The Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer”: A Pilot’s Watch with a Sweet Past
The Rolex GMT-Master II "Root Beer"
Few watches carry a nickname as warm as the "Root Beer." The Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR pairs a black and brown bezel with steel and 18K Everose gold. The result is a travel watch that feels as much like jewelry as a tool.
A pilot's watch with a sweet past
The GMT-Master was born in 1954, built for airline pilots who needed to read two time zones at once. A fourth hand circles the dial every 24 hours, and the rotating two-color bezel separates day from night. In 1982 the GMT-Master II added an independently set hour hand, making it easy to jump between zones.
In the 1970s and 80s, Rolex offered two-tone versions with brown and gold bezels. Collectors nicknamed them "Root Beer" for their soda-fountain colors, with ref. 16753 the best-known example. When Rolex revived the look at Baselworld 2018 with the 126711CHNR, the nickname came right back.
The details up close
The 40mm Oyster case combines Oystersteel with 18K Everose gold, Rolex's own rose gold alloy that resists fading. Rolex calls this pairing Everose Rolesor.
The star is the bezel. It's Cerachrom, a ceramic made from zirconium dioxide and fired at over 1,500°C, so the black and brown halves stay rich and scratch-resistant for decades. The numerals are filled with a thin coat of Everose gold.
On the glossy black dial, Everose markers glow with Chromalight lume, and a solid gold 24-hour hand tracks the second time zone. A Triplock screw-down crown keeps the case water-resistant to 100 meters.
Inside is calibre 3285, a newer movement with Rolex's patented Chronergy escapement. Its parts are built to resist magnetism, which keeps timekeeping steady in everyday life.
Why collectors love it
The Root Beer sits in a sweet spot. It has the tool-watch heritage of a true GMT, yet its warm tones dress up as easily as they dress down. The brown and black bezel is a quieter alternative to the brighter "Pepsi" and "Batman," and it pairs naturally with denim, tailoring and tan leather alike.
It also connects a modern watch to a vintage story. Wearing one nods to the 1970s originals while enjoying today's ceramic, movement and finishing. For anyone who travels, or just loves a watch with personality, the 126711CHNR is one of the most complete GMTs Rolex makes.
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