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The Rolex Pepsi: The Iconic Red, White, and Blue Luxury Watch

The Rolex Pepsi is a variant of the Rolex GMT-Master and GMT-Master II featuring the signature red and blue bezel. Like other Rolex GMT watches, the iconic colorway similar to the brand color of the famous fizzy beverage is the reason for the model’s affectionate nickname. The Pepsi is arguably the most recognizable Rolex GMT watch and one of the most iconic watches in the Rolex lineup. It’s the watch that people imagine when they think of a Rolex GMT timepiece. 

This iconic colorway was the original Rolex GMT Master watch from 1954. Over the past six decades, Rolex has released new iterations of this watch with technical and aesthetic upgrades. A combination of style and functionality, the Rolex Pepsi is a highly sought-after timepiece for serious collectors and watch enthusiasts. Discover our selection of Rolex Pepsi watches and find the perfect timepiece for your collection. 

Rolex Pepsi History 

There have been several Rolex watches released over the years that are affectionately referred to as a Rolex Pepsi by fans. However, the story of this iconic watch design goes all the way back to the 1950s when the first Rolex GMT Master watch was created for the Pan American Airways pilots and flight attendants. 

The Ref. 6542, which hit the market in 1955, was the first watch capable of showing the time in two separate time zones, thanks to the addition of an extra hour hand and a rotating bezel with 24-hour graduation. 

The original Rolex GMT Master had the signature blue and red bezel as its defining feature. While the unique colorway was inspired by the red and blue livery of Pan American Airlines, fans connected it to the brand colors of one of the most popular soft drinks of the time, creating the nickname Pepsi. 

However, in addition to the aesthetic purpose of this two-tone design, it also serves a functional purpose. The red half indicates daytime while the blue half indicates nighttime, making it easier to tell what time of day it is in the second time zone.

In the decades that followed, Rolex released a few more variants of the GMT Master with the Pepsi design. Then, in 1981, the GMT Master II collection was launched to upgrade the original GMT Master. While the first example of this watch didn’t feature the Pepsi design, the second edition of the GMT Master II, released in 1989 (Ref 16710), came in the beloved Pepsi colorway. 

The most recent Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi references are the Ref 126710BLRO and 126719BLRO, which were released in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Fans consider these watches to be modern interpretations of a classic design featuring the latest of Rolex’s technology. 

Rolex Pepsi Variants 

With a history spanning several decades, the Rolex Pepsi has seen its fair share of aesthetic and functional upgrades. Rolex has continually released new versions of this watch featuring upgraded designs, new materials, and features. Some of the most notable Rolex Pepsi references released so far include: 

• Ref. 6542: This was the first Rolex Pepsi and the original Rolex GMT Master released in 1955. The defining attribute of this watch is that it featured a bakelite bezel insert and had no crown guards. Although rare today, the Ref 6542 is a valuable collector’s item due to its historical significance. 

• Ref. 1675: This is the longest-running Rolex Pepsi reference and one of Rolex's most popular watch models. It was in production from 1959 to 1980. Well-preserved examples of the Reference 1675 GMT Pepsi are still available in the vintage watch market and are highly sought after by collectors. 

• Ref. 16750: The Ref. 16750 Rolex Pepsi was released in 1981 to replace the long-running reference 1675. It featured a new movement (Caliber 3075) with a quickset function and an innovative hacking seconds feature. This watch also came with double the water resistance of previous models. 

• Ref. 16700: Released in 1988, this watch had the caliber 3175, the last "fixed" GMT movement. This means it maintained the same traditional features as the GMT Master watches. This timepiece remained a part of the watchmaker’s lineup until 1999, running alongside the newly released GMT Master II watches. 

• Ref. 16710: The Ref. 16710 is the first Pepsi variant in the GMT Master II series. This makes it the first Rolex Pepsi that allowed independent adjustment for the GMT and hour hands, making tracking a third time zone possible. This model was in production from 1989 to 2007. 

