Introduction
Released in 1954, the Rolex GMT-Master resulted from a collaboration between now-extinct airline Pan Am and Rolex on a watch that would display the time across two time zones at once. Thanks to the popularisation of commercial air travel, planes were becoming more advanced and traveling longer distances. This resulted in pilots crossing time zones during flights more frequently, and thus a need for uniformity across the aviation industry was highlighted. To eliminate errors caused by time confusion, the industry adopted a standard time-zone, Greenwich Mean Time. As such, the GMT-Master's fourth hand, its 2nd hour hand, was used to constantly display Greenwich Mean Time, as its model name implies, while its regular hour hand displayed local time. While the aviation industry's standard time-zone switched to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) in 1972, the name of the legendary GMT-Master was far too long in use for Rolex to change it. Today, the GMT-Master has become one of Rolex's most iconic models, with very few pilot's watches, if any, rivaling its level of fame, popularity, or signature design – and it certainly looks like it will stay that way.
Loupe This Scorecard
Grade
M 9.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Box and Papers
Est. value range
$12,000 – $16,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
40mm
Model
GMT-Master II
Movement
Automatic cal. 3285
Reference
126720VTNR
Bracelet
Stainless steel Jubilee bracelet
Year
2023
Condition
Like new
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch, box, and papers
Dial Color
Black
THE BEZEL
Introduced to the GMT-Master family for the first time in its history, the ref. 126720VTNR sports a wonderfully unique green and black Cerachrom bezel - a color pairing not usually seen on GMT models.
THE CONSTRUCTION
Perhaps its most notable design detail is the ref. 126720VTNR's left-handed 'destro' design, with its winding crown found at the 9 o'clock position, alongside its date bubble.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
The watch is in like-new condition, showing only very light signs of wear or handling. The original sticker remains on the clasp. The bracelet has 18 links, 6 of which are removable, with 4 additional links included, and fits an approximately 7½” wrist. The watch is accompanied by its inner and outer boxes, warranty card, booklet, and card holder.
Our Perspective
Easily the most visually unique and surprising launch from Rolex in several years, the Sprite is a spectacular timepiece that few, if anyone, could have predicted, given its large departure from Rolex's status quo.
Eric Ku
Co-founder
