Two Rolex GMT-Master IIs. Both 40mm, both two-tone, both running the same Calibre 3285. From a distance, the Root Beer and the Guinness look nearly identical. Up close, the differences in gold type, bezel color, and bracelet construction put them in genuinely different territory.
The Rolex root beer vs Guinness debate comes up because these are the only two current two-tone GMT-Master IIs in production. You are not choosing between different sizes or different movements. You are choosing between two design identities that share the same case and diverge on almost every visible detail. This article covers the specs, the real differences, and what each watch means as a purchase.
Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer” Overview
The Root Beer name stretches back to the early 1970s, when Rolex introduced the ref. 1675/3 as the first brown-toned two-tone GMT-Master. The warm brown bezel paired with stainless steel and yellow gold reminded collectors of the soft drink, and the nickname stuck. A second nickname, “Clint Eastwood,” followed after the actor wore the reference regularly on screen.
The lineage ran through the ref. 16753 in the 1980s and the ref. 16713 through the early 2000s. Both used yellow gold and aluminum bezels. In 2018, Rolex reintroduced the concept with the ref. 126711CHNR, making two significant changes: yellow gold was replaced with Everose (Rolex’s proprietary rose gold alloy), and the aluminum bezel gave way to Cerachrom ceramic in brown and black. CHNR stands for Chocolat/Noir, French for chocolate brown and black.
The 126711CHNR is a current production reference on the Oyster bracelet only. There is no Jubilee configuration for this reference. The full Everose gold counterpart, ref. 126715CHNR, shares the same bezel and dial but is a separate, higher-priced reference.
Key Specifications:
- Reference Number: 126711CHNR
- Production Years: 2018 to present
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: Oystersteel (904L) and 18k Everose gold
- Bezel Type and Material: Bidirectional rotating Cerachrom ceramic, brown/black (CHNR), Everose gold frame and numeral fill
- Dial: Black
- Bracelet: Oyster, Oystersteel with Everose gold center links; Oysterlock clasp with 5mm Easylink
- Movement: Calibre 3285, automatic
- Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours
- Water Resistance: 100m (330ft)
Rolex GMT-Master II “Guinness” Overview
The Guinness debuted at Watches and Wonders in April 2023 alongside its full yellow gold sibling, the ref. 126718GRNR. It carried two notable firsts: yellow gold returned to the GMT-Master II lineup for the first time in years, and a gray and black Cerachrom bezel appeared on a GMT-Master II for the first time in the collection’s history.
The nickname situation is unsettled. Collectors use Guinness (the black and gold of the Irish stout), Zombie (the muted gray sector), and Bumblebee (yellow gold against black). All three refer to the same watch, ref. 126713GRNR. GRNR stands for Gris/Noir, French for gray and black. In secondary market listings, Guinness is the most commonly used term.
The 126713GRNR is a current production reference on the Jubilee bracelet only. There is no Oyster option for this reference. It is the two-tone version in the GRNR family; the 126718GRNR is the full yellow gold piece.
Key Specifications:
- Reference Number: 126713GRNR
- Production Years: 2023 to present
- Case Size: 40mm
- Case Material: Oystersteel (904L) and 18k yellow gold
- Bezel Type and Material: Bidirectional rotating Cerachrom ceramic, gray/black (GRNR), yellow gold frame and numeral fill
- Dial: Black
- Bracelet: Jubilee, Oystersteel with yellow gold center links; Jubileelock clasp with 5mm Easylink
- Movement: Calibre 3285, automatic
- Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours
- Water Resistance: 100m (330ft)
Root Beer vs Guinness: Most Notable Differences
At a glance, the 126711CHNR and 126713GRNR share the same foundation. Case size, movement, dial layout, power reserve, and water resistance are identical. What actually separates them is not the core watch, but how each reference presents itself through material, color, and wear. Those differences may seem subtle on paper, but they define how the watch feels and how it fits into your daily use.
1. Gold Alloy
The first distinction is the tone of the gold, and it sets the overall character of each watch. The Root Beer uses Everose gold, Rolex’s proprietary rose gold alloy, which carries a softer, warmer tone. It appears on the bezel frame, crown, and the center links of the Oyster bracelet, and even extends into the engraved bezel numerals. Under direct light, that warmth is consistent and slightly muted, giving the watch a more understated presence despite being two-tone.
Guinness takes the opposite approach with traditional 18k yellow gold. The same components are executed in a brighter, more saturated tone that reflects light more aggressively. The bezel numerals follow that same yellow gold fill, making the entire watch read sharper and more vivid at a glance. Even small details, like the gold tone visible in the Triplock crown marking, reinforce the difference. Side by side, the Root Beer feels more subdued, while the Guinness leans into a more classic, high-contrast two-tone look.
2. Bezel Color
That difference in tone continues into the bezel, where each watch builds a distinct visual identity. The Root Beer pairs black with brown, a combination that remains unique within the GMT-Master II lineup. The brown section carries real depth in natural light and stays within the same warm palette as the Everose gold.
The Guinness, by contrast, uses a gray and black bezel that behaves more dynamically. In daylight, the gray is clearly defined, but under indoor or dim lighting it can shift toward near-black. That variability gives the watch a more changing presence depending on the environment.
3. Bracelet Construction
The bracelet choice changes how each watch sits on the wrist and how it feels over time. The Root Beer comes on the Oyster bracelet, which uses a three-link construction with polished Everose center links and brushed steel outer links. It has a flatter, more rigid structure that holds its shape throughout the day.
