The Rolex GMT-Master: The Most Iconic Traveller's Watch | Reference Points

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In this installment of Reference Points, HODINKEE's Jon Bues sits down with Eric Wind of Wind Vintage.
The GMT-Master didn't come from a blank slate. We can trace its roots back to other classic Rolex sport watches, perhaps starting with the Rolex Zerographe reference 3346 circa 1937 with a rotating bezel, but continuing to the Submariner and Turn-O-Graph models that Rolex introduced in 1953. These watches featured rotating aluminum bezels for timing elapsed minutes and they served as the platform upon which Rolex was to develop the first GMT-Master. To this day, if you think of a watch made for tracking time in more places than one, there is very good chance that the blue-and-red bezeled Rolex GMT-Master, graduated for 24 hours, is the image that appears in your mind's eye. What started as a purpose-built tool for pilots has transcended that role to become a totem of a cosmopolitan, urbane, and well-traveled life. As such, it's been worn not just by pilots and navigators, but by famous actors, entertainers, artists, thinkers and musicians - the people whose personalities and style influence us on a daily basis. The watch collecting community continues to show great interest in the GMT-Master's vintage references. And the current collection of GMT-Master IIs accounts for several of the most sought-after watches at retail. The Rolex GMT-Master is, in all its many forms, quite simply the most famous travel watch the world has ever seen.

[@nursultantulyakbay7070]

Thanks to COVID-19, I am currently using my GMT Batman only to track the time zone differences between my living room, bedroom and kitchen. #stayhome

[@ALTownsend77]

Eric’s voice has now replaced the white noise machine in our nursery.

[@ericwind4651]

Hahaha thank you. Your baby is destined for great horological things!

[@kevinbermingham3135]

@@ericwind4651 you are a legend Eric. Love this video.

[@KirkAndKhoi2017]

Eric Wind needs to chill. I know he’s excited but geez. It’s hard to focus when someone is so amped.

[@GavinMcLeod]

Here is the content we want...

[@vacheronconstantin7]

Not rlly

[@closer71]

Except for the only white dial GMT ever made by Rolex!

[@kevinchen9912]

Can't feel excited through his voice lol

[@wesleydstein]

Dude seems like he hates talking about amazing watches.

[@LesterLovesWatches]

Close to $1M on that table ......... 900,000 ......... ok 750,000.

[@turtlepenguin1494]

I know right? I can't believe that they have $500,000 worth of watches on the table

[@samstraughan9054]

7:31 'blueberry'....many myths and strong opinions....Interviewer doesn't ask him anything about those...no elaboration...was he bored?

[@ihatekpeng]

This guy couldn't exude any less charisma if he tried.

[@stevenjeziorski9590]

Very cool review. I own the latest controversial Batman on Jubilee and enjoy wearing it daily (Dress down/up, etc.). Jubilee Bracelet does not show nearly as many scratches as the Oyster Bracelet. Also, with new movement and longer power reserve!!

[@sachureedas]

Whoa easy there. Please don't blow me away with all your enthusiasm.

[@vgcamara]

The excitement in his voice is just contagious 😂

[@DerekRyanTwo]

Makes Ben Stein sound like a morning- show radio DJ.

[@JS97278]

This has made isolation that little bit better top work as always

[@Thomgxx100]

Eric is a secret 1950'ies time traveler, picking up some interesting timepieces along the way !

[@audemarspiguet4237]

Hodinkee, please return these Reference Points series. I think the Explorer line would be appropriate considering it’s the 50th anniversary.

[@Cinemallennials]

No one can travel. Hodinkee: “Let’s release a reference video on the most iconic traveller’s watch.”

[@ericwind4651]

lol, well we filmed the video in October. How the world has changed since then!

[@ClassicalProtestant]

Had to buy the 39MM Steinhart GMT on a jubilee...it allowed me to own a GMT and keep my wife.

[@ericwong4364]

what

[@NazimUddin-yk2tz]

Simp

[@stemikger]

Yeah, my watch habit has been the topic of a few arguments over the years. lol In an indirect way, it forced me to do well financially because I had a few grail watches I wanted. So I made sure I brought that up. lol

[@leeweisiang9038]

Just tell her you got it at the price of a Steinhart

[@manuacharya4568]

Eric is like socially awkward and introvert version of Ben Clymer!

[@mikejones-dx8bx]

that's what makes him likeable

[@scampoli25]

Bless you Hodinkee, needed this today

[@scampoli25]

5L no but you will be soon boomer

[@leonardoleal5092]

Pair of dull duds, you can watch some of talking watches episodes with guests who don’t have half of the knowledge these guys have but they talk about it with passion and enthusiasm

[@leekindell9937]

he is Reverent Lovejoy from Simpsons...lol

[@terrafirmahuman]

Amazing video. This is what great Hondinkee content should be. Keep them coming!

