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The History and Evolution of the Rolex GMT-Master II



The GMT hand in all models of the GMT-Master collection is synchronized with the hour hand. When the hour hand is adjusted, the GMT hand also rotates and aligns with the reference time (GMT/UTC). The wearer needs to rotate the bezel to read the time in other time zones.

In 1982, Rolex introduced a new movement that allowed the hour hand to be set independently of the other hands. To clearly represent this remarkable advancement and avoid confusion with the GMT-Master, the models equipped with this new movement were named GMT-Master II.

In the GMT-Master II, the GMT hand is independent of the other hands. The wearer can set this hand to any preferred time zone, and it will continue to track the reference time zone or other time zones without any reference from the hour hand or rotating bezel. Furthermore, the wearer can track a third time zone by rotating the bezel.

The first watch in the GMT-Master II collection is the Ref. 16760, also known as the Fat Lady. This 40mm diameter Oystersteel model is equipped with the newly introduced automatic caliber 3085 and features a black and red "cola" bezel. It is also the first Rolex GMT watch in Oystersteel to be equipped with a sapphire crystal. This model uses tritium tubes for luminescence. Production years were from 1983 to 1988.