Rolex 116710 vs 126710, which one should you buy
The answer first, then the reasons.
Buy the 126710 if you want the better movement and a watch Rolex still makes. Buy the 116710 if you want the all-black bezel or the cheapest way into a ceramic GMT-Master II.
The Rolex 116710 vs 126710 question comes down to what's inside. Both share the same 40mm Oystersteel case, the same 100m water resistance, and the same jumping local hour hand. The 126710 runs on caliber 3285 with a 70-hour power reserve. The 116710 runs on caliber 3186 with about 48 hours.
Our pick for most buyers is the 126710BLNR on the Oyster bracelet. It trades around $17,200 as of September 2026, roughly $2,800 more than the older 116710BLNR. That gap buys a newer movement, a longer runway before the first service, and a watch that is easy to sell later.
If your budget stops near $12,000, or you simply want a black bezel, the 116710LN is the smarter buy. Nothing about it feels dated on the wrist.
The short version
The Rolex GMT-Master II 126710 replaced the 116710 as the steel GMT-Master II. Market figures below are WatchCharts pre-owned estimates as of September 2026.
- Same 40mm Oystersteel case, Cerachrom bezel, 100m water resistance, and independent local hour hand on both.
- The 126710 uses caliber 3285 with about 70 hours of power reserve. The 116710 uses caliber 3186 with about 48 hours.
- The 116710 came only on the Oyster bracelet. The 126710 comes on Oyster or Jubilee.
- The only steel GMT-Master II with an all-black ceramic bezel is the 116710LN. The only steel ceramic Pepsi is the 126710BLRO, discontinued in April 2026.
- Rough market prices: 116710LN about $12,200, 116710BLNR about $14,400, 126710BLNR about $17,200, 126710GRNR about $20,300, 126710BLRO about $21,800.
- The catch: the 116710 stops over a weekend in the drawer, and the youngest examples date to 2019, so many are due or close to due for service.
How the Rolex 116710 and 126710 are the same
The shared hardware, and why the two look identical from across a room.
From three feet away you can't tell them apart. On the wrist, the difference is smaller than the price gap suggests.
Both use the broad-lug Maxi case Rolex introduced in this era, with no lug holes and solid end links. Both have a sapphire crystal with a Cyclops over the date, a Triplock screw-down crown, and Chromalight lume that glows blue.
The GMT function works the same way on both. You pull the crown to the first position and the local hour hand jumps in one-hour steps without stopping the seconds. The date follows it forward and backward. The 24-hour hand stays on home time, and the bezel lets you track a third zone.
Both carry a Cerachrom bezel insert with platinum-coated numerals. Ceramic doesn't fade the way the aluminium inserts on the older 16710 did, which is why a 2008 116710LN bezel still looks like the day it left the dealer.
Shared specs, 116710 and 126710
Rolex 116710 vs 126710, every difference that matters
Movement, bracelet, colorways, and the one dial detail that gives it away.
Three changes you will actually feel are the movement, the bracelet choice, and the colorways. Everything else needs a loupe.
The movement
The caliber 3285 in the 126710 uses Rolex's Chronergy escapement and holds about 70 hours of power. The caliber 3186 in the 116710 holds about 48. Take a 126710 off Friday night and it's still running Monday morning. A 116710 will have stopped, and you'll be resetting both time zones and the date before your coffee.
The 3285 is certified to Rolex's Superlative Chronometer standard of minus 2 to plus 2 seconds per day after casing. The 3186 is a COSC-certified chronometer, and later 116710s carry the green Superlative Chronometer tag as well [verify the production year this began]. On the bench, a healthy 3186 still runs within a few seconds a day.
The bracelet
The 116710 was only ever sold on the Oyster bracelet. The 126710 launched in 2018 on the Jubilee, and Rolex added Oyster versions in 2021. If you want the five-link Jubilee from the factory, only the 126710 gives you that.
The colorways
The 116710LN has an all-black bezel with a green GMT hand and green model text, which is why collectors call it the Green Arrow. It ran from 2007 to 2019. The 116710BLNR Batman arrived in 2013 as the first two-color ceramic bezel Rolex made in steel, and was replaced in 2019.
The 126710 has only ever come in two-color bezels. The BLRO Pepsi ran from 2018 until Rolex dropped it at Watches and Wonders in April 2026. The BLNR in blue and black arrived in 2019, and the GRNR in grey and black in 2024. There is no 126710LN, and there was never a factory 116710 Pepsi.
