Rolex GMT Master & Master II

The Rolex GMT Master is a part of the Rolex Professional watch collection. The GMT Master was launched in 1954 to aid pilots who travel through multiple time zones.


A new model of the GMT Master came out in 1983 that features a sapphire crystal which cannot easily be scratched. This model was named the GMT Master II.


Production for the 16710 GMT Master II model ceased in 2007. The successor 116710LN was introduced at Basel World fair 2007 (same specification as the already in 2005 presented all-gold model 116718). The new model has the ceramic bezel, polished bracelet center links with Daytona type clasp, maxi dial and green 24 hour hand found on the 50th anniversary edition.

The GMT can display time in two different time zones and the GMT II in three. Using the additional "GMT" hand which completes a 24 hour cycle in a single rotation, the GMT (and GMT II) uses a bi-directional rotatable bezel marked zero to twenty three allowing for a second time zone to be displayed with the GMT hand pointing to the bezel hour. The GMT II allows the GMT hand to be set independently from the hour hand thus allowing a third time zone.

The watch was originally designed in collaboration with Pan American World Airways for use by their pilots. Today, this watch is popular with travelers and people who need to keep track of the time across multiple time zones. In 1981 The Rolex GMT Model 16750 added a quick set date feature, prior to this the model was 1675. Prior to this to adjust the date, one would have to continue to wind the crown through all the dates in order to reach the current. The quick set date feature & the Sapphire Crystal added in 1987 are the two major changes in the last 30 years at Rolex.

The 50th anniversary edition of the GMT Master II was revealed at Basel World Fair 2006. This new model features a number of technical enhancements, such as Rolex's patented Parachrom hairspring as well as a larger Triplock crown


The new model also has several cosmetic improvements such as larger hands and a new bezel made of an extremely hard ceramic material which greatly resists damage and discoloration. The numbers on this bezel are filled with a fine layer of gold (the stainless steel version features a bezel that has platinum encrusted numbers), using a process of physical vapor deposition.