Rolex Releases New Left-Handed GMT-Master II "Sprite" with Green and Black Bezel

Watches and Wonders 2022 is the first live watch event in Switzerland since the pandemic began and it really kicked off with a bang. Early this morning Rolex released their new lineup of watches, and it included something many of us were predicting, a left-handed “Destro” Rolex GMT-Master II with black and green bezel. I for one am happy my left-handed brethren (hey, Travis) can now have a Rolex to call their own.

THE BASICS:

Brand: Rolex

Model: GMT-Master II

Case Material: Stainless Steel

Crystal: Sapphire

Case Size: 40mm

Water Resistance: 10 Bar

Movement: Rolex Calibre 3285

Strap Options: Oyster or Jubilee Bracelet

Photo courtesy @giorgiamondani on Instagram

The Juice:

The new GMT-Master II “Sprite” is not Rolex’s first left-handed model ever, but is sure feels like it. On rare occurrence, you can find vintage Rolex pieces with the crown on the left side. However, this appears to be the first modern Rolex to be mass-produced for a left-handed person. At first, the watch is a little jarring, seeing both the crown and the date on the left side. I initially asked myself whether this was just a shortcut for Rolex to not have to overhaul their whole Calibre 3285 movement, first introduced in 2018. Apparently, moving the date and crown was not an easy task that required several technical adjustments in terms of the movement and the Superlative Chronometer certification, for which the protocol, as well as some of the final tests, had to be adapted.

Rolex chose to forego a staggered release like they did with the Pepsi and released a model on both an Oyster bracelet and Jubilee bracelet.

Photo courtesy of @winditonthemove on Instagram.

Besides being a lefty watch, and the change in color of the bezel, the watch stays true to its GMT heritage. It comes in at a traditional 40mm and has a Cerachrom bezel. While the look may take a little getting used to, I think it will grow on everyone over time.

Overall, I think the new lefty GMT is a great move forward for Rolex. Tudor, a subsidiary of Rolex, already makes a left-handed Pelagos, and it’s nice to see a traditionalist Swiss watch brand do something a little more daring (yes I know it is still just a GMT-Master II).

For anyone that is disappointed that they didn’t make a right-handed version of the watch, don’t despair. Lefties have been wearing right-handed watches forever, so if you really like the look of the new GMT, go ahead and buy it (if you can get one that is). Like all new releases, I am sure that this new GMT will be incredibly hard to get and will sell at quite the premium on the secondary market.

So, How Much Is The New Rolex GMT-Master II “SPrite” Ref. 126720VTNR

The new GMT-Master II with black/green bezel retails for $11,050 USD on oyster bracelet and $11,250 USD on jubilee bracelet. This is a slight price increase on the Batman and Pepsi. I guess there is a left-handed premium (or Rolex is pricing in the cost of development of the movement).