Congratulations to your catch Jerome
Seems like we almost have the foundation for a little club here.... I purchased my first expensive watch in OZ in 1998, this was a Rolex GMT Master 16700 with the same dial as yours (ok, I purchased a AP RO the same year).
I made one mistake. I sold the watch a few years later, due to the colored bezel and that my boss boss had one also and looked a little funny on me. This Rolex is one of very few watches I have ever sold (one of the other was a Panerai Marina, to big for my wrist) and the only I have actually regretted selling.
Reading your article and seeing these magnificant pictures makes me wanting one again.... and soon 
Thanks for sharing
BR
Hans