Rolex GMT-Master II Rolesor / LN 116713LN-0001

Step into an airport lounge and you’ll probably spot a Rolex or two, but the GMT Master II 116713LN carries itself differently. With its black dial, gold-rimmed ceramic bezel, and green GMT hand, it is practical and attention-grabbing, the kind of watch built for people whose lives move between cities, flights, and late-night meetings.

Step into an airport lounge and you’ll probably spot a Rolex or two, but the GMT Master II 116713LN carries itself differently. With its black dial, gold-rimmed ceramic bezel, and green GMT hand, it is practical and attention-grabbing, the kind of watch built for people whose lives move between cities, flights, and late-night meetings.

Watch our tour video about the Rolex GMT Master II 116713LN.

More than just another update, this Rolex 116713LN redefined what a modern GMT could be. With its Rolesor construction of steel and yellow gold and the debut of the ceramic bezel, the 116713LN marked the shift into a tougher, more contemporary generation of Rolex travel watches.

To understand how this piece earned its place in the GMT family, it helps to look back at where the collection began and how it evolved into the 116713LN.

How the 116713LN Marked a New Era for the GMT-Master II

The Rolex GMT-Master II 116713LN made its debut in 2006 at Baselworld, signaling a new chapter for one of Rolex’s most important travel watches. It replaced the long-running reference 16713, a two-tone GMT that had been a favorite since the 1980s, and introduced several major updates that set the tone for modern Rolex sports models.

The GMT-Master story, however, begins much earlier. Originally launched in 1955, the collection was created in partnership with Pan Am Airways, whose pilots needed a reliable way to track multiple time zones on long-haul international flights. That aviation DNA carried forward through every generation, and the 116713LN represents how Rolex modernized the pilot’s tool for 21st-century travelers.

At the core of these changes was the introduction of the Cerachrom bezel, Rolex’s proprietary ceramic material. Unlike the older aluminum inserts, Cerachrom is virtually scratch-proof and resistant to fading, meaning the bezel will keep its deep black color even after years of exposure to sunlight or saltwater. For the GMT-Master II 116713LN, the bezel insert was paired with 24-hour numerals coated in yellow gold using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) – a high-tech process that bonds a thin layer of gold onto the ceramic surface. The result is a bezel that not only looks sharp but is also built to last, combining durability with lasting shine.

The case also grew into what collectors call the “super case”, with thicker lugs and crown guards that made the watch appear larger and more substantial on the wrist, even though the diameter remained 40mm. This went hand in hand with the larger “maxi dial” – bigger hands and hour markers filled with Chromalight lume for better legibility, especially during night flights.

The bracelet received one of its most significant upgrades too. Gone were the hollow links of the 16713; in came the solid-link Oyster bracelet with high-polished center links in yellow gold, complete with a redesigned clasp that felt more secure and modern. These changes collectively made the 116713LN feel like a completely new generation of GMT-Master II, not just an incremental update.

Inside, Rolex fitted the watch with the Caliber 3186, an automatic movement featuring a Parachrom hairspring for improved resistance to shocks and magnetism. It also included the independently adjustable hour hand that defines the GMT-Master II line, making it easier to track local time without disturbing home time.

Production of the 116713LN ran for about 12 years, ending in 2018 when Rolex shifted focus to Everose gold models like the GMT-Master II “Root Beer” 126711CHNR. That decision effectively made the 116713LN the last two-tone GMT-Master II in yellow gold and steel, a fact that has only strengthened its appeal to collectors. Today, it represents an old-school charm and modern Rolex engineering – a bridge between the aluminum-bezel era and the all-ceramic generation.

Knowing how the 116713LN earned its place in Rolex history, we can now shift attention to its external design – the case and bracelet that give it presence on the wrist.

The Super Case and Two-Tone Bracelet Explained

The GMT Master II 116713LN features a 40mm Oyster case made from the Rolex 904L stainless steel (known as Oystersteel) paired with an 18k yellow gold bezel and crown. This mix of steel and gold is what Rolex calls Rolesor, a hallmark of the brand’s two-tone designs. The case sides are high-polished, while the top surfaces of the lugs are brushed for contrast. Protecting the front is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a Cyclops magnifier over the date. The case is fitted with a Triplock screw-down crown in yellow gold, styled with fine fluting for easy grip and signed with the Rolex coronet. It sits between high-polished crown guards that add protection and shine. The caseback is closed, sealing the movement within and helping ensure water resistance to 100 meters.

The bezel is bi-directional and fitted with a black Cerachrom insert, a tough ceramic material that resists scratches in everyday use and keeps its color sharp without fading, even after years of sun exposure. Its engraved 24-hour numerals are filled with gold through Rolex’s patented PVD process. The bezel edge is slightly raised and ridged, making it easier to grip and turn with precision. Collectors often point out the smooth, measured clicks as a noticeable upgrade from older models.

