The current Rolex GMT Master 2 “Pepsi” 126710 BLRO is the heir to the reference 1675 and not of the 6542 as claimed by Rolex (the Black Bay GMT is the heir of the 6542) when the timepiece was originally launched.
The Rolex GMT Master 6542 also housed a Plexiglas-made bezel with a scale and colours impressed on the back side; here is one of the features that make the first-ever Rolex GMT Master so sought-after.
From 1959 to 2014 – when the Cerachrom bezel appeared on the Pepsi (it initially appeared on the full gold model in 2005) – the two-colour insert was made of aluminium and dyed using a classic anodizing process – all the competitors adopted the same solution. Following a launch strategy introduced with other collections, the gold version paved the way for the steel one.
With the launch of the Rolex GMT Master 2 Pepsi 126710 BLRO, an almost silent change occurred on the Rolex GMT Master 2 116719 in white gold, too; it now houses a matt blue dial replacing the black one.
Interestingly, the Jubilee bracelet on the GMT Master 2 can not be replaced with the Oyster bracelet.
Before discussing models and technical characteristics, let’s discuss the GMT Master 2 price list. The entry price is 10,950 Euros (the steel option) and goes up to the 43,100 Euros you need to pay to get yourself the white gold reference 126719BLRO with a meteorite dial.
Despite most Rolex models dropping their quotations during the last year, a pre-owned Rolex GMT Master 2 still is an excellent investment. A mint pre-owned Batman currently sells (as of February 2023) at about 60% above its MRP, whereas its Pepsi sibling costs almost twice as much as a listed new Pepsi.
Pre-owned Rolex GMT Master 2 watches prove they are an excellent investment despite the ” bubble” exploding across the watch industry.
We’ll find out what the future holds now that Rolex has introduced its Rolex-certified pre-owned service and how it will affect product value. Last but not least, we can’t avoid discussing the new lefty Rolex GMT Master 2 Sprite; its street price is twice as much as retail.
The Rolex’s strategy and the GMT Master 2 awareness
Let’s first talk about how Rolex teased this GMT Master 2; here is a timepiece most enthusiasts have been waiting for so long. The brand’s strategy’s execution follows what they did when introducing the Rolex Sky-Dweller, for example, the difference being that the GMT Master’s awareness is far more significant.
We invite you to watch the video embedded here, showcasing an American veteran asking for his 1960 Rolex GMT Master’s quotation during a fair organized by Antiques Roadshow in the US.
Source: Antiques Roadshow
When the man acknowledges his Rolex GMT Master’s market value, he starts crying (he once bought two pieces, one for him and one for his father). It confirms how unique is this blue and red sports watch.
Case and bracelet
The centrepiece is the Cerachrom bezel with its wide, square font and the Jubilee bracelet. Such a mix adds presence to the case and dial.
The former is 40mm across but looks and feels more prominent given the Jubilee bracelet, which is visually lighter than the Oyster bracelet, adding a vintage touch (you can now opt for an Oyster bracelet, too). The bracelet carefully tapers your wrist.
The Cerachrom Pepsi insert was a challenge for Rolex and took years to achieve perfection. The process requires a first layer of blue to be applied, followed by an additional layer of red and the outcome is stunning, with a separation line between the two colours but a light mix of colours at the intersection (you can spot some very soft blue hues on the red part), especially on early models.
The Rolex calibre 3285.
The current Rolex GMT Master 2 product family adopts the last-gen calibre 3285. At launch, the white gold model was still housing the calibre 3186.
The new one offers superior finishes and is more efficient, providing a more extended power reserve level (increased from 48 hours to 70 hours). It is a massive improvement and more than welcome on a GMT watch.
Other changes include the Chronergy escapement and a better-engineered wheel train to foster precision and reliability.
The Rolex GMT Master 2 126710BLNR: why is it called Batman?
At Baselworld 2019, Rolex introduced the GMT Master 2 116710 BLNR, or the Rolex Batman, whose bezel sports the same colours as the legendary DC Comics hero’s costume.
Rolex has thus doubled its offering in stainless steel with a Jubilee bracelet, extended a collection including the eagerly wanted Pepsi already, and has stopped producing the black-Cerachrom-bezel-equipped variant, the Rolex GMT Master II 116710LN.
It has also temporarily phased out the Oyster bracelet, which was recently added as an option to both models.
The current GMT Master 2 collection only includes two-tone bezel models, all powered by the calibre 3285, mounting the Chronergy escapement and offering 70 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
The Rolex Sprite
In 2022, a new watch surfaced in the model’s collection. Enthusiasts nicknamed it the Rolex GMT Master 2 Sprite, to celebrate the renowned drink’s green and black livery. After introducing the Pepsi and Batman bezels, Rolex has thus launched a black and green bezel to display night and day, respectively.
