The Rolex GMT Master II in Rose Gold with NEW Tiger Iron dial 126715CHNR
Those of you who follow the channel will have probably worked out by now that I am a sucker for a Rolex stone or Stella dials, but to cut a long story short, they make up the majority of my favoured vintage pieces and this, the GMT Tiger Iron” shot straight to the top of my peak modern Rolex list the minute it was released at Watches and Wonders ’25 last year.
For many it was overshadowed by the Land-Dweller which was the both the darling and most divisive release, but for me, the Tiger Iron reigned supreme.
It ticks every single box.
Rolex - Yes
Everose - Yes
Sports piece - Yes
100m WR - Yes
Fascinating dial - Yes
Everything Oscar Loves - Yes.
Case, bracelet, bezel and movement-wise it is the same as its “Root Beer” stablemate
40mm, with 100m water resistance, a triplock crown, and presented in 18 carat Everose gold which contains 76% gold, copper, silver and importantly, 2% platinum.
The use of platinum stabilises the copper and ensures that the rose gold hue does not fade over time.
This is where the (patented) “Everose” moniker comes from, because it stays forEVER ROSE.
It is vertically brushed through the top of the case and lugs with polished flanks and is, as per usual, superbly executed.
The bracelet is the “standard” Professional line Oyster which features brushed outer links with polished centre links giving it a bit more formality over the Submariner/Sea-Dweller if compatability with suit was an ongoing concern.
The bezel is “Root Beer” style black and brown, which always puts me in mind of coffee for some entirely positive reason as it’s a deep gloss black combined with a rich dark brown which isn’t a remotely jarring or an overly contrasting combination, and one which will always be my favourite out of the bicolour bezel offerings.
Rolex calibre 3285 offers 70 hours of power reserve and is, naturally, a superlative chronometer accurate to -2/+2 seconds a day with date and GMT functions - quite literallly all you need for a daily wearer capable of travelling anywhere that you do.
Now I’ve covered the basics so to speak, on to the star of the show - The dial.
It is magnificent.
It is “Tiger Iron” a semi precious gemstone which combines Tigers Eye (gold/brown), Red Jasper (red/orange) and Hematite (black/grey) in distinct banded striations that shimmer red and gold against a charcoal black background.
The stone itself is said to offer protection, energy and strength, but way more importantly, when the light hits this thing, it is utterly spectacular like the dappling of a tiger, which sends my chakras into raptures.
The choice of stone and its pairing with espresso bezel and the rose hue of the case and bracelet is absolutely bang on, and the contrast of the whole glorious “shebang” is a masterclass in The Crown’s ability to use colour and tone to its absolute advantage.
I can’t think of another stone that would offer such an aesthetically pleasing palette for this particular watch.
I rate this Tiger Iron so highly that it’s at the top of the tree for me, and well worth checking out if you like stand-out sports pieces.