What a replica Rolex GMT-Master II is

A replica Rolex GMT-Master II is a watch made to look like the genuine Rolex GMT-Master II. It is not made by Rolex. It does not use a Rolex movement. It cannot be serviced by Rolex. The genuine GMT-Master II has a 40mm case, a 24-hour hand, and a rotating 24-hour bezel. Rolex introduced the GMT-Master II in 1982. The current model uses caliber 3285. That movement has a 70-hour power reserve. The case is 40mm wide. Lug width is 20mm. Water resistance is 100 meters. The bezel is ceramic. Rolex calls it Cerachrom.

Movement types in replicas

Replica GMT-Master II watches use several movements. Common ones include the Hangzhou 6460, the SA3186, and the ETA 2836-2. Some use a clone of the Rolex 3186. The movement decides how the GMT hand works. On a genuine GMT-Master II, the hour hand jumps in one-hour steps. The GMT hand stays at the same 24-hour time. Many replicas do not have this function. Some do. Check before you buy. A movement with the independent hour hand often costs more. The Hangzhou 6460 has a 40-hour power reserve. The ETA 2836-2 has a 38-hour power reserve. The clone 3186 has a 48-hour power reserve. These numbers are typical for the movements, not for Rolex.

Case, bezel, and bracelet

Replica cases come in 316L or 904L stainless steel. Genuine Rolex uses 904L. Some top-tier replicas use 904L. Others use 316L. 316L is softer. 904L is harder to machine. Bezel inserts come in ceramic or aluminum. Genuine GMT-Master II uses ceramic. Older genuine models used aluminum. Replica ceramic inserts can fade or crack. Bracelets come in Oyster or Jubilee style. The clasp may have a Rolex logo. The logo is not proof of quality. Look at the SEL fit. SEL means solid end link. A good SEL has no gaps. Look at the rehaut. Rehaut is the inner ring between the crystal and the dial. Genuine rehaut has an engraved Rolex logo. Many replicas have a shallow engraving or none. The cyclops lens magnifies the date. Genuine magnification is 2.5x. Replica magnification varies. Some are 1.5x. Some are 2.5x. Check the date font. Genuine date font is thin and centered.

Function checks

Test the GMT function first. Pull the crown to position 2. Turn the crown. On a genuine watch, the hour hand jumps in one-hour steps. The GMT hand does not move. On many replicas, the GMT hand moves with the hour hand. That is a tell. Test the bezel. It should rotate in 24 clicks. It should rotate both ways. Check the crystal. It should be sapphire. Some replicas use mineral glass. Mineral glass scratches. Sapphire resists scratches. Check the crown. It should screw down. It should have three dots or a line. Genuine crown has the Rolex crown logo. Replica crown may be off-center. Check the lume. Genuine uses Chromalight. It glows blue. Replica lume may glow green. Or it may be weak. Charge it with a light. See how long it glows. Genuine Chromalight glows for about 8 hours. Replica lume may last 1 hour.

Price ranges

Replica GMT-Master II prices vary. Low-end models cost $50 to $100. They use cheap movements. They have mineral glass. They have aluminum bezels. Mid-range models cost $150 to $300. They use 316L steel. They have ceramic bezels. They use Hangzhou or ETA movements. High-end models cost $400 to $800. They use 904L steel. They use clone 3186 or 3285 movements. They have better SEL fit. They have sapphire crystal. Some high-end models have real ceramic bezels. None are genuine Rolex. No replica is a genuine watch. No replica has a Rolex warranty. No replica can be serviced by Rolex.

Legal and practical notes

Replica watches are illegal to sell as genuine in the US. They are legal to own in most countries. They are not legal to import into some countries. Check your local laws. A replica is not an investment. It has no resale value from Rolex. It cannot be traded at an authorized dealer. If you need service, find a local watchmaker. Many watchmakers will not work on replicas. Ask first. Parts for replica movements are available online. Some parts are hard to find. The GMT-Master II has many reference numbers. Examples include 16760, 16710, 116710, 126710. Replicas often copy the 116710 or 126710. The 126710 has a 40mm case. It has a Jubilee bracelet. The 116710 has an Oyster bracelet. Both have a 24-hour bezel.