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Rolex GMT-Master II History: The Iconic Pilots Watch
• benjohnson
Robust and luxurious, the Rolex GMT-Master II is the ultimate cosmopolitan watch. It is renowned for its ability to turn collectors' heads, with high-calibre features steeped in classic Rolex grandeur and aviation history.
Rolex is no stranger to creating sports watches, from the 1963 Daytona designed for professional racing drivers to the 1992 Yacht-Master, a nautical tool-watch renowned as the watch of the open seas. The GMT-Master II is no exception, dominating the skies with high-performance features allowing pilots and adventurers to track up to 3 time zones.
Today, the GMT-Master II is widely considered one of the most iconic Rolex watches, with various models that continuously command the attention of Rolex collectors. Read on as we delve into the Rolex GMT-Master II History, including its unique features and why it is the ultimate travel watch for pilots and adventurers.
Table of contents
- When was the Rolex GMT-Master II introduced?
- Rolex GMT-Master II History
- Is the GMT-Master II waterproof?
- Popular Rolex GMT-Master II models
- How to set a Rolex GMT-Master II
- Shop the Rolex GMT-Master II series at Miltons Diamonds
When was the Rolex GMT Master II introduced?
The Rolex GMT-Master II was released in 1982, 28 years after its predecessor. It was aesthetically similar to the original 1954 GMT-Master, with a 24-hour bezel and additional dial hand. However, the 1982 model featured several updates to enhance the original’s performance, including an adjustable free-moving GMT hand independent of the other hands. This greatly improved the watch's usability, making the GMT-Master II a serious contender for pilots, adventurers, and globe trotters.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR - Sprite - Green & Black Bezel - 2022
Rolex GMT-Master II History
The Rolex GMT-Master is one of the most sought-after models for Rolex collectors today. However, despite its modern reputation as a fashion watch, it was created for pilots during the 1940s and 1950s when the flight industry began to take off.
Pilots had begun travelling longer distances and crossing multiple time zones more frequently, creating a greater need for timekeeping accuracy. This led Rolex to collaborate with Pan Am Airways to design the original GMT-Master.
Thus, in 1954, the original GMT-Master was born with the reference 6542, its name alluding to ‘Greenwich Mean Time’, the Coordinated Universal Time required for all aviation planning. Many Rolex purists believe the GMT’s hand should always be left in this time zone regardless of location.
The 6542 was issued to Pan Am Airways crew members on long-haul flights, with the key feature being its ability to track two time zones simultaneously. It was powered by the caliber 1036, luxuriously manufactured by Rolex in Switzerland, and featured the iconic red and blue Pepsi bezel. Today, this original model is infamously renowned as the ‘Pussy Galore’ James Bond watch, having been worn by Honor Blackman in the 1964 film Goldfinger.
Is the GMT-Master II waterproof?
The original GMT-Master offered water resistance up to 50m. However, the GMT-Master II increased this, with each model water-resistant up to 100m or 330 feet. Like other Rolex sport watches, the GMT-Master II features a triple waterproof system and secure Oyster case to offer protection from moisture.
Popular Rolex GMT-Master II models
The GMT-Master II and its predecessor have seen several models released over the years, offering Rolex wearers new features and aesthetics, including tracking three time zones simultaneously. However, certain models come to collectors’ minds when picturing the most iconic GMT-Master II watches of all time:
The Rolex “Pepsi” GMT-Master II
The Rolex “Pepsi” GMT-Master II model enjoys cult status with Rolex collectors, featuring one of the most popular bezels in Rolex history. Its signature colours resemble the iconic Pepsi logo, originally launched in Oyster Steel with a blue and red bakelite bezel, quickly upgraded to an aluminium version.
GMT-Master II - Gents Watch - Red & Blue Bezel - 2022
The GMT-Master II “Batman”
Released in 2013, the “Batman” GMT-Master II, also known as “The Bruiser”, was the first of its kind. It featured a black and blue ceramic bezel that has remained iconic to Rolex collectors today.
GMT-Master II 116710BLNR - Batman - Black Dial - 2018
The Rolex “Coke” GMT-Master II
Nicknamed the “Coke” GMT-Master II due to its red and black bezel, this Rolex model was released in 1982 and became the first Rolex watch to offer truly accurate dual-time keeping. It was launched in stainless steel, with the Coke-coloured bezel exclusive to the 16760 model. Though discontinued in 2005, the “Coke” GMT-Master II’s black and red bezel ensures it remains one of the most popular models created.
How to set a Rolex-GMT Master II
The GMT-Master II features breakthrough Rolex technology, allowing the wearer to track multiple time zones using a dial set to a primary time zone and a rotatable 24-hour bezel set to a second time zone. If you’re new to the GMT-Master series, learn how to set and read the GMT bezel using these three simple steps:
- First, set your ‘home’ time zone by rotating the bezel. The triangle should be facing the 12 o’clock point on the dial.
- Next, unscrew the crown. Pull it out to the second notch, rotating anticlockwise indirection until the watch’s 24-hour hand and minute hand show the desired time against the bezel.
- Pull out the crown to the first notch to set the date and time of your second destination. Then, rotate the jumping hour hand until your desired hour and date are displayed.
- Adjusting the crown at the first notch does not impact any of the GMT’s other dial hands, allowing you to adjust each timezone easily.
- You can read the time of an alternative time zone on the go by turning the bezel back and forth to demonstrate the difference in hours. Please note that while you can use all GMT-Master II watches to read a third time zone, only two can be displayed at a time.
GMT-Master II 116713LN - Gents Watch - Black Dial - 2008
Shop the Rolex GMT-Master series at Miltons Diamonds
The GMT-Master II stands out in Rolex history with its iconic bezels and dual timekeeping mechanics. From the 'Pepsi' to the 'Batman' bezel, this stunning series ensures the wearer feels exemplary luxury with every wear.
Its design is imbued with aviation heritage, offering the wearer an iconic timepiece that continues to attract collectors' attention worldwide.
Our GMT-Master collection offers an exemplary range of new and pre-owned Rolex GMT-Master II models, complete with Rolex boxes, papers, and manuals. Shop the collection today and add a timeless piece of Rolex history to your watch collection with Miltons Diamonds! Or, for more stunning models from throughout Rolex's history, shop the complete Rolex collection.
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