Rolex is unveiling a novel, unexpected version of the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II. On this watch, the crown and crown guard are on the left side of the watch case. The date aperture and the Cyclops lens have also moved and appear at 9 o’clock. This required several technical adjustments in terms of the movement and the Superlative Chronometer certification, for which the protocol, as well as some of the final tests, had to be adapted.

Made from Oystersteel and fitted with an Oyster bracelet, this watch features a two-colour monobloc Cerachrom bezel insert in green and black ceramic – a colour pairing never before seen on this model.

With its unique design and wealth of technical innovations, this original GMT-Master II highlights the model’s readiness for discovery and reinterpretation.

The new version of the GMT-Master II is equipped with calibre 3285, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology, enabling it to display the hours, minutes, seconds and date, as well as an additional time zone in 24-hour format.

Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

Designed as a navigation aid for professionals criss-crossing the globe, over time the GMT-Master became the watch of choice for travellers. It has a unique and instantly recognizable design with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a 24-hour graduated insert, which has been made available in various dual-colour combinations – the lower half symbolizing day-time and the upper signalling night-time – as well as in single colour versions. The GMT-Master, a true ‘tool watch’, evolved continually to offer increasing technical performance. In 1982, Rolex unveiled the GMT-Master II, with a movement that allowed the hour hand to be set independently of the other hands.

With traditional hour, minute and seconds hands, a triangle-tipped 24-hour hand, and a bidirectional rotatable bezel with 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert, the GMT-Master II can display the time in two time zones simultaneously: either the local time and the reference time, or the local time and that of an alternative time zone. The date is synchronized with the local time.

Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for creating monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. Not only are these materials virtually scratchproof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. Rolex has developed exclusive expertise and innovative manufacturing methods that grant it complete independence in the production of these ceramic components.

On the new version of the GMT-Master II, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a two-colour, 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert in green and black ceramic. The moulded, recessed graduations and numerals are coated with platinum via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition). The bezel can also be turned with ease thanks to its knurled edge, which offers excellent grip.

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 40 mm Oyster case of the new GMT-Master II is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, a particularly corrosion-resistant alloy. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case. The crystal, which is fitted with a Cyclops lens for easy reading of the date, is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement.

The new version of the GMT-Master II is equipped with calibre 3285, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2018 and introduced on the model the same year. At the forefront of watchmaking technology, this self-winding mechanical movement led to the filing of several patents, and offers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.

Calibre 3285 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, it is also insensitive to magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with an optimized blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance.

Calibre 3285 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 3285 extends to approximately 70 hours.

The new version of the GMT-Master II is fitted with an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal bracelet in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.

The Oyster bracelet on this new version features the Rolex-designed, patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm. In addition, a concealed attachment system ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case.


Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.

The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

References	:	Case 126720 VTNR • Bracelet 79200 Oyster
Category	:	Oyster Perpetual Professional
Case	:	Oystersteel Oyster (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown)
Safety	:	Integral crown guard
Diameter	:	40 mm
Middle case	:	Oystersteel, satin finish with polished sides
Bezel	:	Oystersteel, bidirectional rotatable 24-hour graduated monobloc two-colour Cerachrom insert in green and black ceramic; moulded, recessed numerals and graduations coated with platinum via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition)
Case back	:	Oystersteel, solid, screw-down with fine fluting
Winding crown	:	Triplock in Oystersteel, screw-down, triple waterproofness system
Crystal	:	Scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective coating Cyclops lens over the date with double anti-reflective coating
Waterproofness	:	100 metres (330 feet)
Movement	:	Calibre 3285, Manufacture Rolex Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
Precision	:	−2 /+2 sec/day, after casing
Functions	:	Centre hour, minute and seconds hands Local time via conventional hands, independent rapid-setting of the hour hand Reference time via additional 24-hour hand Instantaneous date at 9 o’clock, secure setting via the hour hand Stop-seconds for exact time setting
Oscillator	:	Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz) Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring Rolex overcoil Large balance wheel with variable inertia High-precision regulating via four gold Microstella nuts Traversing balance bridge High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
Jewelling	:	31 rubies
Power reserve	:	Approximately 70 hours
Dial	:	Black lacquer Hour markers in 18 ct white gold, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow) Hands in 18 ct white gold, green lacquer 24-hour hand, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)
Certification	:	Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing) International five-year guarantee
Bracelet	:	Oyster, three-piece solid links Oystersteel, polished centre links, satin-finished outer links with polished edges
Buckle	:	Oysterlock folding safety clasp Easylink comfort extension link (approx. 5 mm)