The dial tell
Look at six o'clock. The 126710 has a tiny Rolex crown printed between Swiss and Made. The 116710 doesn't. It's the fastest way to identify one across a counter.
| Feature | 126710 | 116710 |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 2018 to present | 2007 to 2019 |
| Movement | Cal. 3285 | Cal. 3186 |
| Power reserve | About 70 hours | About 48 hours |
| Escapement | Chronergy | Swiss lever |
| Bracelets | Oyster or Jubilee | Oyster only |
| Bezels | Blue and black, grey and black, red and blue (discontinued) | Black, blue and black |
| Crown at six on dial | Yes | No |
| Market price, September 2026 | About $17,200 to $21,800 | About $12,200 to $14,400 |
Market prices are WatchCharts pre-owned estimates as of September 2026 and vary by condition, year, and completeness.
Own a 116710 and eyeing a 126710?
Send us photos and we'll make a same-day offer on your watch, then help you find the 126710 you want. No fees, no commissions.
116710 vs 126710 on the wrist
What each one feels like after a full day, from the watches that cross our counter.
On the Oyster bracelet they wear almost identically. The Jubilee is where the 126710 turns into a different watch.
Both measure 40mm with roughly 48mm lug to lug and about 12mm thick [verify exact thickness per reference]. The broad lugs make them wear a touch bigger than the 16710 they replaced. Both slide under a shirt cuff without catching.
The Oyster bracelet on both has brushed outer links and polished center links. That polished strip looks sharp for about two weeks. After that it collects desk scratches, and we see it on nearly every example that comes in. If that bothers you, budget for a polish at service or live with it.
The Jubilee on the 126710 drapes more and dresses the watch up. It's the more comfortable bracelet on a hot LA afternoon. The downside is the small links, which hold grime and can pull arm hair until they break in.
The bezel action feels the same on both, firm with clean clicks and no play. Ceramic won't scratch in normal wear, but it can chip at the edge if you catch it on a door frame. That's the one bezel flaw we check for on every GMT.
Rolex 116710 and 126710 prices as of September 2026
What each reference trades for, and what the gap looks like after tax.
A 126710BLNR costs about $2,800 more than a 116710BLNR on the secondary market, and about $5,000 more than a 116710LN.
GMT-Master II market prices, September 2026
Pre-owned figures are WatchCharts estimates, verified September 2026. Retail per WatchCharts, with Jubilee versions listed around $12,000. Full sets sit at the top of each range.
The math after sales tax
If your authorized dealer offers you a 126710BLNR, take it. At $11,800 plus Los Angeles sales tax of 9.75 percent, you pay about $12,951. That's roughly $4,250 under the pre-owned market.
Buying pre-owned in California, the tax lands on both. A 126710BLNR at $17,200 becomes about $18,877. A 116710BLNR at $14,400 becomes about $15,804. The real gap you're weighing is about $3,070, and a 116710LN at $12,200 comes to about $13,390.
Remember that a listing price isn't money. When you sell, a dealer offer lands below these market estimates. Our current buy offers on a full-set 116710LN and 126710BLNR are [WG to supply September 2026 buy offers]. Call us for today's number before you do any resale math.
The Pepsi after discontinuation
The steel 126710BLRO climbed nearly 12 percent in the first quarter of 2026 on discontinuation rumors, then eased after the April announcement as more sellers listed. It sits around $21,800 now. We wouldn't chase unworn examples asking over $30,000. The spike already happened.
What GMT-Master II collectors should check before buying
What we look at when a 116710 or 126710 comes across the counter.
On a 116710, check the service history first. On a 126710, check the paperwork first.
Every 116710 is at least seven years old now. Rolex recommends servicing roughly every 10 years, so plenty of these are due. A full Rolex service costs [WG to confirm current Rolex service price], and that belongs in your offer on any watch without recent service papers.
On every 3186 we run the local hour hand through a full day in both directions. The 24-hour hand should hold its position and the date should snap over cleanly at midnight. Early 3186 movements had a reputation for a GMT hand that could shift, and a service fixes it, so treat it as a price point rather than a deal breaker.
Look at the lug edges in raking light. The Maxi case has a sharp polished bevel where it meets the brushed top. An overpolished case rounds that edge off, and collectors pay less for it. Count the links too, since missing links cost real money to replace through Rolex.
Warranty status differs. Every 116710 warranty has expired. A 126710 bought new in 2022 or later may still have time left on Rolex's five-year warranty, which runs from the date on the card.
