W&W 2022 The New Left-Handed Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR

The GMT-Master was made for airborne adventure. Now the watch of choice for travellers, it connects people beyond time zones.

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. This required changing the precision testing process for some of the final controls carried out as part of the Superlative Chronometer certification. The date aperture and the Cyclops lens have also moved and appear at 9 o’clock.

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 the model. This original timepiece highlights the GMT-Master II’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.

One instrument, several time zones

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 daytime 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 a 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.

High-technology ceramic

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 hightech 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.

The Oyster case, symbol of waterproofness

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.

Perpetual calibre 3285

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. 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.

Oyster bracelet and Oysterlock safety clasp

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.

Technical specifications

Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II

Reference: 126720VTNR

Case

• Material: Oystersteel case, brushed and polished
• Diameter: 40 mm
• Bidirectional rotating bezel with black and green Cerachrom insert
• Glass: Scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Screw-down caseback
• Left-sided winding crown with guards
• Cyclops lense over the date
• Water-resistant to 100 meters

Dial and hands

• 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)

Movement

• Calibre 3285, Manufacture Rolex
• Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
• Parachrom hairspring
• COSC chronometer-certified
• Number of jewels: 31
• Frequency:  28,800 vph (4 Hz)
• Power reserve of 70 hours

Functions/Indications

• 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

Strap and buckle

• Three-piece Oystersteel bracelet, brushed and polished
• Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with extension system

MSRP: EUR 10'500

For more information, please visit rolex.com