Rolex is a Swiss watch brand that is synonymous with terms prestige, luxury, and style. Known to produce some of the most extraordinary watches, Rolex has made a major impact in the world of premium watches. Of all the models they produce, the Rolex GMT Master II red and blue bezel is the most famous watch. Popularly known as the Pepsi, this GMT Master II watch has become a collector favorite watch due to its exceptional design and functionality. In this article, we delve into the history of Rolex Pepsi, and provide you an in-depth guide into its design and functionality.
Rolex Pepsi: History of this iconic GMT watch
The inception of Rolex Pepsi, came as a result of the collaboration between Rolex and Pan Am Airlines. In the early 1950’s Pan Am Airlines had approached Rolex to develop specialized watches for these pilots. Their intention behind this collaboration was to acquire watches that enabled pilots to track time simultaneously over two different time zones.
After about fours of intense research and development, Rolex introduced their first GMT Master watch in a red and blue bezel combination. The color scheme of the watch is what fetched it the nickname Pepsi, due to its uncanny resemblance to the Soda brand.
Based on its success, Rolex decided to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation leading to the release of a Rolex GMT Master II in 1983. This was a much more refined watch as compared to its predecessors. From improvements to its design to enhancements in its functionality, every aspect of the watch was new. The Rolex GMT Pepsi is a stand out watch that has evolved over the years, to become one of the most sought after timepieces in the world.
Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi: Explore the design and functionality of the watch
When we talk about the most collectible watches in the luxury watch market, the Rolex Pepsi is a name that often comes up. The watch has made a substantial impact in the watch community and continues to grow in value. The identity that a Rolex Pepsi holds in the watch world, has grown stronger over the years due to its functionality and design.
Therefore, it is important for watch enthusiasts and new investors to understand this watch in detail, especially if they are considering buying one. Following are the details pertaining to the design and functionality of a Rolex Pepsi watch.
Design of a Rolex Pepsi
Among all Rolex watches, the Pepsi, is one that is instantly recognizable. This is due to its distinctive blue and red bezel. The bezel of a GMT Master II Rolex Pepsi is made of Ceramic. This material provides scratch resistance, which makes it highly durable.
The colors chosen for the bezel, enables the user [Pilot or any other individual wearing the watch] to easily identify between night and day hours. When it comes to the case of the watch, it is made of stainless steel material with exceptional fit and finish, enabling a water resistance of up to 100 meters.
Dial of a Rolex Pepsi
The dial of the watch in the standard variant is in black. However, there are two distinct variants that Rolex currently offers, these include a Midnight blue dial and the unique Meteorite dial.
Other aspects of the Rolex Pepsi dial include luminescent minute and hour hands, and hour markers. The 24-hour GMT hand is finished in a luminescent red color, making it easier for wearers to distinguish between minute and hour hands.
Rolex Pepsi watch bracelet
Coming to the bracelet of this extraordinary watch, the variant it comes in is known as the Oyster bracelet. It is made of the same stainless steel material used in the case and features Rolex’s special Oysterlock clasp for secure locking. Additionally to enable a comfortable fit, the watch features Rolex’s special Easylink extension feature that allows the wearer to adjust the bracelet length up to 5 mm. Therefore, these are the aspects that make up the design features of a Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi watch.
Functionality of Rolex GMT Master Pepsi
The Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi was designed to be a practical watch for pilots and other travelers to use. Its main purpose was to provide a wearer the chance to track time of more than a single time zone, with no trouble whatsoever. Some of the major functionalities of the Rolex Pepsi, are mentioned below:
- A bidirectional rotatable Ceramic bezel with 24-hour graduations
- An independently setable 24-hour hand that rotates every 24-hours
- Another incredible feature of the GMT Master II is its patented Parachrom hairspring mechanism. This technology enables the watch to ensure time accuracy despite any condition, as it enhances the watch’s capacity towards shocks and other harsh conditions.
- The date function on the watch is also an important feature of the watch, with it being displayed through a date window at the 3 o’clock marker.
Therefore, the above mentioned are the primary functions of a Rolex GMT Master II watch.
Specifications of Rolex Pepsi GMT Master II
Having discussed all the aspects related to the design and functionality of the watch, it is time to take a quick look at some of the other details related to the watch. Knowing these specifications is essential, especially if you are looking to invest in a GMT Master II Pepsi watch.
| Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi Specifications | |
| Components of a Rolex Pepsi | Specifications of a Rolex Pepsi |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Case Size | 40 mm |
| Bezel Color | Red and Blue bezel |
| Bezel Material | Cerachrom ceramic bezel |
| Bracelet Type | Oyster Bracelet [Some prefer to customize it with a Jubilee Bracelet, the choice is yours] |
| Bracelet Material | Stainless Steel |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Caliber | 3285 |
| Power reserve | Up to 70 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 meters of water resistance |
| Dial color options | Black, Midnight Blue, Meteorite Dial |
| Functions of The Watch | Second time zone, hour and minute hand, seconds indicator |
| Reference No. | 126710BLRO |
Rolex Pepsi: A timepiece that has paved the way for GMT watches
After reading this article, you clearly understand the Rolex Pepsi in detail and why it is such a popular watch. For true watch collectors, the idea of having a brilliant timepiece in their collection is all they are looking for. Therefore, if you are interested in acquiring a Rolex Pepsi watch, a great place to start your investment ventures in the pre-owned watch market. Your best place to start would be from the UAE pre-owned market.
