Rolex plays with materials for GMT-Master II dials, introducing green ceramic and tiger iron for the icon’s 70th birthday
Borna Bošnjak- Rolex introduces two new GMT-Master II variants, one in the lefty configuration with a new ceramic dial in white gold, and a delectable Everose gold model with a tiger iron dial.
- Both feature 40mm cases and Oyster-style bracelets.
- They’re powered by the 3285 true GMT calibre.
Is it just me, or does it feel like more and more that the ubiquitous Rolex is no longer the Submariner, but the GMT-Master? Rolex certainly seems happy to fuel my delusions with numerous iterations of the latter over the years, and we’re being graced with two more for this year’s Watches and Wonders. Unlike the all-out novelty of the Land-Dweller, though, this duo is not reinventing the wheel, but rather playing with well-known Rolex touches to spice up the successful travel watch. Both new Rolex GMT-Master II models are in precious metal – white and Everose gold – and feature unusual materials for their dials, just in time to celebrate the iconic model’s 70th anniversary.
The GMT Sprite now has an older, more luxe cousin in the white gold 126729VTNR, which also gets a green Cerachrom dial to match one half of its bezel. It’s a material Rolex has never before used for their dials, though one that brands like Omega have been using extensively, and with great success. There’s more matching going on with the dial, as all the indices are white gold like the case.
If you expected a stone dial, Rolex has got you covered, this time with an Everose gold-cased GMT-Master II and its tiger iron dial. I’ll be honest, I’m usually not too fond of modern, stone-dialled Rolex as it’s just too flashy for me, but this colour-matching exercise is truly a job well-done. The warm tones of the case play perfectly with the cracked dial surface, which almost reminds me of the crust that forms on top of lava, with hints of searing hot light peering through. This semi-precious stone is actually sourced from Australia – I’m sure our resident gemologist Buffy will have more to add in the coming days – but Rolex notes it as a combination of tiger’s eye, red jasper, and hematite.
Other than the dials, though, there’s not much new with these GMT-Master IIs. For most though, that shouldn’t be an issue, as the 40mm case recipe is a tried-and-true one, though I do see some preferring a Jubilee bracelet rather than the case-matching Oysters both of these come with. Water resistance still sits at 100 metres with a screw-down crown, and both the watches are equipped with the true GMT Calibre 3285, delivering 70 hours of power reserve with Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer certification.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126729VTNR and 126715CHNR pricing and availability
The Rolex GMT-Master II 126729VTNR with a green ceramic dial and 126715CHNR with a tiger iron dial are now available. Price: A$75,900 (green ceramic), A$80,300 (tiger iron)
| Brand | Rolex |
| Model | GMT-Master II |
| Reference | 126729VTNR 126715CHNR |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 12mm (T) x 48mm (LTL) |
| Case material | 18k white gold 18k Everose gold |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Green Cerachrom, white gold indices Tiger iron stone, Everose gold indices |
| Bracelet | Case-matching Oyster bracelet, Easylink clasp |
| Movement | Calibre 3285, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$75,900 (green ceramic) A$80,300 (tiger iron) |