Rolex, the magical brand of the watch world, continues to break the ground with its special editions for left-handers.
Introduced in 2022, the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref: 126710 VTNR was among the most striking novelties of this year. This was mainly because the watch was designed exclusively for left-handers, rather than using the green-black bezel for the first time in the GMT-Master II product line.
Rolex's CEO, Jean Frederic Dufour, is also left-handed and I believe this has a special share in the production of this model. There is another detail about Ref: 126710 VTNR. This model is the brand's only watch to have a date display on the left side of the dial.
Rolex, on the other hand, does not describe the Ref: 126710 VTNR as a model designed exclusively for left-handers, but simply as a different GMT-Master II version. The fact that the winding crown is moved to the left creates extra comfort, especially for users who adjust the bracelet loosely.
By the way, the 126710 VTNR is not the only watch Rolex has ever produced with the crown located on the left side. Let's take a look at other "left-handed" Rolexes that have appeared in the dusty pages of history.
Rolex Submariner Ref: 6536. The Submariner, which was sold through the Sotheby's auction house in 2019, is thought to have been specially manufactured by Rolex in 1956.
Rolex GMT-Master Ref: 6542. Sold through the Phillips auction house, the GMT-Master is thought to have been produced in 1959 as a unique piece.
The famous actor Charlie Chaplin was also left-handed, and according to the records, he wore a 1945 Rolex Ref: 4453, which was made exclusively for left-handers.
The Day-Date family hosts more left-handed models compared to other series. It is possible to reach these models with different materials and dial alternatives.
One of Rolex's most admired vintage models, the GMT-Master, nicknamed Root Beer, has a yellow gold case, brown bezel, and dial, and has an exclusive version for left-handers.
We have come to perhaps the most interesting model of the series: Cellini King Midas. This model, identified with Elvis Presley, is one of the boldest examples of the extraordinary case-bracelet integration concept of the 70s, and it was produced for left-handers, although it may not be that obvious. However, the fact that the ending crown was placed on the left side due to the interesting case form, was a very successful choice in terms of both functionality and appearance.
There is only one model in the current collection with the winding crown on the left side. Although the number of these models is likely to increase in the future, the special look of "left-handed" Rolexes will always remain popular.
