Introduced in 1954, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date GMT-Master is a travel watch with a rich history. Although it has tended to attract less attention than models like the Submariner and Daytona, the GMT-Master has slowly emerged as one of the most popular Rolex models of all and enjoys a strong reputation among collectors. Show
Originally designed for use by pilots and navigators, the defining feature of the model is its rotatable bezel, complete with a 24-hour scale, enabling wearers to keep track of multiple time zones at the same time. Here, we take a more detailed look at the history of the GMT-Master and the collection's most important references. The first Rolex GMT-MasterThe launch of the GMT-Master came in response to the increasing amount of long-distance air travel that began to emerge during the 1940s and 1950s. Indeed, the first GMT-Master, Reference 6542, was designed in collaboration with Pan American Airways and was issued to their crew for use on long-haul slights. In terms of its design, the model was essentially a modified Rolex Turn-O-Graph, with a new bezel and movement. The earliest versions featured a luminous Bakelite bezel insert, but this was replaced by an aluminium bezel in models made after 1956, because the original bezel was was deemed to be too fragile. The Reference 6542 was available in steel only and remained in production until 1959. However, it was later worn by the character Pussy Galore in the 1964 James Bond film 'Goldfinger'. As a result, it is sometimes referred to by collectors and enthusiasts as the 'Pussy Galore' GMT-Master. Production of the second generation GMT-Master, Reference 1675, began in 1959 and continued until 1980. The early versions of this particular model used a calibre 1565 movement, although this was changed to the updated calibre 1575 from 1965 onwards. Reference 1675 models were available in steel, gold or two-tone options. Introduction of the GMT-Master IIThe 1980s was an important decade in GMT-Master history, starting with the release of the Reference 16750 in 1981. Notable changes from previous models included the introduction of a new movement, the calibre 3075, as well as a glossy dial and a quick-set date function. This model was produced until 1988. In 1983, however, Rolex unveiled the GMT-Master II, Reference 16760. Featuring an extra thick case, the model was affectionately nicknamed the 'Fat Lady'. The bezel featured a new red and black colour combination, the watch had a sapphire crystal and it was able to display three different time zones, instead of two. Then, in 1988, Rolex introduced new versions of both the GMT-Master and GMT-Master II. The former, Reference 16700, now also featured a sapphire crystal and had a slightly re-designed case. The latter, Reference 16710, was now slimmer than its predecessor and featured three distinctive bezel options. Rolex GMT-Master 50th AnniversaryFor several years, the manufacturer continued to produce both GMT-Master and GMT-Master II models, although this changed around the turn of the new millennium, when production of the Reference 16700 ceased. Effectively, this meant that the GMT-Master II replaced the original GMT-Master collection. In 2005, to mark the 50th anniversary of the GMT-Master, Rolex released a new version of the GMT-Master II, updating a number of design features. Upgrades included the use of the company's patented Parachrom hairspring, while this model also saw the collection shift towards ceramic bezels, offering superior scratch resistance. Finally, in 2007, Rolex released the Reference 116710, complete with an anti-reflective Cyclops lens over the date display window, increased lug size and a new movement, the calibre 3186. In 2013, a new version of this model was released, with a black and blue bezel. This has since become known as the 'Batman' GMT-Master. About the Rolex GMT MasterThe Rolex GMT-Master is the brand's line of multi-time zone watches for pilots and frequent travelers. Originally developed during the 1950s as international jet travel was really starting to take off as an industry, the Rolex GMT-Master II was created specifically as a means for pilots and crew members to simultaneously be able to reference two different time zones. Over the years, the Rolex GMT-Master has evolved into the GMT-Master II, and it has also gained a strong audience among a far wider audience than just the aviation crowd. Today these models are popular favorites among in incredibly diverse range of individuals, and can be spotted on the wrists of everyone including actors and musicians to military personal, and everyone in between. The History of the Rolex GMT-MasterDesigned in collaboration with Pan Am Airlines, Rolex introduced the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master watch to the market in 1954 (although most models did not get delivered and sold until 1955 and after). As the airline company embraced international travel in the mid-20th century and rapidly expanded its transcontinental flights, pilots needed a watch that was capable of simultaneously displaying two time zones. The brand answered this request with the GMT-Master, which featured an additional 24-hour hand and a rotating bezel that allowed airline crews to quickly reference two time zones at once. The revolutionary watch offered a simple and elegant solution to the dual time zone dilemma. The