In an age where crossing continents has become routine, the idea of keeping time across multiple zones still carries a romance and a reminder of how far we’ve come since the dawn of jet travel. Mark your calendar for 24 October to 2 November 2025, where Rolex and Cortina Watch invite visitors to the Paragon Level 1 Main Atrium to revisit that spirit of adventure through the GMT-Master Exhibition.
The showcase traces the evolution of the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master, a watch born from the golden age of aviation and is now regarded as one of horology’s enduring symbols of global connection.
Originally introduced in 1955, the GMT-Master was created during the rise of commercial aviation, when intercontinental flight began to redefine global mobility. Its distinctive features, including a 24-hour hand and a rotatable, two-colour bezel, allowed pilots and travellers to read two time zones simultaneously, a practical innovation that became emblematic of the jet age.
An emblematic two-colour rotatable bezel, a signature dial, and four distinctive hands – since its launch in 1955, the GMT-Master has remained true to its essence.
The exhibition unfolds through thematic panels and a short documentary film, exploring how the GMT-Master has evolved from a cockpit instrument into a cultural icon. Visitors can trace its journey across decades of design and engineering, from the early Plexiglas bezels to the modern ceramic iterations and view current GMT-Master II models alongside milestones in the watch’s technical development.
Over seven decades, the GMT-Master has been refined but never reinvented. Its core identity is rooted in precision and a fascination with the movement of the world. The exhibition, aptly titled “Time Zone to Time Zone”, celebrates the ongoing story of how a tool for pilots became a companion for travellers.
More information here.
