GMT-Master II Yellow Gold SA

The GMT-Master was developed in 1955 in collaboration with Pan American World Airways for their pilots who needed to track multiple time zones as commercial transatlantic flight became routine. The solution — a rotating 24-hour bezel combined with an additional GMT hand — allowed pilots to read home time, local time, and a third time zone simultaneously. The bicolour bezel inserts that distinguish the GMT-Master's variants — 'Pepsi' (blue and red), 'Batman' (blue and black), 'Coke' (black and red), 'Root Beer' (brown and gold) — have become some of the most recognisable nicknames in the watch collecting community. The GMT-Master II, which allows independent setting of the local hour hand, remains one of Rolex's most coveted professional models.

One year after the introduction of the new style GMT-Master II 116718, Rolex expanded its collection with three gem-set variations: the 116718 SA, SANR and SARU.