[@Burak-hq3oc]

Ironic timing for a gmt deep dive lol

[@ericwind4651]

Too true

[@actnaturally388]

Respect Eric, such knowledgeable guy but his monotonous voice puts me to sleep every time! Hahaha no offense.

[@ericwind4651]

Sorry!!

[@lucioledizerot196]

Love these videos, very informative.

[@briankim1562]

great and useful vid. i own a 16710 and i love it!!

[@ginyamaguchi1421]

If 2020 had a voice.

[@ericwind4651]

Sorry!

[@ajlabra2096]

This guys is so boring and never even got excited taking about these great watches

[@jurje007]

AJ Labra can’t agree more

[@ericwind4651]

@@jurje007 Sorry!

[@ericwind4651]

Sorry!

[@vincenzodigrande2070]

Well, I'd rather have a smooth relaxed voice talking interesting stuff over guys whipping up BS over something uninteresting like it is the best thing since baked bread, like most Americans do.

[@lbco5229]

Eric - you have nothing to apologize for. Thanks for your horological knowledge.

[@TheGuitarBling]

Love the car horn at 5:17

[@Halfmoon67]

Eric Wind is great ! A wealth of knowledge ! Don’t let these people who complain about the tone of his voice prevent you from including him in your vids!

[@ericwind4651]

Thank you!!

[@saynototheborg]

Eric Wind your knowledge is really amazing and appreciated. I was curious how do you guys get a hold of all these watches? It’s amazing to be able to showcase the history of these watches.

[@MostlyRight88]

I love the reference points series but this one isn't my favorite. Eric is crazy knowledgeable but I feel like this one just listed off the reference evolution versus weaving a narrative around why the watch matters; let's hear about the Pan Am connection, why it was a popular model with explorers and NatGeo, how was it received compared to the Sub or other models etc. There's a lot of context around these watches that feels like its missing. Also, I could use a little more enthusiasm next time, it felt like a professor who'd already hit tenure and was just reciting facts versus someone who really wants to teach you about the subject.

[@kyle618]

i agree

[@ericwind4651]

I strongly recommend you read the article! Jon Bues discusses this in the text. www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-gmt-master-reference-points

[@MarcusMinnesota]

I remember in 1999, our local jeweler had a lot of trouble selling the 16700. Most guys wanted the submariner and any takers on GMT went with the 2 model. I didn't like how pink the color was on the bezel. Retail at that time was $3000

[@MarcusMinnesota]

@leicanoct Used dealer in town would sell Rolex sport models for $2500 and buy them back for $2400. So in other words, you could wear all kinds of cool models for $100. I did. I do regret selling my new SS Daytona from 1998. I paid $6500 and had to sell it for same. What we know now...huh?

[@jimmysplit7729]

Thanks, thoroughly enjoyed it guys and of course I appreciate how you have all the references together in one place👌🏻 as for the trolls the title of this video clearly represents what the content is so why the f#ck come here! Just can’t help themselves... Eric you are the man!

[@ericwind4651]

Thank you!

[@MrBrianc1975]

Great video guys. The GMT is my favourite offering and it's great to see Eric talk us through them. He knows his stuff!

[@mothaybabonnam5632]

Whoever does design for Rolex has the easiest job in the world. After 50 years of employment: let's make half of the bezel 1 shade more brown than from last decade!

[@ceasarnunez5652]

mothaybabonnam Just like the Iphone designers

[@RebirthBeyond]

Hey @Eric Wind. You did a fine job and I love that Hodinkee is showcasing its talented contributors. All the best to you and hope to see you in more videos.

[@adhy2005]

the voice of that dude is exactly that kind of teacher who makes you sleep like a baby in the classroom.

[@ericwind4651]

Haha thank you

[@phmwu7368]

Finally after ten years Hodinkee ... Eric Wind is the man to do this ... 1970 - 2020 is 50 years Rolex-in-space since Jack Swigert wore his GMT-master on Apollo 13 ! #MoonwatchUniverse

[@kylepearce3878]

I love the modern GMT with the blackface and bezel and green hand. That is such a great look. Awesome video guys!

[@ClassicalProtestant]

Shoutout to HODINKEE and shout out Eric for a doing a great job!

[@WrongTimeWatch]

Wow, what an amazing collection. I would be very happy with just one.

