One of the most practical and popular sports models in Rolex’s lineup, the GMT-Master has been around since the mid-1950s. The GMT-Master was originally developed to help Pan Am pilots keep track of two time zones simultaneously as they flew around the world. The watch was named the GMT-Master because one time zone was set to Greenwich Mean Time (the world’s time standard during the era) as the reference time while the other could be adjusted to the local time. Rolex cleverly designed the watch so that reference time could be easily read via a 24-hour hand pointing to a bidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel. Today, the GMT-Master II has replaced the original GMT-Master entirely. The biggest difference is that the two hour hands on the GMT-Master II dial can be set independently—therefore allowing the display of three time zones. Fitted with ceramic alloy bezels called Cerachrom and powered by a new-generation automatic movement, discover the popular Rolex GMT-Master II models from the current lineup.

Among all the material options within the GMT-Master II collection, stainless steel is by far the most sought-after. The GMT-Master II ref. 126710 features a 40mm stainless steel case fitted with a stainless steel Jubilee bracelet. It’s worth noting that Rolex currently only offers steel GMT-Master II models with five-link Jubilee bracelets while precious metal versions have Oyster bracelets.

The GMT-Master II 126710 comes in two different Cerachrom bezel color options. The first is the 126710BLRO with a blue and red bezel, which is nicknamed the “Pepsi” and was the original color of the very first model from the 1950s. The other is the 126710BLNR with a blue and black bezel, nicknamed the “Batman.” Both the Rolex Batman and Pepsi come with black dials with the customary luminous Mercedes-style hands, luminous hour markers, and date window at 3 o’clock.

For those looking for a precious white metal version, there’s the 18k white gold GMT-Master II ref. 126719. While it is also equipped with a blue and red bezel on top of the 40mm case, the white gold GMT-Master II “Pepsi” differs from its steel counterpart in a few ways. First, rather than a traditional black dial, the GMT-Master II 126719BLRO comes with a choice of a navy blue dial or a light-colored meteorite dial taken from a meteor that fell to Earth’s surface during prehistoric times. Furthermore, instead of the dressier Jubilee bracelet with semi-circular links, the white gold Pepsi is paired with the sportier Oyster bracelet characterized by its flat three-link configuration. Of course, to match the white gold case, the bracelet is also fashioned entirely in 18k white gold.

Introduced in 2018, the GMT-Master II 126715CHNR brought a few “firsts” to Rolex’s pilot’s watch collection. This is the first GMT-Master made in 18k Everose gold—Rolex’s proprietary rose gold alloy that promises to never fade due to its secret composition of gold, copper, and platinum. Both the 40mm case and Oyster bracelet are crafted in Everose gold, making this GMT-Master a particularly lavish and hefty version.

What’s more, the GMT-Master II 126715CHNR features a brown and black Cerachrom bezel, which is a novel color combo for the model. Although it is a new colorway, that hasn’t stopped Rolex enthusiasts from dubbing the new brown and black bezel the “Root Beer,” which is a nickname that dates back to vintage GMT-Master watches with brown bezels from the 1970s and 1980s. Complementing the rose gold watch and the brown/black bezel is the GMT-Master II 126715CHNR’s black dial accented with rose gold lume-filled hour markers and Mercedes-style hands.

Alongside the full Everose gold model, Rolex also debuted the two-tone GMT-Master II 126711CHNR in 2018. Marrying stainless steel and Everose gold (officially called Everose Rolesor), the 126711CHNR offers an appealing mix of durable steel and precious 18k rose gold. This metal combination is again a first for the collection as previous two-tone GMT-Master models brought together yellow gold and steel.

Similar to the 126715CHNR, the GMT-Master II 126711CHNR also sports a brown and black Cerachrom bezel, therefore, it’s also known as a “Root Beer” Rolex. Moreover, this two-tone edition is also furnished with a black dial with rose gold details and an Oyster bracelet. However, the bracelet is composed of rose gold center links flanked by steel outer links.

The GMT Master is one of the most appreciated watch for its sturdiness and resistance. It has been worn by celebrieties in movies. Here is Marlon Brand wearing its bezel-less Rolex GMT Master in the award winning 1979 Apocalypse Now. 

A watch also worn by all alleys of life. Here the Argentine Ernesto Guevara while lighting a Cubano with a GMT master in display. 

Whether in steel, gold, or two-tone, Pepsi, Batman, or Root Beer, the GMT-Master II continues to be a highly coveted Rolex model. Perfectly suited for jet-setters who appreciate a practical yet luxurious timepiece, the GMT-Master II has grown well beyond its original pilot niche to become of the most popular luxury sports watches in today’s market

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