brands then-new aviation timepiece included an additional hour hand, which would complete one full rotation of the dial per day. This arrow-tipped hand was designed to point to a rotating bezel with corresponding hour markings to indicate local time while reference time was displayed via the traditional 12-hour hand on the dial. Consequently, each time a plane landed in a new time zone, pilots simply had to turn the bidirectional rotatable bezel to correspond with the number of hours offset from the reference time zone and read the local time zone with the GMT hand against the bezel, all without disturbing reference time or even having to unscrew the crown to adjust their watches. Although the model was developed as an airline pilot watch, specifically intended for professional use, a much wider audience has since adopted it over the last six decades thanks to its striking design and practical functionality. Enjoyed by pilots, world travelers, and fans of versatile luxury watches alike, the GMT has become one of Rolex's most iconic sport watch collections. The popularity of the collection has continued to rise in recent years with the release of the current reference 126710 Pepsi and Batman models. The abundance of variation offered by vintage and modern models ensures that there is a model worthy of both classic and modern styles.  How Much Is A Rolex GMT Master?Retail prices start at $9,700 for the stainless steel models, and increase from there with the use of precious metals. However, due to a massive demand, these models sell for significantly more than their retail prices on the open market. Additionally, many vintage models are considered highly collectible, and cost far more then brand-new model. Rolex GMT Master Prices
Rolex GMT-Master Pricing InformationThe price of Rolex GMT watches has significantly increased on the secondary market in recent years due to surging demand. This is particularly true of the stainless steel models, which are some of the most sought after in the world right now, and used examples consistently trade hands for significantly more than their brand-new retail prices on the secondary market. For example, the 2019 editions of this iconic pilot's watch are currently sold out in boutiques worldwide with waitlists stretching for multiple years. Many collectors are willing to pay well-above retail to ship the waiting list, which has resulted in a massive increase in price on the open market, similar to what can be seen with vintage or discontinued models which are no longer available at retailers or boutiques. Depending on the model (vintage, discontinued, or current-production models), examples of the stainless pieces for sale on the secondary market can have prices that range anywhere from $10,000 to $22,000. Additionally, precious metal versions can reach up to $35,000 and even higher, depending on the materials of its construction and use of diamonds or other precious gemstones. Rolex GMT-Master ModelsThe first model to kick off Rolex's aviator watch collection in 1955 was the reference 6542, which was loosely based on the Turn-O-Graph ref. 6202 that was first introduced in 1953. Like the Turn-O-Graph 6202, the GMT-Master 6542 featured a 38mm stainless steel case without crown guards, a bidirectional rotating bezel, and a black dial with luminous hands and hour markers for optimal legibility. However, unlike the 6202, the ref. 6542 included a red and blue bezel insert with 24-hour markings and a modified self-winding mechanical movement featuring an additional GMT hand. Over the years, they improved upon the core design of the model with each new reference. The company launched the reference 1675 in 1959, which included crown guards on the larger 40mm case and a COSC-certified movement. Following this, Rolex presented the GMT-Master 16750 in 1981, which doubled the water-resistance of the case to 100 meters and introduced the quickset date feature thanks to a new movement. Finally, in 1988, Rolex presented the reference 16700 with sapphire crystal and white gold applied indexes on the dial. The 16700 was the last dual-time reference and it was ultimately discontinued in 1999. The Rolex GMT-Master II made its debut in 1982 as a mechanically enhanced version of the original pilot’s watch, where the two-hour hands could now be set independently from each other. Consequently, wearers of the new generation of watches could set the hour hands to two different time zone, and then turn the bezel to read a third time zone. Retaining much of the same design codes as the original, the first GMT-Master II was the reference 16760, which was then replaced by the ref. 16710 in 1989, featuring a slimmer case and a new movement. In 2005, Rolex announced an all-new generation with 1167xx reference numbers featuring Cerachrom bezels and re-designed "Super Cases" with thicker lugs and crown guards. Finally, in 2018, Rolex launched the latest versions with 1267xx reference numbers, complete with new-generation movements, material options, and bezel colors. Rolex GMT-Master TimelineThe GMT collection has been a part of the Rolex catalog for over 60 years.
Rolex GMT-Master ReferencesThe model has been a constant presence in the Rolex catalog since it was first introduced in 1955; however between both the original GMT-Master and GMT-Master II models, Rolex's iconic pilots watch has existed in a number of different configurations.
