The author’s Rolex GMT-Master reference 16700 powered by the Calibre 5175 automatic movement, it comes with the reference 78790 Oysterlock. Acquired from Dickson Watch & Jewellery Co in 1997. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

A couple of years ago, when a good friend asked what accessories came with the Rolex GMT-Master reference 16700 , I must admit to being stumped.

Being the hardcore Rolex collector that he is, he gave a smug smile and began spewing out terms like the Jubilé and Fliplock bracelets.

The GMT-Master reference 16700, made between 1989 and 1999 which is powered by the Calibre 3175 automatic movement beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, marks a significant milestone as it is the last Rolex GMT-Master I model.

According to the book Rolex GMT-Master by Guido Mondani and Lele Ravagnani, it is also “the first GMT in stainless steel with a sapphire crystal”.

They further add that this reference 16700 was sold with the Oyster reference 78360 and reference 62510 bracelets. In around 1995, it was sold with the Oyster Fliplock bracelet reference 93150. In the later years of this model’s production, the reference 16700 came with the reference 78790 Oysterlock.

These were the “accessories” my hardcore Rolex aficionado friend was alluding to.

Well, my Rolex GMT-Master yarn does not end here; it was only in recent days that I stumped him as well, telling him that he had missed out on a newer accessory. “But that cannot be,” he argued.

“Butt it is,” was my immediate retort. Only after sensing that his ego was slightly bruised as he could not come up with the answer, I quickly turned around and yes, showed him what I had wrapped around my butt – my brand new Speedometer Official swim trunks which doubled up as my shorts.

Speedometer Official’s swim trunks bears the brand’s bezel-like logo on the front and from the rear, part of what resembles the Pepsi-Cola bezel. The Speedometer Official swim trunks, priced at EUR85, are packaged together with a large beach towel and a waterproof swim bag. The swim trunks are available in either white or blue. Speedometer Official is from Swift Company Srl which is based in Torino, Italy.

Produced by Italian company Swift Company Srl, these Speedometer Official swim trunks are part of its Summer 2015 collection and come in either white or blue.

 

 

What makes them stand out and appealing for me is their blue-red bezel-like design seen from the rear, which many will probably conclude was inspired by the famed “Pepsi-Cola”.

The author’s Speedometer Official white swim trunks (left) and blue swim trunks (right) were fully paid for and arrived promptly after being ordered online. The Speedometer Official design has a circle in the triangular marker. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

The company states that these are made in Italy with Italian yarns and is made to have that “vintage look”.

From what is understood, Speedometer Official started off with its bezel-inspired bangles. Their designer Marco Gatti then evolved this design inspiration to include leather belts, cufflinks and garments.

The swim trunks are, in my opinion, the perfect GMT-Master accessory. What’s more, it is sold as a package (priced at 85 euros): the Speedometer Official swim trunks come with a large beach towel and a waterproof swim bag.

Whether in white or blue, Speedometer Official’s swim trunks are the perfect accompaniment to my Rolex GMT-Master. Note: both products belong to the author. Photo: © TANG Portfolio

Whether in white or blue, these swim trunks are the perfect accompaniment to my Rolex GMT-Master

My dear friend laughed and immediately asked for more details, a welcome signal that he was interested in the swim trunks and was about to further accessorise himself.

Let’s just say, as he is rather swell-headed, literally, I am very thankful he did not headbutt me.