Rolex GMT-Master II Gets New Bezel in Grey and Black Ceramic

We’ve seen more than our fair share of GMT-Master II bezel combinations over the years, from the standard Pepsi to the glamorous Root Beer to the entirely hypothetical Sprite. But now Rolex are ushering in the darkest timeline with the new combination of grey and black. Sure, it’s not as exciting as a new Daytona or the new 1908 collection, but it’s a looker all the same.

I won’t hark on about the Rolex GMT-Master II too much. If you’re reading this, you likely already know all about the consummate traveller’s timepiece, able to pick out three different time zones at once. It’s an absolute classic, and now comes in two new variations.

On the one hand we have Rolesor, Rolex’s spin on bi-colour with yellow gold and Oystersteel (yes it looks dark in Rolex’s images, but it is just steel). On the other, the return of full yellow gold to the collection. Both come on the ever-lovely Jubilee bracelet and both come with a new Cerachrom bezel in grey and black.

Again, skip in the high likelihood that you already know, but bi-directional GMT bezels are split into two colours to denote day and night. Here, day is denoted by the light grey ceramic and night by the black. It’s an incredibly subtle colourway, one that I’d love to see on a (dare I say it?) titanium model. As it is, more options for the tri-time-zone timepiece the better, and it’s good to see the full gold make a return for the most well-heeled of jet-setters.

Inside is the Perpetual calibre 3285, the 2018 take on the independent GMT hand movement, complete with a 70-hour power reserve. There’s no update here, just a solid, consistent movement. So yes, not the flashiest release, but still a nice twist on the GMT-Master II Formula. Long may it reign.