In short
- The Rolex Pepsi is the GMT-Master or GMT-Master II with a red and blue bezel, the colours of the original 1950s GMT.
- The last steel reference was the 126710BLRO, introduced in 2018 on the Jubilee bracelet, with the Oyster added as an option in 2021. Rolex discontinued it, along with the white gold 126719BLRO, at Watches & Wonders in April 2026, so every Pepsi you can buy now is pre-owned.
- The 116719BLRO of 2014, in 18 ct white gold, was the first Pepsi with a ceramic bezel.
- Vintage and neo-vintage Pepsis include the 1675, 16750 and 16710, with aluminium inserts.
- If there is no Pepsi in our stock, we can source one for you, and if you own one, we buy them.
The Rolex Pepsi is the nickname for the GMT-Master with a red and blue bezel, and it is the oldest and most famous of all the GMT colour schemes. It has been made in steel, white gold and two generations of bezel material, and buyers want it as much today as ever. This page covers what the name means, the references from the 1950s to the 126710BLRO, how to tell them apart, what to check before you buy, and how we can find one for you or buy yours.
Why is it called the Rolex Pepsi?
The red and blue bezel shares the colours of the Pepsi-Cola logo, and collectors have called it the Pepsi for decades. Rolex has never used the name. On the warranty card a modern steel Pepsi is the GMT-Master II 126710BLRO, and the BLRO suffix is widely read as bleu and rouge.
The colours were there for a practical reason. The bezel carries a 24-hour scale, and its two halves split the daytime hours from the night-time hours. A pilot reading a second time zone could see at a glance whether it was day or night there, which mattered when you were crossing the Atlantic and calling ahead.
Where the Rolex Pepsi began
Rolex introduced the GMT-Master in the mid-1950s for airline pilots, and the watch is famously associated with Pan Am crews of that era. The first reference, the 6542, added a fourth hand that went round the dial once every 24 hours, and a rotating bezel graduated to 24 hours. Together they let the wearer track a second time zone, and the red and blue bezel made it easy to read.
That combination has defined the model ever since. Other colours came later, but every time Rolex has brought the red and blue back, the Rolex Pepsi has been the GMT that people ask for first.
Vintage and neo-vintage Rolex Pepsi references
Before ceramic, Pepsi bezels were aluminium. The best known references are:
- GMT-Master 6542. The original of the 1950s, now rare and very much a specialist's watch.
- GMT-Master 1675. The long-running model of the 1960s and 1970s, with crown guards and the classic red and blue insert.
- GMT-Master 16750. The 1980s update with a quick-set date.
- GMT-Master 16700 and GMT-Master II 16710. The models of the 1990s and 2000s. The 16710 was offered with Pepsi, black, and red and black "Coke" inserts, and it was the last steel Pepsi before the change to ceramic.
Aluminium inserts fade in sunlight, and over the decades many were replaced at a service or swapped by owners who wanted a different colour. Some collectors love an evenly faded original insert, but because inserts are easy to change, the originality of a vintage Rolex Pepsi needs checking carefully. The dial, hands and insert should all be right for the watch and for each other.
The white gold Rolex Pepsi: 116719BLRO
Red is a very difficult colour to achieve in ceramic, and for several years after the GMT-Master II moved to Cerachrom bezels there was no Pepsi at all. Rolex solved the problem in 2014 with the 116719BLRO, a GMT-Master II in 18 ct white gold with the first red and blue Cerachrom bezel.
At a glance white gold looks like steel, but the watch is noticeably heavier and feels more substantial on the wrist. It came on the Oyster bracelet in matching white gold. For someone who wants the Pepsi colours in a quieter precious metal, the 116719BLRO is worth knowing about, although it is seen far less often than the steel model.
The steel Rolex Pepsi: 126710BLRO
In 2018 Rolex brought the Pepsi back in steel as the GMT-Master II 126710BLRO. It has a 40mm Oystersteel case, a black dial, a red 24-hour hand and the red and blue Cerachrom bezel. It was the first steel GMT-Master II with the new calibre 3285, which has a power reserve of around 70 hours and the Chronergy escapement.
It launched on the five-piece Jubilee bracelet, which gave the steel GMT a dressier look than it had had for years. In 2021 Rolex added the three-piece Oyster bracelet as an option, so a pre-owned 126710BLRO can be found on either. Both come with the Oysterlock folding clasp and the Easylink comfort extension.
