To compare the Rolex GMT-Master against the Rolex GMT-Master II would be the equivalent of comparing the older generation to the younger generation: both have their pros and cons against each other.
The GMT-Master, which had been created due to a request by Pan American Airlines, paved the way for the true potential and innovation of timepieces everywhere. When it was first released, it featured an acrylic Bakelite bezel with a dark finish with the option between a black and a white dial. The original GMT-Master had gold numerals that were later changed to white. Subsequent models of this magnificent timepiece were made with Tritium to replace the Radium used in the initial version.
The GMT-Master II offered more variety in terms of appearance and functionality. The most noteworthy improvement was the one-hour jump feature, with which the wearer could adjust the time by one hour ahead or behind without interfering with the minute or second hand. Older models of the Rolex GMT-Master II can be found in a gold and steel combination and steel, while newer models can be found in white gold and yellow gold with a variety of dials to choose from.
Because they are different versions of the same timepiece, the Rolex GMT-Master and the Rolex GMT-Master II have numerous similarities. Both are able to keep track of the time for two different times zones, and both are widely used in the aviation field. They feature a bidirectional, bi-color bezel on which 6:00 to 18:00 represents day while 18:00 to 6:00 represents night. Various dial options are available, such as a blue, black, and white. A quick set feature and a hack feature can be found in both models, as can synthetic sapphire crystal and a Cyclops lens.
Both the models are highly sought after by consumers everywhere, whether they are pilots, collectors, or people just looking for an out-of-the-ordinary timepiece. The Rolex GMT-Master and the Rolex GMT-Master II are both excellent choices for people who don’t want to make too difficult of a decision, for while the GMT-Master II may have more versatility when it comes to looks and functionality, both timepieces serve the same purpose and share the same ability of displaying two different times at once. However, the rate at which they have been sold suggests that the consumers who purchase the Rolex GMT-Master are more often than not vintage timepiece collectors while customers who buy the Rolex GMT-Master II are oftentimes buying the watch for piloting.
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