[@stefv.w.1177]

Out of all of them I'd chose the coke 16710 or the new Batman on an oyster bracelet.

[@augustinf]

All these small variations of certain models are really for people with extreme ocd and extremely full pockets

[@UGA.D]

Eric Wind is brilliant.

[@JustWatchreviews]

Waiting for the Explorer reference points :-)

[@watchreviews4k]

Interesting content. Regards.

[@watchreviews4k]

Interesting content. Regards.

[@JBOsurf]

Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?

[@MTbone7]

This meeting looked like quite a hoot

[@shpickey]

Bueler. Bueler. Bueler.

[@ericwind4651]

Sorry!!

[@shpickey]

Eric Wind no way your voice is cool and so are you.

[@michaelkim8209]

is this guy awake?

[@ericwind4651]

Sorry, no! Just is a lot of information to try to share in a short period of time.

[@michaelkim8209]

@@ericwind4651 Ha! You're a good sport. And I definitely got a great taste of the GMT-Master. Makes me want to get one someday!

[@michaelturner7949]

The GMT is the best professional model; to me it is beyond criticism: the hands are broad compared to the diver range, which leaves me nonplus.

[@Watchreviewblog]

No CHNR two-tone root beer?

[@raksh9]

Yeah, root beer on a sloppy, stretched Jubilee.

[@Watchreviewblog]

@@raksh9 Ya thats the old one though

[@nv00021]

I bought a GMT with my first real job in the world....it was around 2001....bought in Toronto from Swiss TIme.... remember cutting them a cheque from $5000! A few years later ran into some difficulty and had to sell it.... and to this day I don't regret much but I do regret selling that. To me one of the most iconic watches in history. Thanks for the content guys.... makes life a little better in this really depressing time.

[@flynnjp19]

We all have the same comments, he has a really good strong deep voice, but too monotone....

[@TpEric62]

Nothing excites him anymore.... :)

[@TheLumeRoom]

Best GMT collection I've ever seen!

[@ignacioroldan3062]

This should be rated as +18

[@raksh9]

I know, right? I have to change my pants after watching this. 😁

[@jacksonk7566]

makes me want a steinhart pepsi

[@ralfybaby]

Why would you buy that if you can get a real Rolex from China for less?

[@eazye619]

Would kill for an aluminum bezel GMT Master II. Likely will never happen though as the prices are too much

[@brucelee9941]

I wish the prices of the 80s were still around, its ridiculous at how a $5k Rolex could now be $15k, for example I have a 1803 18k Rolex day-date President the original price was around $6k I paid $10650

[@drewsneakerverse]

Eric dedicates some of his time to share a huge wealth of knowledge on the greatest movement in Rolex history, and people attack him for his voice! Disgusting. On behalf of watch enthusiasts everywhere, thank you to Jon, Eric and the HODINKEE team for pulling this together, it must have been quite difficult to get all these pieces on one table.

[@EscapePlan97]

Ceramic Pepsi Jubilee is THE best modern iteration with vintage vibes imho.

[@billmedic1995]

The one omission I see are the transitional models from the early to mid 80’s….the 16750. One of my personal favorites, because it has the “new” quickset date but still retains the plexiglass crystal and doesn’t have the independent setting for the GMT hand. The best of both worlds, and my eyes.

[@EffortlessGentTV]

everything i've ever wanted to know about GMTs. Thanks Hodinkee 💪🏼

[@exsgt007]

The GMT expert reminds me of a young Henry Kissinger.

[@stemikger]

LOL. Good observation! Back in the day, Henry was a chick magnet!

[@fredo1070]

Bueller, Bueller...

[@AZU560]

Stay safe in NY

[@Wooooosaaaaaa]

Just me or did like 20 cars honks in the background? NYC baby lol

[@ericwind4651]

Good catch haha, we had to stop filming a few times because of that

[@closer71]

I’ve been scouring the Internet for ANY video footage of a 6542 white dial “Pan Am.” No matter what, I cannot find anything! Is there any footage anywhere of someone with a white dial GMT Master out there in the wild, in the flesh?!?!

[@bgrelek6311]

i mean i own one lol

[@MrVoayer]

A video of enormous value and importance ! THANK YOU ALL !

[@themississippikidful]

That gentleman knows his stuff ! Great video

[@TeFLoNMD11]

Is it just me or do you hear - "Bueller, Bueller, Bueller." ?

[@adelarsen9776]

Coke owners know they have the best iteration of the GMT.

[@jayr2537]

Somebody had to say it.

