Rolex GMT-Master II Buying Guide | Bob's Watches

In this video, we will discuss one of the most iconic pilot’s watches in the world, the GMT Master II. Click here now to shop the GMT Master II: www.bobswatche...
The GMT Master II has seen numerous upgrades since its debut in the 1980s. To learn more about the different generations within the collection, its various feature upgrades, and popular references, visit our ultimate GMT Master II guide here: www.bobswatche...
The first Rolex GMT pilot’s watch debuted in the 1950s alongside the original GMT Master. Its successor, GMT Master II, did not hit the market until the 1980s. While their overall design is similar, the GMT Master II features an independent 24-hour hand on the dial. The GMT Master does not. Instead, the 24-hour hand is synced with the 12-hour hand.
Because of this design, the GMT Master can only display two time zones at once, one via the bezel and one via the central hands on the dial. The GMT Master II, on the other hand, can display three time zones at once because the 24-hour hand is not synced with the 12-hour hand.
Click here now to shop the GMT Master II and more pre-owned Rolex watches: www.bobswatche...
The first GMT Master II reference was 16760, aka the “Fat Lady” or “Sophia Loren.” In addition to featuring a more robust case, the ref. 16760 also introduced the series to the sapphire crystal. It was only produced in stainless steel and with a black and red “Coke” bezel. Additionally, the cal. 3085 beats within the case, offering both hacking seconds and a Quickset function for the date.
The second-generation GMT Master debuted just a few years later in the late 1980s, featuring a sleeker case design and a broader selection of feature sets. Metal options included stainless steel, yellow gold, and two-tone.
Stainless steel references featured either red and blue “Pepsi,” black and red “Coke,” or all-black bezel inserts and were produced on both the Oyster and Jubilee bracelet. More opulent examples in two-tone and gold also featured the option for gem-set Serti dials decorated with diamonds and rubies.
Powering the second generation are the calibers 3185 and 3186, the latter of which continued production into the 6-digit series. Several other variations of this generation were also introduced to market during its long production run, including either cases with or without lug holes, solid or hollow bracelet end links, and Tritium, Luminova, or Superluminova plots on the dial.
The third major upgrade came to the GMT Master II series in 2005 via the 6-digit series. The most significant upgrade made during this time was the ceramic insert, which replaced aluminum. Also known as “Cerachrom,” the ceramic material is much more resilient than aluminum. It is nearly scratch-proof and resists corrosion and color fading better than aluminum.
It keeps the same 40mm diameter as its 5-digit predecessors, only now it appears slightly larger on the wrist with a larger crown guard and broader lugs. It also received a more water-resistant Triplock screw-down crown. As we previously mentioned, the 1167XX series also kept the same cal. 3186 movement.
This series is notably only produced on the 3-link Oyster bracelet with solid links and features an upgraded machined Oysterlock clasp.
While the bezel was initially only offered in all-black, it eventually hit the market in two-tone via the Batman ref. 116710BLNR in 2013. For the first time in Rolex history, the ceramic bezel was now available in two-tone. The following year, Rolex introduced a Pepsi edition of the GMT Master II via gold ref. 116719BLRO.
Rolex released the 4th and the current generation of GMT Master II watches in 2018. The most impressive upgrade came in the form of the brand-new cal. 3285 Perpetual movement, featuring a newer Chronergy escapement and increased 70-hour power reserve.
The 4th generation also introduced the series to a broader range of design set options. For the first time, the ceramic Batman bezel is now available on the 5-link Jubilee bracelet. Additionally, the ceramic Pepsi bezel is now available in stainless steel. Noticeably absent is the option for an all-black bezel, which was last seen on ref. 116710 in the previous generation.
Everose, Rolex’s proprietary 18k rose gold material, replaced yellow gold within the GMT Master II’s lineup. The Everose and two-tone Everose Rolesor references are exclusively produced with a black and brown ceramic bezel.
However, several aspects of the GMT Master II’s design remain the same, including the 40mm case diameter, sapphire crystal, 100-meter depth rating, bi-directional 24-hour bezels, and COSC-certified movements.

[@jamesmoninger1982]

This was a really good video. When I watch one of these I fully expect most of the video to fawn over the Rolex Pepsi, but you didn't do that at all. I look forward to future videos from Bob's.

[@avarmauk]

Bob looks different to what I had imagined

[@MrSThayer]

So if bezel still turns you could get 3 time zones right? Standard, red hand and then bezel turned to create third? Clever before now even better though I prefer a day date or skydweller

[@MrSThayer]

Sorry loving the channel and blasting the comments way too much in last couple of hours!

[@bobswatches]

No worries! Glad you're a fan of our watch content!

[@LWRC]

I have the 16760 GMT Master 2 and it is a phenominal watch. I wish Rolex would bring out the latest version of this Coke GMT!!!

[@kostasp1137]

Thank you for the refresher. Choice will come down to budget as well as availability

[@Sams911]

the solid rose gold "root bear" 126715 is by far the nicest looking Rolex GMT, maybe even Rolex in general I've ever seen!

[@markevans8912]

Thankyou. I will send or upload a picture later

[@ozarkguns1]

Rolex should have made the rootbeer with a rootbeer dial. The black dial was a cheap out.

[@warmrollsforthetable]

I have a 2007 Coke my father gave me when he picked up a Sub and I love it. Its near mint and looks sharp af 👌

[@DrFernandoHidalgo]

Na na na na na na na na na na na na 🎶 Batman 🎶 Awsome video. GMT is my all time favourite complication 🤩

[@pedrorivera9779]

Outstanding review, thanks!

[@greatchalla3799]

Summer stunner is the Root-beer GMT Master 2 ......controversial and the maverick of the bunch.

[@miketan3398]

Excellent overview, well presented!

[@jadscott2585]

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[@donaldkendall2645]

@Jad Scott Instablaster :)

[@jadscott2585]

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[@jadscott2585]

@Donald Kendall It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much you saved my account :D

[@donaldkendall2645]

@Jad Scott happy to help xD

[@andrashentes2106]

Whats up with the minute hand at 6:39 ?

[@MrMattyRyan1]

Footage is slowed down.

[@Herman-zc7te]

Great info

[@ericamezcua1109]

🦇 legendary

[@jonathanland2218]

Beautiful smile

[@bishoyghali1939]

Who is this classy lady!!

[@Tommy_ZM]

Didn’t see the 126710BLNR