Rolex GMT-Master II "Rootbeer" 126715CHNR

In 1955, Pan Am asked Rolex for a watch allowing pilots to track two time zones simultaneously. Rolex delivered the GMT-Master—a fourth hand completing one rotation every 24 hours, paired with a bidirectional bezel marked 1-24. Pilots could read home time and destination time simultaneously. The tool became iconic. This 126715CHNR updates that concept in solid 18K Everose gold.

Everose gold is Rolex's proprietary rose gold alloy, developed in their own foundry. Adding platinum prevents the colour from fading over decades—traditional rose gold oxidises and loses warmth. Everose doesn't. The entire watch—case, bezel, bracelet—uses this alloy. Forty millimetres, which wears larger than steel GMT-Masters due to gold's density and the Jubilee bracelet's visual presence.

The ceramic bezel insert uses two colours: black and brown. Rolex calls this combination "Root Beer" unofficially—collectors gave it the nickname decades ago when two-tone GMT-Masters featured similar colours. Creating a two-tone ceramic bezel required years of development. Rolex's patented process deposits a metallic coating on half the insert before high-temperature treatment. The result is permanent, scratchproof, fade-proof colour division. The 24-hour markings are engraved then filled with platinum PVD coating.

Black dial with applied Chromalight hour markers—18K gold surrounds filled with blue-glowing luminous material. The GMT hand is also gold with Chromalight. Date window at 3 o'clock with Cyclops magnification. The Jubilee bracelet—five-piece link construction originally designed for the 1945 Datejust—was reintroduced to the GMT-Master II in 2018. Solid Everose gold throughout. Oysterclasp with Easylink 5mm extension for micro-adjustments.

Inside: Calibre 3285, introduced in 2018 as Rolex's next-generation GMT movement. Seventy-hour power reserve (versus 48 hours in previous 3186), Chronergy escapement delivering 15% efficiency improvement, paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. Independently adjustable local-hour hand—jump the hour forward or backward without stopping the watch or affecting the running seconds. Twenty-eight jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour. Superlative Chronometer certified: -2/+2 seconds daily accuracy after casing.

The GMT function works simply: the 24-hour hand and rotating bezel track reference time (usually home). The standard hour hand tracks local time. When you land somewhere new, pull the crown to position two and jump the hour hand forward or backward. The 24-hour hand continues uninterrupted, maintaining your reference. Reading a third time zone: rotate the bezel so a different hour aligns with the GMT hand.

Good condition means this watch was worn but cared for. The polished Everose surfaces show light marks—inevitable with precious metal. The Cerachrom bezel remains perfect—ceramic doesn't scratch like aluminium inserts did. Bracelet stretch is minimal after two years. Full set includes both boxes (inner and outer), warranty card dated 2023, booklets, hangtags. Solid gold Rolex sports watches hold value exceptionally well—this reference combines modern technology with traditional precious metal appeal.

The 126715CHNR sits in interesting territory. Too expensive for casual GMT duties, too practical to be pure jewelry, too sporty to be formal. It's the watch you wear when steel feels insufficient but full dress watches feel excessive. The Root Beer bezel provides warmth without the flash of yellow gold. The Jubilee bracelet adds elegance without sacrificing comfort. Sometimes that balance is exactly what you need.