Rolex GMT-Master II 40mm 126710BLRO “Pepsi”
The legendary red-and-blue GMT bezel returns in Cerachrom, complemented by a black dial, Jubilee bracelet, and calibre 3285.
$26,595
ROLEX GMT-MASTER II
Designed for international aviators in 1955, the GMT-Master II tracks multiple time zones via its 24-hour rotating Cerachrom bezel and independent hour hand.
Rolex GMT-Master II 40mm 126710BLNR “Batgirl”
A black-and-blue Cerachrom GMT bezel meets the fluid comfort of a Jubilee bracelet in this travel-focused Rolex icon.
$22,795
Model History & Buyer Guide
GMT-Master II: Two Time Zones and a Bezel That Names the Watch
From Pan Am Tool to Modern Traveller
Rolex developed the GMT-Master with Pan American World Airways in the mid-1950s so flight crews could read a second time zone at a glance. The GMT-Master II, introduced in 1982, added an independently adjustable hour hand — the local hour can be moved forward or back in one-hour steps without disturbing the minutes, seconds or the 24-hour hand.
That independence is what separates a real GMT-Master II from a watch that merely displays a 24-hour hand. On inspection, the local hour hand should jump cleanly in one-hour increments while the running seconds continue undisturbed.
Bezel Colours Are Separate Markets
Current 40 mm production runs on 1267xx references with calibre 3285 and roughly 70 hours of reserve. Colour combinations carry their own market identities: 126710BLRO in blue and red, 126710BLNR in blue and black, 126711CHNR in brown and black Everose Rolesor, and 126720VTNR in green and black with the crown and date at nine o'clock.
Bracelet choice compounds this. Several references are offered on both Jubilee and Oyster, and the two do not trade at the same level. The discontinued ceramic 116710LN and 116710BLNR, and the earlier aluminium-insert 16710, form distinct segments again — never price them against current stock.
Rolex GMT-Master II Price Guide
Indicative secondary-market ranges in US dollars, researched from current market estimates and live dealer listings and updated August 2026. These are not fixed valuations: condition, originality, production year, service history, and completeness can move an individual watch outside the range.
| Reference | Configuration | Typical Pre-Owned Price | Market Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 126710BLRO | 40 mm Oystersteel, blue and red bezel | $18,000 — $24,000 | Jubilee and Oyster versions trade separately |
| 126710BLNR | 40 mm Oystersteel, blue and black bezel | $16,500 — $21,000 | Bracelet choice and full-set status set the spread |
| 126720VTNR | Green and black bezel, crown and date at nine | $18,000 — $25,000 | The left-handed layout is polarising and demand is uneven |
| 116710LN | Discontinued all-black ceramic bezel | $12,500 — $16,500 | Condition and papers matter more than year here |
| 126711CHNR | Everose Rolesor, brown and black bezel | $19,000 — $26,000 | Gold content supports the lower bound |
Understanding GMT-Master II
Function is consistent across the line; bezel colour, bracelet and generation are what set one GMT-Master II apart from another.
| Feature | Function | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Independent hour hand | Jumps in one-hour steps without stopping the movement | The defining GMT-Master II feature and a quick authenticity check |
| 24-hour bezel | Rotates to read a third zone against the 24-hour hand | Two-colour Cerachrom inserts are difficult to produce and name the watch |
| Calibre 3285 | Current automatic with about 70 hours reserve | Distinguishes 1267xx watches from the discontinued 1167xx generation |
| Jubilee or Oyster | Two factory bracelet options on several references | Materially changes both the wearing experience and the price |
Reference-Level Buying Checklist
Use the exact reference—not the family name alone—to verify the following points before purchase.
| Check | What to Verify | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| GMT function | Hour hand jumps independently in both directions | Confirms a true GMT-Master II rather than a re-dialled or damaged watch |
| Bezel insert | Colour, ceramic or aluminium, and fit in the bezel | Inserts are replaceable and a swapped colour changes the market identity |
| Bracelet and end links | Correct reference, end-link codes and clasp | Jubilee and Oyster versions of the same reference do not price alike |
| Case and lugs | Crown-guard shape and evidence of polishing | Over-polished cases lose the crisp geometry buyers pay for |
Frequently Asked Questions
About GMT-Master II
What do Pepsi, Batman and Sprite mean?
They are informal market nicknames for bezel colourways — blue and red, blue and black, and the green and black left-handed reference. Rolex does not use these names.
Can the GMT-Master II show three time zones?
Yes. Local time on the centre hands, a second zone on the 24-hour hand, and a third by rotating the bezel against that hand.
Is the discontinued 116710LN a lesser watch?
No, it is a different generation. It uses calibre 3186 and a slightly different case and bracelet, and it occupies its own price segment rather than sitting below current stock.
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Looking for a Specific GMT-Master II Reference?
Our specialists can compare references, movements, condition, service history, and set completeness. Contact Atlas Luxury for current GMT-Master II availability or help sourcing a particular configuration.