Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II: The cosmopolitan watch
December 20, 2023
The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II displays the time in two different time zones simultaneously. Robust and perfectly precise, it is the ideal watch for crisscrossing the globe.
Crafted to navigate the realities of an increasingly globalized world, the extraordinary Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II stands as a testament to Rolex's commitment to innovation and technical mastery. First launched in 1955, the GMT-Master was destined to transcend its utilitarian roots and become a standard bearer for global exploration. As a witness to the evolution of intercontinental travel, it not only kept pace with the changing times but also set a new paradigm in the realm of dual-time functionality.
A genuine "tool watch," the GMT-Master evolved from a genius request of Pan American World Airways, created as a reliable companion to any pilot or passenger traversing skies and crossing international time zones. The journey of the GMT-Master took a startling turn in 1982 when Rolex introduced a revolutionary movement, allowing independent adjustment of the hour hand. This transformative upgrade brought about the GMT-Master II, marking a new era in the watch's lineage.
A genuine "tool watch," the GMT-Master evolved from a genius request of Pan American World Airways, created as a reliable companion to any pilot or passenger traversing skies and crossing international time zones. The journey of the GMT-Master took a startling turn in 1982 when Rolex introduced a revolutionary movement, allowing independent adjustment of the hour hand. This transformative upgrade brought about the GMT-Master II, marking a new era in the watch's lineage.
Launched in 1955, the GMT-Master witnessed the rapid expansion of intercontinental travel in the latter half of the 20th century. It even became the official watch of Pan American World Airways, the most prominent American international airline at the time. The GMT-Master, a true “tool watch,” evolved continually to offer increasing technical performance. In 1982, Rolex introduced a new movement that allowed the hour hand to be set independently of the other hands. To clearly mark this evolution, the model fitted with the optimized movement was named the GMT-Master II.
ONE INSTRUMENT, SEVERAL TIME ZONES
The GMT-Master II has an instantly recognizable design with a graduated bezel insert, which is available in various dual-colour combinations – the lower half indicating daytime and the upper signalling night. With traditional hour, minute, and seconds hands, its triangle-tipped 24-hour hand and bidirectional rotatable bezel with a 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert, the GMT-Master II can display the time in two time zones simultaneously: either the local time and the reference time, or the local time and that of a different time zone.
The latest GMT-Master II is equipped with calibre 3285, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, it offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience, and reliability. It is fitted with the exclusive blue Parachrom hairspring and also incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement. The movement’s power reserve extends to approximately 70 hours.
HIGH-TECHNOLOGY CERAMIC
The Cerachrom bezel insert is manufactured in a single piece by Rolex from extremely hard ceramic. This high-tech material is virtually scratchproof and keeps its vibrant colors over time. Rolex broke new ground in 2013 when it introduced its first two-color, single-piece ceramic bezel insert – blue on one half and black on the other. One year later, the brand released a Cerachrom insert in red and blue – the GMT-Master’s original colors. It carried out pioneering research to develop a red ceramic corresponding to its aesthetic and quality criteria.
Over the years, Rolex presented other color combinations such as brown and black (2018), and green and black (2022) – on a version with the crown and crown guard on the left side of the case and the date display at 9 o’clock. Its latest innovation is a gray and black Cerachrom insert, unveiled in 2023 on a yellow Rolesor version of the GMT-Master II as well as on a version entirely crafted from 18 ct yellow gold.
The GMT-Master II has an instantly recognizable design with a graduated bezel insert, which is available in various dual-colour combinations – the lower half indicating daytime and the upper signalling night. With traditional hour, minute, and seconds hands, its triangle-tipped 24-hour hand and bidirectional rotatable bezel with a 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert, the GMT-Master II can display the time in two time zones simultaneously: either the local time and the reference time, or the local time and that of a different time zone.
The latest GMT-Master II is equipped with calibre 3285, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, it offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience, and reliability. It is fitted with the exclusive blue Parachrom hairspring and also incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement. The movement’s power reserve extends to approximately 70 hours.
HIGH-TECHNOLOGY CERAMIC
The Cerachrom bezel insert is manufactured in a single piece by Rolex from extremely hard ceramic. This high-tech material is virtually scratchproof and keeps its vibrant colors over time. Rolex broke new ground in 2013 when it introduced its first two-color, single-piece ceramic bezel insert – blue on one half and black on the other. One year later, the brand released a Cerachrom insert in red and blue – the GMT-Master’s original colors. It carried out pioneering research to develop a red ceramic corresponding to its aesthetic and quality criteria.
Over the years, Rolex presented other color combinations such as brown and black (2018), and green and black (2022) – on a version with the crown and crown guard on the left side of the case and the date display at 9 o’clock. Its latest innovation is a gray and black Cerachrom insert, unveiled in 2023 on a yellow Rolesor version of the GMT-Master II as well as on a version entirely crafted from 18 ct yellow gold.
SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION
Like all Rolex watches, the GMT-Master II is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories, according to its own criteria. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
Like all Rolex watches, the GMT-Master II is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories, according to its own criteria. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
From the pioneering two-color ceramic insert in 2013 to the latest gray and black innovation in 2023, each design choice reflects Rolex's commitment to pushing boundaries, often with a sense of unexpected fun. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, a paragon of horological ingenuity, has garnered an array of affectionate nicknames over the years, reflecting its iconic status and distinctive features. The Cerachrom bezel, a testament to Rolex's mastery over high-tech materials, crowns the GMT-Master II with a colorful aesthetic brilliance and exceptional durability.
Achieving the prestigious Superlative Chronometer certification, the GMT-Master II proudly carries the seal of excellence – a commitment that each timepiece leaving the Rolex workshop has successfully endured rigorous scrutiny. Far beyond being an efficient timepiece, the GMT-Master II is an exceptionally meaningful symbol of precision and reliability, capturing the romance of travel within the Rolex dedication to the endless pursuit of perfection.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTION VISIT US
Achieving the prestigious Superlative Chronometer certification, the GMT-Master II proudly carries the seal of excellence – a commitment that each timepiece leaving the Rolex workshop has successfully endured rigorous scrutiny. Far beyond being an efficient timepiece, the GMT-Master II is an exceptionally meaningful symbol of precision and reliability, capturing the romance of travel within the Rolex dedication to the endless pursuit of perfection.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTION VISIT US
