Hands-On: Two Modern GMT-Master II Root Beer Models

January 25, 2018

Talk about acquired taste. Root beer sure is. Its peculiar flavor comes from the sassafras tree. I like it, but others think it tastes like rusty water. The GMT-Master (II) Root Beer is like that too; you either love it or dont. Ive always been a fan of the watch. Although Im usually not a fan of brown watches, the soft, creamy, dark goodness that defines the Root Beer is completely to my taste. But what flavor, exactly? Is it the vintage GMT-Master ref. 1675/3 in steel and yellow gold with an acrylic crystal and tritium lume? Or is it the current GMT-Master II with pink gold and a ceramic bezel insert?In the current catalog, you will not find not one but two watches with the Root Beer nickname. Theres the $43,900?all-Everose GMT-Master II ref. 126715CHNR and the $17,500?pink gold and steel (Everose Rolesor) ref. 126711CHNR - the Root Beer and the ?Root Beer Lite, if you will. The two-tone diet version is historically the most accurate but also very different from the vintage GMT-Master 1675/3 that debuted in 1970. The original watch came in yellow gold, featured a dark brown dial, and came on a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet. A GMT-Master with a brown bezel is often mistakenly called a Root Beer, but only the models with a brown-and-cream-colored bezel are veritable Root Beers. By the way, actor/director Clint Eastwood wore the watch a lot, giving it the nickname of the Hollywood star on top of the soda-related one.Dry January starts with two GMT-Master II Root Beer models produced the GMT-Master ref. 1675/3 until 1979. Then, in 1980, the brand replaced it with the ref. 16753 (no slash) featuring a new movement with a quick-set date. Next came the GMT-Master II ref. 16713, which was in production from 1989 until 2006. Finally, in 2018, released the full-gold 126715CHNR and the two-tone 126711CHNR. Due to their black and brown bezels, they got the nickname Root Beer. I understand why, but its wrong - not just because they don t have a brown-and-cream-colored bezel but also because the dial is black instead of brown. s current GMT-Master II Root Beer references also use the brands signature pink Everose gold instead of more classic yellow gold. Ref. 16753 - Image: Bob s Watches Ref. 16713 - Image: Bulang & Sons Ref. 16713 (serti) - Image: Maunder Watches The fabulous build quality immediately stands out when you pick up the modern Root Beer wannabees. These watches are solid and soft to the touch thanks to the impeccable finishing, and they immediately feel right at home on the wrist. Both references are fantastic - dare I say iconic - because of the pedigree. And by that, I mean the whole Pan Am backstory and the link with the historic Root Beer.The quirk is goneI could continue to rave about the Oyster bracelet, the adjustable clasp, and everything else, but I wont because youve read it all before.? I ll get right to it. I dont get any Root Beer vibes with either of these two watches. The 40mm case diameter coupled with the ceramic bezel and the Oyster bracelet - no Jubilee bracelet is available - is too buff, polished, and slick. Both models are handsome in an underwear-model way - they show their goodness just a bit too eagerly. But these new versions seem to have lost the quirky country-club charm and slight twist of dandyism of the original. The new versions are too intimidating, whereas the 1970s watch, in particular, is entrancing. Yes, the new watch is better, but the old one is cooler, and thats best. GMT-Master II Root Beer watch of the futureAfter handling the two opulent GMT-Master IIs and looking at their ancestors, I cant help but fantasize about serving up a real Root Beer at Watches and Wonders 2025. Im envisioning a steel and yellow gold watch on either a two-tone Oyster or, preferably, a Jubilee bracelet with a deep, dark, and radiant brown dial and a ceramic bezel in maroon and cream. There won t be a full-gold version, just the two-tone like the original. put the GMT-Master II Pepsi back on the menu, so the brand can also serve up a real/right Root Beer again.If youre not into the current Root Beer flavor and dont want to wait until Watches and Wonders in April to see whats coming, you can always order a vintage Root Beer on Chrono24. While the original ref. 1675/3 will be the most expensive, a vintage yet very fizzy ref. 16753 will set you back $10KC13K. Youll pay around the same for a younger Root Beer ref. 16713?too. Theres also a lower-shelf alternative if you know what I mean. The Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G not only has that peculiar dark, soft, and creamy look, but its design also stays closer to the original sweet taste of the first generations of Root Beers. Let me know your favorite flavor in the comments section. Watch specifications Brand Model GMT-Master IIReference 126711CHNR / 126715CHRNDial Glossy black with Eversose gold applied luminous indexes and date windowCase Material Rolesor (904L Oystersteel and 18K Everose gold) with ceramic bezel insert / Everose gold with ceramic bezel insertCase Dimensions 40mm (diameter) 48mm (lug-to-lug) 12mm (thickness)Crystal Sapphire with Cyclops date magnifierCase Back Oystersteel / Everose gold, 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 Rolesor / Everose gold Oyster bracelet with folding Oysterlock clasp and Easylink 5mm extensionFunctions Local time (12-hour hand with independent setting, minutes, seconds), home/GMT time (24-hour hand, bidirectional 24-hour bezel), datePrice $17,500 / $43,900