The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II in 18 ct white gold with a meteorite dial and an Oyster bracelet.

This model is the only GMT-Master II with a meteorite dial. Meteorite comes from the heart of an asteroid or possibly even a planet that has exploded, propelling material across the Solar System until chance brings it into our planet’s orbit and gravity pulls it to Earth. During its journey, the centre of the meteorite is gradually transformed, producing highly unusual metallic patterns, resulting from the very slow cooling of molten asteroid cores. The designers at Rolex create from these configurations a unique treasure for some of the most prestigious models, including this GMT-Master II.

This model features a meteorite dial and a two-colour Cerachrom bezel insert in red and blue ceramic. In addition to conventional hour, minute and seconds hands, the GMT-Master II features an arrow-tipped hand, which circles the dial once every 24 hours, as well as a bidirectional rotatable 24-hour graduated bezel. The distinctively coloured 24-hour hand displays the “home” reference time in a first time zone which can be read on the graduations on the bezel. The traveller’s local time is easily set by “jumping” from hour to hour, thanks to an ingenious mechanism operated via the winding crown: the hour hand can be adjusted forwards or backwards independently of the minute and seconds hands. This allows travellers to adapt to their new time zone without affecting the precision of their timekeeping.

By operating its own exclusive foundry, Rolex has the unrivalled ability to cast the highest quality 18 ct gold alloys. According to the proportion of silver, copper, platinum or palladium added, different types of 18 ct gold are obtained: yellow, pink or white. They are made with only the purest metals and meticulously inspected in an in-house laboratory with state-of-the-art equipment, before the gold is formed and shaped with the same painstaking attention to quality. Rolex's commitment to excellence begins at the source.

The design, development and production of Rolex bracelets and clasps, as well as the stringent tests they face, involve advanced high technology. And, as with all the components of the watch, aesthetic controls by the human eye guarantee impeccable beauty. The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function. First introduced in the late 1930s, this particularly robust and comfortable metal bracelet with its broad, flat three-piece links remains the most universal bracelet in the Oyster collection.

With traditional hour, minute and seconds hands, a triangle-tipped 24-hour hand, and a bidirectional rotatable bezel with 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert, the GMT-Master II can display the time in two time zones simultaneously: either the local time and the reference time, or the local time and that of an alternative time zone. The date, at 3 o’clock on the dial, is synchronized with the local time.

The Cyclops lens is one of the most distinctive Rolex features, and one of the most recognizable. Named after the one-eyed giant of Greek mythology, the Cyclops lens magnifies the watch’s emblematic date display for easy reading. Behind the Cyclops, as with every feature of a Rolex timepiece, lies a history of invention, research and development, and the endless search for perfection.

The new calibre 3285, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. With 10 patent applications filed over the course of its development, this movement features a Chronergy escapement and a guaranteed power reserve of approximately 70 hours. Like all Rolex Perpetual movements, the 3285 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. The 3285 is equipped with a Parachrom hairspring, offering greater resistance to shocks and to temperature variations. Its architecture, in common with all Oyster watch movements, makes it singularly reliable.

Dial

• Dial : Meteorite
• Details : Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence

Case

• Case : Oyster, 40 mm, white gold
• Oyster architecture : Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown
• Diameter : 40 mm
• Material : 18 ct white gold
• Bezel : Bidirectional rotatable 24-hour graduated bezel. Two-colour blue and red Cerachrom insert in ceramic, moulded numerals and graduations
• Winding crown : Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system
• Crystal : Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date
• Water resistance : Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet

Movement

• Movement : Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding, GMT function
• Calibre : 3285, Manufacture Rolex
• Precision : -2/+2 sec/day, after casing
• Certification : Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)
• Functions : Centre hour, minute and seconds hands. 24-hour display. Second time zone with independent rapid-setting of the hour hand. Instantaneous date. Stop-seconds for precise time setting
• Oscillator : Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
• Winding : Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
• Power reserve : Approximately 70 hours

Bracelet

• Bracelet : Oyster, three-piece solid links
• Material : 18 ct white gold
• Clasp : Folding Oysterlock safety clasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link