The GMT-Master was created in 1954 for airline pilots who needed to track two time zones at once. Its trick is simple and elegant: a fourth hand that rotates once every 24 hours, read against a 24-hour bezel. Turn the bezel and you can read a second time zone; the two-color insert shows day and night hours at a glance.
The GMT-Master II arrived in the early 1980s with an independently adjustable hour hand, so travelers could jump the local time without stopping the watch. That is the watch we are talking about here, and today it is one of the most versatile Rolex sports models you can buy.
How does the GMT function actually work?
On a GMT-Master II the main hour hand is set independently in one-hour jumps, while the 24-hour hand keeps home time. When you land somewhere new, you pull the crown to the first position and move the hour hand forward or back; the minutes and seconds keep running, and the date follows the local hour hand. With the rotating bezel, you can also read a third time zone by offsetting the 24-hour scale. It sounds complex written down and becomes second nature within a day of wearing one.
Which GMT-Master II generations matter?
| Generation | Key references | Years | Bezel | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five-digit | 16710 (steel), 16713, 16718 | about 1989–2007 | Aluminum, interchangeable colors | 3185, later 3186 |
| First ceramic | 116710LN, 116710BLNR, 116713LN, 116718LN | 2007–2019 | Cerachrom | 3186 |
| Current | 126710BLRO, 126710BLNR, 126710GRNR, 126720VTNR, 126711CHNR, 126715CHNR | 2018– | Cerachrom | 3285 |
All modern GMT-Master II watches have a 40 mm Oyster case, water resistant to 100 meters.
Which bezel color should you choose?
The bezel is the watch’s personality, and it is the first thing people notice.
- Pepsi (blue and red) is the original GMT color scheme. In steel today it is the 126710BLRO. See our Pepsi guide.
- Batman (blue and black) began with the 116710BLNR on an Oyster bracelet; its successor 126710BLNR launched on a Jubilee and is often called “Batgirl”. Compare them in Batman vs Batgirl.
- Root Beer (brown and black) comes in Everose Rolesor (126711CHNR) and Everose gold (126715CHNR).
- Sprite (green and black) is the left-handed 126720VTNR, with the crown at nine o’clock.
- Bruce Wayne (grey and black) is the 126710GRNR, introduced in 2024.
- All black was the 116710LN, a quieter choice that is now discontinued.
For the complete color history, including the vintage “Coke”, read GMT-Master II bezel colors explained.
Jubilee or Oyster bracelet?
The Jubilee is a five-piece link bracelet that is more supple and dressier; the Oyster is a three-piece link bracelet that looks sportier and resists scratches on the center links a little better. Current GMTs have been offered on both at different times, and it is a matter of taste. Both use the Oysterlock clasp with the Easylink 5 mm extension. If you are unsure, our guide to Rolex bracelets shows the differences in detail.
Which generation is the best value?
Current 126710 models give you the calibre 3285 with about 70 hours of power reserve and the longest service outlook. They carry the highest prices, and bezel color changes the price considerably: Pepsi usually sits at the top.
The 116710 generation looks very similar, uses the proven calibre 3186 and usually costs less. The 116710BLNR Batman on its Oyster bracelet is a modern classic in its own right, and the all-black 116710LN is one of the best-value ceramic GMTs.
The 16710 is the enthusiast’s choice. Its aluminum inserts fade with age into softer tones, and it is lighter and slimmer on the wrist. Late examples with the calibre 3186 and “stick dial” variants attract collectors, so buy from someone who can identify them.
What should you check on a pre-owned GMT-Master II?
- The bezel. It should rotate in both directions with 24 firm clicks. Check the ceramic insert for chips and the aluminum insert for fading consistent with the watch’s age; a replacement insert changes the value.
- Hour-hand jumping. Set the local hour a full turn in both directions. It should jump cleanly, and the date should change at midnight local time.
- The 24-hour hand. It should point accurately at the bezel’s hour marks when the watch is set correctly.
- Bracelet stretch and clasp. Jubilee bracelets show stretch more readily than Oyster bracelets.
- Service history. As with any Rolex, a documented service adds confidence and value.
How does a GMT-Master II wear?
All modern GMT-Master II models are 40 mm across, but they wear differently. The five-digit 16710 has slim lugs and a thin aluminum bezel insert, so it feels light and low on the wrist. The ceramic 116710 introduced the broader “Super Case” lugs, which make it look bolder. The current 126710 keeps a similar profile to its predecessor with refined proportions; on a Jubilee bracelet it feels noticeably dressier and more flexible than on an Oyster.
The GMT is a little slimmer than a Submariner and has no Glidelock clasp, relying instead on the Easylink extension. For most wrists between about 6.5 and 7.5 inches it is an easy, comfortable daily watch. Two-tone and gold models are heavier and wear more formally.
Steel, Rolesor or gold?
Steel GMTs are the most popular and usually command the strongest prices relative to retail. The Everose Rolesor Root Beer 126711CHNR mixes steel with rose gold for a warmer, vintage-inspired look, and the full Everose 126715CHNR is the luxury version. White gold models, such as the 126719BLRO Pepsi with a meteorite or blue dial, are much heavier and far less common. In precious metal the pre-owned price can sit closer to, or even below, the original list price, which is worth knowing if you like gold.
How much does a pre-owned GMT-Master II cost?
Roughly: five-digit 16710s are the most accessible, the ceramic 116710LN and 116710BLNR sit in the middle, and current 126710 models are at the top, led by the Pepsi. Precious-metal and Rolesor models add to the range. Condition, year and box and papers move prices within each reference. Our live prices are in the table below, and every watch we have is on the pre-owned GMT-Master II page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a GMT-Master and a GMT-Master II?
On the GMT-Master II the main hour hand can be set independently of the 24-hour hand, which makes changing time zones easy. On the original GMT-Master the 24-hour hand is set independently instead. Rolex has made only the GMT-Master II since the late 1990s.
Which GMT-Master II holds its value best?
Steel models with the most popular bezel colors, especially the Pepsi and Batman, have historically been the most sought after. Demand changes over time, so buy the version you like to wear rather than the one you expect to rise.
Is the GMT-Master II waterproof?
It is water resistant to 100 meters with the crown screwed down, which is plenty for swimming and snorkeling. For diving, a Submariner is the purpose-built choice.
Is the left-handed Sprite harder to wear?
Not for most people. Because the crown sits at nine o’clock, it is often more comfortable for anyone who wears a watch on the right wrist, and many left-wrist wearers like that it never digs into the back of the hand.
