Introducing the 70th Anniversary GMT Master IIs
2025 is a big year for the Rolex GMT Master II, it’s turning 70. Like many other septagenarians, it’s having a big celebration, however, unlike other septagenarians, it is looking very good for its age. Rolex have brought two new variants to the table, building on previous models. The first is a white gold interpretation of the famed ‘Sprite’. With this piece, they have also introduced the first Cerachrom dial. Cerachrom should be familiar to you as it is the materials used in the bezel. It’s a big step. The second anniversary release is a bridge between the past and present. The GMT Master II in full Everose Gold has been around for a while. Rolex have decided to bring back another ghost from their past, the stone dial. This is a bold look for a GMT but it looks fabulous. Let’s get into the details and see what these anniversary pieces are all about…
The Basics
Case: 40 mm, White Gold or Everose Gold
Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating and Cyclops lens over the date
Movement: Rolex Calibre 3285, automatic, 70-hour power reserve
Water Resistance: 100 meters / 330 feet
Strap Options: Oyster bracelet in matching gold, Oysterlock clasp with Easylink comfort extension
Price: Upon request
The Juice
Let’s start with the white gold reference. This one is for the purists, or at least the stealth-wealth purists. It’s got the familiar left-hand “destro” configuration, with the crown and date window flipped to the left side. That layout already sets it apart from every other GMT in the lineup, but the new ceramic dial is what makes it special.
This is the first time Rolex has used ceramic for a dial. The brand calls it Cerachrom, the same high-tech material they use for their bezel inserts. In this case, the green dial perfectly matches the lower half of the green and black bezel. The texture is somewhere between matte and satin, and it has this deep, almost liquid richness to it. It’s not flashy, but it’s definitely not boring. And because the bezel is made of the same material, the color match is dead-on. No variation, no weird tones under different light. That’s Rolex’s perfectionism for you.
Then there’s the Everose version. This one is probably going to divide people. The dial is made from natural tiger iron, a stone that looks like molten bronze when the light hits it right. It has streaks, swirls, and texture for days. You’re not getting symmetry here. You’re getting natural variability, meaning that every dial will be unique.
On both models, the movement is the Calibre 3285: Rolex’s proven GMT engine with independent hour hand adjustment, a 24-hour hand for tracking a second time zone, and the usual center hour, minute, and second hands. The bezel is bidirectional and lets you track a third time zone if you want to get fancy. Pretty standard stuff for the GMT Master II and it shouldn’t be news to you.
As expected, the build quality is flawless. The cases feel solid without being bulky. The Oyster bracelets are finished to the usual Rolex standard, with a nice mix of brushed and polished links. Both watches wear well for solid gold pieces and definitely carry more presence than their steel cousins.
Final Thoughts
These new GMT-Master IIs are not here to replace the Pepsi or the Batman. They are here to offer something different and in some ways, something more interesting. The green ceramic dial on the white gold model is understated and tech-forward in a way that feels very Rolex. Meanwhile, the tiger iron dial on the Everose model is downright artistic, reminiscent of the stone dials of the 70’s.
Neither of these is going to be easy to get. They’re precious metal GMTs with uncommon materials, and they’ll go straight into the Rolex scarcity machine. But if you get the chance to see one in person, it’s worth the effort.
For a brand that is often accused of playing it too safe, this year’s GMT releases show Rolex loosening up — just a little. They are still Rolexes through and through, but they bring texture, color, and individuality in a way we don’t often see from the Crown.
Find out more about these watches here.
