean 24 and a centered pearl.
  5. Check the caseback. Engraving should read 16750 and a serial.
  6. Check the crystal. Acrylic should sit flush with the bezel.
  7. Check the bracelet. End links should fit the lugs with no gaps.

Market and legal notes

A genuine 16750 trades on the used market. Prices depend on dial, bezel, and box and papers. A matte dial Pepsi with papers can top $25,000. A service dial or replaced bezel lowers the price. Replica sales are illegal in some countries. In the U.S., selling a counterfeit watch violates the Trademark Act. Buyers in the E.U. face customs seizure. Rolex does not service replicas. No replica has a Rolex serial number or warranty card. Treat a replica as a copy, not an investment.