Best Watch Straps for the Rolex GMT-Master II

2026-05-01

Best Watch Straps for the Rolex GMT-Master II

Best Watch Straps for the Rolex GMT-Master II

The Rolex GMT-Master II is the watch that defined the traveller's timepiece. Designed in collaboration with Pan American World Airways in 1954 for long-haul pilots who needed to read two time zones simultaneously, it has evolved through seven decades of refinement into one of the most coveted and most actively collected watches in the world. Its two-tone ceramic bezel — the element that defines each colourway and gives each reference its nickname — makes it one of the most visually distinctive Rolex references. And that visual distinctiveness makes the strap conversation more interesting than on almost any other watch in the catalogue.

This guide covers the full GMT-Master II range — the Pepsi, Batman, Sprite, Root Beer, Coke, and steel variants — with specific guidance on strap combinations that suit each bezel colourway and the leather, rubber, and nylon options that work best across the collection.

Rolex GMT-Master II Strap Size

Every Rolex GMT-Master II reference — current and recent production — uses 20mm lugs with standard spring bars. This covers every reference from the current generation (126710, 126711, 126715, 126718, 126719, 126720) through the previous generation (116710, 116713, 116718, 116719) and the five-digit references (16710, 16713, 16718).

All GMT-Master II references use a 40mm case with a 20mm lug width — one of the most consistent sizing specifications in the entire Rolex catalogue. Order 20mm for any GMT-Master II reference without exception.

The GMT-Master II Colourways — Why They Matter for Strap Choice

The GMT-Master II is defined by its two-tone ceramic bezel. Each colourway has its own collector nickname, its own character, and its own most appropriate strap palette. Getting the strap right on a GMT means understanding which bezel you are working with.

Pepsi (blue/red) — ref. 126710BLRO, 116710BLNR: The original colourway, returning in ceramic in 2018. Blue and red references the original Pan Am livery and aviation heritage directly. The most versatile of the GMT colourways — suits both warm and cool leather tones, both military and dress strap approaches.

Batman (black/blue) — ref. 116710BLNR: The first ceramic two-tone GMT, produced from 2013. The darker, more understated colourway suits cooler and more neutral strap choices. Navy, black, and grey nylon; dark leather.

Sprite (green/black) — ref. 126720VTNL: The left-hand crown GMT, introduced 2022. The green ceramic element is the most distinctive and most specific colourway — strap choice needs to either echo or deliberately contrast the green.

Root Beer (brown/black, Everose gold) — ref. 126715CHNR: The two-tone Everose gold reference with the warm brown and black bezel. The warmest GMT colourway. Warm brown leather, tropical rubber, and warm-toned nylon are all natural companions.

Coke (black/red, steel) — ref. 126710BLRO steel: Black and red in steel. The most minimal and most operational of the colourways — suits black and red accent straps directly.

Meteorite/Black (ref. 126710LN steel): All-black ceramic bezel. The most understated GMT — suits the full range of strap materials without the bezel imposing a colour direction.

Best Leather Straps for the Rolex GMT-Master II

The GMT-Master II wears leather with the same authority as the Submariner — its polished and brushed case finishing creates a dress-sport character that leather suits naturally. A leather GMT does not look wrong. It looks like a deliberate and confident choice.

Vintage two-stitch calfskin in cognac at 20mm is the most widely recommended leather combination across the GMT-Master II range. The warm cognac tone works across every bezel colourway — it creates a warm contrast with the Batman's cool blue/black, a tonal harmony with the Root Beer's warm brown/black, and a heritage character with the Pepsi's aviation-heritage blue/red. This is the combination that appears most frequently in GMT collector photography.

Dark brown padded calfskin at 20mm — the most substantial everyday leather option. The padded profile suits the GMT's 40mm case and 12mm+ case thickness proportionally.

Classic black calfskin at 20mm — the most formal GMT combination. Black leather on the Batman or the Coke creates a monochromatic cool combination that reads as deliberately considered.

Burgundy calfskin at 20mm — particularly effective on the Root Beer's warm Everose gold case. The deep red-brown of burgundy echoes the warm tones of the case and bezel directly.

Tan suede at 20mm — the most relaxed leather option. Tan suede on a GMT-Master II suits weekends and casual contexts where the soft matte texture complements the watch's adventurous character.

Vintage two-stitch calfskin in dark brown at 20mm — for the Root Beer specifically. The warm dark brown leather against the brown/black bezel and Everose gold case creates the most tonally coherent leather combination available for this reference.

