Rolex Pepsi

Buying Advice

About the Rolex Pepsi

The Rolex Pepsi is the red and blue bezel Rolex GMT-Master and GMT-Master II, a 71-year-old travel watch that started in 1955 as a tool commissioned by Pan American World Airways and evolved into one of the most culturally significant sports watches Rolex has produced. Red represents daytime, blue represents nighttime, forming a 24-hour scale that tracks a second time zone at a glance. On April 14, 2026, at Watches and Wonders Geneva, Rolex officially discontinued both modern ceramic Pepsi references, leaving every example only on the secondary market. WatchGuys carries authenticated pre-owned and unworn Rolex Pepsi GMT-Masters across every major reference, each backed by a 2-year warranty and our Buyer Protection program.

What Is the Rolex Pepsi?

The Rolex Pepsi is the collector nickname for any GMT-Master or GMT-Master II with a red and blue bezel. The colorway debuted on the original Rolex 6542 in 1955, commissioned by Pan American World Airways to help pilots track home and local time on transatlantic routes. The nickname comes from the visual resemblance between the two-tone 24-hour bezel and the Pepsi-Cola brand logo, and emerged in collector communities through the 1970s and 1980s. Rolex itself does not acknowledge the nickname. Internally, Rolex refers to the modern references by their BLRO suffix, short for Bleu Rouge, French for blue red, a convention explained in our Rolex reference numbers guide.

Rolex Pepsi Discontinuation

On April 14, 2026, at the opening of Watches and Wonders Geneva, Rolex officially discontinued both modern ceramic Pepsi references: the steel 126710BLRO and the white gold 126719BLRO. No Coke replacement was announced. For the first time in the Cerachrom era, the steel GMT-Master II lineup contains no red bezel at all. The remaining steel GMT-Master II lineup now consists of the Batman, Batgirl, Bruce Wayne, and Sprite. The closest historical parallel is the Submariner Hulk (ref. 116610LV), which roughly doubled in secondary market value in the two years after its 2020 discontinuation. Our 2026 coverage including full commentary on the market reaction lives at the Rolex 2026 releases breakdown.

Rolex Pepsi References Through Seven Decades

Eight references carry the Pepsi bezel across 71 years of production. The vintage aluminum era includes the Rolex 6542 (1955 to 1959, Bakelite then aluminum), the Rolex 1675 (1959 to 1980), the Rolex 16750 (1981 to 1988, quickset date), the Rolex 16700 (1988 to 1999), and the Rolex 16710 (1989 to 2007, the last aluminum ceramic transition reference). The modern Cerachrom ceramic era includes the 116719BLRO in white gold (2014 to 2018), the 126710BLRO in stainless steel (2018 to 2026), and the 126719BLRO in white gold (2018 to 2026). For a deeper walk through the full lineage with year-by-year notes, see our Rolex GMT-Master Buyer's Guide.

Rolex Pepsi Price

Pre-owned Rolex Pepsi prices at WatchGuys range from approximately $12,000 to $45,000+, depending on reference, era, and condition. Vintage aluminum-bezel references (6542, 1675, 16750, 16700, 16710) typically trade at $12,000 to $22,000 based on condition, dial variant, and originality. The discontinued ceramic 126710BLRO in stainless steel has surged since April 2026, with average examples trading around $25,000 and unworn 2026-dated pieces pushing $40,000+. The white gold 126719BLRO sits at the top of the range, typically $35,000 to $45,000+ depending on dial, with meteorite and midnight blue lacquer dial variants commanding the highest premiums. These spread across our Rolex under $20,000 and Rolex over $20,000 segments. For live market context, our Rolex GMT Market Update tracks Pepsi pricing alongside the rest of the GMT lineup.

