1987 Rolex GMT-Master 2 ref. 16760 “Fat Lady, Unpolished, Regatta Provenance”
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Categories: Featured, GMT-Master, Paypal Disabled, Rolex, Vintage
Up for grabs is a Rolex GMT-Master 2
Reference 16760, so-called “Fat Lady”
R2 serial number circa 1987 production.
This watch carries a very interesting story. I recently acquired this Rolex GMT ref. 16760 “Fat Lady” from an estate jewelry dealer. He bought it along with some gold coins and jewelry from the widow of the original owner. The condition of the watch is incredible and it came with boxes and papers. While reviewing the watch in hand, there was an invoice from Rolex for it. The invoice comes directly from Rolex, New York and states that it was to be presented to the winner of Block Island Race Week in 1987. You can also see that it was instructed to be presented by a “Bill Sullivan”.
Without this single piece of paper, this would’ve just been another GMT in great condition and we would not have known any further story behind it. After calling the Storm Trysail Club, an organization which holds regattas, including the Block Island Race Week, I was able to learn much more about this watch:
The watch was presented to Jerry Schostak and his vessel ‘Fujimo’ the winner of the Everett B. Morris Trophy which was for the best performance of the week at Block Island Race in 1987 (this is also documented on their website archive). The watch was presented by Bill Sullivan who was the Rolex representative for the event during this time. Rolex gave 1 watch per year to the Everett B. Morris Perpetual trophy winner. Rolex discontinued its partnership in 2017 exactly 30 years later after Mr. Schostak won this watch. It was said by his wife that he never wore the watch as he wasn’t a watch person, he even attempted to “give it away” a few times before he passed away in 2014, but was unsuccessful as his friends did not want to take it from him for free. It remained in a drawer in their home along with some old double eagle gold coins and jewelry until 2023. Though the regatta is usually held in June, it is unclear as to why it was presented in November. Yet, the shipment code on papers match closely to the invoice dates and the retailer is stamped as Rolex New York directly, not an AD. Most award watches we see are engraved on the back and perhaps this is why I haven’t seen or known about these regatta winner watches in the past, even if some of them have traded publicly. One of many reasons why it’s so interesting and exciting to collect and deal in vintage Rolex!
The watch itself is very clearly unpolished and shows some handling marks perhaps. Incredible lugs and crown guards are factory fresh basically. The caseback hologram is practically unworn and still fully shows the crown and 16760 stamps.
Fantastic original dial and hands with awesome cream patina. Original date disk with open 6’s and 9’s.
Flawless bezel and insert.
Original Rolex 78360 bracelet in tight and “sticky” condition as new. Correct 501 ends, unsized with all 13 links, K12 date code. The bracelet is also mentioned on papers, invoice, and sleeve as original. Some of the 16760’s came on 93150 as an option and would’ve been mentioned on papers.
The watch comes with Rolex boxes, the sleeve, the original warranty papers dated in October 1987 and delivered by Rolex New York directly (not an AD). It also has both of its hang tags with matching numbers to the watch and papers. The papers also have a delivery code, RHRCTA, which translates to October 19th, 1987 and perfectly suits the Rolex USA invoice.
The most important part is the invoice directly from Rolex with instructions for delivery. The request on October 15th, 1987 and the red stamp when invoice was closed on October 20th, 1987.
An incredible watch, with incredible provenance makes it for an important piece of Rolex, GMT, and US regatta histories. A perfect combination of preservation and condition.
