Rolex model

Rolex GMT-Master II: history, references and official videos

The Rolex GMT-Master II is the Rolex travel watch that shows a second time zone, and it grew out of the GMT-Master made with Pan Am in 1954. This page explains the generations, the bezel nicknames and what drives the value today – and shows the official Rolex videos about the model.

Introduced: 1982 (Ref. 16760); GMT-Master 1954
Movement today: Calibre 3285 (70-hour power reserve)
Bezel today: Cerachrom ceramic, 24-hour scale
Notable auction result: CHF 341,000 (GMT-Master Ref. 6542, 2016)

Rolex GMT-Master II – Connecting People Beyond Time Zones – official video by Rolex on YouTube

Where the GMT-Master II comes from

The story starts with the original GMT-Master, introduced in 1954 (some sources say 1955) and developed with Pan American Airways for its long-haul pilots and crews. Its fourth hand points to a second time zone on a rotating 24-hour bezel. The first reference, 6542, had a 38 mm case and a Bakelite bezel insert, which Rolex later replaced with anodized aluminum. The GMT-Master II followed in 1982 with Reference 16760. Its big change was a movement in which the local hour hand can be set independently in one-hour steps, so you can follow a third time zone without stopping the watch.

From GMT-Master to GMT-Master II

The original GMT-Master stayed in the catalog next to the new model for years: References 16750 and later 16700 were made until 1999. The table shows the main steps of the line.

Series	Years	References	Case	Movement
GMT-Master	1954 – 1959	6542	38 mm, Bakelite bezel	Calibre 1065
GMT-Master	1959 – 1980	1675	40 mm, aluminum bezel	Calibres 1535, later 1565
GMT-Master II	1982 – 1988	16760 ("Fat Lady")	40 mm, thicker case	Calibre 3085, independent local hour hand
GMT-Master II	1989 – 2007	16710	Slimmer case	Calibre 3185, later 3186
GMT-Master II	2007 – 2019	116710LN, 116710BLNR and others	Cerachrom ceramic bezel	Calibre 3186
GMT-Master II	2018 / 2019 – today	126710BLRO, 126710BLNR, 126720VTNR and others	Ceramic bezel	Calibre 3285

The 16760 is nicknamed "Fat Lady" for its thicker case and was made in steel with a red-and-black "Coke" bezel. Its successor, the 16710, was slimmer, ran for almost two decades and came with black, "Coke" and "Pepsi" bezels. In 2007 Rolex moved to a ceramic (Cerachrom) bezel insert, and the line has been in Oystersteel and gold versions ever since.

Nicknames and notable versions

Collectors name the GMT-Master II by its bezel colors. Knowing them helps you work out which version you own:

Pepsi: red and blue. In the ceramic era it first appeared only in white gold (116719BLRO, 2014), and came back in steel as Reference 126710BLRO in 2018.
Coke: red and black, used on the 16760 and 16710.
Batman: blue and black ceramic. Reference 116710BLNR from 2013 was the first steel model with this combination, and the 126710BLNR followed in 2019.
Root Beer: brown and black, in Everose gold or two-tone Rolesor since 2018, recalling the two-tone 1675 era.
Sprite: green and black, Reference 126720VTNR from 2022, with the crown on the left side of the case.

The current models run on calibre 3285, which has a 70-hour power reserve. The 126710 versions come on a Jubilee bracelet.

What is a Rolex GMT-Master II worth?

Value depends on the reference, the bezel combination, the case material, the condition and whether box and papers are present. Older pieces also depend on originality: faded or replaced bezel inserts, replaced dials and hands, and refinished cases all lower the price. Early GMT-Masters sit at the top of the market. At Phillips in Geneva on 15 May 2016, a yellow gold Reference 6542 with an unrestored brown Bakelite bezel sold for CHF 341,000 against an estimate of CHF 180,000 to 280,000. Most GMT-Master II watches sell for far less, but ceramic-bezel models with box and papers stay in steady demand.

Own a GMT-Master II? Upload a few photos and get a free value estimate: estimate my Rolex GMT-Master II · How much is my watch worth?

Official Rolex GMT-Master II videos

All videos come from the official Rolex YouTube channel. They show the watch, the 24-hour hand and the Oystersteel and gold versions – the setting guide is How to Set Your Rolex GMT-Master II.

More Rolex videos, sorted by model: all official Rolex playlists.

Sources (6)

SwissWatchExperts is not affiliated with Rolex. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners; the videos are embedded from the official Rolex YouTube channel.

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Frequently asked questions

When was the Rolex GMT-Master II introduced?

Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II in 1982 with Reference 16760. Its predecessor, the GMT-Master, dates from 1954 and was developed with Pan American Airways.

What is the difference between the GMT-Master and the GMT-Master II?

In the GMT-Master II the local hour hand can be set independently in one-hour steps, so the watch can follow a third time zone. The original GMT-Master only had the 24-hour hand and rotating bezel.

Which movement does the GMT-Master II have?

The 16760 used calibre 3085 and the 16710 calibre 3185, later 3186. Current models such as the 126710 run on calibre 3285 with a 70-hour power reserve.

What do Pepsi, Batman and Coke mean?

They are collectors' nicknames for the bezel colors: Pepsi is red and blue, Coke red and black, Batman blue and black. Root Beer is brown and black, and Sprite green and black.

What is a Fat Lady GMT-Master II?

The nickname of Reference 16760, the first GMT-Master II, made from 1982 to 1988. It has a thicker case than later models and a red-and-black bezel.

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