Rolex Root Beer vs Zombie: Two-Tone GMT-Master II Compared
Two Rolex GMT-Master II icons, two distinct personalities. We compare the Root Beer and Zombie, from Everose versus yellow gold to 2026 UK market prices.
Two Rolex GMT-Master II watches. Two very different interpretations of a modern luxury sports watch. The Root Beer and the Zombie share the same celebrated GMT functionality, but their use of gold, bezel colours and bracelets gives each a distinctly different personality.
At Made For Time, we have the opportunity to compare both: a 2024 Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer (reference 126711CHNR) and a 2023 GMT-Master II Zombie (reference 126713GRNR). The question is not simply which looks better. It is also what each offers in today's more selective pre-owned Rolex market.
The Root Beer: warmth and understated character
Introduced in its present ceramic-bezel form in 2018, the Rolex GMT-Master II Root Beer 126711CHNR pairs Oystersteel with Rolex's 18ct Everose gold. Its brown-and-black Cerachrom bezel brings a warmth that is unusual among modern professional watches, while the three-link Oyster bracelet gives the model a purposeful, sporty feel.
The name 'Root Beer' has a history stretching back through earlier brown-toned Rolex GMT references. Today's 126711CHNR is its own design: a black dial, Everose gold accents and a distinctive bezel that changes character in different lighting.
It is a compelling choice for someone who appreciates precious metal without the brighter statement of yellow gold. The Everose finish feels rich but relatively discreet, particularly alongside the darker bezel.
The Zombie: sharper contrast and a dressier bracelet
The Rolex GMT-Master II Zombie 126713GRNR arrived in 2023 with a different approach. Yellow Rolesor combines Oystersteel and 18ct yellow gold, while the grey-and-black Cerachrom bezel creates a cooler, more restrained colour combination than the Root Beer's brown and black.
The difference becomes even more pronounced on the wrist. The five-link Jubilee bracelet introduces finer detailing and a more jewellery-like finish. It can feel noticeably dressier than the Root Beer's Oyster bracelet, even though both are robust GMT-Master II watches designed for everyday use.
The nickname 'Zombie' is used by collectors rather than being an official Rolex model name. It helps distinguish this yellow-gold-and-steel configuration from other black-and-grey GMT-Master II references.
What do the two watches have in common?
Behind the contrasting appearance lies much of the same watchmaking. Both references feature a 40mm Oyster case, Rolex calibre 3285, approximately 70 hours of power reserve, and manufacturer-rated water resistance of 100 metres. Their independent local-hour hand and 24-hour bezel make it possible to follow more than one time zone without disrupting normal timekeeping.
Both also use Rolex's Oysterlock safety clasp and Easylink comfort extension. The decision therefore comes down less to movement or capability and more to design, wrist presence, condition and asking price.
Why are some two-tone GMT-Master II watches below retail in 2026?
Perhaps the most interesting part of this comparison is the relationship between Rolex's official retail prices and the independent market.
Rolex's UK retail price for the Root Beer is £16,800, while the yellow Rolesor Zombie is £17,000. However, WatchCharts estimated UK private-sale market values on 22 October 2026 of approximately £14,043 for the Root Beer and £15,706 for the Zombie. These are market estimates, not guaranteed prices or the typical price charged by an established retailer. Dealer asking prices may be higher because condition, business costs, service and aftercare differ.
That distinction matters. A model can be popular and highly regarded without automatically commanding a premium above its new-watch list price. Buyers in the independent market consider the precise reference, age, wear, provenance and comparable availability, not simply the price Rolex sets for a new example.
Higher gold costs and retail-price adjustments add another layer. Industry reporting showed Rolex increasing average UK prices at the start of 2026, with further increases to gold and bi-metal watches during the year. But a higher recommended retail price does not automatically create an equivalent rise in resale value. The two markets respond to different pressures: one reflects new-watch pricing decisions; the other reflects what buyers are prepared to pay for an individual watch.
For collectors, that can create an opportunity to buy an attractive two-tone GMT without paying the premium traditionally associated with certain steel sports references. It should never be interpreted as a guarantee of future appreciation.
Root Beer vs Zombie: which would we choose?
Choose the Root Beer if you prefer warmer colour, Everose gold and the confident simplicity of an Oyster bracelet. It offers a more relaxed expression of luxury and a bezel combination that stands apart from the rest of the GMT family.
Choose the Zombie if you favour traditional yellow gold, a cooler grey-and-black bezel and the refined detail of a Jubilee bracelet. It makes a stronger visual statement while remaining recognisably a professional Rolex sports watch.
Neither is inherently the better purchase. The right answer depends on how the watch looks on your wrist, what you already own and the quality of the particular example in front of you.
Compare them at Made For Time, Hertford
We are pleased to offer collectors the chance to discuss both references through our Hertford showroom. Our 2023 Zombie is listed online, and you can explore our Rolex collection or contact Made For Time for the current details and availability of our 2024 Root Beer.
For the wider market picture, read our earlier article on the Rolex grey market in 2026, or learn more about why authentication and a trusted retailer matter when purchasing pre-owned luxury watches.
Our view is simple: buy the watch you genuinely enjoy, compare condition and pricing carefully, and choose an established retailer who can explain precisely what you are purchasing.
Prices quoted are UK reference points checked on 23 October 2026, using WatchCharts' market estimates dated 22 October 2026. Prices and availability can change. Watches are not guaranteed investments.