The Rolex G.M.T. Master & G.M.T Master II
Horizons Held: The Jet-Set Saga of the Rolex GMT-Master History
At Ace Watch in Houston, Texas, we chart courses through the cosmos of fine timepieces, specializing in pre-owned gems that span continents. As guardians of vintage Rolex GMT-Master watches and Rolex GMT-Master models, we're aloft with excitement to navigate the Rolex GMT-Master history—a whirlwind of wanderlust engineered for the world's first globe-trotters. Whether you're a frequent flyer eyeing a classic Rolex GMT-Master or a collector charmed by its bicolored bezels, this voyage charts the dual-time dynamo that syncs souls across time zones.
Queries like Rolex GMT-Master history and vintage Rolex GMT-Master propel enthusiasts into the stratosphere, evoking silver wings and sapphire skies. This versatile Rolex hallmark, with its 24-hour hand for second-time mastery, is a beacon for Houston travelers craving authenticated pre-owned Rolex GMT-Master watches that bridge borders with effortless panache.
Wings of Innovation: The 1955 Pan Am Debut in Rolex GMT-Master Origins
The Rolex GMT-Master history takes flight in 1955, as the jet age dawned and Pan American World Airways commissioned Rolex for a watch to track dual times amid transatlantic hops. Reference 6542 burst onto the scene—a 38mm Oyster Perpetual with a bakelite bezel in red-and-blue "Pepsi" for intuitive 24-hour navigation, powered by the automatic Calibre 1036 at 18,000 vibrations per hour.
Crafted for pilots like Juan Trippe's crews, it featured luminous markers, a fourth hand for GMT reference, and 50m water resistance via screw-down crown. Early ads hailed it as "the watch of the jet pilot," its bidirectional bezel a 24-hour compass rose—igniting the Rolex GMT-Master chronometer as the airborne ally in an era of shrinking skies.
Altitude Adjustments: Early Evolutions and the Iconic Pepsi Ref. 1675
By 1959, refinements soared with Ref. 1675, swapping bakelite for durable aluminum bezel and upgrading to the Calibre 1565 for smoother sweeps. This 40mm workhorse, produced through 1980, embodied vintage Rolex GMT-Master resilience—its Pepsi fade from ruby to sapphire a patina prized by aviators and aficionados, while crown guards shielded against cockpit jostles.
The 1970s introduced the "Long E" bezel (elongated 'E' in "GMT-Master") and matte dials for glare-free reads, cementing the 1675 as a cornerstone of Rolex GMT-Master models. Variants like the tropical dial (browning lume) whisper of sweaty hangars and high-altitude hauls, their chapter ring and Mercedes hands legacies of legibility in the clouds.
Cola Codes: The Coke and Root Beer Bezels in GMT Variety
In 1981, the Ref. 16700 unveiled the "Coke" bezel—red-and-black for a caffeinated twist—paired with the Calibre 3075's quick-set date. This evolution in Rolex GMT-Master history catered to diverse routes, while the 1983 Ref. 16753 "Root Beer" blended brown-and-gold for warmer climes, its nipple dial and engine-turned bezel a flavorful detour from the Pepsi standard.
These bicolored beacons expanded the GMT's palette, with the 1990s Ref. 16710 (Coke or Pepsi) incorporating sapphire crystals and Calibre 3175 for 48-hour reserve—transforming pilot tools into traveler totems, their bezel clicks a tactile tally of time shifts from Houston to Heathrow.
Stratospheric Shifts: Modern Milestones in the Rolex GMT-Master Line
The GMT-Master ascended into the 21st century with 2007's Ref. 116710 "Blackout"—monochromatic stealth via all-black bezel and Calibre 3186, a nod to military minimalism. Then, 2013's Ref. 116710LN introduced ceramic Cerachrom for eternal luster and platinum PVD numerals, its 100m rating a high-flying fusion of form and function.
2018's Ref. 126710 "Pepsi" revived the aluminum homage in Cerachrom, slimming to 40mm with Jubilee bracelet and Calibre 3285's 70-hour reserve—boasting +2/-2 accuracy via Chronergy escapement. The 2019 left-handed "Destrol" (Ref. 126711CHNR Root Beer in Rolesor) flipped the script, while 2022's all-steel Pepsi cemented its comeback in Rolex GMT-Master models.