Best Nylon Straps for the Rolex GMT-Master II

The GMT-Master II has a direct operational heritage — it was designed for airline pilots, issued to military personnel, and worn on service straps in exactly the tradition that the single-pass nylon strap represents. Nylon on a GMT is not incongruous. It is historically coherent.

Single-pass nylon — Original at 20mm with the CNS solid buckle. The most appropriate colourways by reference:

Pepsi (blue/red): Navy and red nylon for direct bezel-echo; black and grey for the Craig Bond association; solid navy for tonal depth against the blue ceramic.
Batman (black/blue): Black and grey or solid black — the cool, dark colourways that suit the Batman's understated character. Navy for tonal coherence with the blue bezel element.
Sprite (green/black): Olive or khaki for the most military-grounded combination; solid black for maximum contrast with the green bezel.
Root Beer: Khaki, brown, or olive for warm earthy tones that echo the bezel's warmth.
Coke (black/red): Black and red stripe to reference the bezel directly; solid black for the most minimal approach.
All-black bezel: Any colour works — the neutral bezel imposes no direction.

Perlon at 20mm — the most elegant fabric option for a GMT worn in smart-casual contexts. Grey perlon on the Batman or the all-black bezel creates a refined, understated combination. Navy perlon on the Pepsi is the most tonally coherent perlon choice.

Marine Nationale elastic at 20mm — the most comfortable GMT strap for travel and sustained daily wear. The elastic construction conforms to the wrist through long-haul flights — appropriate for a watch designed for exactly this context.

Paratrooper elastic at 20mm — the most comfortable daily-wear option.

Best Rubber Straps for the Rolex GMT-Master II

The GMT-Master II is rated to 100m — it handles water use comfortably and FKM rubber suits the watch's operational tool watch character for active wear.

Tropical style FKM in black at 20mm — the most admired rubber combination for the GMT in the collector community. The basket-weave and honeycomb surface patterns reference original 1960s pilot and diver watch rubber and give the GMT a vintage-inspired character that flat rubber cannot provide.

Brown tropical style FKM at 20mm — the Root Beer combination. The warm brown rubber tone against the brown/black bezel and Everose gold case creates a fully warm, coherent combination that is among the most discussed Root Beer strap choices in collector communities.

Classic FKM rubber in black at 20mm — the most practical active choice for travel and outdoor use.

Cut-to-size FKM with deployant at 20mm — precision-trimmed to exact wrist length, deployant closure. The most premium rubber option for a GMT worn in smart-casual contexts where no excess tail is acceptable.

Recommended Combinations by Colourway

Pepsi (blue/red) — cognac vintage two-stitch leather for heritage character; navy and red single-pass nylon for direct bezel reference; black tropical FKM for active wear. All at 20mm.

Batman (black/blue) — classic black calfskin for formal; black and grey single-pass nylon for casual; black tropical FKM for active. All at 20mm.

Sprite (green/black) — cognac vintage two-stitch for warm contrast; olive single-pass nylon for military-grounded combination. At 20mm.

Root Beer (brown/black, Everose) — dark brown vintage two-stitch leather for tonal harmony; brown tropical FKM for the warmest rubber combination; burgundy calfskin for the most distinctive formal option. All at 20mm.

All-black bezel (116710LN, 126710LN) — cognac vintage two-stitch for warm contrast; black single-pass nylon for minimal operational look; any tropical FKM colour for active wear. All at 20mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size strap does the Rolex GMT-Master II take? Every Rolex GMT-Master II reference uses 20mm lugs with standard spring bars — current generation (126710, 126711, 126715, 126718), previous generation (116710, 116713, 116718), and five-digit references (16710, 16713). Order 20mm for any GMT-Master II reference.

What is the best leather strap for the Rolex GMT-Master II? Cognac vintage two-stitch calfskin at 20mm works across all GMT colourways and is the most widely recommended leather combination. For the Root Beer specifically, dark brown vintage two-stitch creates the most tonally coherent warm combination.

What rubber strap suits the Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi? Black tropical style FKM at 20mm is the most collector-appropriate rubber choice — the vintage basket-weave texture suits the Pepsi's heritage character. Classic black FKM for the most practical active option.

What strap suits the GMT-Master II Root Beer? Dark brown vintage two-stitch leather or brown tropical style FKM at 20mm — both echo the warm brown/black bezel and Everose case tones directly. Burgundy calfskin for the most distinctive formal option.

What nylon strap suits the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman? Black and grey single-pass nylon at 20mm — the cool, dark tones suit the Batman's understated black/blue character. Navy single-pass nylon for tonal coherence with the blue bezel element.