• Ref. 116719BLRO: To celebrate the GMT Master II 50th anniversary in 2005, Rolex introduced a super case design featuring Cerachrom ceramic bezel inserts for the GMT Master II series. The Bezel for this case came in an all-black color and remained this way for many years due to difficulties in infusing color into the ceramic bezel. Rolex eventually cracked the code, and the iconic Pepsi colorway made a return in 2014. This watch also came in an 18k white gold casing, a first for the collection.

• Ref. 126710BLRO: Described as the Modern Rolex Pepsi by enthusiasts, the Ref. 126710BLRO was released in 2018 and marked a return to the stainless steel casing. This timepiece was powered by the Caliber 3285 movement with advanced features that provided better precision and a higher power reserve of up to 70 hours.

• Ref. 126719BLRO: This is the latest iteration of the Rolex Pepsi released in 2019 to continue the white gold Pepsi GMT (Ref. 116719BLRO). It is characterized by unique dial options like the meteorite dial, which adds to its uniqueness and exclusivity. 

Features of the Rolex Pepsi 

As part of the iconic GMT Master series, the Rolex Pepsi is renowned for its distinctive bezel color and robust construction that uses a wide range of high-quality materials. Some of the features of this watch that make it such an outstanding piece of horological mastery include: 

Bi-color Bezel

The "Pepsi" nickname attached to this model refers to the red and blue colors of the bezel. These red and blue colors represent daytime and nighttime hours, respectively. This function makes it easier for the wearer to tell if it's night or day in the second time zone at a glance. 

Materials

The Rolex Pepsi is made out of a variety of durable and luxurious, high-quality materials. The traditional material associated with this collection is Rolex’s robust Oystersteel, which is high-quality 904L stainless steel. However, Rolex has also produced Pepsi variants with white gold casing. The iconic red and blue bezel has also been made from a wide range of materials. While modern Pepsi models are made from Cerachrom ceramic, which is known for its durability and color longevity, older versions were made from aluminum and bakelite. 

Movement

Older Rolex Pepsi models were powered by various movements, including the Calibers 3186, 3175, and 3075. Current models of this watch come equipped with the Caliber 3285 movement, one of Rolex’s most advanced movements today. This in-house movement features several innovative features, including a Chronergy escapement for higher energy efficiency and a blue Parachrom hairspring, which provides greater resistance to shocks and temperature changes. 

Dial Design

The Rolex Pepsi GMT watches are available in two main dial color options (black or blue). The black dial is for those who prefer watches with a classic and versatile appearance, while the blue dial has a more contemporary appearance. You may also find a few special edition models with unique dial colors. For all variants, the dial has a classic Rolex GMT layout characterized by oversized hour markers, "Mercedes" hour hands, and a prominent date window at the 3 o'clock position. 

Rolex Pepsi Price 

The Rolex Pepsi, with its iconic red and blue bezel, is one of the most sought-after watches in the luxury watch market. This prestigious status leads to high demand for this watch in retail and secondary markets. 

The latest version of the Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi (the stainless steel Ref. 126710BLRO) currently sells for about $10,700 in retail. Similarly, the white gold version of the Rolex Pepsi for sale (Ref. 126719BLRO) can be obtained for approximately $38,250.

Secondary market prices vary depending on whether you buy a modern or vintage model. Older models like the Ref. 16700 and early Ref. 16710 sell for about $10,000 to $15,0000. Later versions of the 16710 and some examples of the latest stainless steel models can be purchased for about $15,000 to $20,000 in the secondary market. 

The most sought-after models, such as the extremely rare vintage versions, limited edition releases, and versions with special attributes, tend to sell for above $20,000. The same goes for some of the most recent releases and precious metal variants.

Conclusion 

As one of the most recognizable Rolex timepieces, the Rolex Pepsi enjoys an enduring popularity in the collector’s world. The continued market dominance and high demand for this watch can be attributed to several factors, including its strong heritage, distinctive appearance, and timeless design. Enthusiasts have lots of great options to select from, ranging from rare vintage pieces to the latest models powered by advanced movements.