Rolex GMT-Master II "Root Beer" review

Image: Rolex

This is reference 126711CHNR. It is a 40mm watch in Oystersteel and 18ct Everose gold with a brown and black ceramic bezel. It shows three time zones at once. It uses the Rolex calibre 3285 automatic movement, with about 70 hours of power reserve, and it is water resistant to 100 metres. The UK retail price was £16,800 in August 2026.

What is good

• It is easy to use when you travel. You move the local hour hand on its own and the minutes and seconds keep running.

• The brown and black bezel goes with more clothes than the brighter GMT colours. It works with a suit and with casual clothes.

• The build quality is very high. The bracelet clasp has a small extension for warm days.

• It holds its value. On the second-hand market it sells near or slightly above retail price.

What is not good

• £16,800 is a lot of money for a watch that tells the time in two or three places.

• The rose gold scratches more easily than the steel.

• The gold makes it heavier than the all-steel GMT-Master II.

• Some authorised dealers still have a waiting list for it.

Verdict

This is a very good travel watch and the easiest two-tone Rolex to wear every day. You pay a large premium for the gold. If you want the function more than the look, the steel GMT-Master II does the same job for less money.

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