In short
- The Rolex Sprite is the GMT-Master II 126720VTNR, launched in 2022, with a green and black ceramic bezel.
- It is left-handed: the crown and the date are on the left side of the case, at 9 o'clock.
- It is made in steel and comes on either the Jubilee or the Oyster bracelet.
- Inside is the calibre 3285, the same movement as the other current GMT-Master II models.
- Check the bezel, the crown, the bracelet and the papers before you buy one pre-owned.
The Rolex Sprite is the nickname for the GMT-Master II 126720VTNR, the steel GMT with a green and black bezel and its crown on the left-hand side of the case. When Rolex introduced it in 2022 it surprised almost everyone, and it quickly became one of the most talked-about modern Rolex watches. This page explains the name, what makes the watch different, who it suits, what to check when buying one pre-owned and how it compares with the other GMT-Master II nicknames.
Why is it called the Rolex Sprite?
GMT-Master nicknames have a habit of borrowing from soft drinks. The red and blue bezel became the Pepsi, the red and black the Coke and the brown versions the Root Beer. When Rolex released a green and black bezel, collectors reached for the green of Sprite, and the name stuck.
You will also hear it called the Destro, or simply the left-handed GMT, because of where the crown sits. Rolex uses none of these names. On the warranty card it is the GMT-Master II 126720VTNR, and the VTNR suffix is widely read as vert and noir, French for green and black.
A left-handed Rolex
What really sets the Rolex Sprite apart is not the colour but the layout. On almost every Rolex the winding crown sits at 3 o'clock, on the right-hand side of the case. On the 126720VTNR the crown and its crown guards are on the left, at 9 o'clock, and the date window and Cyclops lens have moved to the left side of the dial too.
It was the first regular-production modern Rolex with this layout. Rather than designing a completely new watch, Rolex reconfigured the GMT-Master II so that everything reads correctly with the crown on the left. The result looks almost like a mirror image of a standard GMT, and it is instantly recognisable across a room.
Who the Rolex Sprite suits
The obvious answer is left-handed people who wear their watch on the right wrist. For them, a conventional Rolex has its crown facing the elbow, which makes it awkward to wind and set with the left hand. The Rolex Sprite turns that round, so the crown faces the hand and sits exactly where a right-wrist wearer naturally reaches for it.
It is not only for left-handers, though. Plenty of right-handed owners wear the Sprite on the left wrist as normal and simply like the look, or find that the crown no longer presses into the back of the hand when they bend the wrist. Others choose it because it is the most unusual watch in the current GMT-Master II line-up, and they want something that stands apart from the more familiar colours.
If you have never worn a left-handed watch, try one on before you decide. Setting the time with the crown on the opposite side takes a moment to get used to, and the balance on the wrist feels slightly different.
The Rolex Sprite in detail
- Case. 40mm Oystersteel, water resistant to 100 metres, with the crown and crown guards at 9 o'clock.
- Bezel. Bidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel with a two-colour green and black Cerachrom insert, the first time Rolex had made this combination.
- Dial. Black, with the date and Cyclops lens on the left and a green 24-hour hand.
- Movement. Calibre 3285, with a power reserve of around 70 hours and the Chronergy escapement.
- Bracelet. Five-piece Jubilee or three-piece Oyster, each with the Oysterlock folding clasp and the Easylink comfort extension.
Green has history on the GMT-Master II. The black-bezel 116710LN, made from 2007, also had a green 24-hour hand, so the Rolex Sprite's green hand is a return as much as a novelty. The full specification of the current models is on the official Rolex GMT-Master II page.
Jubilee or Oyster: choosing your Rolex Sprite
There is only one Rolex Sprite reference, so the main choice is the bracelet. Both have been offered since the launch, and the reference on the papers is the same either way.