Bezel Brilliance: From Bakelite to Cerachrom
Bezel breakthroughs—from fragile bakelite prone to cracking, to fade-resistant Cerachrom etched with laser precision—define the GMT's durability. These evolutions in vintage and modern Rolex GMT-Master watches ensure colors pop eternally, from the "John Mayer" black bezel to Batman blues, delighting dual-time devotees.
Cockpit to Culture: Jet Streams of the Rolex GMT-Master Icon
The GMT-Master jets beyond runways, adorning James Bond's wrist in *Spectre* (Ref. 116719BLRO Blizzard) and Eric Clapton's stage, its Pepsi swirl a staple in rock 'n' roll rotations. Rolex's enduring Pan Am ties and sponsorships like the America's Cup keep it airborne, while 2025 finds it on influencers from Tokyo to Texas, syncing lifestyles across latitudes.
With steel models on stratospheric waitlists and pre-owned classics soaring in value, it remains the gold standard for traveler chronometers, its 24-hour hand a horizon in miniature.
The Eternal Flight: A Boundless Bearing in Rolex GMT-Master Legacy
The Rolex GMT-Master soars undimmed—a dual-time dynamo whose rotations map the marvel of movement from 1955's propeller push to 2025's supersonic strides. In the firmament of luxury horology, it charts unmatched courses: a watch that doesn't just keep time but conquers it. For the souls who span skies, the Rolex GMT-Master calls: your world awaits.
Ace Watch stocks pre-owned Rolex GMT-Master watches to fuel your odyssey—land at our Houston headquarters or signal us today to board your bezel-bound beauty. What's your favorite flight path with a Rolex GMT-Master? Touch down in the comments.
The Rolex GMT Master was first produced in 1954 and was named after Greenwich Mean Time, the world’s standard time. The first Rolex GMT Master was produced under reference number 6542. Rolex has always been known for specialty watches and the GMT Master was designed with pilots in mind. The first Rolex GMT Master was actually just a heavily modified version of the turn-o-graph. This allowed pilots to keep track of multiple time zones quick and easily thanks to the luminous Bakelite bezel insert. Unfortunately as useful as the bezel was, it would crack easily and it would eventually be replaced with a metal bezel in 1956.The bezel was marked with 24 hour markers and by a simple turn of the bezel, the pilot could keep track of the difference in time zones as they flew. For example if pilot was traveling from the east coast to central time zone they could move the dial over 2 hours and there was the correct time. When traveling through multiple time zones in a day it was important for the pilot to keep track of the correct time.
While useful for pilots the G.M.T. Master is still a favorite among Rolex collectors due to the combination of bezel colors. The most popular combinations being the “Pepsi” (blue and red), the “Batman” (black and blue), the “Root Beer” or ” Mocha” (brown and gold), & the “Coca Cola” (red and black).
Note from the Owner:
We are putting this page together to build a good resource for fans of the Rolex G.M.T Masters. While we try our best to put as much information into this resource as possible we are human and do make mistakes from time to time. If you notice a discrepancy or have a suggestion on something we should add to this page please use the contact form below or give us a call. We would love to hear from you. We want to make this the best resource for Rolex G.M.T Masters and G.M.T. Master II.
Rolex G.M.T. Master
Rolex G.M.T. Master 6542
When it comes to GMT Master’s the most desirable is the ref. 6542, with the original Bakelite bezel. The 6542 is the very first Rolex G.M.T. Master ever produced. Designed for Pan-Am pilots, the GMT Master became the choice among pilots when it comes to two-timezone watches. What sets the 6542 apart from later versions of this model is the Bakelite bezel. The luminous numerals on the bezel are actually filled in with Radium. The problem however with the Bakelite bezels was they were very fragile and would later be replaced with a metal bezel. Because of this, the models that still have the original Bakelite bezel are highly sought after and bring a great premium. As these watches aged the bezel and dial faded to beautiful, even discoloration of both the dial and the bezel in a deep terracotta tone. When faded the color was similar to the Root Beer GMT Master,though some have more of a red tone in the dial.
