Among its latest new releases unveiled at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024, Rolex has added a new stainless steel GMT-Master II to the lineup. Featuring the same split-color black and gray bezel as the solid gold and two-tone models that debuted last year, the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR pairs its updated bezel with the green GMT hand and green dial text as the black and green left-handed GMT-Master II that debuted in 2022.
For all intents and purposes, the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR is essentially a new colorway for the existing generation of stainless steel models. However, it does represent a slightly new configuration for Rolex’s lineup of multi-timezone travel watches, that (more-or-less) combines the dial and handset of the black and green stainless steel mode (ref. 126720VTNR)l with the black and gray bezel from the solid 18k yellow gold and Yellow Rolesor GMT-Master II watches from last year. Aside from the new colorway, the watch is otherwise identical to its stainless steel counterparts from the current series, which means that it features a 40mm Oystersteel (904L stainless steel) case that is fitted with a flat sapphire crystal (with the obligatory Cyclops magnification lens), along with a Triplock screw-down crown and solid screw-down caseback that guarantee its 100 meters of water resistance.
Just like the rest of the models from the current GMT-Master II lineup, the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR is powered by the brand’s Caliber 3285 automatic GMT movement, which features the brand’s Chronergy escapement and runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Additionally, just like the other stainless steel models from the current-production generation, the new GMT-Master II 126710GRNR is available with either the brand’s three-link Oyster or five-link Jubilee bracelets, and both versions are completed by Rolex’s Oysterlock clasp with the brand’s Easylink comfort extension system.
Now, where the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR differs from its siblings is when it comes to its dial, hands, and bezel insert. Aside from the placement of the date window, which now appears at the usual 3 o’clock location, the dial is otherwise identical to what can be found on the black and green left-handed ref. 126720VTNR, and it features a gloss black surface, applied white gold hour markers that are filled with Rolex’s blue-glowing Chromalight lume, and white printing with the “GMT-Master II” name appearing in green letters on the lower half of the display. Similarly, the handset is also the same as its black and green siblings, with polished white gold Mercedes-style hands and a GMT hand that has a matching bright green shaft.
The bezel insert fitted to the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR features the same split-color black and gray style that can be found on the two-tone and solid yellow gold models that debuted at Watches & Wonders last year, although rather than having yellow gold PV-finished numerals, the bezel fitted to this latest stainless steel model features platinum PVD-coated numerals to match its case. Given that this black and gray split-color bezel debuted on both solid gold and two-tone models last year, many people guessed that it might get carried over to the stainless steel models, although the small green highlights on the dial and hands are slightly unexpected since they already exist on the left-handed ref. 126720VTNR, and most people assumed Rolex would embrace a different color for this latest version.
Since the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR is essentially just a new colorway of the existing stainless steel models, it costs the same as its siblings, and it is accompanied by an official retail price of $10,700 USD when paired with the Oyster bracelet, or $10,900 USD, should buyers opt for the more intricate Jubilee bracelet. Ever since the GMT-Master II with an all-black Ceramic bezel (ref. 116710LN) was discontinued a handful of years ago, there has been a strong desire for Rolex to bring back a more understated version of the GMT-Master II, as the only options available for the stainless steel models were fitted with rather vibrant bezels. However, the introduction of the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR marks the return of a more subtle colorway, and I imagine that this model will be quite popular among those who are fans of the concept of the GMT-Master II, but who don’t want a bright red, blue, or green bezel on their everyday watch. For more information on the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710GRNR, please visit the brand’s website.
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