Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR “Sprite”

Introduction

When Rolex introduced the GMT-Master in 1954, it was created for Pan Am pilots navigating the dawn of intercontinental jet travel. The watch allowed them to track two time zones simultaneously, a necessity in an age when crossing oceans quickly was a new experience. Over the decades, the GMT-Master line evolved through multiple references, bezel colours, and technical refinements.

The Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126720VTNR, unveiled in the 2020s, marks one of the most unconventional developments in this long history. Nicknamed the “Sprite” for its green-and-black ceramic bezel, the watch introduced a left-handed, or “destro,” configuration — flipping the crown and date window to the opposite side of the case. This was a bold departure from Rolex tradition, and it immediately drew attention from the watch world.

For many, the 126720VTNR is more than just a colourful variant. It represents Rolex testing the boundaries of a heritage design, creating a model that looks familiar yet challenges decades of expectation.

A Brief History of the GMT-Master Line

To understand the 126720VTNR, it’s useful to trace the GMT-Master story from the beginning.

The 6542: The Beginning

The first GMT-Master, reference 6542, was launched in 1954. It featured a bakelite bezel with a red-and-blue 24-hour scale, allowing pilots to read home and local time simultaneously. The bakelite inserts proved fragile, and Rolex quickly transitioned to aluminium. Despite this, the 6542 cemented the GMT-Master’s identity with its two-tone bezel and 24-hour hand.

The 1675: Longevity and Refinement

Introduced in 1959, the 1675 ran until the late 1970s and remains one of the longest-running Rolex references. It added crown guards, offered both Oyster and Jubilee bracelet options, and retained the Pepsi bezel. This reference made the GMT-Master a mainstream icon, worn not just by pilots but by adventurers, celebrities, and professionals worldwide.

The 16750: Transitional Modernity

Arriving in the late 1970s, the 16750 upgraded the movement and introduced quickset date functionality. It maintained the classic look of the 1675 but incorporated modern reliability.

The 16710 and GMT-Master II

The late 1980s brought the GMT-Master II with reference 16760, nicknamed the “Fat Lady.” This model introduced the independently adjustable 24-hour hand, allowing wearers to track a third time zone. It was bulkier, hence the nickname, but set the template for all GMT-Master II models that followed.

By the time the 16710 was released in 1989, Rolex had refined the case, slimmed the profile, and offered bezel choices beyond the Pepsi — including the black-and-red “Coke.” The 16710 ran until the mid-2000s, making it a modern classic.

The Ceramic Era

In 2007, Rolex unveiled the 116710, bringing Cerachrom ceramic bezels to the GMT-Master II line. This material resisted fading and scratching, a major advancement over aluminium. Models like the black-and-blue “Batman” and red-and-blue “Pepsi” followed, each cementing the GMT-Master II’s place as one of Rolex’s flagship modern sports watches.

The 126720VTNR

The Sprite sits at the intersection of tradition and experimentation. It maintains the fundamental DNA of the GMT-Master II — 40mm case, rotating bezel, dual-time functionality — but introduces a left-handed layout and a bold new colourway. This makes it one of the most discussed and divisive Rolex launches in recent memory.

Case and Bezel Design

The 126720VTNR features the familiar 40mm Oystersteel case. Its dimensions match other modern GMT-Master II references, ensuring comfort and recognisability on the wrist. The Oystersteel construction provides strength and corrosion resistance, while the mix of brushed and polished finishing emphasises Rolex’s blend of ruggedness and refinement.

The bezel is bidirectional with a 24-hour scale, crafted in Cerachrom ceramic. Its green-and-black combination is unique to the Sprite, with the green portion representing daylight hours and the black indicating night. The ceramic surface is virtually scratchproof, while the engraved numerals are filled with platinum for durability and legibility.

The most striking element of the case is its left-handed configuration. The crown and crown guards are positioned at nine o’clock, and the date window has been shifted to the left side of the dial. This radical change in symmetry sets the 126720VTNR apart from every other modern Rolex, instantly signalling its uniqueness.

Dial and Lume

The dial of the 126720VTNR is classic GMT-Master II: black lacquer with Chromalight luminous markers. The hands are polished white gold, filled with Rolex’s proprietary lume for long-lasting blue glow in the dark. The 24-hour hand is finished in green, harmonising with the bezel.