It is secured by an Oyster bracelet with brushed steel outer links and high-polished yellow gold center links. Even the sides of the bracelet are high-polished to match the shine of the case. The Oysterlock clasp brings double security with its folding safety mechanism, and it’s finished to mirror the bracelet: high-polished gold down the center with brushed steel on the sides. Built into the clasp is the Easylink extension, which gives up to 5mm of adjustment without tools – ideal for temperature changes or long-haul flights.

After seeing how the case and bracelet combine durability with two-tone style, attention naturally shifts to the dial – the part of the watch that brings the GMT complication to life.

The Details That Make the Black Dial Stand Out

On first glance, the glossy black dial sets the tone, framing the markers and hands that make the GMT Master II 116713LN instantly noticeable. The 12 o’clock position holds a white triangle marker, while 6 and 9 o’clock feature rectangles, and the other hours are marked by circular plots. Each marker is outlined in yellow gold and filled with Chromalight, glowing green in the dark for strong nighttime visibility.

The hands follow the same theme, with a high-polished yellow-gold Mercedes-style hour hand, a gold minute hand, and a thin gold seconds hand sweeping across a crisp white minute track laid evenly around the perimeter. At the center of it all, the green GMT hand with its triangular pointer matches the green “GMT-Master II” text on the dial, making the second time zone function stand out without cluttering the display.

Positioned at 3 o’clock is the date window, magnified by the Cyclops lens on the sapphire crystal for quick readability. Just below the 12 o’clock marker sits the Rolex crown logo and “Oyster Perpetual Date” text, arranged to preserve the Rolex classic dial symmetry. Another subtle touch from this era is the engraved rehaut (the inner ring between the dial and the crystal), decorated with repeated “ROLEX” text and the watch’s serial number at 6 o’clock for easy authentication.

All together, the dial delivers clarity and functionality while showcasing the two-tone character that defines this piece. With the display laid out, the next step is to see what drives these functions from within.

Functionality That Matches Global Travel Needs

Inside the 40mm case, the GMT Master II 116713LN runs on the Rolex Caliber 3186, an automatic movement beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a power reserve of about 48 hours. COSC-certified as a chronometer, it’s further tested by Rolex to meet the brand’s stricter “Superlative Chronometer” standard of –2/+2 seconds per day. A Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers give it resistance to magnetism, temperature shifts, and daily wear.

Operation is straightforward thanks to the screw-down Triplock crown:

1. First Position – Manual Winding: Unscrew the crown and turn it clockwise to wind the movement.
2. Second Position – Quick Hour Adjustment: Pull to the second position to move the hour hand in one-hour jumps without stopping the watch. The date advances automatically as the hour hand passes midnight, a practical feature for travel.
3. Third Position – Time Setting: Pull to the final position to set the minutes and the green 24-hour GMT hand together. The seconds hand stops for precise synchronization.
   

The bi-directional bezel completes the system. Its black Cerachrom insert, with gold-coated 24-hour numerals, rotates with 120 smooth clicks and pairs with the green GMT hand to track up to three time zones – home, local, and an additional offset. The fluted edge of the bezel makes it easy to grip and turn, a detail frequent travelers often highlight.

In low light, Chromalight-filled hands and markers glow green, keeping the display legible during overnight flights. With its smart layout and responsive movement, the 116713LN shows why the GMT-Master II remains one of the most practical watches for people on the move.

Wearing the Two-Tone GMT on the Move

Wearing the GMT Master II 116713LN gives a clear sense of substance, the gold elements adding noticeable weight while maintaining comfort. The balance of steel and yellow gold makes it feel more substantial than a standard steel model, but the 40mm case and slim profile keep it wearable in both casual and formal settings.

The maxi lugs and solid end links create a broader stance on the wrist, making the watch look slightly bigger than 40mm while still feeling comfortable. The long clasp distributes weight evenly across the wrist, making extended wear (whether on a flight or through a full workday) comfortable and secure.

The blend of brushed steel and high-polished gold center links means the watch reflects light differently depending on the angle. On the move, the contrast shifts from understated steel to flashes of gold, making the watch feel dynamic without being overly showy. The Easylink extension proves handy in real use, letting you fine-tune the fit as your wrist swells in warmer weather or during long-haul travel.

Altogether, the Rolex 116713LN gives the impression of a travel tool upgraded with luxury touches. It is a watch suited for the journey itself and stylish enough for dinner when you arrive.

To capture all these key points at a glance, here’s a summary table of the reference 116713LN.

Key Specs of the Rolex GMT Master II 116713LN

With the essentials in place, the final thought is what this watch means for today’s collectors and travelers.

The Two-Tone GMT That Defines Modern Travel

The GMT-Master II has long been associated with global travel, and the 116713LN carries that legacy into today’s world. It captures the spirit of movement, giving travelers a reliable way to keep track of time zones while maintaining a look that works perfectly in both professional and casual settings. For anyone who wants a watch that reflects an active lifestyle across borders, the 116713LN is the watch that will stay with you wherever life takes you.