In short
- The Rolex Root Beer is the nickname for the GMT-Master II with a brown and black bezel.
- The modern references are the 126711CHNR in Everose Rolesor and the 126715CHNR in 18 ct Everose gold, both introduced in 2018.
- The name goes back to the two-tone GMT-Master 1675/3 of the 1970s, with its brown and gold colours.
- Check the bezel insert, the gold surfaces, the bracelet and the papers before you buy.
- You can view any Root Beer we hold at our Hatton Garden showroom by appointment.
The Rolex Root Beer is the GMT-Master II with a brown and black ceramic bezel and a case that mixes steel with Rolex's pink Everose gold, or uses Everose gold throughout. It is one of the most recognisable modern Rolex sports watches, and one of the GMT-Master II references we see most often. This page explains where the name comes from, how to tell the versions apart, what to check before you buy one pre-owned, and how it compares with the other GMT nicknames.
What does "Root Beer" mean on a Rolex?
Root beer is an American soft drink, dark brown with a pale, creamy head. The name goes back to the two-tone GMT-Master reference 1675/3 of the 1970s, made in steel and yellow gold with a brown dial and a brown and gold bezel insert, which collectors thought looked a lot like a glass of it. The nickname stuck, and it has followed brown GMT-Masters ever since.
Rolex itself has never used the name. Like Pepsi, Batman and Sprite, it is collectors' shorthand that dealers, auction houses and owners now use every day. When someone asks for a Rolex Root Beer today they almost always mean the modern 126711CHNR, but the vintage and neo-vintage pieces that gave the watch its name still have a following of their own.
The modern Rolex Root Beer: 126711CHNR
Rolex brought the colours back at Baselworld 2018 with the GMT-Master II 126711CHNR. The case is 40mm and made in Everose Rolesor, Rolex's name for its combination of Oystersteel and 18 ct Everose gold. The bezel, the winding crown and the centre links of the Oyster bracelet are Everose gold; the case and outer links are steel.
The bezel insert is two-colour Cerachrom ceramic, brown for the daytime hours and black for the night. The dial is black, with rose-gold-toned details that pick up the warmth of the bezel. Inside is the calibre 3285, the movement Rolex introduced in the GMT-Master II that same year, with a power reserve of around 70 hours and the Chronergy escapement.
The CHNR suffix is widely read as chocolat and noir, French for brown and black, in the same way BLNR stands for bleu and noir on the Batman. The full reference, suffix included, appears on the warranty card and in every listing, so it is the quickest way to confirm which version you are looking at.
The Rolex Root Beer in 18 ct Everose gold: 126715CHNR
Alongside the two-tone model, Rolex released the 126715CHNR, the same design in solid 18 ct Everose gold with a matching gold Oyster bracelet. It shares the brown and black bezel, the black dial and the calibre 3285, but it is a noticeably heavier watch and has a softer, richer colour from every angle.
The full gold Rolex Root Beer tends to suit people who already own a steel sports watch and want something warmer, or who wear their watches with tailoring as often as with casual clothes. The two-tone 126711CHNR is the more versatile everyday choice, and the one most buyers start with. Both wear the same size on the wrist, so the decision is about weight, colour and budget rather than fit.
Vintage and neo-vintage Rolex Root Beer references
Before ceramic, the Root Beer colours appeared on several two-tone and gold GMT-Masters with aluminium bezel inserts. The best known are:
- GMT-Master 1675/3. The 1970s steel and yellow gold model that started the nickname, with a brown dial and a brown and gold bezel.
- GMT-Master 16753. Its successor in steel and yellow gold, with a quick-set date and the same brown and gold colours.
- GMT-Master II 16713. The two-tone GMT-Master II of the 1990s and 2000s, offered with a brown and gold bezel among other options, and the last aluminium-bezel Root Beer.
These older watches are a different purchase from a modern Rolex Root Beer. Aluminium inserts fade and scratch, dials age, and parts were often replaced during servicing over the decades. A good example needs a specialist eye, and its value depends far more on the originality of the dial, hands and bezel than on how shiny it looks.
How to tell Rolex Root Beer generations apart
Once you know what to look for, the generations are easy to separate, even from photographs:
- Bezel material. Modern watches have a glossy ceramic insert with engraved, coated numerals. Vintage and neo-vintage watches have a matt aluminium insert with printed numerals.