Buying a steel Pepsi
Since April 2026 the 126710BLRO cannot be bought new at all, because Rolex has discontinued it, so the pre-owned market is the only way to buy one. That makes it all the more important to buy from someone who authenticates the watch and gives you a warranty and the right to return it.
Using a Rolex Pepsi when you travel
On the modern GMT-Master II, the red 24-hour hand stays on your home time while you travel. When you arrive, you move the hour hand on its own, in one-hour jumps, to the local time. The watch keeps running while you do it, and the date moves with the hour hand, forwards or backwards.
Turn the bezel and you can read a third time zone against the 24-hour hand, which is useful if you have colleagues or family in a different part of the world. The older GMT-Master references, such as the 1675 and 16750, work differently: the hour hand cannot be set on its own, so the bezel does more of the work. If you plan to use the function often, it is worth knowing which type you are buying.
Box and papers for a Rolex Pepsi
A full set usually means the box, the warranty card or certificate, the booklets and any spare links. On a modern Rolex Pepsi, the card should show the reference, serial number and date of first sale, and those numbers should match the watch. On a vintage piece, original papers are rarer and add real interest, but the watch itself always matters most.
How to tell Rolex Pepsi generations apart
- Bezel material. Ceramic inserts are glossy with engraved, coated numerals. Aluminium inserts are matt with printed numerals and often show fading.
- Metal. The 126710BLRO and all the vintage and neo-vintage Pepsis listed above are steel. The 116719BLRO is 18 ct white gold.
- Bracelet. The 126710BLRO is found on the Jubilee or, from 2021, the Oyster. The 116719BLRO is on the Oyster.
- Movement. The 116719BLRO uses the calibre 3186. The 126710BLRO uses the calibre 3285.
- Papers. The reference on the card should match the one engraved on the case between the lugs.
What to check when buying a pre-owned Rolex Pepsi
Whether the watch is a year old or fifty, the same principles apply. On a modern Rolex Pepsi, pay particular attention to these points:
- The ceramic insert. Look for chips at the edge and around the numerals, and check that the line between the red and the blue is crisp.
- The bezel action. It should rotate in both directions with firm, precise clicks.
- The Jubilee bracelet. Its small links can stretch with years of wear. Check for sag between the links and that the clasp closes securely.
- Polishing. Crisp case edges and clear lines between brushed and polished surfaces are what you want to see.
- Papers and guarantee. Check that the reference and serial match the watch, and look at the date of sale: a watch sold new since July 2015 carries Rolex's five-year guarantee.
- Originality. Ask whether the dial, hands, insert and bracelet are original, and whether any parts were replaced at a service.
Counterfeit Pepsis are common, and good ones are harder to spot than ever. Buy from a seller who inspects the watch properly, including the movement. Our guides to buying a pre-owned Rolex and to box and papers explain the general checks.
Looking for a Rolex Pepsi? We will source it
We do not always have a Rolex Pepsi in stock, so check the live list further down this page. If there is not one there, we source specific watches for clients on request. Tell us what you are looking for and we will report back on what we can find.
- Tell us the watch. The reference, steel or white gold, Jubilee or Oyster, the year range, and whether you need box and papers.
- We search. We let you know what is available and answer your questions about condition and history.
- We inspect it. Like every watch we sell, it is inspected and authenticated by experienced watch specialists before it is offered to you.
- You decide. View it in Hatton Garden by appointment or buy it online, with our usual warranty, delivery and returns terms.
Call 0330 043 7777, message us on WhatsApp or use our contact page to start a search.
Rolex Pepsi or one of its siblings?
If you are open to other colours, the modern GMT-Master II family gives you the same 40mm case, the same 24-hour bezel and the same calibre 3285 in several combinations. These are the main alternatives to the Rolex Pepsi:
- Batman. Blue and black in steel, on the Oyster or the Jubilee.
- Sprite. Green and black, with the crown and date on the left-hand side.
- Root Beer. Brown and black, with Everose gold in the case.
- Bruce Wayne. Grey and black in steel, the most discreet of the group.
The Batman is the nearest relative, with blue in the bezel and the same steel case. The Pepsi remains the original, though, and for many buyers no other colour will do.
What affects the value of a Rolex Pepsi?
Value comes down to a handful of things. For a modern watch, they are the reference, steel or white gold, the bracelet, the year and whether it is still within Rolex's guarantee, the condition of the case and insert, and whether the box, papers and spare links are present. An unpolished full set is always the easiest to buy and to sell.