Risk flag
There is no factory 116710 Pepsi. Rolex never made a steel 116710 with a red and blue bezel. If a listing shows one, the bezel insert is aftermarket and the watch is worth less than a stock example, no matter how clean it looks.
Want to try both on?
Book a visit to our showroom at 613 S Hill St and wear a 116710 and a 126710 back to back.
Which GMT-Master II is right for you
Pick by how you'll wear it and what you'll spend.
Most people should buy the 126710BLNR. Here's who should buy something else.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR
Our pick. You get the 70-hour movement, your choice of bracelet, and a reference Rolex still makes. If you prefer a quieter bezel, the 126710GRNR is the same watch in grey and black for about $3,000 more.
Rolex GMT-Master II 116710LN
The value pick, and the only steel ceramic GMT-Master II with an all-black bezel. It reads as a tool watch first and a Rolex second. Buy one with recent service papers or knock the service cost off the price.
Rolex GMT-Master II 116710BLNR
The original ceramic Batman, and the cheapest way into a two-color bezel. It makes sense if you only want the Oyster bracelet and you wear your watch daily, so the shorter power reserve never comes up.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO Pepsi
Buy it only if the Pepsi bezel is the whole point. You're paying about $4,600 over a Batman for color and history. As a discontinued reference it should hold value, but it's a collector's buy, not a smart money move at today's prices.
Who should look elsewhere
If polished center links will drive you crazy, look at the Rolex Explorer II 226570. It has a fully brushed bracelet and a fixed 24-hour bezel. If you want a GMT around 39mm, the Tudor Black Bay Pro is the closest thing in spirit. If your budget sits well under $10,000, the Tudor Black Bay GMT and the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT do the same job for far less.
Rolex 116710 vs 126710 FAQ
What is the difference between the Rolex 116710 and 126710?
The Rolex 126710 replaced the 116710 as the steel GMT-Master II. Both use a 40mm Oystersteel case, a Cerachrom bezel, and 100m water resistance. The 126710 has the newer caliber 3285 with a 70-hour power reserve and comes on Oyster or Jubilee bracelets, while the 116710 uses caliber 3186 with about 48 hours of reserve and came only on the Oyster bracelet.
Is the Rolex 126710 worth the extra money over the 116710?
For most buyers, yes. As of September 2026, a pre-owned 126710BLNR trades around $17,200 versus about $14,400 for a 116710BLNR, according to WatchCharts. The difference buys a longer power reserve, a newer movement further from its first service, and the option of a Jubilee bracelet. Buyers who want an all-black bezel or the lowest entry price should choose the 116710LN at around $12,200.
Did Rolex make a 116710 Pepsi?
No. Rolex never made a steel 116710 with a red and blue bezel. The first ceramic Pepsi was the white gold 116719BLRO in 2014, and the first steel ceramic Pepsi was the 126710BLRO in 2018. A 116710 wearing a Pepsi bezel has an aftermarket insert and is worth less than an original watch.
Is the Rolex 126710 discontinued?
Only the Pepsi version. Rolex discontinued the steel 126710BLRO at Watches and Wonders in April 2026. As of September 2026, the 126710BLNR with a blue and black bezel and the 126710GRNR with a grey and black bezel remain in production.
How can you tell a Rolex 116710 from a 126710?
Look at six o'clock on the dial. The 126710 has a small Rolex crown printed between the words Swiss and Made, and the 116710 does not. A Jubilee bracelet or a red and blue bezel also points to a 126710, since the 116710 was only made on the Oyster bracelet with black or blue and black bezels.
What is the power reserve of the Rolex 116710 and 126710?
The Rolex 116710 uses caliber 3186 with a power reserve of about 48 hours. The Rolex 126710 uses caliber 3285 with about 70 hours. A 126710 taken off on Friday evening will still be running on Monday morning, and a 116710 usually will not.
Is the Rolex 116710LN a good investment?
The Rolex 116710LN is better thought of as a value buy than an investment. It peaked above $16,000 in early 2022 and traded around $12,200 in September 2026 according to WatchCharts. It is the last steel GMT-Master II with an all-black bezel, which supports demand, but prices can fall as well as rise.
How often does a Rolex GMT-Master II need servicing?
Rolex recommends servicing its current watches roughly every 10 years, depending on use. Most Rolex 116710s were made between 2007 and 2019, so many are due or close to due for service. A 126710 bought new in recent years is usually a long way from its first service.
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