Rolex GMT Master II 126710 BLRO review and long term impressions

[kieselguhr]

Rolex GMT Master II 126710BLRO



I purchased the Rolex GMT Master II BLRO from my local AD in June 2020 and have been wearing it as part of a rotation for a little over half a year. These are my own impressions of the watch in terms of form and function.


Timekeeping
A watch’s primary function is timekeeping which in the case of the BLRO is up to 3 time zones simultaneously (local, destination, reference). Whenever I purchase a new watch, I check its timekeeping by comparing the time against an atomic clock (time.gov) twice a day for a week. I repeat this process annually to monitor for significant deviation and gauge a watch’s health. It is a rudimentary method that serves my purpose well. At the time of purchase, the BLRO maintained -0.4 sec/day. Upon writing this review, rechecking for deviation yielded a changed result of -0.5 sec/day.


Watch case
The BLRO is constructed with 904L steel. The factory finish of the watch case is a mixture of high polish bilaterally on the case sides and brushed on the top surface of the lugs.

The GMT bezel is also constructed of 904L steel with a knurled edge (akin to the Rolex Submariner). The bezel’s side surface is beveled and brushed while the top outline surrounding the ceramic insert is polished. The bezel rotates bidirectionally in 24 set click positions meaning it cannot be used as a makeshift timing instrument unlike previous generations of GMT Masters with 120 click bezels. The tactile sensation of rotating the bezel is smooth-mushy with a definitive click which is vaguely audible.

Steel bezel with 24hr ceramic insert



The combination of high polish and brushed surfaces of the watch case allows for distinct contrast that accentuates its shape.

Case dimensions
Diameter - 40mm
Lug to lug length - 48mm
Lug width - 20mm
Case thickness - 12.5mm

The sapphire crystal is flat with a beveled edge and set slightly taller than the bezel. It lacks anti reflective coating on either side of the crystal. This, combined with the shiny black dial can cause glare effects under numerous lighting conditions which makes photography quite challenging but does not affect time telling.


Dial, hands, & hour markers
The BLRO dial features time and date functions set against a shiny black lacquer dial. The seconds, minute, hour, GMT hands, as well as the applied hour markers are outlined in white gold and adequately filled with Rolex’s proprietary luminescent paint “Chromalight”. The body of the 24 hour hand is painted red.

Cyclops and date window


The signature Rolex cyclops is positioned right above the date window and subtly magnifies the date. The date window has a beveled edge and takes the place of where the hour marker would be at the 3 o’clock position.

Hour markers, seconds, minute, hour, and GMT hands



The dial is surrounded by a minute track that is primarily indexed in white with intermittent thicker(barely) lined indexes at 5 minute intervals. Under poor lighting conditions, the lines appear uniform and it can be difficult to distinguish between the 5th interval lines among the remaining lines of the minute track.

Minute track


The overall combination of white timing elements set against the gloss black dial results in a strong contrast allowing the user to read the time in various lighting conditions.

The dial is decorated in the usual Rolex fashion with the branding below 12 o’clock and model name with superlative COSC designation above 6 o’clock.

Rolex crown & wall of text



Movement
The heart of the BLRO is the Rolex Caliber 3285 which replaces the previous generation’s 3186. It features new designs over its predecessor including innovative chronergy escapement which is essentially a modified Swiss lever escapement using lighter components that allows improved energy transference from the mainspring. Speaking of the mainspring, it’s length is increased and fits into a larger barrel. The combination of the aforementioned enhancements result in an increased 70 hour power reserve.

Also, Rolex’s paraflex shock absorber (a modified KIF) supposedly improves shock absorption but is kinda overkill as the previous generation already had ample shock absorption.

Rolex caliber 3285

(From Rolex)

Functionally, a fully wound mainspring lasts the full 70 hours as advertised. The date wheel snaps to the next date around midnight. The winding of the rotor is buttery smooth and neither audible nor tactile while on the wrist.


Crown
The BLRO has a larger sized crown than its predecessor. The entirety of the crown has a has a high polished finish. The brand’s signature 5 pointed crown is embossed on the cap with 3 bars below it denoting that the crown utilizes the triplock design, which is essentially 3 o-rings that prevent water and dust intrusion via the crown tube. The crown pulls out to 3 positions for winding, setting local time, and a third hacking position to set the reference (GMT) time. Pulling the crown out to any of the 3 positions is a simple endeavor as each position has a distinct position with a tactile click. With regard to winding the movement, the tactile sensation is slick and barely audible.

Crown front and side view



Bracelet
The bracelet is a modern Rolex jubilee bracelet design with 3 middle links in high polish, brushed outer links, and high polished flanks.

Jubilee bracelet


The bracelet wears very comfortably on my 6.5in wrist, has ample spacing between the articulating links for breathability (to not catch hair) and the 5 link design allows for added flexibility. Removable links are secured by screws and blue Loctite is recommended for added security.

The clasp is a sports style Oysterlock similar to the one used in the Explorer that is a clamshell design with a flip lock that keeps it securely shut.

Clasp closed and open



Within the clasp is the useful adjustment feature “Easylink” which is easily deployed for on the fly adjustment (+/- 5mm). If additional adjustment is needed, a micro adjustment system is hidden within the clasp and requires the use of a tool such as the Bergeon 7825 to make adjustments in increments of 3mm up to 9mm.

Easylink deployed, un-deployed and micro adjustment



Water resistance
The BLRO is water resistant to 100m/330ft or 10 bar which is more than adequate for a sports style watch.


Final remarks
Functionally, this is a capable timekeeper that will serve very well as daily timepiece but shines as a traveller’s wrist companion due to its ability to track multiple time zones with relative ease and with style.

Aesthetically, the watch captivates the eye with features that are well defined by the masterful combination of brushed and highly polished surfaces. This aspect, paired with the multifaceted nature of the jubilee bracelet results in a commanding presence as the watch captures light in a myriad display. Oh but it doesn’t stop there. The 1 - 2 punch is followed by a knockout blow as captive eyes are further subjected to the iconic red blue combo of the GMT bezel ensuring a wide smile as one glances for the time.

With regard to fit, the decision to pair the GMT Master II with a jubilee bracelet was much to the chagrin of proponents of the “tool watch ideal” but don’t be fooled. The jubilee may appear “fancy” but is assuredly as robust as it’s oyster counterpart with the added benefit of flexibility and comfort. Having worn the past iteration of the jubilee bracelet for years, I am certain that this is better designed and better built but it remains to be seen if it will withstand the test of time.

The BLRO is a true modern successor to the watch I grew up admiring as a child staring at my father’s collection. Alas, I cannot have the original as it has been inherited by another. Nevertheless, I am more than happy to make new memories with my own.


The “past” and the “present”


Superluminova and Chromalight