- Bezel colours. The ceramic Rolex Root Beer is brown and black. The older aluminium versions are brown and gold.
- Gold colour. The modern watches use pink Everose gold. The 1675/3, 16753 and 16713 use yellow gold.
- Bracelet. The 126711CHNR and 126715CHNR are on the Oyster bracelet with an Oysterlock folding clasp and the Easylink comfort extension.
- Papers. The reference on the warranty card should match the reference engraved on the case between the lugs.
What to check when buying a pre-owned Rolex Root Beer
Most pre-owned examples of the modern Rolex Root Beer are relatively young and in good order, but each one is still an individual watch with its own history. These are the checks that matter most on this reference.
- The bezel insert. Ceramic resists fading and scratches, but it can chip or crack from a hard knock. Look closely at the edges of the insert and at the numerals.
- The bezel action. The GMT-Master II bezel turns in both directions and clicks into each hour position. It should move firmly, without slack or grinding.
- The Everose gold. Gold is softer than steel, so the centre links, crown and bezel edge show wear first. Fine scratches are normal; soft, rounded edges suggest heavy polishing.
- The bracelet. Check for stretch between the links and make sure the clasp closes firmly.
- The papers. The reference and serial on the card should match the watch exactly, and the date of sale tells you whether it may still be within Rolex's guarantee.
- Originality. Ask whether the insert, dial, hands and bracelet are original, and whether any parts were replaced at a service.
Ask for photographs in daylight from the side as well as the front, and ask how the watch is keeping time. Our guide to buying a pre-owned Rolex covers the general checks in more detail, and box and papers explained sets out what a full set should include.
What affects the value of a Rolex Root Beer?
Two watches with the same reference can be priced quite differently. The main factors are the metal (two-tone or full Everose gold), the year and whether the watch is still within Rolex's five-year guarantee, the condition of the case and bezel, and whether it comes with its box, papers and spare links. A watch that has been heavily polished, or has replacement parts, is usually worth less than an untouched one.
For vintage pieces the order changes. Originality comes first, then condition, then the paperwork. A 1675/3 with its original dial and an honestly worn insert can be more desirable than one that has been restored with new parts.
Rolex Root Beer, Batman, Pepsi, Sprite or Bruce Wayne?
All the modern GMT-Master II models share the same 40mm case, the same 24-hour bezel and the same calibre 3285, so the choice really comes down to colour, metal and bracelet. Here is how the Rolex Root Beer sits among its siblings:
- Batman. Blue and black bezel in steel. Cooler, sportier and more understated than the Root Beer.
- Pepsi. Red and blue, the original GMT colours. The most famous of the nicknames.
- Sprite. Green and black, with the crown and date on the left-hand side of the case.
- Bruce Wayne. Grey and black in steel, the quietest of the modern steel models.
Every modern Rolex Root Beer has Everose gold in the case, which is why many owners see it as the dressier GMT. Brown and Everose gold also look warmer on the wrist than the steel models, and suit a wider range of skin tones and clothes than you might expect from a sports watch.
Who the Rolex Root Beer suits
The Rolex Root Beer works well as a single watch for someone who travels, because the GMT function lets you track home time and local time at a glance. It is also a natural second Rolex for someone who already owns a steel Submariner or Datejust and wants something with more character.
If you are torn between the two modern references, try both on. The two-tone 126711CHNR is lighter and easier to wear every day; the 126715CHNR has more presence and feels like a precious object. Our GMT-Master II collection shows every reference we currently hold, so you can compare them side by side.
Using the GMT function
The GMT-Master II has a fourth hand that goes round the dial once every 24 hours and points to the bezel. Set it to your home time and it stays there while you travel. To change the local time, you move the hour hand on its own, in one-hour jumps, without stopping the watch, and the date follows it forwards or backwards.
Turning the bezel lets you read a third time zone against the 24-hour hand. On the Rolex Root Beer the brown half of the bezel covers the daytime hours and the black half the night, so you can tell at a glance whether it is day or night in the other place. The official Rolex GMT-Master II page shows the current collection and specifications.