On larger wrists, this creates a clean, balanced drape, but on smaller wrists, the lack of flexibility can feel more noticeable.
The Guinness uses the Jubilee bracelet, which introduces a five-link construction with smaller, more articulated links. That added flexibility allows the bracelet to contour more naturally around the wrist. Over extended wear, this difference becomes more apparent, especially for those with slimmer wrists. The Jubilee also carries a slightly more refined visual presence, drawing from its association with Rolex’s dressier models, while the Oyster keeps the Root Beer firmly in sport watch territory.
4. Clasp
The difference in bracelet design carries through to the clasp, though both remain equally secure in function. The Root Beer uses the Oysterlock clasp, a compact, three-blade folding system that sits low on the wrist. It includes Rolex’s Easylink extension, allowing a quick 5mm adjustment without tools.
The Guinness uses a concealed folding clasp integrated into the Jubilee, often referred to as the Jubileelock. It blends seamlessly into the bracelet, creating a more continuous and refined appearance. However, it has a slightly wider footprint and sits more prominently on the wrist.The difference is not in capability, but in how visible and integrated the clasp feels during wear.
Price and Market Demand
Two-tone GMT-Master IIs carry a structural premium over stainless steel references at both retail and on the secondary market. Both the Root Beer and the Guinness trade above retail for full-set examples, though the size of that premium differs.
Root Beer (126711CHNR)
Secondary market range sits at approximately $19,500 to $24,000 USD for full-set examples in good to mint condition. The one-year price trend is up approximately 6.1%, and the watch ranks in the top 4% of all Rolex references by transaction volume.
The five-year view shows a slight nominal decline from peak, entirely attributable to the 2021 to 2022 bubble. Today’s pricing is stable and moves predictably (source).
Guinness (126713GRNR)
Secondary market range runs approximately $19,000 to $23,000 USD for full-set examples. The one-year price trend is up approximately 9.9%, outperforming the Rolex brand average and the GMT-Master collection average over the same period (source).
No reliable five-year data exists. The initial premium of roughly $2,000 over retail has compressed to approximately $600, which signals that early hype has settled into real demand.
What Moves Prices on Both
- Full set (box and papers) is the single largest premium driver. Watch-only listings take a notable discount on both references.
- Warranty card year carries more weight on the Guinness, where a current card is standard. On the Root Beer, older cards are common and do not automatically depress value.
- Bracelet condition is the most frequent discount trigger: stretched links, polished-down gold center links, or visible wear on the bezel frame.
- Liquidity edge: The Root Beer has a deeper, more consistent secondary market. The Guinness shows stronger short-term momentum but has a shorter history to work from.
Side-by-Side Comparison (At a Glance)
| Specification | Root Beer (126711CHNR) | Guinness (126713GRNR) |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | 126711CHNR | 126713GRNR |
| Introduced | 2018 | 2023 |
| Case Size | 40mm | 40mm |
| Case Material | Oystersteel + 18k Everose gold | Oystersteel + 18k yellow gold |
| Gold Type | Everose (rose gold) | Yellow gold |
| Bezel Color | Brown/black (CHNR) | Gray/black (GRNR) |
| Bezel Frame Metal | Everose gold | Yellow gold |
| Numeral Fill | Everose gold | Yellow gold |
| Dial | Black | Black |
| Crystal | Sapphire with Cyclops | Sapphire with Cyclops |
| Bracelet | Oyster (3-link) | Jubilee (5-link) |
| Center Links | Everose gold | Yellow gold |
| Clasp | Oysterlock + 5mm Easylink | Jubileelock + 5mm Easylink |
| Movement | Calibre 3285 | Calibre 3285 |
| Power Reserve | ~70 hours | ~70 hours |
| Water Resistance | 100m | 100m |
| Lug Width | 20mm | 20mm |
| Secondary Market Range | ~$19,500 to $24,000 USD | ~$19,000 to $23,000 USD |
| 1-Year Price Trend | +6.1% | +9.9% |
| Market History | 7 years | ~2 years |
Which Rolex GMT-Master II Should You Choose?
Choose the Root Beer (126711CHNR) if:
- You prefer Everose rose gold over yellow gold on both the case and bracelet
- The Oyster bracelet’s sport-forward, firm fit suits your wear style
- You want a reference with a long secondary market track record and proven liquidity
- The brown and black bezel appeals as the most distinctive color in the current GMT lineup
- You already own yellow gold pieces and want a different metal tone
Choose the Guinness (126713GRNR) if:
- Traditional 18k yellow gold is the metal you want on your wrist
- The Jubilee bracelet’s flexibility and comfort matter more to you than a sportier fit
- A newer reference with strong early market momentum fits your outlook
- The gray and black bezel suits your preference for a cooler, more neutral color palette
- You want the reference that reintroduced yellow gold to the GMT-Master II lineup
Final Thoughts on Rolex Root Beer vs Guinness
When comparing the Rolex Root Beer vs Guinness, the core of the watch remains the same. What separates them is entirely visible and tactile, from the tone of the gold to the bezel color and the way the bracelet sits on your wrist.
The Root Beer has the advantage of time. It is established, widely recognized, and backed by a resale market that behaves in a predictable way.
The Guinness, by contrast, is still defining its place. It feels more modern in how it presents itself, even if the underlying watch is the same. The better choice comes down to what you actually want to wear.
