Today I wanna talk about getting my hands on a Rolex GMT-Master II, specifically the Root Beer bezel version. Man, it was a journey, let me tell you.
So, first off, I hit up a bunch of authorized dealers. I’m talkin’ walking in, chatting them up, the whole nine yards. But no luck. They all gave me the same story – huge waiting list, could take up to two years, blah blah blah. I get it, it’s a popular watch, but come on! I even tried to play the “I’m a loyal customer” card, but they didn’t budge. Guess my purchase history wasn’t up to snuff.
After striking out at the official stores, I started looking online. Found some pre-owned ones, which was cool. One site had a two-tone model, 18K gold, the 126711CHNR, listed for around $17,000. Not bad, but I really wanted a new one. Plus, it was from 2021, and I was aiming for something more recent.
Then I stumbled upon another site that specializes in used luxury watches. They had a 126711 from 2023, the steel and rose gold version, which was closer to what I was looking for. The condition was listed as perfect, and it was “in stock” which was a big deal for me. The price was decent but, the “out of stock” tag was a real bummer. The website also didn’t mention anything about the original box or papers, which made me a bit hesitant, you know? Gotta have the full set.
I kept digging and found another pre-owned one from 2021. The description said it was a “modern masterpiece” but honestly, it didn’t really look like the original Root Beer GMT. I mean, it was nice, but it wasn’t the same, you know? Plus, again, no mention of the box and papers.
Digging Deeper
I was starting to get a little discouraged, but I wasn’t about to give up. I found this one place, I won’t name names, but they’re known for having a good selection of pre-owned Rolexes. They had a Root Beer GMT, but guess what? Out of stock. I swear, it felt like these watches were just teasing me. I even checked out some other brands, like Stuhrling, just to see what else was out there. Found some reviews on Amazon, but it wasn’t the same. It had to be a Rolex.
Finally, after weeks of searching, I found it. A brand new, 2023 Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer, with the box and papers, everything. It was at a smaller, independent dealer. They only had one in stock, and they were asking a premium, but I was so tired of looking. I pulled the trigger.
- The Purchase: I called them up, confirmed it was still available, and drove over there that same day.
- The Inspection: I checked out the watch in person, made sure everything was legit, the serial numbers matched, the whole deal.
- The Price: We haggled a bit on the price, but I ended up paying a bit more than retail. I know, I know, but I was just so happy to finally have it.
- The Result: Walked out of there with the watch on my wrist, feeling like a million bucks.
It was a hassle, but it was worth it. This Root Beer GMT is a beauty. The brown and black bezel is just stunning, and the two-tone look with the steel and rose gold is classy as hell. I’ve been wearing it every day since I got it, and I still catch myself staring at it. It’s not just a watch; it’s a statement, you know?
If you are in the market for one of these, be prepared to do some serious hunting and be ready to pay up. But trust me, it’s worth it. This watch is a keeper.
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