News! Rolex releases GMT-Master II 126718GRNR and 126713GRNR Jubilee

News! Rolex releases GMT-Master II 126718GRN and 126713GRNR Jubilee

Once again, it is time for yet another year of novelties and news from Rolex. Every year, watch brands present their new watch models for the year.

For 2023, Rolex has announced its brand new models as well as discontinued models.

And every time Rolex presents a new GMT-Master II, you can be certain that it is going to take the watch community by storm. The GMT-Master II is one of Rolex’s most popular models so naturally, there’s a lot of hype and excitement around every new update Rolex presents for this model.

In this article, we’re taking a closer look at the new Rolex GMT-Master II in yellow gold released for 2023.

Background and history of the GMT-Master II

In the last couple of years, Rolex has frequently upgraded and updated the GMT-Master II collection. In 2018, Rolex released the ”Root beer” 126711CHNR”. In the same year, Rolex presented the ”Pepsi” 126710BLNR. One year later, Rolex released the 126710BLNR.

The GMT-Master II line underwent a complete upgrade starting in 2018 where the old-generation caliber 3186 caliber was upgraded to the 3285. From 2018 onwards, Rolex upgraded all the models in the collection.

However, since then, there has been something that has been ”missing”. And that is yellow gold. Rolex discontinued the 116713LN and 116718LN in 2018. Since then, the only gold option has been the 126711CHNR and 126715CHNR, both made in Everose gold.

But the fact of the matter is that Everose gold does not appeal to everyone – just like yellow gold doesn’t appeal to everyone. For that reason, it makes sense that Rolex is bringing back yellow gold to the GMT-Master II line – after having been absent for 5 years.

Rolex 126718GRNR

Rolex GMT-Master II 126713GRNR

 

Presenting the new Rolex GMT-Master II 126718GRNR and 126713GRNR

Rolex 126713GRNR

So for 2023, Rolex has blessed us with not one but two new GMT-Master II. The first is the 126718GRNR in solid yellow gold presented on a – for the first time in many years – a solid yellow gold Jubilee bracelet. The second watch is the two-tone version of the same, reference 126713GRNR, also presented on a Jubilee bracelet but this time in two-tone.

The yellow gold GMT-Master II reference 116718LN and yellow gold two-tone GMT ref 116713LN was discontinued in 2018 and since then, Rolex has had no yellow gold option in the GMT range.

But finally, in 2023, we now have both back again – but in a new take with a new twist.

First and foremost, both the 126713GRNR and 126718GRNR have a revised case compared to their predecessors. They also have the new.-generation Rolex caliber 3285 which the rest of the GMT-Master II range shares. One of the biggest changes to this model, however, is the bracelet.

In 2018, Rolex started bringing back the Jubilee bracelet to the GMT-Master II range after having only offered oyster bracelets for quite some time. The jubilee GMTs were extremely popular so Rolex continued to build upon this.

But it is the first time in a very long time that Rolex now offers a GMT-Master II with a solid yellow gold bracelet and a two-tone yellow gold bracelet. In fact, it was decades since.

Another thing that is worth highlighting about both of these new watches is their ending letters of the reference number “GRNR”. This stands for Gris Noir, or in English, Grey, and black. This means that it is not just a plain black Cerachrom bezel insert like the previous yellow-gold versions. Instead, the bezel is now a two-tone with a combination of black and grey. Rolex will likely never go back to using single-colored bezel inserts for the GMT as the two-tone color adds functionality to the watch and makes it easier to distinguish night from day. The tone for the bezel insert for the 126713GRNR and the 126718GRNR is done quite discreetly however so it’s not as bold as for the, for example, “Pepsi” GMT.

Dial

In regard to the dial, the upgrades are only minor. It is presented with the same iconic dial layout as all GMTs have. It has a classic black dial with a glossy finish and applied metal hour markers filled with Chromalight. The difference for this dial, however, is firstly the fact that the hands and hour markers are made in yellow gold to match the cases. Both watches have identical dials. They are clean, elegant, and luxurious.

Movement

In regard to the movement, there are no upgrades here. Both the 126718GRNR and the 126713GRNR are powered by the tried and true caliber 3285 with a power reserve of 70 hours, and an accuracy of +/-2 seconds per day.

126718GRNR and 126713GRNR specifications

  • Diameter: 40mm two tone or 40mm solid gold
  • Bracelet: Jubilee
  • Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
  • Power reserve: 70 hours
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