Rolex Oyster Perpetual

25 Dec 2019

The GMT-Master was developed to meet the needs of intercontinental airline pilots when it was first introduced in 1955, and over time has become the watch of choice for travellers.

Rolex now has a new incarnation of the distinctive dual-toned icon in the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, with a rotatable bezel and a two-colour 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert in blue and black ceramic. In Oystersteel and fitted with a Jubilee bracelet, the light reflections on the case sides and lugs highlight the profile of the 40 mm Oyster case.

With traditional hour, minute and seconds hands, a triangle-tipped 24-hour hand, and the 24-hour graduated bezel, the GMT-Master II can display the time in two time zones simultaneously, while the date remains synchronised with the local time. At its heart beats the new calibre 3285, which like all Rolex watches, carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, ensuring excellent performance on the wrist.

The emblematic two-colour bezel, available in a variety of colours and combinations, is what makes the design unique and instantly recognizable. In 2013, the introduction on a GMT-Master II of a single-piece, two-colour blue and black ceramic bezel was a milestone in the use of ceramics in watchmaking. Extremely corrosion-resistant and virtually scratchproof, their colours are of a rare intensity and unaffected by ultraviolet rays.

The new version of the GMT-Master II bears the same bi-directional bi-coloured rotatable bezel. Its moulded, recessed graduations and numerals are coated with platinum via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition).

The famed Oyster case, guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres, is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant Oystersteel. The winding crown screws down securely and is protected by an integral crown guard, while the sapphire crystal is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date.

At the heart of this watch beats calibre 3285, a new-generation self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, that offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability. More importantly, the power reserve now extends to approximately 70 hours.

Setting this version of the GMT-Master II apart is its Jubilee bracelet. Supple and comfortable, the five-piece link Jubilee bracelet was specially created for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Date just model in 1945, and is equipped with the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. The Easylink comfort extension link allows the bracelet length to be increased by an additional 5 mm.

A concealed attachment system ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case, enhancing the aesthetics of the 2019 edition of this emblematic timepiece.

`