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    Rolex GMT-Master II lug width

    Watch line22 references

    The story of the Rolex GMT-Master II

    Worn by

    Captain C. N. WarrenService

    The Pan Am captain used his GMT-Master to navigate the airline's first non-stop New York to Moscow flight in 1959.

    Jack SwigertSpace

    Rolex says the astronaut wore his GMT-Master throughout the Apollo 13 mission in 1970.

    Marlon BrandoIcon

    Brando wore a GMT-Master in Apocalypse Now (1979) and removed its red-and-blue bezel himself.

    Bernard MoitessierSport

    During the 1969 Golden Globe Race the sailor navigated with only a sextant and his GMT-Master.

    Generations and strap changes

    1. 2007
      Ref. 116710 steel

      Steel version of the ceramic generation, black dial with green 24-hour hand.

    2. 2005
      Ref. 116718 Cerachrom

      Gold model with a redesigned case, heavier lugs and crown guards, black ceramic insert and calibre 3186.

      Redesigned case with heavier lugs.

    3. 1989
      Ref. 16710

      Calibre 3185 and a slimmer case; produced until 2007.

    4. 1959
      GMT-Master 1675

      Case enlarged 2mm to 40mm, crown guards added and an aluminium insert fitted.

    Firsts and innovations

    In 2005 the GMT-Master II became the first Rolex with a Cerachrom bezel insert, made of high-tech ceramic.

    Rolex has made two-colour Cerachrom bezels since 2013. The first was the black and blue 'Batman' 116710BLNR.

    The independently adjustable hour hand, introduced in 1982, lets the wearer change local time without disturbing the 24-hour reference hand.

    About Rolex

    Founded in 1905 in London, United Kingdom.

    The Rolex story

    FAQ

    What lug width does the Rolex GMT-Master II use?

    Most references use 20 mm (100% of the 20 references with a known width).

    Help

    What is lug width?

    The gap between the two lugs that hold the strap, in millimetres. A new strap must match it exactly: 20 mm lugs take a 20 mm strap.

    Measure it in 30 seconds

    1. Take the strap off, or look at the back of it: many straps print their width.
    2. Measure the inside gap between the lugs with a caliper or a millimetre ruler.
    3. Round to the nearest whole millimetre. Most watches use 18, 20 or 22 mm.

    Strap, quick release or system?

    Most watches use spring bars, so any strap of the right width fits. Many smartwatches use their own band system instead, such as Apple Watch bands or Garmin QuickFit.