The Many Names of the Rolex GMT-Master

There is perhaps no other Rolex that has earned as many nicknames as the GMT-Master.

The pilot’s watch has various colored bezel combinations, giving it plenty of nicknames as a result.

While these are entirely unofficial (read: not part of Rolex literature), they have become generally accepted among the watch community.
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Just how did these nicknames come about and how many of these do you know?
Let’s check them out:

ROLEX GMT-MASTER Blue Red Bezel

The history of the Rolex GMT-Master began in 1954. Pan American Airways approached Rolex to create a timepiece that will display a second timezone for their pilots and Rolex’s answer was a bi-colored blue and red bezel, marked to 24 hours.

Rolex GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' (Ref. 16710) with a blue and red aluminum bezel, black dial, and stainless steel Oyster bracelet, with blurred city lights in the background. — Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi 16710

PEPSI
The use of blue and red on the bezel was done to help the pilots differentiate daytime and nighttime hours.And while the two colors were also chosen to match Pan-Am Airlines’ official company colors, what stuck was the nickname ‘Pepsi’ – derived from the bezel’s resemblance to the soda company’s logo.

PUSSY GALORE
The first ever Rolex GMT-Master, reference 6542, is also known as ‘Pussy Galore’. It was the name of the lead female character in the 1964 James Bond movie, Goldfinger, played by acress Honor Blackman. The watch received a lot of screen-time, and it’s also believed to be the first screen appearance of a Rolex men’s watch on a female character.

ROLEX GMT-MASTER Brown and Gold Bezel

Over the years, Rolex continued to play with the color combinations of the GMT-Master bezel. In the 1960’s they introduced a new color scheme – a brown and gold bezel. It was also the first to feature a stainless steel and gold combination on the case and bracelet.
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Rolex GMT Master II Steel Everose Gold 126711 and Rolex GMT Master II Rootbeer Yellow Gold Steel 16713

ROOTBEER
In keeping with the soda theme among the GMT-Master watches, those with brown and gold dials and bezel inserts were given the name ‘Rootbeer’, for its resemblance to the fizzy drink.Other nicknames for the Rootbeer are ‘Tiger Eye’ or ‘Tiger Augen’, taken from the precious stone that shares a similar brown hue.

CLINT EASTWOOD
The Rolex ‘Rootbeer’ GMT-Master ref 16753 is also nicknamed after a famous person – actor Clint Eastwood. The watch was often seen on his wrist; and even made a number of movie appearances.

He wore it in the 1982 Cold War film Firefox where he played a pilot, in 1984’s Tightrope, and again in the 1993 thriller In the Line of Fire. The same reference is also sometimes called ‘Dirty Harry’, after Eastwood’s 1971 action thriller. Eastwood actually wore a Timex in the movie but he was so associated with the Rootbeer GMT-Master, that the nickname stuck.

ROLEX GMT-MASTER Black Red Bezel

Rolex unveiled the next chapter of the GMT-Master in 1983, with the Rolex GMT-Master II. They introduced a number of modifications, most notably the new Caliber 3085, which allowed the center hour hand and 24-hour hand to move independent of each other. It also ushered in a new color variation – a black and red bezel.

COKE / COCA-COLA
The soda nicknames continued with the GMT-Master II, and the new bezel variation was nicknamed ‘Coke’ because of its resemblance to the soda bottle’s colors. The Coca-Cola Company’s red and white logo contrast against the dark liquid inside, thereby inspiring this nickname.

FAT LADY

Aside from the new movement and bezel color, the first Rolex GMT-Master II, reference 16760, also came with a new design features: a thicker case, a wider bezel, and bigger crown guards compared to its predecessors. These features made the watch noticeably thicker and heftier, thereby earning it the nickname ‘Fat Lady’.

SOPHIA LOREN

The watch better known as ‘Fat Lady’ was also dubbed ‘Sophia Loren’ by watch collectors. The Italian actress was one of the most famous post-war international stars, and was known for her beauty and voluptuous figure. The sweeping curves and thicker case of the ‘Fat Lady’ inspired this nickname, even though Loren was never seen wearing one.

ROLEX GMT-MASTER Blue Black Bezel

The latest of Rolex GMT-Master’s color variations is the blue and black bezel, launched in 2013. It was also the world’s first one piece ceramic bezel to be made in two different colors – another technological feat from Rolex.

BATMAN
The blue and black bezel was nicknamed ‘Batman’, because it shares the same colors as the fictional superhero’s costume.The ‘Batman’ is also called other nicknames related to the character, such as Dark Knight, Bruiser, and Phantom. SEE ALL BATMAN >