The Rolex GMT-Master II: A True Testament to Functional Brilliance and Artistic Mastery
The Rolex GMT-Master II captures the very essence of watchmaking brilliance and innovation, beautifully marrying functionality with enduring sophistication. The watch is an ultimate statement piece designed for connoisseurs and wayfarers. However, the GMT-Master II is so much more than your elegant and luxurious tool watch, it's an icon that elicits a powerful feeling of nostalgia when you just look at it. While it exquisitely transcends its core purpose, which is to help pilots and travelers precisely keep time for a variety of time zones, the watch has, over the years, also managed to become a cherished and in-demand item for collectors and enthusiasts from all walks of life.
A certain part of its charm and sheer elegance lies in the innovative and absolutely awe-inspiring design revealed in the original GMT-Master, which Rolex later evolved into the GMT-Master II. And the reason why watch enthusiasts are in love with the timepiece is due to its design versatility and the fact that the company consistently strives to introduce newer, advanced, and more innovative iterations of the watch. For instance, the GMT-Master II boasts beautiful Cerachrom bezels and features Chronergy escapements.
Looking into the History of the Rolex GMT-Master II In a Nutshell
As one of the most sought-after Rolex watches, the GMT-Master II is essentially a modern version of the original GMT-Master, which was unveiled to the world in 1955. The initial timepiece was designed and manufactured in partnership with Pan Am Airlines (Pan American Airways) as a tool watch for pilots and frequent travelers, helping them keep time in multiple time zones during long flights. The GMT-Master boasted incredible features such as a 24-hour bezel, and an innovative 24-hour arrow-tip hand embedded in the dial, offering the wearer to keep home and local time concurrently.
The GMT-Master was quite a successful line by Rolex, enjoying a massive production run that dominated the watch industry until 1999, even selling after its successor (the Rolex GMT-Master II) was introduced in 1982. However, after the GMT-Master II was unleashed, it quickly became popular honoring its forerunner's classic design while bringing a bunch of modern and very interesting design factors such as a red and black bezel and a sapphire crystal insert.
While the GMT-Master II enjoyed its cosmetic makeover, the primary update in the new series is perhaps the most noteworthy. The Rolex GMT-Master II was designed with adjustable hour hands that can be moved independently. This type of movement helps the individual set the 12-hour hand without moving the 24-hour hand, enabling the display of multiple time zones by just looking at the dial alone. This essentially helps free the bezel for additional movement, allowing the wearer to set a third-time zone. This is also why GMT-Master II has a relatively fatter case size to accommodate the complex and innovative complication.
Important Reasons Why Rolex Watches Command a High Price
The Company Uses 904L High-Grade Stainless Steel
One of the many reasons Rolex watches are instantly recognizable, luxurious, and timeless is that the brand uses ultra-quality materials, giving them an unmatched and memorable design. The company utilizes high-grade 904L stainless steel to manufacture its elegant collections. This type of steel is significantly stronger, more durable, and offers a brilliant shine compared to the standard 316L steel, which is typically used by other luxurious watch brands. Apart from being a very expensive material, what's even more unique about the 904L steel that Rolex uses is the fact that it isn't exactly easy to make. The company started using this steel in its watches in 2003, making its timepieces corrosion-resistant and infinitely more durable.
Considering that the brand also manufactures all its watches in-house, Rolex also had to bring in new tools and machinery that could fast-track the production of 904L steel, which means that manufacturing the material in-house takes a lot of expertise and skills.
Rolex Owns Different Types of Research and Development Facilities
Rolex is also renowned for its visionary approach to developing high-quality and innovative watches. The company owns a variety of internal research facilities with dedicated labs and departments where top-tier teams of watch engineers and scientists painstakingly and diligently work to design luxurious Rolex watches. In addition, the company also has special research departments and watch testing rooms where engineers and craftsmen perform stringent testing processes to ensure the durability and functionality of each timepiece. They have meticulous processes to rigorously examine the cases, bracelets, and movements of all the watches.
The Brand's Focus on Top-Quality Mechanization
As one of the most revered and respected watch companies throughout the world and one that has an everlasting demand, it's safe to say that the company has invested millions of dollars in cutting-edge machines and semi-robotic watchmaking processes. Rolex uses state-of-the-art automation techniques that help engineers and scientists by taking over repetitive or monotonous tasks such as item packaging, component tray retrieving, semi-assembling, etc.
Intricately Hand-Assembled Complications and Movements
While Rolex uses robots in the watchmaking process, it's important to understand that the functions performed by them are rather simplistic, such as filing, cataloging, and things of the sort. When it comes to building watch movements, complications, bracelets, and other core aspects of all Rolex watches, rest assured, the company uses highly experienced craftsmen and artisans to meticulously hand-assemble each timepiece to achieve absolute perfection and brilliance.
It would be an understatement to say that the company is very particular about its quality control. Each timepiece is double and triple-checked before it is sent for chronometer certification. The brand ensures that if there are any defects or malfunctions in the watches, they should be detected before the watches depart from the factory and are placed on display cases at Rolex dealerships.
Rolex Has a Skilled Roster of Gemologists
To ensure the company always transcends expectations, producing truly elegant and state-of-the-art watches, Rolex has an exceptional team of experienced gemologists at its disposal. These intricate experts and craftsmen have a stunning eye for detail and are involved in the painstaking tasks of testing and procuring precious and expensive materials such as yellow and white gold, and diamonds. They are responsible for meticulously setting gemstones in ultra-extravagant Rolex watches. In addition, the brand also collaborates with traditional jewelers who help the company hand-pick quality materials and set them by hand.
