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 famous Genevian watchmaker revealed this beauty!
A yellow gold Oyster mono-block case is set with 92 brilliant-cut diamonds & the eye-catching bezel set with baguettes sapphires – baguettes rubies – baguettes diamonds as the hour markers!
Back 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 self-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.
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”.