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For most Rolex admirers, it is the GMT-Master in all its variations that is one of the most beloved Rolexes ever, with the older versions in this case enjoying even greater interest. It is not for nothing that this is the model with the most nicknames. As you know, many of Rolex's special models have nicknames by which they are known among connoisseurs and which have become so iconic that they are often more popular than their official names. We will list perhaps the most famous of them: Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Root Beer and, of course, from the newer ones, Batman, Batgirl, the new Pepsi, and Sprite. All of them currently sell above their launch price, and even contemporary models like the Batman and Pepsi trade significantly above their official price. "A marketing trick," a skeptic might say, but in our opinion, this is further proof of a correct market strategy and price positioning.

Today's model is more special—it is the so-called "Stick dial" and differs from most in the way the "II" is inscribed on the dial. According to unconfirmed information, the number of watches produced with this dial is under 10% of all GMT-Master IIs, which makes it a sought-after and valuable piece.

But why is this model so beloved and sought-after? It is neither the most expensive, nor the most robust, nor the most complicated or most beautiful timepiece. Surely one of the reasons lies in its so-called "true GMT" in-house movement, Caliber 3175, which has become iconic among connoisseurs and has a reputation for being robust, accurate, durable, and easy to service.

We are sure that most of those reading this text are aware that Rolex calls its water-resistant cases Oyster. That is, if this name is present in the name of the watch, it means it is water-resistant. And, of course, the GMT-Master II meets this qualification 100%—although, unlike the Submariner, here this rating is "only" 100 m, but as you can guess, in this case, the meters are real.

Regardless of the fact that the GMT-Master II is a professional tool, as was the manufacturer's intention from its very launch, it is clear to everyone that for a long time it has become a luxury attribute—and this function has long prevailed over the original reason for its creation. Perhaps for this very reason, Rolex does many things in this model in such a way that the appearance and the overall impression the watch creates prevail over its pure functionality.

For the case back of the watch, Rolex uses a simple solid case back, as it does with all its models—in the case of the GMT, it is devoid of any markings, inscriptions, or other "decorations." As we all know, for its watches, Rolex uses 904L stainless steel—the difference with the 316L usual for other brands is its greater resistance, especially against salt water. It is a widely known fact that Rolex can be called fanatics when it comes to the steel they use—a large part of the metallurgical processes are done in-house to guarantee a consistent quality of the raw material. Many watches have passed through our hands, but we can say with absolute certainty that few brands devote so much attention and effort to the quality of the final product in terms of the finish of the cases—and as a result, it is impossible not to achieve a unique quality and presence.

The overall impression is complemented by the watch's unidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel—its purpose is clear: to show a second time zone. Trivial, isn't it? In this model, the bezel is made of steel, and the insert is made of aluminum with 24-hour indices printed on it—the traditional "triangle" at 12 o'clock, and there you have the final product. The bezel itself is divided into two segments—the blue for the dark part of the day and the red for the light, and it is precisely because of this color scheme that the model gets the nickname "Pepsi."

The model became particularly popular after the release of the new "Pepsi," which enjoyed such commercial success that it trades on the secondary market for significantly more than its official price. This automatically led to a drastic price increase for the old Pepsis as well—in the two years since the launch of the new model, the old ones have appreciated by over 40% and continue to go up... And after the Pepsi was officially discontinued last month, prices increased even more, literally in a matter of hours.

For many years, the GMT-Master was offered with two bracelet options—Oyster and Jubilee, with the latest 126710 versions now using only the Jubilee. The piece presented today uses the more traditional and certainly more comfortable Oyster. As we already mentioned, the bracelet is a three-link, and the clasp features a security lock and micro-adjustment capability.

Indeed, in the 60s, Rolex created a great product and invested time and money to improve and perfect it. If in the beginning it was valued by customers as a not very expensive daily watch, today it is to a much greater extent a fashion accessory, which, however, has all the qualities to become a long-term partner to its owner. Not only will it not abandon you, but it will also not lose much of its value, because it is no secret to anyone that this brand cannot be found with large discounts when new and has the reputation of a manufacturer with some of the watches that best retain their value. And this particular model can boldly be ranked among the forefront of Rolex in terms of popularity and, accordingly, among the most sought-after and desired models.

Surely one of the reasons for this is the fact that this watch looks equally good on your wrist whether you are in a formal suit or dressed in worn-out jeans and a white t-shirt—in both cases, the GMT-Master II will help attract approving glances to your appearance.