The Jubilee has five small links with polished centres, so it catches the light, feels supple on the wrist and makes the watch look a little dressier. The Oyster has three broad links and gives the Sprite a more purposeful, tool-watch look. Neither is better; it depends on how you dress and what else is in your watch box. If you are buying pre-owned, check that the bracelet is the one the watch was sold with, or ask whether the original comes with it.
Both bracelets have the Easylink comfort extension, which lets you lengthen the bracelet by about 5mm without tools. It is a small detail, but it makes a real difference on a hot day or a long flight, when wrists tend to swell.
What to check when buying a pre-owned Rolex Sprite
The 126720VTNR has only been made since 2022, so most pre-owned examples are young and in good condition. Even so, every watch has its own history, and these are the points to look at closely:
- The ceramic insert. Check the edge of the insert and the engraved numerals for chips, and make sure the boundary between green and black is crisp.
- The crown. It should screw down smoothly and wind easily. Look closely at the crown guards for knocks.
- The date. It should change cleanly around midnight and sit centred under the Cyclops lens.
- The bracelet. Jubilee links in particular can show stretch with heavy wear. Check the clasp and the Easylink extension.
- Polishing. Sharp case edges and crisp lines between brushed and polished surfaces show a watch that has not been heavily refinished.
- The papers. The reference and serial on the card should match the watch. Every Rolex Sprite was sold new with Rolex's five-year guarantee, so check the date of sale.
Because the Rolex Sprite is so distinctive, it has also been widely copied. Buy from someone who inspects the movement as well as the outside of the watch. Our guides to buying a pre-owned Rolex and Rolex reference numbers cover the general checks.
Box and papers for a Rolex Sprite
Because the 126720VTNR is a recent watch, a complete set is common and worth asking for. That means the box, the warranty card, the booklets, the hang tags and any links removed when the bracelet was sized. The card should show the reference, the serial number and the date of the first sale.
Check that the serial on the card matches the one engraved on the rehaut, the inner ring between the dial and the crystal, at 6 o'clock. A Rolex Sprite without papers can still be a sound purchase if it has been properly authenticated, but a full set is reassuring and helps the watch hold its value. Our guide to box and papers explains what each item is.
Wearing a Rolex Sprite every day
At 40mm, with a case water resistant to 100 metres, the Sprite is as practical as any GMT-Master II. It copes with swimming, sport and travel, and the ceramic bezel shrugs off the small scratches that would mark an aluminium insert over time.
Green and black is also more versatile than it sounds. Against a black dial the green reads as dark and sporty rather than loud, and it sits comfortably with navy, grey, olive and denim. On the Jubilee, the Rolex Sprite works with a suit; on the Oyster, it feels most at home with casual clothes.
Looking after a Rolex Sprite
Screw the crown down fully after setting the time, rinse the watch in fresh water after swimming in the sea, and keep it away from strong magnets such as speakers and magnetic phone cases. Our sister business, Alpha Group, in the same building, carries out watch servicing, repairs and restoration when the time comes.
What affects the value of a Rolex Sprite?
With one reference and only a few years of production, the differences between examples are mostly about condition and completeness. The factors that matter are the bracelet, the year and how much of Rolex's guarantee remains, the condition of the case and insert, and whether the watch comes with its box, papers, hang tags and spare links.
A Rolex Sprite that has been worn lightly and never polished, with everything it was sold with, will always be the easiest to sell later. A watch with replacement parts, or one that has been heavily polished, is usually worth less.
The Rolex Sprite and its GMT-Master II siblings
The Sprite shares its 40mm case, 24-hour bezel and calibre 3285 with the rest of the current GMT-Master II family. The other nicknames are all right-handed:
- Pepsi. Red and blue, the original GMT colours.
- Batman. Blue and black in steel, on the Oyster or the Jubilee.
- Bruce Wayne. Grey and black in steel, the quietest option.
- Root Beer. Brown and black, with Everose gold in the case.
Among them, the Rolex Sprite is the only one with its crown on the left. If you are choosing between it and the Batman or the Pepsi, the crown position usually decides the matter more than the colour does, which is another reason to try them on side by side.