MaterialsThe collection is among the company's most varied in terms of material options. Rolex has made stainless steel, two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel (yellow Rolesor), and full yellow gold versions of the classic model. Furthermore, Rolex has manufactured stainless steel (known as Oystersteel since 2018), Yellow Rolesor, two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel (Everose Rolesor), and full 18k yellow gold, white gold, and Everose gold versions of the GMT-Master II. There are even some rare solid-gold models paved with diamonds and set with other precious gemstones such as rubies and sapphires. DialsThe dial layout of the GMT is similar to other Rolex professional watch models. They feature a mix of round, triangular, and rectangular hour markers and Mercedes style hands, all coated with luminescence for maximum legibility in low light. Additionally, there's also the arrow-tipped 24-hour hand on the dial to use in conjunction with the corresponding hour graduations on the bezel, and a date window at 3 o'clock, accompanied by a Cyclops lens affixed to the crystal above it to magnify the date. Although most GMT dials are black, Rolex has made a few other special dial designs such as the champagne and silver "Serti" dials set with diamonds and ruby hour markers, full diamond pavé dials, brown dials, blue dials, bright green anniversary-edition dials, and even meteorite dials. BezelsThe bidirectional rotating 24-hour marked bezel of the GMT-Master is the most recognizable design trait of this particular Rolex collection. Many of the bezels feature two colors - a design feature that is said to not just have aesthetic purposes, but also for increased functionality, as the colors serve to differentiate between daylight and nighttime hours. However, it is also said that the original concept for the bi-color bezel was simply to have an aviation-themed aesthetic, as it was reminiscent of the design of altitude indicators on older aircrafts such as the DC6, which is why there are also single-color GMT-Master bezel inserts. The first reference came equipped with a blue and red bezel, where the red portion represented the approximated daytime hours while the blue contains the nighttime hours. The striking blue and red combo is iconic to the collection and it is frequently referred to as the Pepsi bezel. Other Rolex GMT bezel color combinations with famous nicknames include the black and red Coke bezel, the brown and tan Root Beer bezel, and the black and blue Batman bezel. There are also GMT-Master watches with monochromatic all-black bezels. Aside from varying colors, the material used for the GMT-Master’s bezel insert has also evolved over the decades. The very first model featured a bezel insert fashioned from Bakelite, but due to the material’s proneness to cracking and the high amount of radiation emitted from the glowing radium numerals set into it, Rolex quickly replaced it with an insert made from anodized aluminum. Rolex continued to use aluminum until 2005 when the company turned to high-tech Cerachrom inserts. A Rolex exclusive alloy, Cerachrom is a hard ceramic material that is scratch-proof and resistant to fading, providing superb robustness and longevity. Initially, Rolex stated that it would be impossible to create a bi-colored bezel in ceramic, and only offered an all-black version of their Cerachrom bezel insert. However, thanks to Rolex’s commitment to innovation and technology, two-color bezel inserts eventually joined the collection in the form of the "Pepsi" (red and blue), "Batman" (black and blue), and "Root Beer" (black and brown) editions. The combination of two-colors on a single-piece ceramic component was a world first. BraceletsBoth the three-link Oyster bracelet and five-link Jubilee bracelet have been available on the collection over the years. Additionally, depending on the specific model, there are stainless steel, two-tone steel and gold, and solid gold variations of both bracelets. As of 2019, Rolex has organized the GMT collection whereby the Oystersteel versions come exclusively equipped with Jubilee bracelets while the 18ct white gold, 18ct Everose gold, and Everose Rolesor versions are only fitted with Oyster bracelets. Rolex GMT-Master MovementsThere have been numerous automatic mechanical movements that have powered the various watches of the collection throughout its long and storied history. The primary difference between the classic GMT-Master and the GMT-Master II is that on the former, the 12-hour and 24-hour hands are coupled, enabling wearers to simultaneously display 2 time zones, while on the latter, the two hour hands can be set independently, enabling the second-generation GMT watches to display three different time zones at once. GMT-Master Calibers
GMT-Master II Calibers
The newest Caliber 3285 was introduced in 2018 as a new-generation Rolex GMT movement. Boasting 10 patent applications during development, the Caliber 3285 not only offers enhanced precision, reliability, and shock resistance but also an improved power reserve rating of 70 hours (compared to the previous 48 hours). Reasons to Buy a Rolex GMT-Master
Celebrities Who Wear Rolex GMT-Master WatchesPositioned as the ultimate cosmopolitan watch for jet-setters and world travelers, it's no wonder that a number of celebrities favor these watches. Here are just a few of the famous people that wear the collection's emblematic design.
