Rolex Zombie

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Zombie

The Rolex Zombie is the two-tone ref. 126713GRNR, the Yellow Rolesor Rolex GMT-Master II that pairs 904L Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold on a Jubilee bracelet, combined with a black dial and a black-and-grey Cerachrom bezel. Rolex launched the Zombie at Watches and Wonders 2023 alongside its steel sibling the Bruce Wayne (126710GRNR) and the full yellow gold 126718GRNR, marking the return of yellow gold to the modern GMT-Master II lineup after a roughly five-year absence. WatchGuys carries authenticated pre-owned and unworn Zombie examples in both production years available since launch, each backed by a 2-year warranty and our Buyer Protection program.

What Is the Rolex Zombie?

The Rolex Zombie is the collector nickname for the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126713GRNR. It features a 40mm Yellow Rolesor case (Oystersteel combined with 18k yellow gold), a black lacquer dial with applied yellow-gold-trimmed hour markers, and a two-tone grey-and-black Cerachrom ceramic bezel with yellow gold inlaid numerals and graduations. Rolex's internal suffix "GRNR" stands for Gris-Noir, French for grey-black, describing the bezel colorway. The watch runs the automatic Caliber 3285 with a 70-hour power reserve, Superlative Chronometer certification, and the independently adjustable local hour hand that defines the modern GMT-Master II. The Jubilee bracelet is the only factory bracelet option, with polished yellow gold center links and satin-finished Oystersteel outer links. Rolex itself has never officially used the Zombie nickname. It is a collector term that emerged in the months following the 2023 launch.

Why Is It Called the Rolex Zombie?

The Zombie nickname was not the obvious choice. When the 126713GRNR launched at Watches and Wonders 2023, collectors floated several alternatives in the forums and watch media, including Bumblebee (for the yellow-gold-and-dark combination), Wolverine (for the dark, clawed aesthetic with a flash of gold), and Guinness (for the black and grey stacked like a pint of stout with a tan head). Zombie prevailed because the dark, muted color scheme struck collectors as unusually somber and mysterious for a Rolex sport watch. The yellow gold accents against the black dial and grey-and-black bezel produce a reading that is less celebratory than a Pepsi or Root Beer, and the grey element in particular evokes a kind of lifeless pallor. Whatever the exact origin, Zombie stuck quickly enough that by early 2024 it was standard terminology across dealer listings, forums, and auction houses. The Bumblebee label still surfaces occasionally in parallel usage.

The Return of Yellow Gold to the GMT-Master II

The Zombie is part of a meaningful 2023 catalog move by Rolex: the return of yellow gold to the GMT-Master II after a roughly five-year absence. The previous modern yellow-gold GMT-Master II, the 116718LN with its black Cerachrom bezel, was discontinued around 2018, leaving the modern ceramic GMT-Master II lineup without any yellow gold configurations for five years. Rolex's Yellow Rolesor and full-yellow-gold GMT heritage runs deep through vintage references including the 16753, 16758, 16713, and 16718, and the 2023 GRNR references returned yellow gold to active production across three material configurations simultaneously. For the complete generational history of the GMT-Master II, including every material and bezel color, see our GMT-Master Buyer's Guide.

Rolex Zombie Price

Pre-owned Rolex Zombie prices at WatchGuys typically range from $19,000 to $25,000+, depending on production year, condition, and whether the watch includes its original box and papers. Unworn full-set examples sit at the top of the range. The current Rolex retail price after the January 2026 price adjustment sits around $18,500 to $19,000, but authorized dealer allocation for the Zombie is extremely limited, which is why secondary-market pricing typically trades above retail. Two-tone Rolex sport watches have broadly returned to favor in the market after years of stainless steel dominance, and the Zombie's relatively low production volume (as a relatively recent two-tone release) contributes to the premium. The Zombie sits in our Rolex over $20,000 segment. For live market context across the GMT-Master II family, see our Rolex GMT Market Update.