For vintage and neo-vintage pieces, originality comes first. A Rolex Pepsi with its original dial, hands and insert, honestly worn, is usually more desirable than one restored with newer parts, even if the restored watch looks cleaner.
Selling your Rolex Pepsi
If you own a Rolex Pepsi, vintage or modern, we would like to hear from you. We buy watches directly for our own stock, not as a broker and not on consignment, so there is no waiting for a buyer to appear.
- Free valuation. Send photographs on WhatsApp for a quick initial figure, or book a free, no-obligation valuation in person.
- Bring the full set. Box, papers and any spare links all help, because a complete set is valued higher.
- Paid within 24 hours. Once we agree a price and authenticate the watch in person, we pay by secure bank transfer within 24 hours.
- No fees. No commission and no hidden costs: the agreed price is what you receive. If you cannot visit, we pay for fully insured postage or collection.
See sell your Rolex GMT-Master II and sell your Rolex for the details. You can also part exchange your Pepsi towards another watch; if yours is worth more, we pay you the difference.
Buying from Kings & Queens
Every watch we sell is inspected and authenticated before it is offered for sale, and unless the listing says otherwise it is physically in stock and available to inspect before dispatch. Pre-owned watches come with our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise.
UK delivery is free, fully insured and signed for, and you have 14 days to return a watch for a full refund. A £100 deposit reserves a watch for 3 working days, and Klarna finance is available at checkout.
- Inspected and authenticatedEvery watch is checked by experienced specialists, with serial numbers and components verified before it is offered.
- 12-month warrantyPre-owned pieces carry a 12-month warranty against movement defects. Unworn watches carry the manufacturer's own cover.
- Fully insured deliveryFree, fully insured and signed-for delivery across the UK.
- 14-day returnsFourteen days to change your mind from the day your watch arrives. We cover the return postage.
Seeing a Rolex Pepsi in Hatton Garden
Red and blue ceramic looks different in daylight, under shop lights and on a screen, so we always recommend seeing a Pepsi in person if you can. Our Hatton Garden showroom at 9 St. Cross Street, London EC1N 8UB, is a short walk from Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations.
Viewings are by appointment for buying, selling, part exchange and sourcing, so the time is yours. We are open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. The official Rolex GMT-Master II page shows Rolex's current models if you want to compare specifications before you visit; since April 2026 the Pepsi is no longer among them.
Rolex Pepsi FAQs
What is a Rolex Pepsi?
It is the nickname for the Rolex GMT-Master or GMT-Master II with a red and blue 24-hour bezel. The last steel reference was the 126710BLRO, discontinued in April 2026 with the white gold 126719BLRO; earlier versions include the white gold 116719BLRO and the aluminium-bezel 1675, 16750 and 16710.
Is the Rolex Pepsi discontinued?
Yes. Rolex discontinued the steel GMT-Master II 126710BLRO and the white gold 126719BLRO at Watches & Wonders in April 2026, and no red and blue GMT replaced them. Every Pepsi on the market is now pre-owned, so the year, the bracelet, the condition and a full set with box and papers decide the price. We source them on request and buy them, paying within 24 hours.
Why is the Rolex Pepsi so hard to find?
It is the original GMT colour scheme, and since Rolex discontinued the steel 126710BLRO in April 2026 no new ones are being made. If there is not one in our stock, we can source one for you.
Is the Rolex Pepsi on a Jubilee or an Oyster bracelet?
The 126710BLRO launched on the Jubilee in 2018, and Rolex added the Oyster as an option in 2021. The white gold 116719BLRO is on the Oyster.
What is the difference between the Pepsi and the Coke?
The Coke has a red and black bezel. It appeared on aluminium-bezel models such as the 16710, which was also offered with the red and blue Pepsi insert.
What is the difference between the Pepsi and the Batman?
The Batman has a blue and black bezel and a blue 24-hour hand. The steel Pepsi, 126710BLRO, has a red and blue bezel and a red 24-hour hand. The case, size and movement are the same.
Can I sell my Rolex Pepsi to you?
Yes. We buy directly for our own stock. Send photographs on WhatsApp for a quick initial valuation, and once a price is agreed and the watch is authenticated in person, we pay by bank transfer within 24 hours.
Does a pre-owned Rolex Pepsi come with a warranty?
Every pre-owned watch we sell comes with our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. Where a watch is still within Rolex's five-year guarantee, Rolex's terms apply.
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Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with Rolex.