The date is displayed at nine o’clock, magnified by the Cyclops lens. This reversal initially unsettles those accustomed to decades of right-side date windows, but it is functionally intuitive for left-handed wearers who wear their watch on the right wrist.

Bracelet Options

The Sprite is available on both the Oyster and Jubilee bracelets.

• The Oyster bracelet offers three-piece links, brushed with polished centre links, giving a robust and sporty look.
• The Jubilee bracelet offers five-piece links, dressier and more supple on the wrist.

Both are fitted with the Oysterlock safety clasp and Easylink extension system, allowing the bracelet to be adjusted by 5mm for added comfort.

Movement: Calibre 3285

Powering the 126720VTNR is the calibre 3285, Rolex’s modern GMT movement. This automatic calibre features the Chronergy escapement, designed for improved efficiency and resistance to magnetism. It delivers a 70-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The calibre 3285 also includes Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring, which provides resistance to shocks and temperature variations. Like all modern Rolex movements, it carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, guaranteeing precision of +2/-2 seconds per day.

Functionally, the 3285 allows the local hour hand to be adjusted independently of the 24-hour hand. This means the wearer can track up to three time zones: local time on the main hands, home time on the 24-hour hand, and a third time zone by rotating the bezel.

The Left-Handed Design

The most controversial aspect of the 126720VTNR is its left-handed configuration. While Rolex has occasionally experimented with left-handed models in the past, this is the first time a mainstream professional reference has been released in this orientation.

For left-handed wearers, the crown at nine o’clock reduces interference with the wrist and makes adjustments more natural. For right-handed wearers, it creates a strikingly unconventional look, even if the function is no different.

Rolex has historically been cautious in altering its core designs, making this change particularly noteworthy. It demonstrates that the brand, while steeped in tradition, is not afraid to experiment within its most iconic lines.

Reception and Impact

Reactions to the Sprite were immediate and polarised. Some welcomed the boldness of a left-handed Rolex and the fresh green-and-black bezel. Others dismissed it as gimmicky or disorienting.

What cannot be disputed is the watch’s impact. The Sprite became one of the most talked-about Rolex releases of recent years, and its scarcity has only amplified interest. It stands alongside the Pepsi and Batman as a core modern GMT variant, yet with an identity entirely its own.

The GMT-Master’s Broader Significance

The GMT-Master has always represented more than just a watch. It is tied to the story of aviation, globalisation, and the expansion of travel in the post-war era. From its beginnings with Pan Am pilots to its role today as a symbol of international lifestyle, the GMT-Master reflects the world’s changing relationship with time and distance.

The Sprite, in this context, is a continuation of that story. It honours the GMT-Master’s roots while demonstrating that Rolex is willing to innovate even within its most established lines. By flipping the case orientation, Rolex has produced a watch that feels both disruptive and deeply traditional.

Wearing the Sprite Today

On the wrist, the Sprite feels both familiar and surprising. Its 40mm case and bracelet options provide the comfort expected of modern Rolex sports models. The ceramic bezel is bold but balanced, and the green 24-hour hand ties the design together.

The reversed crown and date window catch the eye immediately, giving the watch a distinctive personality. For left-handed wearers, the configuration feels natural and ergonomic. For right-handed wearers, it may take adjustment, but it remains entirely functional.

The Sprite is a watch that sparks conversation. It stands out not through size or extravagance, but through subtle subversion of Rolex’s own rules.

Final Thoughts

The Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR “Sprite” is one of the most distinctive modern Rolex releases. Its combination of a green-and-black Cerachrom bezel, left-handed case orientation, and calibre 3285 movement make it both unconventional and thoroughly Rolex.

As the first mainstream left-handed professional Rolex, it challenges tradition while reaffirming the brand’s commitment to functionality. Its historical significance is assured — not just as a colourful variant, but as the watch that proved Rolex is still willing to surprise.

•  The stainless steel Oyster case is in excellent condition overall, with only a couple of light hairline marks visible under close inspection.
• The Oyster bracelet presents in excellent condition, with a few superficial hairlines scratches.

Dial and hands are flawless