The Complete Guide to Setting a Rolex GMT Master II

The Rolex GMT Master II is one of their most iconic pieces, made famous through Pan Am pilots wearing this functional timepiece whilst suited-and-booted, it wasn’t long before everyone wanted one. This watch became synonymous with the ‘glory’ days of aviation which helped fuel the lust for this particular Rolex model, and you could argue the same remains true today. With travel being more accessible than ever and more often than not people now work in Teams situated across the globe in different time zones. Whilst we have every app you can think of on your phone to tell you the exact time down to the millisecond in another time zone, it’s still a great feature to have on a watch. So today we are going over how to set your Rolex GMT Master II.

Rolex GMT Master II Batman on jubilee strap - HOW TO SET A ROLEX GMT MASTER II?

To comprehend what you are attempting to accomplish, it is essential that you become acquainted with the Rolex GMT-Master II’s many features before beginning the setup process. With its unique 24-hour rotatable bezel and extra hand, this watch has multiple features, including the ability to show three time zones at once. Unscrewing the crown is the first, and perhaps most evident, step in setting your Rolex GMT-Master II.

Unless you have the more recent left-handed GMT Master II, the crown is on the right side of the watch case. It is usually screwed securely to provide 100 metres of water resistance. Position 1 is reached by gently unscrewing the crown anticlockwise until it springs out; if necessary, wind the watch up in this position.

Pull the crown out to the second position gently after unscrewing it. A noticeable click should be audible when the crown reaches this position. Depending on whether you wish to move the date forward or backward, you can change it in this position by rotating the crown clockwise or anticlockwise. But unlike most other watches, this one uses a "jumping hour hand," which means that you may change the date by just moving the hour hand.

Rolex GMT Master II Batman on Oyster strap - HOW TO SET A ROLEX GMT MASTER II?

Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi on Oyster strap - HOW TO SET A ROLEX GMT MASTER II?

This may seem like a hassle because you have to turn the hour hand around the dial twice to move the date forward or backward, but it makes adjusting the time considerably faster. The hour hand, the smaller of the two, can now be adjusted to your local time zone once the date has been chosen.

You can adjust the minute hand exactly like you would a regular watch at the third position by gradually pulling the crown out to the final position. To reach the desired time in minutes of the time zone you are now in, move the minutes hand around the dial. While it is possible to simply set the time zones with the hands in any position, there is a simpler method to prevent confusion and difficulty when setting numerous time zones.

Moving all the hands till they point to twelve o'clock can make things lot easier, especially if you want to track and use a different time zone. Then, if you are on vacation overseas or perhaps in a different time zone where you work, draw the watch crown out to position three and spin the minutes and hours hand till the long, thin hour hand indicates the time back home. After that, you should move the crown to position two and set the local hour hand and date to your local time, which is the time where you are right now. Now that the time has been fully set, you can safely screw the crown into place on your Rolex GMT Master II. However, you can only track two time zones at this moment; you must utilise the bi-directional rotating bezel to track a third.

Simply move the bezel one click forward or backward for each hour that you are ahead or behind your current local time if you wish to track a third time zone. Tracking just two time zones is usually plenty and makes your life easier, even though you can track three. It can take a minute to read the time from your watch. Although it makes things more difficult, it is good to know that you can track a third one. One of the greatest travel timepieces available is the Rolex GMT Master II, which is great for working in different time zones or for vacationing and making sure you won't unintentionally contact your family at two in the morning when it is already noon where you are!

Rolex GMT Master II on Oyster strap - HOW TO SET A ROLEX GMT MASTER II?

Rolex GMT Master II Sprite on black rubber strap - HOW TO SET A ROLEX GMT MASTER II?

Whilst it is a bit complicated the first few times you do it, learning how to correctly set the Rolex GMT-Master II is a rewarding experience and enables you to better use your watch. By following this guide and taking the time to get to know the watch properly and feel how each position works is very important, by doing this you can ensure that your Rolex GMT Master II will always display your desired time.

It doesn’t matter whether or not you travel frequently or maybe work in multiple different time zones, or simply just love the look and complication of the watch, the Rolex GMT-Master II is a timeless watch.

It feels great on the wrist, on either the jubilee or oyster, but if you happen to be looking for a more comfortable option and perhaps a sportier look, or even a more understated look, ZEALANDE offers the perfect high-quality rubber strap for your GMT Master II. Either with a classic tang buckle or the choice to use your Rolex’s deployment clasp, you can play around with a few colours to get your perfect look and fit for your GMT Master II.