The story behind the colour on the GMT-Master

If you have heard about Rolex, you must know the GMT-MAster, one of their most iconic models. Everyone is familiar with the GMT function, but today, let’s have a look at something else…

 

Did you know that the colours on the Rolex GMT Master watches have different meanings and stories behind them?

 

The GMT Master watches are designed to display two time zones simultaneously, one for the local time and one for the reference time. The bezel, which rotates in both directions, has a 24-hour graduated scale that can be used to read the reference time.

 

Photo source: Analog Shift

 

The colours on the bezel have changed over the years, reflecting the evolution of the watch, its technical performance, its market appeal, and its connection to the world of aviation and travel.

Some of the most iconic colour combinations are:

 

Photo source: Hodinkee

 

Red and blue (Pepsi): Inspired by the colours of Pan American Airways, the airline partnered with Rolex to create the watch. The red colour was also chosen for its easy legibility, and the blue colour looked black under the red cockpit lights, making it easier to distinguish between day and night.

 

Photo source: A Blog to Watch

 

Brown and gold (Root Beer): Intended to appeal to the Middle Eastern and Asian markets, where gold was more popular than steel.

 

Photo source: Squarespace

 

Black and red (Coke): Designed to match the black dial and the red 24-hour hand of the watch.

 

Photo source: Langedyk Vintage Watches

 

Black and blue (Batman): The first to feature a dual-color Cerachrom insert, a type of ceramic that is resistant to scratches and fading. The black and blue colours were chosen to create a contrast between day and night, similar to the original red and blue bezel.

 

Photo source: Ticking Way

 

Grey and black: A new shade that created a subtle contrast. The name ‘GMT Master II’ on the dial was also in a powdered yellow colour, adding a touch of elegance and refinement.

 

So now you know.

 

Whether it’s Root Beer or Pepsi you own, now you don’t have to wonder anymore why Rolex, a brand known for its seriousness, puts such funky colours on the bezel of its timepieces - after all, Rolex always knows what they’re doing.