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Rolex celebrates GMT-Master 70th anniversary with exhibition

Hong Kong expo is heavy on history – as well as name dropping – as it explores the legacy of the iconic watch

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In 1967, lieutenant and engineer William Knight, piloting the rocket-powered X-15, set a speed record of 7,274 km/h wearing a GMT-Master. Photo: Rolex
Gavin Yeung
It may take years for Rolex to create a new watch model, but when it does, rest assured that it will be part of the crown’s stable for decades to come, as in the case of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year.
From May 26 to June 8, the storied timepiece will be the focus of an exhibition at Freespace, in the West Kowloon Cultural District. Titled “Time Zone to Time Zone”, the show invites visitors to explore the legacy of a watch that has transcended its aviation roots to become a symbol of prestige as much, if not more, as its air-faring forebear.
Stuart Roosa’s GMT-Master pictured during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971, accompanied by a message from the astronaut. Photo: Rolex
Stuart Roosa’s GMT-Master pictured during the Apollo 14 mission in 1971, accompanied by a message from the astronaut. Photo: Rolex

Born in 1955, the GMT-Master was Rolex’s answer to a new era of travel. As jetliners shrank the world and passengers crossed multiple time zones in hours, the need for a reliable, easy-to-read second time zone became paramount. The GMT-Master’s signature two-colour 24-hour bezel and an additional hour hand allowed wearers to track home time and local time simultaneously – a breakthrough that quickly popularised the watch among pilots, explorers and travellers alike.

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There’s plenty to keep both ardent Rolex collectors and casual watch enthusiasts engaged, from a showcase of key milestones in the evolution of the GMT-Master and its successor, the GMT-Master II, to a curated selection of vintage models preserved by Rolex’s Heritage Department, highlighting the watch’s technical innovations and design refinements over seven decades.

From the original Plexiglas bezel to the modern ceramic variants, and from the early calibre 1036 movement to today’s calibre 3285, the GMT-Master’s evolution mirrors that of Rolex, and the wider watch world’s, in terms of precision and durability.

The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II was introduced in 1982 with an independently adjustable hour hand. Photo: Rolex
The Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II was introduced in 1982 with an independently adjustable hour hand. Photo: Rolex

Then there are the leaps in craftsmanship such as the watch’s luminescent Chromalight display, which was enhanced in 2021 for superior legibility, and the return of the Jubilee bracelet in 2018. The GMT-Master II’s independently adjustable hour hand, introduced in 1982, also marked a pivotal moment, allowing travellers to adjust local time without stopping the watch – a feature that has cemented its status as the ultimate tool watch.

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