Rolex is the Rolls-Royce of watches – a status symbol, an engineering marvel, and an investment.
But just like Rolls-Royce, not all Rollies are the same. Some of these watches are made so beautifully that the wearer feels regal. And some are so expensive that being able to afford them shows that you’re wearing success.
A relatively new addition to the Rolex lineup is the Rolex GMT Master II 126710 BLRO, informally called “the Pepsi.” The watch gets this name from its bezel colors, which are similar to the Pepsi logo and look stunning on the wrist.
Rolex Pepsi’s bracelet is doubtlessly pretty and depicts the Rolex grandeur, but is it worth the investment? This is a common question watch admirers face when planning to add a new jewel to their collection.
Therefore, today we’ll review Rolex Pepsi so you know if it’s worth the big bucks and, if so, what makes it worth it. So keep reading and know all about this watch.
Rolex GMT-Master, with a blue and red bezel, was first launched in 1955. The iconic two-tone bezel was designed to help Pan American Airways pilots differentiate between day and night hours during transatlantic flights.
The design soon became one of Rolex’s most recognizable models. It was affectionately nicknamed “Pepsi” because it resembled the logo colors of the Pepsi brand. The Pepsi was also called the pilot watch because it was widely used by pilots during long flights.
In 2021, Rolex released an updated version of the GMT-Master II with several modern updates, including a new generation caliber 3285 movement, improved precision, and a longer power reserve, to name a few.
Here’s a detailed overview of what Rolex Pepsi Watch looks like:
The Pepsi Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II model features an innovative bezel made from Cerachrom, a ceramic material regarded for its durability and color permanence.
This bezel is divided into red and blue colors, which visually represent daytime and nighttime hours and look like the Pepsi logo. The 24-hour rotatable bezel on this Rollie lets the wearers track a second time zone which is particularly useful for travelers.
The 40mm dial complements the bezel’s utility, which is crafted in black. It elevates contrast against the colorful bezel for easy reading. Rolex employs its Chromalight display on the dial for exceptional legibility, even in the dark.
Such impressive legibility is made possible by broad hands and hour markers in simple geometric shapes—triangles, circles, rectangles—filled with a luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow.
The GMT function on the Rolex Pepsi is a standout feature for global travelers. The Jubilee watch includes a particular arrow-tipped hand that completes one full rotation around the dial every 24 hours. Alongside this, the watch features a bidirectional, rotatable 24-hour graduated bezel.
Here’s how it works:
The 24-hour hand displays your home time zone using the graduations on the bezel, so it’s simple to keep track of time back home, no matter where you are.
For your local time, Rolex has used an ingenious mechanism that allows the hour hand to be adjusted independently from the minute and second hands. You do this through the winding crown, which lets you “jump” the hour hand forward or backward as you cross time zones.
The GMT functionality means you can set your watch to a new local time without losing accuracy in the seconds or minutes.
This Jubilee bracelet is crafted using Oyster Steel, a material developed specifically to increase the durability and aesthetic appeal of luxury watches.
This steel, belonging to the 904L family, is commonly employed in high-tech industries such as aerospace and chemical sectors due to its exceptional corrosion resistance.
The anti-corrosion characteristic is crucial in environments where materials are exposed to corrosive substances. Therefore, it ensures that your Pepsi watch retains its integrity and appearance.
Also, once polished, Oystersteel maintains its luminosity and finish even in the most challenging conditions, from saltwater exposure to everyday wear and tear.
The Pepsi bracelet watch stuns the wearers with its sophisticated movement. It features a perpetual, mechanical, self-winding movement with a GMT function.
The watch bracelet also has a bidirectional self-winding mechanism through its Perpetual rotor.
The rotor feature uses the natural motion of the wearer’s arm to wind the mainspring and eliminates the need for manual winding. It also contributes to the watch’s power reserve of about 70 hours, meaning it can run for nearly three days on a full wind without being worn.
The Pilot watch is made for successful hands, and its incredible Jubilee bracelet proves that. The bracelet features a distinctive 5-piece link construction that is equally elegant and robust.
For added security, the Jubilee bracelet is equipped with a folding Oysterlock safety clasp which makes sure that the watch remains securely on your wrist.
Plus, the Pepsi bracelet includes an Easylink comfort extension link. Such a clever mechanism allows the wearer to adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm.
The iconic watch combines luxury with practicality to ensure it feels as good on the wrist as it looks. It features the Jubilee bracelet, renowned for its comfort.
The bracelet is designed with 5-piece links and is flexible enough to wrap smoothly around the wrist. It minimizes any pinch or discomfort, often a concern with metal bracelets.
The watch’s balanced weight distribution ensures that it sits comfortably on the wrist without feeling overly heavy, making it suitable for all-day wear.
Securing a Rolex can test the patience of even the most passionate watch lover, with years of waiting.
Similarly, the wait for the Rolex GMT Master II is a minimum of 3 years. Such an extended wait is due to the overwhelming demand that consistently outpaces the limited supply Rolex releases into the market.
Due to its popularity, dealers often have long lists of potential buyers, and the watches are allocated on a strict first-come, first-served basis.
For those eager to don a Rolex Pepsi, the wait can be a real test but also a stamp to the watch’s prestige.
The rarity of Pepsi is due to the immense demand that consistently outstrips its supply. The iconic model has a devoted following, with enthusiasts and collectors often waiting years to get their hands on one.
The demand is further fueled by the watch’s status as a symbol of achievement and its storied history in aviation and adventure.
Rolex produces Pepsi in limited quantities to maintain its high standards. The deliberate limitation ensures each piece is crafted with precision, but it also means that there are simply not enough watches to meet the global demand.
As a result, securing a Rolex Pepsi at retail price directly from a store becomes a rare opportunity, akin to winning a prize.
The Pepsi retails for around $10,000 at the official Rolex store. However, because of the extensive demand and Rolex’s controlled production, getting the watch for the retail price is a challenge. This is why you’ll come across the model being easily sold at around $30,000 at unofficial stores.
So, if you get a grip on the Rolex Pepsi at its original price, it’s an asset you can liquefy anywhere in the world. Also, if you purchase from other sources than the brand itself, you can still sell it at a higher price since the Rolex resale market is huge.
It’s a smart investment, but it’s hard to get from the original seller. As a result, the watch’s value has been constantly increasing in the secondary market, helping buyers make good profits from reselling it.
A Rolex is always in demand, no matter where you are. It’s like gold; you can sell it anywhere – so it will always be a good investment.
Yes, like all Rollies, Pepsi isn’t produced in bulk, and there’s always a long waiting list for you to get it from the brand. However, if you’ve got the cash and dearly want a Pepsi watch, you can find it in the secondary market without a waiting list. But for a much higher price, of course.
Initially crafted at the request of Pan American Airlines, the Pepsi soon became synonymous with timeless luxury. That’s why stars like Tom Cruise, Daniel Craig, Sylvester Stallone, and Tom Selleck have been spotted wearing the Rolex GMT Master II. After all, it’s like wearing success.
Pepsi offers amazing legibility even in the dark. The GMT-Master II includes the Rolex Chromalight lume, which glows for up to eight hours and offers good legibility.
Suggested Reads:
