Hands-On: The GMT-Master II Destro

September 29, 2011

When introduced the left-handed GMT-Master II ref. 126720VTNR in 2022, it seemed like the world this watch is intended to navigate had stopped - well, the world of watches, at least. It certainly made my head spin. It also had me write an article in which I voiced my confusion. That was almost three years ago. Recently, I had the chance to go hands-on with the GMT-Master II Destro, and since I am a strong believer in second chances, I grabbed it with both hands. I picked it up, put it on, and went in with an open mind, willing to learn to love a watch that is just so confusing.You cant give up after the first try. This applies to many things, including books. I was gifted Swiss novelist Albert Cohens (1895C1981) most popular book, Belle du Seigneur (Her Lover), and at first, I had a hard time getting into the story. After leaving the 1968 French Academy Award-winning book in the bookcase for a while, I gave it another shot. It gripped and pulled me into the story. I also remember vividly how, in 1986, a friend lent me Metallicas third studio album, Master of Puppets, now widely regarded as an important milestone in metal. I didnt get it at all at first. Songs like Battery and Damage, Inc. went way too fast for me, especially. My musical brain had trouble adapting to the speed of metal beats and furious guitar riffs, but I was hooked once it got to grips with the blistering pace.Is the GMT-Master II Destro a Master of Puppets watch?The question is: will the GMT-Master II Destro be a Master of Puppets-type watch? One thing is for sure: the watch still baffles me as much as it did nearly three years ago. The Destro arrived in a box with other GMT-Master II models and looked completely out of place - or upside down. Nothing is upsetting about the green and black Cerachrom 24-hour bezel. Rather, the Cyclops and the crown at 9 oclock put the world upside down. And thats what you naturally want to do - turn the watch upside down. That doesnt work, of course. The best way to try and come to grips with the Destro is to put it on your right wrist. At least everything is in the right position, although you get the idea youre looking into a mirror.Two kinds of DestrosLooking at it and wearing the Destro might be a slightly upsetting affair that causes some elusive discomfort. That s because the watch is nearly flawless. The build quality is superb and solid, as expected from a sporty model made of 904L steel. The watch is available in two configurations - the $12,000 ref. 126720VTNR-0002 on a Jubilee and the $11,750 ref. 126720VTNR-0001 on an Oyster bracelet. The first one was at my disposal. Every time I get to experience the elegant five-row Jubilee bracelet and patented Oysterlock folding safety clasp, I m amazed at how well the bracelet looks, feels, and wears. The case dimensions are also nothing to complain about. Its 40mm diameter, 48mm lug-to-lug length, and 12mm thickness are proportionally sound and sit very well on my 18cm wrist. The wrong wrist. My right wrist.Switching to the leftWearing a watch on my dominant hand is not something I can ever get used to. I felt like I was completely unbalanced and heeling over to starboard. Thats why I switched the Destro to my non-dominant hand. Physically speaking, the balance was restored. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldnt get used to how it looked on my wrist. And that left me disappointed - in myself. I see myself as an open-minded, guy, and I have proved that with, for instance, the Albert Cohen novel and Metallica. If you try, you can learn to love something that initially didnt speak to you. But I guess I have met my match with the Destro.At least I know why I cant learn to love the left-handed GMT watch. To me and, Im sure, plenty of other watch enthusiasts, the GMT-Master, with or without the II, is more than an object, especially in red and blue. Its a benchmark and an icon. With the crown and the date magnifier on the left, the Destro proves in the metal that Jeffrey C. Alexanders theory of iconic consciousness is a reality. The GMT-Master is an idea turned object - a travel watch that has, over time, become - something experienced, something felt, in the heart and the body. You cant just mirror an icon; that borders on blasphemy. You also cant make a square of an icon without consequences, but thats another matter…Why so serious?Maybe Im taking it all too seriously. But how can a black and green GMT-Master II be fun? The balloons on the Oyster Perpetual s Celebration dial and the Emoji Puzzle dial in the Day-Date are fun, although the fun comes at quite a cost in the latter case. I cant see the Destro as lighthearted or quirky. But perhaps it is a future classic or at least a cult watch. Looking at the prices on the secondary market might shed some light on that matter.At the time of publishing, there are 653 Destro GMT-Master IIs on Chrono24, with a minimum price of $15,716. On average, that s about $2,000C3,000 less than the famous Pepsi ref. 126710BLRO, of which there are more than 800 available on Chrono24. These figures dont exactly tell us that the Destro is destined to be a collectors pet. Then again, as with many aspects of this watch, its future remains an enigma.What are your thoughts three years after stunned us with the GMT-Master II 126720VTNR? Were you a fan of it from the first hour? Or, like me, are you still unable to wrap your head around it, let alone wrap it around your wrist? Alternatively, have you finally seen the light? Let me know in the comments. Im especially curious if you can answer the last question positively.Watch specifications Brand Model GMT-Master IIReference 126720VTNR-001 (Oyster) / 126720VTNR-002 (Jubilee)Dial Glossy black with white gold applied luminous indexes and date windowCase Material Oystersteel (904L) with ceramic bezel insertCase Dimensions 40mm (diameter) 48mm (lug-to-lug) 12mm (thickness)Crystal Sapphire with Cyclops date magnifierCase Back Oystersteel, screw-in Movement 3285: automatic flyer GMT with manual winding and hacking, 28,800vph frequency, 70-hour power reserve, 31 jewels, paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers, accurate to 2 seconds per dayWater Resistance 100 metersStrap Oystersteel three-row Oyster bracelet or five-row Jubilee bracelet with Oysterlock folding clasp and Easylink extensionFunctions Local time (12-hour hand with independent setting, minutes, seconds), home/GMT time (24-hour hand, bidirectional 24-hour bezel), datePrice $11,750 (126720VTNR-0001) / $12,000 (126720VTNR-0002)