The Complete GRNR Family (Zombie, Bruce Wayne, and Full-Gold Sibling)

Rolex released three GMT-Master II references with the grey-and-black GRNR bezel at Watches and Wonders 2023, differentiated only by case and bracelet material. The Bruce Wayne (ref. 126710GRNR) is the all-Oystersteel version on either Oyster or Jubilee bracelet. The Zombie (ref. 126713GRNR) is the two-tone Yellow Rolesor version on Jubilee only. The ref. 126718GRNR is the full 18k yellow gold version on yellow gold Jubilee, often referred to informally as the "Goldilocks" or "Dark Knight." All three share the same 40mm case dimensions, Caliber 3285 movement, black dial, and black-and-grey ceramic bezel with yellow gold inlaid numerals on the Zombie and 126718GRNR. For a detailed look at the two-tone GMT-Master II lineage that led to the Zombie, see our 16713 two-tone review.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex Zombie From WatchGuys

The Zombie is one of the harder steel and gold GMT-Master II references to secure at authorized dealers, which has created a secondary market where counterfeits and polished-over pieces circulate alongside authentic examples. Dealer selection matters. Every pre-owned Rolex Zombie for sale at WatchGuys is authenticated in-house by our watchmakers and backed by the policies below.

Common Questions

Rolex Zombie FAQ

• What Is the Rolex Zombie?

  The Rolex Zombie is the collector nickname for the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126713GRNR, released at Watches and Wonders 2023. It features a 40mm Yellow Rolesor case (Oystersteel combined with 18k yellow gold), a black lacquer dial, a grey-and-black Cerachrom ceramic bezel with yellow gold inlaid numerals, and the Caliber 3285 automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve. It ships on the Jubilee bracelet with two-tone steel and gold links. Rolex's internal suffix "GRNR" stands for Gris-Noir, French for grey-black.

• How Much Does a Rolex Zombie Cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Zombie prices at WatchGuys typically range from $19,000 to $25,000+, depending on production year, condition, and whether the watch includes its original box and papers. Unworn full-set examples sit at the top of the range. The current Rolex retail price after the January 2026 price adjustment sits around $18,500 to $19,000, but authorized dealer allocation is extremely limited, which is why secondary-market pricing trades above retail.

• Why Is It Called the Rolex Zombie?

  The nickname came from the collector community after Watches and Wonders 2023. Several alternatives circulated including Bumblebee (for the yellow-gold-and-dark combination), Wolverine, and Guinness (for the black-and-grey stacked like a pint of stout), but Zombie prevailed because the dark, muted color scheme struck collectors as unusually somber and mysterious for a Rolex sport watch. The grey element in particular evokes a kind of lifeless pallor that feels different from the celebratory palette of a Pepsi or a Root Beer. Rolex has never officially used the nickname.

• Is the Rolex Zombie Discontinued?

  No. The 126713GRNR remains in active Rolex production as of April 2026, making the Zombie a current-production reference. Authorized dealer allocation is extremely limited, however, so most buyers turn to the pre-owned and unworn market to avoid multi-year waitlists. With the steel Rolex Pepsi discontinued at Watches and Wonders on April 14, 2026, the Zombie is one of the more distinctive in-catalog GMT-Master II options for buyers who want a two-tone configuration.

• What Is the Difference Between the Rolex Zombie and the Rolex Bruce Wayne?

  The Zombie and the Bruce Wayne were released together at Watches and Wonders 2023 and share the same grey-and-black Cerachrom bezel, black dial, 40mm case, and Caliber 3285 movement. The difference is the material. The Bruce Wayne (ref. 126710GRNR) is all-Oystersteel and comes on either Oyster or Jubilee bracelets. The Zombie (ref. 126713GRNR) is Yellow Rolesor, combining Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold, and comes on Jubilee only. The Zombie also adds yellow gold inlaid numerals on the bezel and gold-trimmed hour markers on the dial. Pricing reflects the material difference, with the Zombie trading several thousand dollars above the Bruce Wayne.

• Rolex Zombie vs. Goldilocks: What Is the Difference?

  The Zombie (ref. 126713GRNR) and the Goldilocks (ref. 126718GRNR, also informally called the Dark Knight) are the two-tone and full-gold siblings of the same 2023 release. Both share the grey-and-black Cerachrom bezel, black dial, 40mm case, Caliber 3285 movement, and Jubilee bracelet. The Zombie is Yellow Rolesor, meaning the case and bracelet center links are yellow gold while the bracelet outer links are Oystersteel. The Goldilocks is solid 18k yellow gold throughout the case and bracelet. The Goldilocks retail price is substantially higher, and secondary-market pricing reflects that. The Zombie offers most of the gold character at a more accessible entry point.

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