Rolex GMT Master II Review

The GMT Master II is my first pilots watch. That’s right – even though the Master II is cosmetically similar to many Rolex dive style watches (like the Submariner and Sea-Dweller) the original GMT Master was conceived as a tool for airline pilots. You see, back in the 1950’s innovations in aviation technology made transatlantic travel a more appealing option than ever before. The airline PAN AM quickly emerged as a leader in transatlantic travel by jet plane. Not surprisingly it was PAN AM pilots that were first afflicted with the phenomenon which became known as “jet lag.” Jet lag affects those who make frequent transitions between time zones – the “internal clock” of the human body has a difficult time playing “catch up.” PAN AM theorized that if pilots had tool for not only tracking the time in their current time zone, but also the time in their “home” time zone, then it would help lessen the effects of jet lag. PAN AM approached Rolex on this idea, and the two companies worked together to create the GMT Master

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that the GMT Master II – especially the “Pepsi bezel” Master II (so named because the red and blue bezel resembles the Pepsi cola logo) isn’t for everyone. The casual Rolex fan would be better served by the more versatile 16610 Submariner, or even the all black bezel version of the Master II. But most Rolex purists prefer the red and blue bezel version which more closely resembles the design and look of the original GMT Master. It also has a look which is very distinctively associated with Rolex. But for most, the bold colors of the red and blue bezel evoke a strong, polar response – either you love it or hate

Cosmetic appeal aside, the GMT Master II is a very functional tool for those who travel between time zones – here’s how it works: Simply set the red arrow “GMT” hand to track the time of your home time zone, but matching it to the corresponding hour on the 24 hr. graduated markings on the bi-directionally rotating bezel. Next, set the “standard” hour hand (the one with the Mercedes symbol) to the time of whatever time zone you’re in currently. As you move between time zones, you can move the “standard” hour hand up or back in hour increments – without actually stopping the movement to do it. The beauty of the GMT Master II functionality is the ability to adjust the time without having to stop the second hand. It is this functionality that separates watches like the Rolex GMT Master II, and the Omega Seamaster GMT from other, lesser functioning watches

from.http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/gmtmaster2review.html