Rolex GMT II Ceramic vs Rolex GMT II Non-Ceramic are two of the most iconic Rolex timepieces ever made for Pilots and World Travelers. You can’t go wrong with either Rolex GMT II. We will be going through the features of both models. However, the GMT is both a stunning timepiece and a great tool watch that can help just about any person that needs to work with 2 timezones.
The GMT Master II has a bright red 24 hour hand that works together with the 24 hour bezel to keep track of a 2nd time zone. This is a perfect solution for Pilots who are always traveling between time zones. But it is also a perfect tool to help business people, sports athletes and entertainers who are traveling from one performance to another. Rolex has dubbed this the Cosmopolitan Watch for people that are the globetrotters of the world.
The GMT Master II is considered by many as the best Rolex made. Although there are single color bezels available, the most iconic GMT bezel is the 2 tone color. Many people have dubbed these with unique names which match other famous brands.
For example the Blue and Red bezel GMT is dubbed the Pepsi since the famous Pepsi brand uses these colors on their soft drink cans. There is also the “Root Beer” model with a combination of brown and black on the bezel. The “Batman” model combines the caped crusader’s colors of Blue and Black on the bezel of this timepiece.
Rolex GMT II Ceramic vs Rolex GMT II Non-Ceramic
The GMT-Master was launched in 1955, it was made in collaboration with the top rated Pan American Airways and issued to crews on long-haul flights. Utilizing the 24 hour rotatable bezel, they could set the time zone easily, to address all aviation planning, weather forecasts, schedules and paperwork.
the GMT-Master II was released in 1982 which added the feature to allow for an adjustable quickset hour hand without disturbing the minutes and seconds hands. This allows pilots to turn their watch to the current time where they land and still track their home town time with the 24 hour hand.
In 2005 the 50th anniversary edition of the GMT Master II was released. This version added the Parachrom hairspring and a Triplock Waterproofness crown to protect it from water damage. Two years later in 2007 they launched the Ceramic bezel version.
Ceramic material is designed to be more scratch and fade resistant. This new Ceramic model also comes with a heavier band that is more luxurious and has a more precise clasp. This replaces the aluminum insert which had been used since 1959.
Initially Rolex was unable to make the 2 tone color bezel on the GMT using the Ceramic material. Particularly the iconic Red color was problematic. So, Rolex had to reintroduce the 2 tone colors back to the GMT Master II collection starting in 2013.
The non-ceramic timepieces were powered by the caliber 3185, vs the new 3186 that was introduced with the ceramic version. However, the new GMT-Master II, released only in the past couple years, is powered by a new 3285 which gives a much more powerful 70 hours of power reserve. The water resistance of all three timepieces is still 330 feet.
Of all the timepieces produced by Rolex, the GMT Master II is probably the most recognizable timepiece in the collection. Even though collectors still scramble after the Daytona, more people will recognize the Red and Blue GMT Master as the epitome of the Rolex Brand.
Rubber B has pioneered the art of creating perfect bands for the Rolex GMT-Master II using the highest quality vulcanized rubber on the planet. Made in Switzerland, these bands are engineered to precisely fit the GMT-Master II case.
Rubber B has four different series – the Classic series which supports the original buckle from Rolex, the Tang Buckle Series, powerful Velcro Series, and now the new Rubber Cuff Series. For more information on all of the options for the iconic Rolex GMT-Master II with all the color options and clasp options, visit our page here.