The two-tone bezel’s new colour combination is not the headline news here; the breaking news is that this is the first left-handed GMT Master; the Rolex GMT Sprite adopts a crown placed on the left-hand side. The Rolex 126720VTNR comes at a slightly higher retail price than any traditional models and a far higher average market price, whose peak was insane after launch. The Rolex Sprite was among the novelties introduced by Rolex in 2022.
Rolex GMT-Master 2 126711CHNR Oystersteel and Everose Gold
If you’re looking for something more, you can opt for the Rolesor or the GMT Master 2 126711CHNR, nicknamed the “Root Beer”. When the new generation hit the market, this was the only option with an Oyster bracelet (full gold models excluded).
It has been the only option available for purchase for a long time, given the shortage of the Pepsi edition at launch.
The two-tone black and brown bezel is a cult.
Most people focus on the red and blue Cerachrom bezel, which is no breaking news since it was initially introduced with the White Gold Pepsi a few years back. What is new instead is the Oystersteel and Everose Gold GMT Master 2 black and brown bezel.
The design team perfected the Cerachrom bezel; Rolex is now capable of crafting a two-tone bezel whose separation line is seamless. In contrast, the Pepsi model somewhat disappointed the fans, given the not-perfect combination alongside the separation line, as stated above.
Never call it a dress watch; yet the Root Beer is an all-rounder.
You won’t define an Oyster sports watch as a dress watch, despite Rolex fans wearing their timepieces anytime, everywhere.
However, if you take one of the first Rolex ads, the brand featured a Submariner as a slender watch to prove it was an excellent choice when wearing a formal suit and a tie.
The Root Beer’s forerunner.
It is reference 16713, better known as the Tiger’s Eye. Although there are not so many similarities between a 16713 and the reference 126711CHNR, it is clear how Rolex took inspiration from this reference when designing the new GMT–Master II 126711CHNR Oystersteel and Everose Gold.
The Rolex GMT Master 2 Everose Gold 126715CHNR
Rolex watches crafted in Everose Gold showcase a warm, unique tone, thus pushing most competitors to develop their gold alloys in-house. The GMT Master 2 in Everose rose is no different despite being the toughest to wear, given its weight.
In the latest edition pictured above, the gold model is an upgrade of the Root Beer steel and gold model and is a more luxurious and fleshy option to its white gold sibling, which we regard as the soberest gold model. The entire rose gold case and bracelet highlight the mirror polish on the Oyster bracelet’s mid-links, the folding buckle, and the case side.
It is by far the most eye-catching model listed.
The Rolex GMT Master 2 Black 116710LN
It is the modern collection’s first release, showcasing the Cerachrom bezel and the Oyster bracelet before being replaced by the new Jubilee-bracelet-equipped models.
With the introduction of the Pepsi and Batman options, this model was finally discontinued. Despite housing the old-gen calibre, it is still highly sought after, thanks to a classic look and feel, hence a less-polarizing and sporty design compared to its two-tone bezel siblings.
The Rolex GMT Master 2 price
How much does a Rolex GMT Master 2 cost? After the latest price list increase, the collection starts at 10,950 Euros up to the 43,100 Euros required to get your hands on a reference 126719BLRO, i.e. the Rolex GMT Master 2 Pepsi meteorite. If you think a used model might save you any money, you’re wrong; here is one of the most valuable collections whose market price steadily ranks over retail.
(Photo credit: Rolex, Horbiter®)
Editorial team @Horbiter®
In this article:
GMT
It is the acronym for Greenwich Mean Time and identifies a complication capable of displaying two or more time zones on the dial. The complication usually couples a 24-hour rotating…
Bezel
The bezel is particularly useful on diving watches, allowing you to check dive times. In this case, it unidirectionally rotates and usually comes in two parts: a metal (or ceramic,…
Calibre
A calibre is the type of watch movement encased in an assigned timepiece. Its name is usually associated with the manufacturer's name and a standard code, e.g., ETA 2824.
Case
It encases the mechanical movement and is crafted in one or more parts. It can also be a single piece, as with some professional diving watches, or made of unconventional…
Line
It is the measurement unit that identifies the size of a movement. According to this measurement system, one line corresponds to 2,255mm.
Power Reserve
A mechanical watch feature displays, on the dial or the case back, the remaining power in a watch movement, showing the length of time until the timepiece must be rewound.
Crown
Placed on the case side, it winds the mainspring. When pulled out, it also sets the time and the date. A screw-down crown increases water resistance and protects the movement…
So the original was NOT on a jubilee then? I always preferred the Oyster bracelet myself, and own a Batman on Oyster.