A fake Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer is a replica of the two-tone brown and gold GMT watch, often sold under labels such as first copy, AAA, or Swiss grade. It copies the silhouette and color scheme of the original, but not its gold content, movement, or finishing, and it is not a Rolex product. Knowing what the genuine reference looks like makes it much easier to judge what a replica can and cannot reproduce.

What the Root Beer GMT-Master II Actually Is

Rolex introduced the GMT-Master in the mid 1950s as a pilot watch with a 24 hour hand and a rotating bezel. The nickname Root Beer comes from the brown and gold color pairing seen on two-tone models from the 1970s, a combination that reminded collectors of the soft drink.

The modern reference that carries the nickname is the GMT-Master II in Everose gold and steel, reference 126711CHNR, along with the full gold reference 126715CHNR. Key traits you can check against:

  • 40 mm case in Rolex Everose gold and Oystersteel on the two-tone version
  • Brown and black ceramic bezel insert with a 24 hour scale
  • Calibre 3285 automatic movement with an independent 24 hour hand and about a 70 hour power reserve
  • Oyster bracelet with an Easylink extension and a folding clasp
  • Chocolate toned dial with gold applied hour markers

How First Copy and Replica Versions Are Built

Most replica GMT watches start from a stainless steel case that is given a gold color through plating, PVD coating, or thin gold wrap. The bezel is usually a printed insert rather than a ceramic part fired with a pigment, so the brown often reads flat or orange next to the genuine color.

The movement is usually an Asian automatic, either a standard three hand design with an added GMT hand or a clone with a true jumping hour function. Many low and mid tier replicas move the GMT hand but do not track a separate time zone correctly. The bracelet typically uses plated center links, and the clasp stamping is shallow compared with genuine engraving.

Where a Fake Rolex GMT Master II Root Beer Shows Its Hand

These are the checks that separate an obvious replica from a close one:

  • Weight and balance: gold is dense, so the genuine two-tone watch has a different heft than a plated steel case.
  • Gold tone: Everose gold has a warm rose character, while plating often looks yellow, brassy, or overly pink.
  • Bezel color: the brown on the genuine ceramic insert is deep and consistent, with a crisp transition to black.
  • Crystal and cyclops: the date magnifier on a good sapphire crystal stays clear at an angle, while cheap ones cloud or distort.
  • Dial and rehaut print: lettering, coronet shape, and the engraved ring under the crystal are the hardest details to replicate.
  • Movement behavior: sweep smoothness, the sound of the rotor, and correct GMT hand function are telling.
  • Lume: genuine Chromalight glows evenly, replica lume often fades fast or looks patchy.

What to Check Before You Buy a First Copy

  1. Ask for real photos and a video of the actual watch, not catalog renders.
  2. Ask what the case and bracelet are made of, and whether the gold is plated, wrapped, or solid.
  3. Ask which movement is installed and whether the GMT hand is independent.
  4. Confirm the return policy and whether the seller accepts a refund if the item does not match the photos.
  5. Expect the plating to wear over time, and treat that as a cost of ownership rather than a defect.

Legal and Practical Reality

Replica watches carry real risk. Importing counterfeit goods into the United States is illegal, and shipments can be seized and destroyed. Selling a replica while presenting it as a genuine Rolex is trademark infringement and fraud, and it can lead to civil claims or criminal charges. Sites that advertise a fake Rolex GMT Master II Root Beer usually describe it as a homage, first copy, or unbranded piece for exactly that reason.

There is also a practical side. A replica has almost no resale value, cannot be serviced by an authorized watchmaker, and will not hold up the way a steel or gold watch with a documented service history does. If the goal is the Root Beer look on a budget, a legitimate brown and black GMT style watch from a mainstream brand gives you a warranty, parts support, and no legal exposure.

Short FAQ

Does a fake Root Beer use real gold?

Rarely. Most are steel with gold color plating or wrap. Some high end replicas use solid gold cases, which raises the price and the legal stakes.

Can a jeweler tell instantly?

A trained watchmaker can usually identify a replica by movement, case construction, and finishing within minutes, even without opening the case.

Is it legal to own a replica?

Owning a counterfeit watch is generally not the main legal problem. Importing, selling, or misrepresenting one as genuine is where the law applies.