The Rolex GMT-Master II occupies a singular position in the Rolex catalog: a purpose-built professional tool watch that has become one of the most recognized and sought-after timepieces in the world. Designed to track multiple time zones simultaneously, it has earned a devoted following among pilots, frequent travelers, and watch collectors who appreciate both its function and its character. Much of that character lives in the bezel, and the colorful nicknames attached to each configuration, including the Pepsi, the Batman, the Sprite, and the Root Beer, have become a language of their own among watch enthusiasts. This guide covers the history of the GMT-Master II, how the movement actually works, what each nickname means, and how to find the right version for your watch case.

The Origins of the GMT-Master

The story of the GMT-Master begins in 1955, when Rolex introduced Reference 6542 in partnership with Pan American World Airways. Pan Am's pilots were flying international routes that crossed multiple time zones within a single shift, and they needed a reliable way to track both their departure time zone and local time simultaneously. Rolex answered that need with the GMT-Master, a watch featuring a 24-hour hand and a rotating bezel that allowed the wearer to read two time zones at once. The original 6542 used a Bakelite bezel insert, which was later replaced with metal due to durability concerns in the field.

The GMT-Master proved popular well beyond the cockpit, and the design evolved steadily through the 1960s and 1970s. The pivotal update came in 1982 with the introduction of the GMT-Master II, Reference 16760. The key innovation was an independently adjustable hour hand, a feature that allowed travelers to set local time without disturbing the GMT reference hand. This made the watch significantly more practical for anyone crossing time zones regularly. The 16760 was a thicker watch than its predecessor, earning it the affectionate nickname the "Fat Lady" among collectors. The GMT-Master II has remained in continuous production since, with the current generation built around the Calibre 3285 introduced in stages from 2018 onward.

How the GMT Function Actually Works

The GMT-Master II displays three separate time references simultaneously, which sounds complex until you see it laid out clearly. The standard hour and minute hands show your current local time. A fourth hand, tipped with an arrow or similar indicator, completes one full rotation every 24 hours rather than every 12; this is the GMT hand, and it points to a reference time, typically UTC or your home time zone. The bidirectionally rotating 24-hour bezel allows you to align a second reference point, giving you the ability to read a third time zone by tracking where the GMT hand falls on the bezel scale.

What separates the GMT-Master II from its predecessor is the ability to set the local hour hand independently of the other hands. Using the crown, you can advance or pull back the hour hand in one-hour increments without affecting the minute hand, seconds hand, or the GMT reference hand. This means that when you land in a new city, you simply adjust the hour hand to local time and your GMT hand continues tracking your home reference uninterrupted. The bezel can then be set to a third city if needed, or left to serve as a day and night indicator for the GMT reference time.

The modern reference powering all current steel GMT-Master II models is the Calibre 3285, an in-house movement certified as a Superlative Chronometer to a tolerance of -2/+2 seconds per day after casing. It features a Chronergy escapement, a blue Parachrom hairspring for magnetic resistance, Paraflex shock absorbers, and a 70-hour power reserve. These are not incremental improvements; they represent a genuinely capable movement in a class by itself.

The Famous Bezel Nicknames

The nicknames assigned to GMT-Master II configurations are rooted in the color schemes of the bezels themselves, and once you know the logic, the whole system clicks into place.

Pepsi

The Pepsi is the original GMT-Master II nickname and the one most associated with the model's identity. The red and blue two-color bezel mirrors the color scheme of the Pepsi logo, and the nickname has been in use since the earliest GMT-Master references of the 1950s and 1960s. The modern steel Pepsi is Reference 126710BLRO, featuring a two-color red and blue Cerachrom ceramic bezel and a black dial. It is available on both the Oyster and the Jubilee bracelet, and the two bracelet options give the same watch meaningfully different characters.

The 126710BLRO was introduced in 2018 as the successor to the steel-cased iterations that preceded it, as well as the white gold 116719BLRO that had previously been the only ceramic Pepsi available. As of April 2026, the steel 126710BLRO has been officially discontinued following Watches and Wonders 2026 announcements, a development that has reinforced collector demand on the secondary market considerably. A white gold Pepsi, Reference 126719BLRO, remains in the current lineup for buyers drawn to precious metals.

Batman and Batgirl

The Batman configuration pairs a blue and black Cerachrom bezel with a black dial, the dark color combination earning the caped crusader comparison naturally. The original Batman was Reference 116710BLNR, introduced in 2013 as the first two-tone ceramic bezel Rolex ever produced, a significant manufacturing achievement that required proprietary production techniques. The modern successor, Reference 126710BLNR with the Calibre 3285, arrived in 2019.

