Rolex GMT Master II: Your Best Two Timezone Watch

When it comes to watches, Rolex created a name for itself. In the watch industry, it is one of the popular brands that made a name in history. With its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, back in 1905, Rolex came from a long way up until now. When you hear Rolex’s name, one would automatically think of the branded watches available in the market that depict high-quality and stylish timepieces.

From the humble beginnings of Rolex, many collections of various watches came out. To say the least, you have quite a roomful of selection for these watches. Up until today, innovations and new watches have come from Rolex; one recent one is the GMT Master ii.

The Rolex GMT Master II

This watch came to be as a collaboration project together with Pan American Airways. The main notable feature for this specific model is the two separate time zones at once. This is to address the need for pilots to be able to see the different time zones in the middle of a fight simultaneously. The name of the watch roots from Greenwich Mean Time. Greenwich 

Mean Time measures all other time zones available. The target market for this model is mainly the aviation crews, especially the pilot. But it was available for the public too. 

Newer versions of the GMT Master came out around 1959 and 1981. The first models got introduced in 1954. Around 1983, GMT Master II came to be, paving the way for the popular series’s rebirth. The GMT Master was continuously in production in the late ’90s. However, the GMT Master II became more in demand among the aviation line of Rolex. This model has an adjustable hour hand that allows the user to adjust in one-hour increases without interrupting the minute hand. Thus, a third-time zone is available for the wearer to read and know about at this point. GMT Master II gained its nickname of ‘The Fat Lady’ due to its thickness compared to the original GMT Master series. But despite the nickname, this watch is truly a masterpiece.

The modern version of GMT Master II displays a ‘Pepsi’ color having red, blue, and black. It has Oyster Steel and has a Jubilee bracelet, showcasing a classic look. It allows up to three days of power reserve. From 2013, the Oyster Perpetual GMT Master II comes with a single item of ultra-hand ceramic material. This material’s name is Cerachrom. It usually lasts approximately 40 hours to make each bezel dipped in a thin yellow gold or platinum layer. 

Later, Everose Gold became available for it, too, adding to the watch’s more luxurious appeal. 2019 gave way for the release of the new timepieces taking part in the GMT Master II series.

Rolex And Its History

Rolex is undoubtedly a popular watch brand that the world came to know of. From the man named Hans Wilsdorf during 1905, the history of Rolex began. With his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, Hans Wilsdorf started the Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd. back in London. It was not until the year 1908 that Hans Wilsdorf registered the Rolex name.

Following the name registration, Hans Wilsdorf then availed an office in Switzerland. By 1915, the company officially carried the name Rolex. There are various claims as to how the name Rolex came to be. But none of those claims received approval from the founder himself. 

A few of those stories were that Hans Wilsdorf followed George Eastman’s footsteps, founder of Kodak. Another theory was that Rolex came from the French phrase “Horlogerie exquise.” No matter which of the other stories are accurate about how the name came to be, it undoubtedly allowed people to say and remember it easily.

Swiss Certificate of Chronomatic Precision

Rolex received the Swiss Certificate of Chronomatic Precision, which came from the Official Watch Rating Center in Bienne during 1910. Rolex was the first wristwatch to receive this recognition. By 1926, the first waterproof watch came out. Rolex patented it, and it was the famous Oyster series.

1945 paved the way for a self-winding wristwatch, which indicates the date on the dial’s window. Rolex came first upon producing it. Released in 1953, the Submariner was the first waterproof timepiece out of many that followed after. It can withstand up to 100 meters in depth. Occurring in the same year, Rolex climbed Mt. Everest in an expedition where Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay came with.

Rolex was the first company to allow a watch to reach the Mariana Trench’s bottom during 1960. Helium escape valve got patented in the year 1967. By 1985, Rolex was the first to integrate a 904L stainless steel. 

Dating back to the 1940s, Rolex made submissions to Kew for them to undergo testing. Out of the 145 watches, 136 of them passed and received Kew A certificates. 

Adding to its rising popularity, Rolex became associated with a few celebrities. In some of the James Bond movies, Rolex made an appearance as the fictional character wore a few of them.

Final Thoughts

Rolex watches pose timeless elegance. When one hears the name Rolex, there was no question when it comes to quality and precision. Throughout its history, Rolex came first in almost all of its ventures in the watchmaking industry. It had its many first, including being the first watch brand to pass COSC. COSC is the official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

Moreover, if you read Rolex’s history, you won’t be surprised to figure out that it has a rich history. It would answer your question as to why it was and still is the leading brand in the line of watches.

Furthermore, Rolex was the leading innovative brand for waterproof cases, multiple time zones, and the dials’ date. Rolex became popular and had never disappointed in providing the public with notable and awe-worthy timepieces. 

Innovations are continuously happening, and we can expect more from Rolex in the years to come. Whether for gifting purposes or a personal one, a Rolex watch is the first out of the many choices you have. Not only will you have a variety of selections, but the quality and styles available would surely be favorable for you.