After some debate, Rolex informed us last year that the brand would formally recognize 2025 as an anniversary year for their GMT-Master collection. Little did we know that Rolex had other big plans for this year (more on that over here), but indeed they have released a special GMT-Master II in honor of the anniversary. This is the reference 126729VTNR in white gold, with a ceramic green dial, a first for the brand. Rolex is known to use the color green to denote anniversaries, and this is the most unique approach yet. This might not be the big change to the GMT collection some predicted, but it sets a new precedent nonetheless. And no, the BLRO has not been discontinued.
The GMT-Master has a famously illustrious history, setting the stage for what has become a burgeoning travel sport watch genre. The lore of the GMT-Master is a cornerstone of Rolex’s modern identity, and its anniversary merits acknowledgment. To that end, Rolex are releasing an 18ct white gold VTNR with the crown still on the left, and a new green Cerachrom dial. Rolex is referring to this as a component making its first debut here in the GMT, a clear nod that it’s a feature we’ll likely see more of in the future.
If you’re a fan of matte dials over glossy dials you might find the execution particularly interesting, as it effectively gives a similar impression at a glance (keep an eye out for live images coming soon). The green itself is the same color as the bottom half of the bezel, and is achieved by setting the material atop a brass base before mounting.
The only other GMT-Master II references produced in white gold feature a BLRO bezel (with dark blue dial, or meteorite dial), so this represents a new direction for this particular configuration. It feels like a fitting anniversary piece for the collection, and one thing that remains to be seen is how it evolves from here. We’ve seen anniversary models introduced in the past and remain in production for broad spans of time, from the LV Submariner, to the platinum Daytona, and I suspect it will be a similar story here.
The rest of the watch remains largely the same, housing the brand’s caliber 3285 within a 40mm case. The biggest departure, as you might imagine, is the price. The 126729VTNR is priced at $46,750, and as far as landing one at an AD goes, well, you know the story. Rolex
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