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Rolex GMT-Master II for sale in NYC

GMT-Master II references with Pepsi, Batman, Root Beer, Sprite and black bezels, from the five-digit 16710 to the ceramic 116710LN and the current 126710 models on Oyster and Jubilee bracelets.

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Built for pilots

Rolex made the first GMT-Master in 1954, the ref. 6542, working with Pan American World Airways for crews crossing time zones. A 24-hour hand and a two-color rotating bezel let a pilot read home time and local time at once. In 1982 the GMT-Master II, ref. 16760, added an hour hand that could be set on its own, so the wearer could change local time without stopping the watch. The bezel colors became nicknames that collectors still use.

Case, bezels and bracelets

Modern GMT-Master II models measure 40mm. Bezel inserts were aluminum until 2005, when Rolex moved to Cerachrom ceramic, which resists fading and scratches. The red and blue Pepsi and the blue and black Batman are the best known. The brown and black Root Beer comes in Everose Rolesor or full Everose, and the green and black Sprite has its crown on the left side. Recent steel models are offered on both the Jubilee and Oyster bracelets.

References to know

The 16710 (1989 to 2007) is the classic aluminum bezel model, offered in Pepsi, Coke and black. The 116710LN (2007 to 2019) brought the black ceramic bezel and the calibre 3186. The 116710BLNR Batman of 2013 was the first two-color ceramic bezel in steel. The current generation uses the calibre 3285: the 126710BLRO Pepsi from 2018, the 126710BLNR Batman from 2019, the 126711CHNR Root Beer in Everose Rolesor and the 126720VTNR Sprite. The 116719BLRO is the white gold Pepsi made before a steel version returned.

Buying advice

On aluminum bezel models, the insert fades with sun and age, and replacement inserts are common. A faded original adds character for some buyers, but confirm it is correct for the watch. On ceramic models, check that the bezel colors match the reference, since Pepsi and Batman inserts get swapped onto other watches. Make sure the independent hour hand jumps cleanly in one-hour steps and the date follows it. Confirm whether the bracelet is the original Jubilee or Oyster, because both exist for the BLRO and BLNR.

Prices are listed on every watch. Call or text to see GMT-Master II pieces in person by appointment in the Diamond District in Midtown Manhattan.

Questions

Rolex GMT-Master II questions

Pepsi or Batman: which should I buy?

Mechanically they are the same watch. The Pepsi's red and blue bezel is brighter and harder to get at retail, which keeps its market price higher. The Batman's blue and black bezel is quieter and pairs easily with dark clothing. Both come on the Jubilee or Oyster bracelet in current form. Choose the colors you will enjoy wearing every day.

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

On the original GMT-Master the 24-hour hand moved with the hour hand, so the main hands always showed one zone. The GMT-Master II, from 1982, lets you jump the main hour hand on its own, which makes changing local time easy when you land. All current models are the II. Vintage GMT-Master pieces are collected for their history and aluminum bezels.

Is the 16710 still a good watch to wear?

Yes. The 16710 is a robust five-digit reference with the calibre 3185, or the 3186 in late examples, and an aluminum bezel that many collectors prefer to ceramic for its softer look. Its bracelet is lighter than the modern one, with hollow end links on most years. Check bezel condition, service history and whether the insert is original.

How do I use the bezel to track a third time zone?

Set the 24-hour hand to home time while the main hands show local time. To read a third zone, turn the bidirectional bezel by the number of hours of difference and read the 24-hour hand against the bezel scale. The ceramic bezels click in 24 one-hour steps, which makes this quick and precise, even on a moving plane.

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