Topnotch, reliable, and functional watch – GMT Master II is developed by Rolex’s iconic brand. It was designed and built to aid air pilots while on their journey. Initially created to address aviation challenges in the 1940s and ’50s, this watch is both stylish and functional in its rights. Indeed, GMT Master II is a rebirth that fusions the 50’s and the modern times. Learn more about this model here:
The Origin of Rolex GMT Master II: A Fusion of Vintage and Modern Times
Rolex GMT-Master II is an heir to the original GMT- Master launched in 1955. It served as a navigation instrument for traveling across the globe. The GMT – Master was a significant innovation in the aviation industry, which answers the need for a watch that could simultaneously read two different time zones.
The watch got its name from Greenwich Mean Time – the point at which solar time is measured at the Royal Observatory located in Greenwich, London. Most importantly, the name stands for the time zone from which other time zones are measured.
Now, its successor Rolex GMT Master II carries the same function and a lot of enhanced specifications. In 1983, Rolex launched this improved version and since then had been a popular item for pilots and aviation personnel. Later, it also captured the interest of some members of the public. Particularly of travelers. During the 90’s replaced the original GMT Master as the flagship watch for Rolex’s aviation series.
Product Specifications:
MODEL CASE
OYSTER ARCHITECTURE: winding crown, screw-down case back, monobloc middle case,
MATERIAL: Oystersteel
DIAMETER: 40 mm
WATER RESISTANCE: Waterproof to 100 meters / 330 feet
CRYSTAL: Cyclops lens over the date and scratch-resistant sapphire
BEZEL: Bidirectional rotatable 24-hour graduated bezel. Two-color red and blue Cerachrom insert in ceramic, molded numerals, and graduations.
WINDING CROWN: Triplock triple waterproofness system, Screw-down
THE JUBILEE BRACELET
BRACELET MATERIAL: Jubilee five-piece links
MATERIAL: Oystersteel
CLASP: Features a Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link
The Movement
MOVEMENT: Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, GMT function
CALIBRE: 3285, Manufacture Rolex
PRECISION: -2/+2 sec/day, after casing
WINDING: Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
POWER RESERVE: Approximately 70 hours
FUNCTIONS:
Centre hour, minute, and seconds hands.
24-hour display. Second-time zone with independent rapid-setting of the hour hand. Instantaneous date. Stop-seconds for precise time setting
CERTIFICATION
Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)
THE WATCH DIAL
DIAL: Black
DETAILS: Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence
GMT Master II Functionality, Reliability, and Style
It features a traditional hour hand, minute and second hands, a bidirectional rotatable bezel with a 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert, and a triangle-tipped 24-hour hand. The emblematic dual-colored bezel is also a head-turner. Moreover, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a Cerachrom insert built from tough ceramic. Each of these bezels takes a lot of hard work to form. It requires 40 hours to create, and engraving is only possible after dipping it in a thin yellow gold or platinum layer. This Cerachrom insert is divided into two halves: one for daytime hours and the other for nighttime. The color of red and blue, which is the GMT Master’s original colors for the Cerachrom insert, was a product of a technique exclusive to Rolex.
Again, the brand showcased their superiority as a brand by these innovations.
This watch’s ultimate functionality lies in its display, which can either tell professionals and travelers alike the local time, reference time, local time, and alternative time zone.
The GMT – Master II features caliber 3285, a movement that allows users to easily adjust their local time via the winding crown without affecting or stopping the 24- hour hand. This function will enable travelers to simultaneously read their local time and the time “back home.” This watch power reserve is approximately 70 hours, proving that it would not fail the users when talking about reliability. Moreover, the traditional hour hand (local time) is linked to the date change.
GMT Master II is exceptionally resistant to corrosion.
This is for the reason that Rolex used Oyster Steel for all its watch cases. Moreover, the company developed Oyster Steel by itself-. Oystersteel belongs to the 904L steel family. These are alloys mainly used in aerospace and chemical industries. The brand takes pride in its technology of producing the top of the line and extremely corrosion-resistant watches.
Another modification from the original GMT – Master is the Oysterlock used for the Jubilee bracelet. Rolex created the five-piece Jubilee bracelet for the Oyster Perpetual Datejust model debut in 1945. The Jubilee bracelet in GMT- Master II is equipped with a Rolex-designed and -patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp, preventing accidental opening. The modified bracelet also features the Easy comfort extension link. This link allows the length extension to increase by 5 mm. Rolex also developed a concealed attachment system that provides seamless visual continuity between the case and the bracelet.
This company presented a new level of style and luxury after GMT Master II was made available in Everose Gold. While the ‘Batman’ colorway featuring black and blue bezel was introduced as additions to the GMT- Master II family. The iconic brand also released a white gold option that features a red and blue Cerachrom bezel insert- this comes with a Meteorite dial and a superior display. These features added more attention for this watch.
The green seal in any Rolex watch is proof of authenticity and superior quality. It symbolizes the status of a Superlative Chronometer. This seal confirms that a watch has successfully undergone a series of final controls by Rolex in their laboratories. Moreover, the seal is an addition to the official COSC certification of the watch’s movement.
In A Nutshell
Unquestionably, as an established brand, the company had successfully leveraged each new version of their watch series. The GMT Master watch as an aviation instrument remained to be as reliable as before through the years. The modifications made it more functional and stylish at the same time. Moreover, the purpose of creating GMT Master watch and the modern improvements makes the fusion of vintage and modern time possible.