If it is the green you love rather than the left-handed crown, look at the green-bezel Submariner, the Rolex Starbucks, as well. It is a diver's watch rather than a GMT, but it shares the black dial and green and black colour scheme.
Using the GMT function on a left-handed watch
The GMT function works exactly as it does on the other GMT-Master II models. The green 24-hour hand shows your home time against the bezel. When you travel, you move the hour hand on its own in one-hour jumps to the local time, without stopping the watch, and the date follows it forwards or backwards. Turning the bezel lets you read a third time zone.
The only difference is the hand you use. With the crown on the left, you set and wind the Rolex Sprite from the other side, which feels natural on the right wrist and takes a little getting used to on the left.
Buying a Rolex Sprite from Kings & Queens
Before any watch is offered for sale it is inspected and authenticated by experienced watch specialists, and we record its serial number, bracelet number, movement identifiers and case markings. Unless a listing says otherwise, the watch is physically in stock and available for inspection before dispatch, and every listing states whether the box and papers are included.
- 12-month warranty. Our mechanical warranty runs from delivery on pre-owned watches, unless the listing says otherwise; where Rolex's guarantee still applies, Rolex's terms apply.
- Free insured delivery. UK delivery is free, fully insured and signed for, and tracked once dispatched.
- 14-day returns. Return the watch within 14 days for a full refund to your original payment method.
- Reserve or spread the cost. 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 you want a particular bracelet or year and we do not have it, we source specific watches for clients on request.
Try a Rolex Sprite in Hatton Garden
A left-handed watch is the one watch you really should try on before you buy. Our Hatton Garden showroom at 9 St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8UB, is a few minutes' walk from Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations, in London's historic jewellery quarter.
Every viewing is by appointment, so it is private and unhurried. We are open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. If you are thinking of trading in your current watch, bring it along.
Selling your Rolex Sprite
We buy GMT-Master II watches directly for our own stock, with no broker and no consignment. Send photographs of your Rolex Sprite on WhatsApp for a quick initial valuation, or book a free, no-obligation valuation at the showroom. Bring the box, papers, hang tags and spare links, because a complete set is valued higher.
Once we have agreed a price and authenticated the watch in person, we pay by secure bank transfer within 24 hours. We pay for fully insured postage or collection if you cannot come in, and there are no fees or commission. See sell your Rolex GMT-Master II and sell your Rolex, or part exchange it towards another watch.
Rolex Sprite FAQs
What is the Rolex Sprite?
It is the nickname for the Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR, a steel GMT with a green and black bezel and the crown and date on the left-hand side, introduced in 2022.
Why is the crown on the left?
So that someone who wears a watch on the right wrist can wind and set it as easily as a right-handed person does with a conventional watch on the left. Many right-handed owners also wear it on the left wrist simply because they like the look.
Is the Rolex Sprite only for left-handed people?
No. It works on either wrist. On the left wrist the crown sits towards the elbow, so it does not press into the back of the hand. Try it on to see how it feels.
Does the Rolex Sprite come on a Jubilee or an Oyster bracelet?
Both. Rolex has offered the 126720VTNR on the five-piece Jubilee and the three-piece Oyster since it was introduced.
Is the Rolex Sprite the same as the Starbucks?
No. The Starbucks is a Submariner with a green bezel. The Sprite is a GMT-Master II with a green and black 24-hour bezel and a left-hand crown.
Is a pre-owned Rolex Sprite still under Rolex's guarantee?
Possibly. It was introduced in 2022 and sold with Rolex's five-year guarantee, so check the date on the warranty card. Every pre-owned watch we sell also has our own 12-month mechanical warranty, unless the listing says otherwise.
Can I sell or part exchange my Rolex Sprite with you?
Yes. We buy directly for our own stock and pay by bank transfer within 24 hours once a price is agreed and the watch is authenticated in person. You can also offset its value against another watch.
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Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with Rolex.
