Unveiled at this year’s Baselworld, the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II is a new variation of last year’s model, featuring a fresh color combination — the blue-and-red ceramic bezel replacing the earlier black-and-blue version. The red ceramic tone is notoriously difficult to produce, making this model particularly special. This color pairing also continues Rolex’s six-decade tradition of iconic bezel schemes: black, black-blue, and blue-red.
The 40mm Oyster case offers 100 meters of water resistance and is crafted from 18K white gold instead of the 904L stainless steel used in the 2013 model, giving it a slightly weightier wrist presence. The black lacquer dial retains the series’ signature layout, with luminous white hour markers and a date window at 3 o’clock. The red GMT hand distinguishes this model from its predecessor, while the blue-red 24-hour bezel represents night and day, respectively.
Inside beats the Rolex Calibre 3186, an automatic movement equipped with a blue Parachrom hairspring made from a niobium-zirconium alloy, offering superior resistance to magnetism and shocks, with a 48-hour power reserve.
A bit of history — The original GMT-Master I was developed in 1954 through a collaboration between Rolex and Pan Am Airways, created specifically for intercontinental flight crews. It featured a rotating 24-hour bezel to track a second time zone. In the early 1980s, Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II, enhancing the movement to include an independently adjustable hour hand—allowing for a third time zone when combined with the rotating bezel. This generation also introduced precious metal and gem-set versions.
For enthusiasts in Shanghai, the “The Rolex Experience” exhibition at the Bund offers an opportunity to view this GMT-Master II along with the new Sky-Dweller and other Baselworld releases.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II
18K white gold case, 40mm diameter, sapphire crystal, fluted screw-down caseback, black lacquer dial, 18K white gold hands, Calibre 3186 automatic movement, 31 jewels, 28,800 vph, 48-hour power reserve, 18K white gold bracelet with Oysterlock clasp, water resistant to 100m.
Complication: Dual Time / GMT
