Crown on the Wrong Side. On Purpose.
At Watches & Wonders 2022, Rolex unveiled the GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR — and the watch world had a collective double-take. Not because of the green-and-black “Sprite” bezel (though that was new). But because the crown was on the left side of the case, at 9 o’clock instead of the traditional 3 o’clock. It was the first left-handed (“destro”) Rolex in modern production — and it divided collectors more sharply than any release since the 2018 Pepsi.
Why Left-Handed?
Rolex’s official explanation: the 126720VTNR is designed for left-handed wearers. Left-handed people traditionally wear watches on their right wrist — and a crown at 3 o’clock on the right wrist digs into the back of the hand during certain movements. Moving the crown to 9 o’clock solves this. It also means the date window and Cyclops moved to 9 o’clock (instead of 3), and the crown guards are on the left side.
The reality: most buyers of the Sprite are right-handed and wear it on their left wrist. The left-side crown is a design novelty that creates asymmetry — the watch looks “different” from every other GMT, which is exactly the point. In a collection of right-crown Rolexes, the Sprite stands out immediately.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 40mm × 12.5mm, 904L Oystersteel |
| Crown Position | LEFT (9 o’clock) |
| Bezel | Green/black Cerachrom ceramic, bidirectional 24h |
| Movement | Cal. 3285 (70h, true GMT) |
| Date | At 9 o’clock (with Cyclops) |
| Bracelet | Oyster with Oysterclasp + Easylink |
| Jubilee option | YES (added 2023) |
| WR | 100m |
| Retail | $10,900 |
| Secondary | $15,000-$18,000 |
The “Sprite” Name
Green + black = lemon-lime soda. Collectors immediately dubbed it “Sprite” following the Pepsi (blue/red), Batman (blue/black), Coke (red/black), and Root Beer (brown/black) tradition. Rolex, as always, doesn’t acknowledge or use the nickname.
The Controversy
The Sprite polarized collectors into two camps:
- Pro: “Finally something genuinely new from Rolex. The asymmetry is refreshing. The green is beautiful. Left-crown is ergonomically interesting.”
- Con: “The date at 9 o’clock looks wrong. The crown on the left is gimmicky. Why would a right-handed person buy a left-handed watch?”
The market settled the debate: the Sprite trades at $15,000-$18,000 (38-65% above retail) — solidly in line with the Batman and approaching Pepsi territory. Collectors voted with their wallets.
Sprite vs Pepsi vs Batman
| GMT | Bezel | Crown | Date Position | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sprite | Green/Black | LEFT (9 o’clock) | 9 o’clock | $15,000-$18,000 |
| Pepsi | Blue/Red | RIGHT (3 o’clock) | 3 o’clock | $15,000-$18,500 |
| Batman | Blue/Black | RIGHT (3 o’clock) | 3 o’clock | $13,500-$16,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the left crown uncomfortable on the left wrist?
No — most owners report no discomfort. The crown at 9 o’clock sits on the outside of the wrist (away from the hand), not against it. Some owners actually prefer the left crown because it never digs into the back of the hand during pushups or keyboard typing.
Will Rolex make more left-crown models?
Possibly — the Sprite’s commercial success may encourage Rolex to explore left-crown variants of other references (Explorer? Submariner?). But Rolex is conservative; don’t expect a left-crown Daytona anytime soon.
Do you carry the Sprite?
Yes — our GMT-Master II collection at DR.WATCH includes the Sprite (green/black) with left-handed crown configuration. 904L Oystersteel, true GMT movement, Cerachrom bezel. Free worldwide shipping + 1-year warranty.
