Description

The history of the Rolex GMT-Master debuted with a collaboration with the now defunct Pan American Airways, the first model was released in 1954-1955 and given to the crew on the long-haul flights. The major feature was the second time zone (GMT) with dedicated hand giving time on the rotatable red & blue bezel that had a 24-hour display, hence the “Pepsi” nickname.
The model became quickly popular as a pilot’s watch and very recognisable among international world travellers.
Various upgrades and metal variations were released over the years such as bi-color, full gold but the most famous remain the steel versions nicknamed respectively; Coke due to its red/black bezel, model that is discontinued today, Pepsi for the red/blue bezel and Batman for the blue & black bezel model.

*The present watch is the famous GMT Master II 116748SA in yellow gold with diamonds and blue sapphires, a yellow gold Oyster mono-block case and the eye-catching rotating bezel set with 30 baguettes in sapphires and 29 in diamonds, set in a way that the stones are decorated to delimit the hour markers.
Black dial with the date window at 3 o’clock and indexes in gold with luminescent coating as well as the central hands of hours – minutes – seconds – GMT.

The automatic-winding movement has a power-reserve of 48-hours and is known to be one of the most efficient. It is perfectly protected by the gold monobloc.

A full Oyster bracelet in yellow gold with Oysterlock clasp will fix this extremely limited and shinny timepiece around a lucky wrist.

Very rare full set available for viewing by appointment.

Rolex – bio

Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, initially as Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd. Renamed Rolex by 1908 and moved its base of operations to Geneva, Switzerland in 1919.  Their success is due to their innovation namely the legendary “Oyster” case – first water resistant watch and their extremely reliable movements.
The most famous models are Datejust, Day-Date, Daytona, Explorer, GMT-Master, Submariner and many more.
The company is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a family private trust.
One story, never confirmed by Wilsdorf, recounts that the name came from the French words “horlogerie exquise”‘è, meaning “exquisite clockwork”.