[@adelarsen9776]

Coke ceramic white gold oyster :-)

[@charliedunne8027]

Eric is one of the most knowledgeable people in the watch community and an incredibly kind individual. Viva La WIndster!

[@boombringer4078]

isnt he just? hes like a walking encyclopedia but way more charming.

[@vincentferreira1135]

I can’t even begin to fathom the amount of money on that table right now.

[@jakerakestraw5751]

Not near as much as it was this time 2 years ago, but still a ton of cash. Especially those early ones with the bakelite bezels. Waiting for the right time to pick up my mid 60s GMT.

[@deltropico7]

Amazing content! Thanks for putting in the work. You guys are scholars

[@sanghoonlee5171]

Rolex 16710 11:14 11:25 (Coke)

[@first264]

I'm getting flashbacks of Ferris Bueller's day off with that monotone voice

[@mothaybabonnam5632]

We found someone who finally won Ben Steins money

[@stemikger]

Oh Man, that Pink Panther made me drool on my computer.

[@thomasbatchelor9398]

Wow amazing watches. The Batman on a Jubilee... Simply Amazing. Great video..👍🏻👍🏻

[@Robert.Dickson]

What a fascinating video. I had no idea there were so many variants.

[@blingblingstarmie-5294]

I'd love to see one of these for IWC mark watches

[@raksh9]

They need to find a suitable collection and expert, I wonder how many of these there are.

[@johngumdoc]

Wow, what a collection.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Great job Eric !!👍

[@jpbalutan]

Hooray for new reference points! Thank you Hodinkee 🙏

[@davidxu976]

Zzzzzzzz

[@hasininan5501]

The video was very informative. But why do vintage Rolex hands corrode so badly? Even Seikos from that period have better hands. And by the way, watch 'scholarship' sounds awfully pretentious. I'm sure they could have chosen a better word.

[@mchockney3664]

I've rarely seen such a lack of enthusiasm or passion in the presence of such an amazing collection.

[@fungus_am0nguz644]

Thats just his style but let me tell you Mr Eric Wind has a ton of passion for watches. A walking encyclopedia of knowledge. I personally find his voice very soothing and he is a top tier seller.

[@TriforceRich]

My favorite watch. Own a 16710 personally, perfect balance of cost (as far as Rolex GMTs are concerned), durability, function, and classic proportions.

[@dibtojyoti10]

Is there a robot in the video?

[@SpaghettiKillah]

No. But there's an a$$hole in the comments section who doesn't appreciate knowledge and entertainment offered for free !

[@dibtojyoti10]

SpaghettiKillah lol..be happy with the knowledge you get. If that's entertainment for you...I'm sorry to say my friend...youre as much of a robot as that guy is. Informative....definititely informative but doesn't change the fact it's a snoozefest. There's no joie de vivre in this video....But then again...what do I know..Im an a-hole.

[@SpaghettiKillah]

Dibyojyoti Mukherjee yeah too bad not everyone can rise to your high standards. Maybe you can show us how it's done then? You seem to be very knowledgable.

[@coldteeth24]

This guest's voice sounds fun, exciting and energetic and I couldn't wait till april 1st to say so.

[@ikkomariano6254]

YES!!! Thank you, Hodinkee.

[@dooks85]

When my wife asks me why i spent 22k on a watch, I'll refer her to this video. The statement that ends at 1:37 explains it all. Well said Mr. Wind.

[@JP-js8jr]

love the GMT but somehow seem to be the only one who doesnt like the Pepsi.. either Black Bezel or Rootbeer for me

[@ceasarnunez5652]

All those watches are sexy. 🤤🤤🤤 Love how they fade. Gives them character

[@mathieuvaillancourt3219]

The QC on the painted GMT hands look better than the newer models.

[@gmshadowtraders]

Sssh don't say that here

[@mathieuvaillancourt3219]

@@gmshadowtraders you can't hide behind macro shot ;)

[@LiveCustoms]

The Cerachrom bezels just don't do it for me...

[@4201818168]

I have a 126710 BLRO on oyster and I love it.

[@muds1123]

I picked mine up today. Incredible

[@SalvatoreCaruso24]

I LOVE this video, so informative and enjoyable. Nice job Hodinkee!

[@timur9429]

This GMT reference points is on point. Very good thanks!!

[@phmwu7368]

Good timing April 1970 to April 2020 celebrates 50 years Rolex-in-space as Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert wore his GMT-master 1675 Pepsi pilot watch to the Moon & back !

[@williamstalvey6920]

A couple of people who wore and still wear Rolex GMT is Franklin Graham, Edward Graham,Will Graham, and delta force founder, Charlie Beckwith.