Noteworthy Features of the Rolex GMT-Master II
Brilliant Legibility
Like any other Rolex watch, the GMT-Master II also features exquisite legibility as it’s built-in with a Chromalight display. Each hand, except the second hand, is fitted with luminescent markers. The same goes for all the shapes within the dial, such as the triangles and squares – all are fitted with luminescent technology that provides longer-lasting and exceptional glow.
Oystersteel
The brand incorporates the use of its legendary Oystersteel for all its stainless steel cases. The material is exclusively manufactured by Rolex, in-house. The Oystersteel is made from high-grade 904L stainless steel, which is said to be only used by Rolex. It is a high-quality material with excellent corrosion-resistant properties and is mainly used in chemical and aerospace industries. The material provides long-lasting durability and a brilliant finish once the watch is polished. In addition, the Oystersteel is also renowned for retaining its elegance in the harshest of environments.
Calibre 3285 Movement
A movement specifically designed for globetrotters and pilots, the GMT-Master II boasts the incredible Calibre 3285 complication that helps wayfarers easily set their local time using the winding crown. The best part, the wearer won't have to stop the watch to make this adjustment, which means the 24-hour hand will remain undisturbed. This will help people concurrently read both their local time and home time.
Bidirectional Rotatable Bezel
The Rolex GMT-Master II also features an intricately designed bi-directional bezel that can be rotated backward and forward. The brand manufactured this rotation mechanism using a trigonal spring that enables the bezel to be smoothly rotated, sounding a crisp click when being set at any position.
Celebrities That Wear Rolex GMT-Master II Rolex Watches
Tom Selleck
When it comes to notable Hollywood actors and legends with an iconic watch collection, it is difficult not to mention Tom Selleck's luxurious collection of expensive timepieces. Selleck, known for his ruggedly handsome looks and charismatic personality, was propelled to fame after he starred in the hit television show Magnum, P.I. Selleck was in his thirties when he was offered the role. The actor managed to nab several awards for the TV show, including 1 Golden Globe Award, 1 Primetime Emmy Award, and 1 People's Choice Award, among many others. Renowned for wearing elegant watches, Selleck is also the proud owner of a Rolex GMT-Master II.
Rob Lowe
Another celebrated Hollywood actor and producer, Rob Lowe started his career as an actor when he was in his teen years, starring in a plethora of memorable movies and TV shows in the 80s such as The Outsiders, Oxford Blues, About Last Night, and many other productions. He is also a two-time Screen Actors Guild Award winner as an outstanding performer in the hit political TV series The West Wing. In addition, he has also been nominated for several awards and accolades throughout his illustrious career. Lowe is also known for his stylish lifestyle and love for elegant Rolex watches and owns a black and blue bezel GMT-Master II in ceramic.
Orlando Bloom
British actor and heart-throb, Orlando Bloom is also among some of the most well-known artists in the world. Famed for his role as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings and Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Bloom is also the recipient of several awards and accolades – he is the winner of 1 Critics Choice Award, 1 Hollywood Film Award, and 1 Screen Actors Guild Award. An accomplished and cherished celebrity, Orlando Bloom is also reputed for his amazing collection of prestigious watches and also owns a GMT-Master II.
Trevor Noah
Being one of the most popular and celebrated comedians throughout the world, Trevor Noah hosts The Daily Show on Comedy Central. The show has also won an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award and has achieved several Emmy nominations in the category of Outstanding Variety Talk series. The South African's rise to fame and fortune began in 2008 when the young comedian was selected as a participant in Strictly Come Dancing (a reality show for dancing). A year later, Noah took a shot at stand-up comedy and starred in The Daywalker, which went on to become a hit comedy act, selling 1,100 seats However, the actor and comedian is also known for his outstanding sense of humor and for wearing luxurious watches and was also seen wearing a Rolex GMT-Master II in Everose gold.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
A superb striker of the ball, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a legendary soccer player with a larger-than-life personality. Known for his elegant technique and exceptional goal-scoring capabilities, Ibrahimovic was also among the key players in history that have represented the iconic Serie A league's top three teams – Juventus, Milan, and Inter. A media sensation who has an eye for luxury, the now-retired Zlatan is a celebrated and cherished player throughout the globe known for his outspokenness and a great sense of humor. However, the 34-time trophy winner is also reputed to own some luxurious timepieces, more notable of which is the Rolex GMT-Master II VTNR.
Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior
Another skilled and globally renowned soccer sensation, Neymar Junior was among the ace strikers for FC Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain before being drafted for the Al-Hilal SFC. As one of the richest and most renowned soccer players of his generation, Neymar is praised and cherished for his exquisite ball dribbling skills, exceptional speed, and unmatched acceleration. The Brazilian has won 6 Samba Gold Awards and the third position for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d'Or. Off-field, the talented athlete is known for his extravagant lifestyle and love for expensive watches and was seen wearing an oyster bracelet GMT-Master II.
Bottom Line
Synonymous with beauty, prestige, and reliability, Rolex watches are a symbol of stature and elegance. They're designed for both form and function – and can brilliantly be used for different sporting activities as well as be worn for different formal and casual occasions. If you're in the market for a Rolex GMT-Master II, be sure to visit one of the Avi & Co. Rolex stores located in NYC, Miami, and Aspen or shop on our website. Avi & Co. is the #1 retailer of Rolex watches in NYC.