The Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer is a popular watch due to its warm black and brown ceramic bezel. It mixes Oystersteel with non-fading Everose gold. Not only is the Root Beet suitable for pilots, but it is also an excellent watch for travelers because it looks so good with a suit. Although the Pepsi model is loud, the Root Beet offers a more unique and classy look. The reference 126711CHNR has a strong value in the current market. Browse our Root Beer watch collection.
Root Beer
The Rolex Root Beer is an important part of the GMT-Master II watch family, which means the company has designed this model for pilots and travelers. The most defining feature of the Root Beer model is the split-color bezel. You will find two main versions in the current market. The first one is the vintage style launched in the 1970s and 1980s, and the second one is the modern ceramic version introduced in 2018. The modern watch uses Everose gold, which is the company’s own pink gold alloy. It does not fade over time like the standard copper-mixed gold.
The name Root Beer is not official because Rolex does not print this on the dial. Collectors gave it this name because the bezel’s colors, such as the brown and gold on classic models as well as the brown and black on modern watches, look like a glass of root beer soda. For example, you may hear the name “Clint Eastwood” in the watch collector community. Eastwood is the famous actor who wore the vintage reference 16753 in his movies “Firefox” and “In the Line of Fire.”
Therefore, the older model with the nipple dial, such as small raised gold hour markers, is usually called the “Clint Eastwood.” Tiger Eye is another name that comes from the German word “Tigeraugen.” Most people use this name for the vintage models where the dial has a sunburst brown finish that reflects like a gemstone. Moreover, the collector’s community usually calls the modern reference “126711CHNR” “Root Beer.” On the other hand, most dealers call this model “CHNR” or “Chocolat/Noir.”
All Root Beer watches, including older and newer models, share the same purpose, which is reading multiple time zones. However, technology changes from time to time, which means some versions have different features as well. Here are the most common technical specifications:
Collectors’ community divides the Rolex Root Beet Watch Family into three main groups based on their era and mechanics.
The Vintage Era: Examples include reference 1675/3 and 16753. These have aluminum bezel inserts and yellow gold, and the brown color on the bezel usually fades to a “ghost” look over time. Many watches have the Jubilee bracelet, which gives them a dressy look. Remember, these watches have the movement of older Calibre 1575 or 3075.
The Neo-Vintage Era: These watch versions, such as the reference 16713, are the bridge between old and new Rolex Root Beer models. For instance, they use the Calibre 3185 movement, which allows for an independently adjustable hour hand. Likewise, it looks like the old ones with an aluminum bezel and yellow gold.
The Modern Ceramic Root Beer: You see models, such as references like 126711CHNR and 126715CHNR, in showrooms and boutiques today. These versions use pink gold, also called Everose gold, instead of yellow gold. The bezel is ceramic (Cerachrom), which will never scratch or fade. The movement is the new Calibre 3285 with a 70-hour power reserve. Moreover, the bracelet is mostly the Oyster style with the Easylink extension. However, you can also find the Jubilee option compatible with newer GMT watches. But the Oyster is the standard for the Root Beer 126711CHNR.
Buying a Rolex Root Beet is not always simple and easy. You have the official price and the market price. The gap between these two has closed slightly this year compared to three years ago. However, there is still a premium for the two-tone model.
You go to the secondary market if you want to buy a Rolex Root Beet Watch without waiting. Dealers in Dubai, including Watch Maestro, trade these Rolex watches daily. The current price for the modern reference 126711CHNR two-tone watches is between AED 70,000 and AED 80,000 in the UAE. However, the condition of the watch is very important when it comes to the price. For example, an unworn or the latest model with stickers or a fresh warranty card has a price between AED 78,000 and AED 80,000.
On the other hand, a “very good” condition watch from 2020 is closer to AED 70,000. A watch sold without a box and card is cheaper. However, it is harder to resell later. Therefore, we recommend buying a Rolex Root Beer watch with the full set for investment. Moreover, a solid gold Root Beer, such as the reference 126715CHNR, has a secondary market price of AED 165,000. Solid gold sport watches depreciate more than steel or two-tone initially, so you can sometimes find these below retail or close to it, unlike steel models.
The official retail price for the model reference 126711CHNR made of Everose Rolesor is approximately AED 72,300. On the other hand, the 18ct Everose Gold 12671CHNR is AED 184,800, and this is because of the full solid rose gold. Keep in mind that retail prices increase every year, and Rolex usually adjusts prices in January.
The Root Beer watch is less volatile than the Rolex Pepsi or the Rolex Daytona. It does not crash as hard. However, it also does not increase in price compared to other models. Thus, it is a slow and steady climber. The two-tone steel and gold watches were very soft in value until the 126711CHNR, which changed everything. It is one of the few two-tone watches that trade above its retail price.
In addition, you can easily wear this watch with a suit due to its neutral black and brown colors compared to the bright blue and red colors of the Rolex Pepsi. So, this makes the Root Beer watch easy to sell, which means there is always a buyer for this model. Currently, the premium for Root Beer is about 10% to 15% over retail, which is a safe premium, and this shows the market demand is real and not just hype.
Obviously, you want a genuine Root Beer watch when spending this much money. We are saying this because there are many fakes in the market. Therefore, checking the authenticity is very important. Our experts at Watch Maestro recommend the following:
Moreover, the latest Root Beer comes with a 5-year international guarantee. The green warranty card is your proof. If you buy a pre-owned watch from, let’s say, 2025, you still have a warranty until 2030. Rolex now has a “Certified Pre-Owned” program. If you buy a Root Beer with the beige “Rolex Certified” seal, it means the company has inspected the watch itself. Thus, this gives you a new 2-year warranty even if the watch is old. If you buy a watch from Watch Maestro, we will give you a limited one-year warranty.
Testimonials
It is a nickname from watch Collectors. The brown and cream/gold colors on the bezel remind people of the soda drink. Some people also call the modern Root Beer watches “CHNR,” which means Chocolat Noir.
No. Rolex does sell parts separately. You must send the whole watch to a Rolex Service Center if you damage the ceramic bezel. The company will replace it and keep the broken one.
Generally, no, because the Pepsi in steel is much harder to get from a dealer. The Root Beer is a two-tone watch, which usually has a shorter waiting list. However, you will have to wait 6 to 18 months at an authorized dealer.
No, and the reason is that Rolex has created the Everose gold. The standard rose gold contains copper, which can lose color when exposed to chlorine or salt water. Rolex adds a small amount of platinum to the alloy to keep the pink color intact forever.
The 126711CHNR is “Rolesor” steel and gold mixed. The 126715CHNR is solid 18ct Everose gold, so the solid gold version is much heavier on the wrist and costs about double the price.
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