Rolex Pepsi vs. Rolex Batman

With the Pepsi discontinued, the Rolex Batman (ref. 126710BLNR, blue and black bezel) is now the most available steel GMT-Master II in the current catalog. Mechanically the two are nearly identical: both run the Caliber 3285 with a 70-hour power reserve in a 40mm Oystersteel case on either the Oyster or Jubilee bracelet. The difference is aesthetic and market-driven. The Pepsi carries the 71-year lineage, the iconic red and blue colorway, and the strongest collector demand, which is why it trades well above the Batman. The Batman typically trades at $16,500 to $20,000, while post-discontinuation Pepsi prices start at $20,000 and climb. If you want the iconic red-and-blue aesthetic with the strongest cultural weight, the Pepsi has no substitute. If you want a more versatile daily GMT at a lower price point, the Batman is the answer.

Trusted Dealer

Why Buy a Rolex Pepsi From WatchGuys

With both ceramic Pepsi references now discontinued and no Coke replacement announced, the secondary market is the only path forward for buyers. Every pre-owned Rolex Pepsi for sale at WatchGuys is authenticated in-house by our watchmakers and backed by the policies below.

Common Questions

Rolex Pepsi FAQ

• Is the Rolex Pepsi Discontinued?

  Yes. On April 14, 2026, at Watches and Wonders Geneva, Rolex officially discontinued both modern ceramic Pepsi references, the steel 126710BLRO and the white gold 126719BLRO. No Coke replacement was announced. For the first time in the Cerachrom era, the steel GMT-Master II lineup contains no red bezel. All Pepsi examples are now only available on the pre-owned and unworn secondary market.

• What Is the Rolex Pepsi?

  The Rolex Pepsi is the collector nickname for any GMT-Master or GMT-Master II with a red and blue bezel. The colorway debuted on the original Rolex 6542 in 1955, commissioned by Pan American World Airways. Red represents daytime hours on the 24-hour scale, blue represents nighttime. Rolex itself does not use the Pepsi name, it is a collector term inspired by the resemblance to the Pepsi-Cola brand colors.

• How Much Does a Rolex Pepsi Cost?

  Pre-owned Rolex Pepsi prices at WatchGuys range from roughly $12,000 to $45,000+ depending on reference. Vintage aluminum-bezel references (6542, 1675, 16750, 16700, 16710) typically trade at $12,000 to $22,000. The discontinued ceramic 126710BLRO has surged since April 2026 to roughly $25,000 for average examples, with unworn 2026-dated pieces pushing $40,000+. The white gold 126719BLRO sits at the top, typically $35,000 to $45,000+ depending on dial, with meteorite and midnight blue lacquer dials commanding the highest premiums.

• What References Are the Rolex Pepsi?

  Eight references carry the Pepsi bezel. Vintage: the 6542 (1955 to 1959, Bakelite then aluminum), the 1675 (1959 to 1980), the 16750 (1981 to 1988, quickset date), the 16700 (1988 to 1999), and the 16710 (1989 to 2007, last aluminum). Modern ceramic: the 116719BLRO in white gold (2014 to 2018), the 126710BLRO in steel (2018 to 2026, discontinued), and the 126719BLRO in white gold (2018 to 2026, also discontinued).

• What Is the Difference Between the Rolex Pepsi and the Rolex Batman?

  Mechanically they are nearly identical, both run the Caliber 3285 in a 40mm steel case. The Pepsi has the 71-year lineage, the red and blue bezel, and the strongest collector demand. The Batman (126710BLNR, blue and black) is more understated and still in production. With the Pepsi discontinued, the price gap has widened further. If you want the iconic red-and-blue aesthetic, the Pepsi has the cultural weight. If you want a more versatile daily GMT at a lower price, the Batman is the answer.

• Why Is It Called the Rolex Pepsi?

  The nickname comes from the visual resemblance between the two-tone red and blue 24-hour bezel and the Pepsi-Cola brand logo. It emerged in collector communities over the 1970s and 1980s and has been standard dealer and auction-house terminology since. Rolex does not acknowledge the nickname. Rolex refers to the reference internally by its BLRO suffix, short for Bleu-Rouge, French for blue-red.

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