In this Rolex buying guide, we answer the age-old question: what is the difference between the GMT Master and the GMT Master II? There is no denying that there are many similarities between these two models. They both have a dual time zone function, a 24-hour bezel, and an extra hand on the dial. If you are not a very experienced collector, it may be difficult to tell the difference without holding the actual watch in your hands or paying close attention to the finer details. However, the Rolex GMT Master and GMT Master II differ in many ways, both in form and function. Let’s take a detailed look at one of the most iconic models, the Rolex GMT. 
To this end, Rolex has equipped the GMT-Master with a pair of central hour and minute hands to indicate local time, as well as an additional 24-hour hand that indicates a second-time zone by means of a rotating bezel pointing to the 24-hour marker.
At first glance, the GMT-Master and GMT-Master II may appear to be the same replica watch, but if you look under the hood, you’ll quickly see that the biggest difference between the two models is the type of functions offered by the watch’s internal movement.
As we mentioned before, the GMT-Master allows the wearer to read two time zones at the same time. In contrast, the GMT-Master II allows the reading of three separate time zones. Rolex achieves this by making the 24-hour hand independent of the central hour and minute hands.
Thus, while the central hand indicates local time, the 24-hour hand can move freely on the dial, pointing to the 24-hour bezel to indicate the time in the second time zone, while turning the rotating bezel in either direction indicates the time in the third time zone.
Depending on the specific reference and production period, the Rolex GMT-Master is available in stainless steel, yellow gold, and stainless steel two-tone, and all yellow gold versions. In addition, a number of different bezels are available, depending on the case material of the watch, including (on very early models) Bakelite blue and red, aluminum blue and red, aluminum black, aluminum brown and beige, aluminum brown, and aluminum blue (very rare). Both Oyster and Jubilee straps can be found on GMT-Master replica watches.
To add to the confusion, the luminous material used on the dial can also vary depending on the year of production. Radium was used in the early versions of the first GMT Master ref. 6542. However, Rolex soon replaced it with tritium after discovering how dangerous radium light was. In the late 1990s, luminous bodies replaced tritium.
In addition, Rolex offered more material options for the GMT-Master II: stainless steel, Yellow Rolesor, which pairs gold with stainless steel, Everose Gold, which pairs Everose Rolesor with stainless steel, pure white gold, pure yellow gold, and pure Everose Gold. What’s more, the choice of bezels is also more varied. Early in the GMT-Master II history, the bezel was made of aluminum and came in red and blue, black and red, brown, and black only.
However, starting in 2007, Rolex began equipping Rolex GMT-Master II watches with Cerachrom ceramic bezels. Today, the GMT-Master II is available in red and blue, black and blue, black and brown, and with a black ceramic bezel. Current production models feature only the two-color bezel variant. The all-black ceramic bezel option was recently discontinued along with number 116710. 116710. Only time will tell if it will make a comeback.
In addition, Rolex made an ultra-luxurious version of the best replica watches with a Serti dial and bezel set with precious stones such as diamonds, sapphires, and rubies. Depending on the specific reference number, the GMT-Master II is equipped with either an Oyster bracelet or a Jubilee bracelet. Finally, the GMT Master II features virtually all of the luminous materials used by Rolex in its production process, including tritium, luminous bodies, superluminous bodies, and finally Chromalight. Chromalight is the latest and greatest luminous light offered by Rolex and is prized by the brand for its stark white appearance in the light and its bright blue glow in the dark.
Many Rolex GMT Master and GMT Master II watches have earned popular nicknames for their color schemes, including Coke (red/black), Pepsi (red/blue), Root Beer GMT Master (brown/beige), Root Beer GMT Master II (brown/black), Blueberry (all blue) and Batman (black/blue). Other fascinating monikers include the Pussy Galore ref. 6542, named for its association with James Bond, and the Sophia Loren/Fat Lady, named for its thicker case.
At the turn of the century, Rolex focused solely on making the GMT-Master II series and discontinued production of the GMT-Master model. And Rolex continued to enhance their famous line of pilot’s watches with new models, materials, and movements that we see year after year. Clearly, this is a Rolex watch that will continue to soar for decades to come.