Buying a Rolex Root Beer from Kings & Queens
Every watch we sell is inspected and authenticated by experienced watch specialists before it is offered for sale, and we record its serial number, bracelet number, movement identifiers and case markings. Unless a listing says otherwise, the watch is physically here and can be inspected before dispatch.
- Box and papers. Every listing states whether they are included.
- Warranty. Pre-owned watches carry our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. Where a watch is still within Rolex's warranty, Rolex's terms apply.
- Delivery. Free, fully insured and signed-for UK delivery, tracked once dispatched, with international shipping on most orders.
- Returns. 14 days to return the watch for a full refund to your original payment method.
- Reserving and paying. A £100 deposit holds a watch for 3 working days, and Klarna finance is available at checkout.
- Inspected and authenticatedEvery watch is checked by experienced specialists, with serial numbers and components verified before it is offered.
- 12-month warrantyPre-owned pieces carry a 12-month warranty against movement defects. Unworn watches carry the manufacturer's own cover.
- Fully insured deliveryFree, fully insured and signed-for delivery across the UK.
- 14-day returnsFourteen days to change your mind from the day your watch arrives. We cover the return postage.
If the exact Rolex Root Beer you want is not in stock, ask us. We source specific watches for clients on request, so tell us the reference, the year and whether you need box and papers.
See a Rolex Root Beer in Hatton Garden
Brown and Everose gold are hard to judge on a screen, because the colour shifts with the light. If you can, come and see the watch in person. Our Hatton Garden showroom is at 9 St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8UB, a short walk from Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations.
Viewings are by appointment, so the visit is private and unhurried. We are open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and on Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Bring your current watch if you would like to compare sizes or talk about a part exchange.
Selling your Rolex Root Beer?
We buy GMT-Master II watches directly for our own stock, not as a broker or on consignment. Send a few photographs on WhatsApp for a quick initial valuation, or book a free, no-obligation valuation at the showroom. A complete set with the box, papers and spare links is valued higher.
Once we agree a price and have authenticated the watch in person, we pay by secure bank transfer within 24 hours. If you cannot visit, we pay for fully insured postage or collection. There are no fees or commission: the agreed price is what you receive. See sell your Rolex GMT-Master II or our main sell your Rolex page for the full process, or use your watch as a part exchange.
Looking after a Rolex Root Beer
Rinse the watch in fresh water after swimming in the sea, make sure the crown is screwed down after setting the time, and keep it away from strong magnets. Ceramic is very scratch resistant, but a knock against a door frame can still chip it, so take a little care with the bezel. Our sister business Alpha Group, in the same building, carries out watch servicing, repairs and restoration. Keep any service papers with the box and papers, as they add to the history of the watch.
Rolex Root Beer FAQs
What is a Rolex Root Beer?
It is the collectors' nickname for the Rolex GMT-Master II with a brown and black bezel, today the 126711CHNR in Everose Rolesor and the 126715CHNR in 18 ct Everose gold. Older brown and gold GMT-Masters such as the 1675/3 carry the same name.
Why is it called the Root Beer?
The brown and gold colours of the 1970s two-tone GMT-Master reminded collectors of root beer, the dark American soft drink with a creamy head. Rolex has never used the name officially.
What is the difference between the 126711CHNR and the 126715CHNR?
The 126711CHNR combines Oystersteel with 18 ct Everose gold. The 126715CHNR is made entirely in 18 ct Everose gold, including the bracelet, so it is heavier and warmer in colour. The dial, bezel colours and movement are the same.
Does the Rolex Root Beer come on a Jubilee bracelet?
The modern 126711CHNR and 126715CHNR are fitted with the Oyster bracelet. If you see one on a different bracelet, ask whether it was changed and whether the original is included.
Is a pre-owned Rolex Root Beer still under warranty?
Rolex watches sold new since July 2015 carry a five-year guarantee, so a recent watch may still be covered; the warranty card shows the date of sale. Every pre-owned watch we sell also comes with our own 12-month mechanical warranty, unless the listing says otherwise.
Can I part exchange my watch for a Rolex Root Beer?
Yes. We value your watch and offset that value against the one you are buying in a single transaction. If your watch is worth more, we pay you the difference.
Can you find a specific Rolex Root Beer for me?
Yes. We source specific watches for clients on request. Tell us the reference, the year range and whether you need box and papers, and we will report back on what we find.
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Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with Rolex.
