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 world travellers.

Various upgrades and metal variations were released over the years such as bi-color and full gold but the most famous remain the steel versions nicknamed Coke red/black bezel – discontinued today, Pepsi red/blue bezel and Batman for the blue/black bezel. The present reference 126720VTNR is one of the latest additions, known as “Sprite” based on the black/green color scheme.

The famous Genevian watchmaker stays loyal to his iconic design and shapes. The present reference is the Rolex GMT-Master II “Sprite” 126720VTNR, it has the usual monobloc case of 40mm in stainless steel but with the bidirectional ceramic bezel in an exclusive black & green. When coupled with the black dial, this gives an amazing contrast to the whole watch. Luminescent hours markers with the central hands indicates the local hours & minutes while the green hand is the second timezone indicator that can be easily changed with the crown. Talking about the crown, its position is now reversed to the 9 o’clock position, for the pleasure of left-handers. The date is therefore visible right next to it with the « loop » effect to facilitate its reading.

The self-winding movement with a power-reserve of 70-hours is protected by the stainless steel monobloc for more efficiency.

A comfortable and gorgeous full Jubilee stainless steel bracelet with Oysterlock clasp completes this highly demanded model.

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”.