We admit that we write about almost all of this brand's products with pleasure – perhaps it shows... Another fact is that today, for the first time, we will afford ourselves this pleasure for a model that we have never managed to describe until now – not so much because we rarely manage to find one, but because every one we found left us very quickly...
We admit that for us, the GMT-Master in all its variations is one of our favorite Rolexes of all time; we will even admit that in this case, the older versions are dearer to our hearts. It is not for nothing that this is the model with one of the most nicknames; as you know, many of Rolex's special models have nicknames by which they are known among connoisseurs and which have become so iconic that they are more popular than their official names. We will list perhaps the most famous of them: Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Root Beer and of course, from the newer ones, Batman and Pepsi. Many of them trade above their original prices, and even modern models like the Batman and Pepsi often sell for significantly above their official price – a "marketing gimmick," a skeptic might say, but in our opinion, it is yet another proof of a correct market strategy and price positioning.
But why is this model so liked and sought-after – it is neither the most expensive, the most robust, the most complicated, nor the most beautiful watch? Surely one of the reasons lies in its iconic, so-called "true GMT" in-house movement, Caliber 3185, which has a reputation for being robust, accurate, durable, and easy to service.
We are sure that most of our reading colleagues are aware that Rolex calls its water-resistant cases Oyster. That is, if this name is present in the watch's designation, it means that it is water-resistant. And of course, the GMT-Master II meets this qualification 100% – although unlike the Submariner, here this rating is only 100 m, but as you can guess, here the meters are real.
Regardless of the fact that the GMT-Master II is a professional tool, as was the manufacturer's intention from its very launch, it is clear to everyone that for a long time now it has also become a luxury attribute – and for quite some time, this function has prevailed over the original reason for its creation. Perhaps for this very reason, Rolex does many things in this model in such a way that the appearance and the overall impression the watch creates prevail over its functionality. The first thing that makes an impression is the sapphire crystal – Rolex applies the anti-reflective coating only on the inside of the cyclops lens, and this allows the outer part of the crystal to be more brilliant and shiny to behold. Next, of course, is the use of gold elements, and finally, the noble combination with the color black, which seems to add a slight hint of "aristocratic origin".
For the case back of the watch, Rolex uses a simple solid case back, as it does in all its models – in the case of the GMT-Master II, it is devoid of any markings, inscriptions, or other "decorations". As we all know, for its watches Rolex uses noble 904L steel – the difference with the usual 316L for other brands is in the greater resistance, especially against salt water, and in this particular model "everything yellow is gold" – bezel, crown, middle links of the bracelet, hands, and indices – everything is made of 18-carat gold and, in combination with the main black color of the dial, gives a great finish as a final result. It is a widely known fact that Rolex can be called fanatics when it comes to the steel they use – a large part of the metallurgical processes are done in-house to guarantee a uniform quality of the raw material. Many watches have passed through our hands, but we can say with absolute certainty that few brands devote so much attention and effort to the quality of the final product in terms of the finish of the cases – and as a result, a unique quality and presence is inevitable. As for the gold elements, Rolex also has its own foundry and produces its own gold alloys, cases, and components.
The overall impression is complemented by the watch's 24-hour bezel – its purpose is clear: to show a second time zone. Trivial, isn't it? In this model, the bezel is solid gold, and the bezel insert is made of aluminum with 24-hour indices printed on it in a golden color – the traditional "triangle" at 12 o'clock, and there you have the final product.
For many years, the GMT-Master was offered with two bracelet options – Oyster and Jubilee – while the six-digit version 116710 used only the Oyster. The piece presented today uses precisely such a one. As we have already mentioned, the middle links are 18-carat gold, and the clasp has a security feature and the possibility for micro-adjustment.
Indeed, back in the 1950s, Rolex created a great product and invested time and money to improve and perfect it. If in the beginning it was valued by customers as a not-very-expensive everyday watch, today it is to a greater extent a fashion accessory, which, however, has all the qualities to become a long-term partner to its owner, one that will not only never leave you, but will also not lose much of its value, because it is no secret to anyone here that this brand, besides not being available with large discounts when new, also has the reputation of being a brand with the watches that best retain their value. And this particular model can boldly be ranked at the forefront of Rolex in terms of popularity and, accordingly, as one of the most sought-after and desired. Surely one of the reasons for this is the fact that this watch looks equally good on your wrist whether you are in a formal suit or dressed in worn-out jeans and a white t-shirt – in both cases, the GMT-Master II will help attract approving glances to your appearance.