Trending ModelsThe very first (and rarest) GMT-Master is the ref. 6542 (aka "Pussy Galore”). Named after the character in the James Bond franchise, the ref. 6542 is considered the Holy Grail of vintage GMT watches. While the model is far out of reach for many collectors, it's still fun to admire and search for on the secondary market. Perhaps more popular, however, is ref. 1675, which will satiate any collector's desire for a vintage GMT-Master without quite as high of a price tag. It's relatively easy to find pre-owned in varying degrees of condition and multiple design variations. Replacing ref. 1675 in the 1980s, the GMT-Master 16570 is also trending among enthusiasts for its classic design and higher-beat cal. 3075 movement, complete with hacking and a Quickset function. Rounding out the GMT-Master series as the last model before it was discontinued entirely and replaced with the GMT-Master II is ref. 16700, which remained in production long after its successor hit the market. Highly collectible, the ref. 16700 resides in many watch boxes and continues to be a favorite among many die-hard Rolex collectors. Common Rolex GMT-Master QuestionsWhat Is A Rolex GMT-Master?The Rolex-GMT-Master is the brand's collection of multi-timezone pilot's watches. Developed in collaboration with Pan Am Airlines in 1954, and formally released to the public in 1955, the Rolex GMT-Master set the standard to dual time travel watches. In 1983, Rolex released the GMT-Master II, which allowed for the independent adjustment of the hour hands, enabling it to display an additional third time zone by simply rotating its bezel. What Does GMT Stand For On A Rolex Watch?The collection dates back to the 1950s when the new demands of long-distance trans-Atlantic flights called for a multi-time zone watch. The "GMT" in the name refers to Greenwich Mean Time - the mean solar time of the longitude (0°) of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in England. At the time the collection was released, GMT was the universally accepted time format, and the one used by pilots as the universal coordinated time of the skies. Extraordinary for its era and fitting to what the company was producing at the time: tool watches, the revolutionary pilot's watch has become an industry icon. Today the various references within the collection have many nicknames including the Batman, Pussy Galore, Pepsi, Coke, and more. What Size Is A Rolex GMT?With the exception of the very first version iteration of the watch, which had a case diameter of 38mm, every single subsequent version of both the standard GMT and the GMT-Master II has had a case size of 40mm. With that in mind, due to the presence of thicker lugs and crown guards, the newer references with "Super Cases" appear larger than their predecessors, despite having the exact same 40mm diameter. Is A Rolex GMT-Master A Good Investment?The Rolex GMT-Master is one of the best investment watches available. Used GMT-Master watches often sell for significantly more than their original retail prices on the open market, and waiting lists at retailers often span multiple years. Additionally, some collectible vintage Rolex GMT-Master models can be worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars when they sell at auction. How To Adjust A Rolex GMT-Master BraceletThe clasp on Rolex GMT-Master bracelets offers some amount of adjustability, but most people will need to either add or remove links to adjust a Rolex GMT-Master bracelet. With the exception of the very oldest styles of GMT-Master bracelets, the links can be removed by simply unscrewing them with the small screws located on the side of the bracelet links. Is The Rolex GMT Batman Discontinued?The original Rolex GMT Batman was discontinued in 2019 after being first introduced at Baselworld 2013. However, the same year that the first Batman GMT 116710BLNR was discontinued, Rolex replaced it with the updated 126710BLNR featuring the same black and blue bezel, but with an updated movement and a Jubilee bracelet. How much is a Rolex GMT Master worth?Prices at a Glance: Rolex GMT-Master. How do I find out what my Rolex is worth?Table of contents:. How to value your Rolex watch.. Authenticate the brand.. Check your model & serial number.. Check the condition of your watch.. Check the material your watch is made of?. Check if you have the original box & papers.. Check the market value.. When did Rolex Stop Making GMTAt Baselworld 2019, just one year after the introduction of the stainless steel "Pepsi" GMT-Master II ref. 126710 BLRO, Rolex discontinued the ref.
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