The same watch on a Jubilee bracelet carries a different nickname entirely: the Batgirl. The five-link Jubilee bracelet, originally created in 1945 for the Datejust, shifts the character of the watch toward something more refined and polished. The blue and black bezel remains identical; only the bracelet changes, but among collectors, that distinction is enough to earn its own name. Both the Batman and the Batgirl are 40mm Oystersteel references with 100 meters of water resistance, sharing the same Calibre 3285 movement.

Sprite

The Sprite is the newest nickname in the GMT-Master II family, introduced at Watches and Wonders 2022 as Reference 126720VTNR. The green and black Cerachrom bezel, paired with a black dial featuring 18k white gold applied markers and a green 24-hour hand, draws the obvious comparison to the soft drink's color palette. What sets the Sprite apart from every other GMT-Master II is its "Destro" configuration: the crown is positioned on the left side of the case at 9 o'clock rather than the traditional 3 o'clock, designed for wear on the right wrist. The date window is repositioned accordingly to balance the dial.

The Sprite has carried exceptionally long retail waiting lists since its debut, making it one of the more difficult current references to acquire through authorized dealers. It is available on both Oyster and Jubilee bracelets and shares the Calibre 3285 specifications of the broader GMT-Master II lineup.

Root Beer

The Root Beer is the only nickname in the GMT-Master II family tied to a two-tone material combination rather than a purely steel configuration. The brown and black Cerachrom bezel is the visual anchor, and the modern Root Beer, Reference 126711CHNR, pairs it with a two-tone case and bracelet in Oystersteel and 18k Everose gold. The result is a warmer, richer aesthetic that suits dressier occasions more readily than the all-steel references. Rolex also introduced a solid 18k Everose gold version simultaneously, Reference 126715CHNR, for those drawn fully to precious metals.

The Root Beer name traces back to vintage GMT-Masters of the 1960s and 1970s, References 1675/3, 16753, and 16713, which featured brown-toned two-tone configurations in yellow gold and steel. The modern versions reinterpret that vintage character with contemporary materials and manufacturing standards.

Coke

The Coke configuration, a red and black bezel combination, traces its history to the original GMT-Master II reference, the 16760 "Fat Lady" from 1982, and continued through Reference 16710. The Coke never transitioned to a ceramic Cerachrom bezel and was phased out of production by 2007. It remains a beloved vintage reference among collectors, but it is not part of the current lineup.

Choosing the Right GMT-Master II for You

The practical question for most buyers comes down to a few key variables: steel or precious metals, Oyster or Jubilee, and which bezel color suits your style and how you plan to wear the watch.

All current steel references, the Pepsi (while available), the Batman and Batgirl, and the Sprite, share the same 40mm Oystersteel case and Calibre 3285 movement. The differences between them are primarily aesthetic. The Oyster bracelet is the three-link, sportier option that pairs naturally with casual wear and gives the watch a robust, tool-watch character. The Jubilee bracelet is a five-link design that reads as more refined and transitions more gracefully from a business setting to a weekend context. If versatility across settings is a priority, the Jubilee-bracelet versions are worth serious consideration.

If you are drawn to precious metals, the Root Beer two-tone 126711CHNR offers a balance point between the sport credentials of the GMT-Master II platform and the warmth of Everose gold. The solid Everose gold 126715CHNR and the white gold 126719BLRO Pepsi are natural choices for collectors who want the function of the GMT-Master II in a more formal material. Each of these references exudes a different personality while sharing the same core movement and case dimensions.

For first-time buyers, the steel Batman or Batgirl is often the most approachable entry point into the modern GMT-Master II lineup: the blue and black color scheme is eye-catching without being as overtly bold as the Pepsi, it is highly versatile across different settings, and the Jubilee version in particular suits a range of styles. Whichever reference draws you in, the 40mm case size and 100-meter water resistance make the watch genuinely wearable across nearly every context.

Find Your Ideal Rolex GMT-Master II at QD Watches

The GMT-Master II is one of the most rewarding timepieces to own, combining legitimate travel utility with a design that stands the test of time across every generation of the model. At QD Watches, our professional team can help you peruse the current selection of GMT-Master II references, from the sought-after Batman and Batgirl to the distinctive Sprite and the rich two-tone Root Beer, and find the configuration that best suits your style and your watch case. Explore the full Rolex GMT-Master II collection on the QD Watches website today!