This replica GMT-Master 116718 delivers a full 18k yellow gold GMT-Master II with a black dial, establishing the baseline for the precious-metal end of the dual-timezone range. At 40mm the case follows the standard GMT-Master II geometry, but the all-gold construction transforms both the visual impression and the physical weight on the wrist. The black dial provides maximum contrast against gold hour markers and hands, making this the most legible variant in the 116718 family.

Technical Overview

• Case diameter: 40mm
• Case material: 18k yellow gold
• Bezel: black ceramic with gold 24-hour markings
• Dial: black with applied gold Maxi markers
• Crystal: sapphire flat with Cyclops lens
• Bracelet: Oyster, full yellow gold
• Movement: automatic GMT, independently adjustable hour hand

Rolex applied its Maxi dial format to the 116718, meaning larger luminous plots on the hour markers and thicker hands compared to earlier gold GMT-Master references. The result is improved low-light readability despite the dressy material choice.

Inside the Movement

The GMT-Master II architecture in the 116718 allows the local hour hand to jump independently in one-hour increments while the minute and seconds hands continue running. This makes crossing time zones a single-crown operation rather than a full reset. The date changes synchronously with the local hour hand, keeping the display consistent after each adjustment. The independently adjustable GMT hand was the defining mechanical upgrade that separated the GMT-Master II from its predecessor. For a rose-gold alternative with a distinctly different dial approach, see the Tiger Iron 126715CHNR from the current generation. Both represent precious-metal GMT-Masters within the broader GMT-Master collection, separated by one generation of case and bracelet refinement.

What Sets It Apart

The 116718 in black sits at the intersection of maximum legibility and maximum material impact. Gold GMT-Masters account for a small fraction of overall production, and the black dial version attracts buyers who want the weight and warmth of gold without the busier visual profile of green or champagne dials. The ceramic bezel insert resists fading and scratching, preserving the sharp gold-on-black contrast through years of wear. This replica GMT-Master 116718 captures that full-gold, black-dial simplicity in its most direct form.