Caliber 1030 Automatic Movement 25 Jewel
38mm Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Oyster Band
Bakelite “red & blue” Bezel, Black Dial, Mercedes Hands
50 Meters / 165 Feet
1954-1959
Rolex G.M.T. Master 1675
“The Pepsi”
The Rolex G.M.T. Master 1675 was the second model of G.M.T.s produced. This was the first model that included crown guards. It also featured the aluminum red & blue bezel giving this watch its’ nickname “The Pepsi”. This model was available in stainless steel, 2 tone stainless and 18k gold and all 18k gold versions. They were also available with your choice of oyster, jubilee or leather strap band styles. This model also had a new dial inscription that read “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified.”
Caliber 1565 Automatic Movement 25 Jewel until 1964
Caliber 1567 Automatic Movement 25 jewel from 1964 to 1980
38mm Stainless Steel, Steel & 18K yellow gold, 18K Yellow Gold
Stainless Steel Oyster Band, 2 tone jubilee band or leather strap
Red & Blue Bezel, Black Dial, Mercedes Hands
50 Meters / 165 Feet
1959-1980
Rolex G.M.T. Master 16750
The Rolex GMT Master 16750 featured a new movement and glossy dials. Rolex started using the caliber 3075 movement, which featured a quick-set date. This model was in production till 1988 making it it a highly sought-after model of the GMT-Master series. While the 16750 looks almost exactly the same the changes where made on the inside of the watch. It has three specific technical upgrades when compared to the 1675. First, the model used of the new 3075 caliber, which runs at a higher beat of 28,800 bph. So, we have a gain in accuracy and a more robust and modern movement Additionally the 16750 added a quick set date function. Lastly Rolex upgraded the gasket employment and the 16750 was rated to 100M of water resistance compared to 50M on the 1675.
Caliber 3075 Automatic Movement 27 Jewel
38mm Stainless Steel,
Stainless Steel Oyster Band
Red & Blue Bezel, Black Dial, Mercedes Hands
100 Meters / 330 Feet
1981-1988
Rolex G.M.T. Master 16700
Caliber 3175 Automatic Movement 31 Jewel
38mm Stainless Steel,
Stainless Steel Oyster Band
Red & Black bezel, Black Bezel or Red and Blue Bezel.
Black Dial
Mercedes Hands
100 Meters / 330 Feet
1989-2001
The Rolex G.M.T. Master II
The Rolex G.M.T. Master 16760
“The Fat Lady” or “Sophia Loren”
Caliber 3185 Automatic Movement 31 Jewel
38mm Stainless Steel,
Stainless Steel Oyster Band
Red & Black bezel “Coca Cola”, Black Bezel or Red and Blue Bezel “Pepsi”.
Black Dial
Mercedes Hands
100 Meters / 330 Feet
1983-1988
Rolex G.M.T. Master II 16710
Caliber 3185 Automatic Movement 31 Jewel
38mm Stainless Steel,
Stainless Steel Oyster Band
Red & Black bezel “Coca Cols”, Black Bezel or Red and Blue Bezel “Pepsi”.
Black Dial
Mercedes Hands
100 Meters / 330 Feet
1989-2007
Rolex G.M.T. Master II 116710
The Rolex G.M.T. Master II model 116710 is the current model for the G.M.T. Master II. When the 116710 was released it was available with two new bezels. The Black and Blue “The Batman” and the light and dark brown “Root Beer”. They of course kept the classic Blue and Red “Pepsi” the Red and Black “Coca Cola” and the simple all black version. Besides the changes to the bezel they also offered new case and band combinations. You could now get the G.M.T. Master II in 2 toned 18K gold and stainless as well as a full 18K gold version. These changes helped to fill the gap between the G.M.T. and the Submariner as far as options. While very similar in looks these 2 models had vastly different uses as one is designed for pilots (The G.M.T. II) and one designed for diving “The Submariner”. Before this model if you wanted a 2 toned Rolex sports model you were forced to get the Submariner.
Caliber 3186 Automatic Movement 31Jewel
38mm Stainless Steel,
Stainless Steel Oyster Band
Blue and Black “Batman” Red & Black bezel “Coca Cola”, Black Bezel light brown and dark brown “The Root Beer” or Red and Blue Bezel “Pepsi”.
Black Dial
Mercedes Hands
100 Meters / 330 Feet
2007-current

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