What do you think of when you hear Pepsi?
Maybe it’s a refreshing drink on a warm summer day, the brisk drink quenching your thirst — or at least doing enough in the place of your preferred Coca-Cola. Maybe, just maybe, you think of the drink’s iconic globe logo, one of the most-recognizable logos among worldwide brands with the intertwining red, white and blue.
The Pepsi logo’s color scheme inspired the nickname of one watch in Rolex’s GMT-Master series, which was introduced in 1955 and makes reference to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). The original GMT-Master series was designed in in collaboration with Pan American Airways for their crews to wear on long-distance flights.
Because there was a GMT hand, pilots and other airway staff could set their watches to a certain time zone without having to constantly change the time. Also, GMT is the time flight crews must use for aviation paperwork.
The red and blue colors on the bezel — blue on top, red on bottom — to signify the difference between night and day when reading the second time zone from the GMT-hand.
The GMT-Master Ref. 1675 was produced from 1959 to 1980 and made with stainless steel. Because this watch was produced for a limited time, collectors seek out the faded blue and red color scheme — these Rolex sell anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000.
The GMT-Master Ref. 16750 was produced after the 1675 and debuted in 1981 and ran until 1988. Features include waterproofness and the ability to stop the second hand when the crown was pulled out as a way to more precisely set the time.
The Ref. 16750 was replaced in 1989 and ran until 2007 and featured the red and black bezel option as well as a black and red scheme and an all-black option. The latest GMT-Master II in the series, launched in 2014, is the 116719 BLRO. This watch was adorned in 18k white gold instead of stainless steel, while the scratch and fade resistant blue-and-red bezel is substituted for the acrylic material. This watch retails for more than $30,000.
10 Comments
Stanley Sizeler
I have the ‘root beer’ version, brown dial gold rim, Jubilee stainless and goldl bracelet. What is its history?
Doug
I just read an article in the news about the brown dials on certain Rolex and Omega watches. The dials were originally black and treated with a UV coating that caused the dial to change to various shades of brown when exposed to sunlight. They are reportedly very coveted by Rolex collectors.
Justin
At times I wished I had bought a Pepsi instead of a Sub Date. That was when you could get them used on Samson Street in Philadelphia for around $2K! And the old plexiglass crystal ones sold for LESS!
Mark Morgan
Thank you very much.very interesting. How about a story on the thunderbird.
John Titcombe
Hi Mark,It’s always fascinating reading your articles.And the prices on Rolexes just keep going up,up,up!
Chuck tortorice
Mark,
Another interesting read.l
I bought my 1675 in 1971 and it’s been going strong without any failure since.
Dante
Great article. So is the Milgauss with the green crystal the “Sierra Mist” version of a Rolex?
John Stetter
Another fascinating post. In 1969 I was a young Army helicopter crewman with the First Air Cavalry in Vietnam, and already in love with fine watches. We operated out of the Tay Ninh West Combat Base just east of the Cambodian border, and the small PX there did sometimes have some amazing items in stock. I found a Pepsi GMT and a Rolex no-date Sub sitting there side by side in their green boxes one day, both priced around $250. I bought the Sub, but ended up giving it to my best friend, who served with me in the ‘Nam, about five years later when he came to California for a visit. Never regreted giving it to him, but now I sure wish I’d bought the GMT too.
Joseph H Clarke
Thanks Markyour stories on the various Rolex watches is quite interesting. I am still debating sending my 70 year old watch for repair. It stops periodically without warning and is in disperate need of expert repair such as what you supply but I’m in Canada and unsure of shipping costs and safety issues. No reflection on you. I’m impressed and encouraged that such a service is available for the price quoted. Keep up the good work..
John Gullotti
It appears that my watch is a 1675. I bought it in 1970 in St Thomas USVI for $210. What a steal. But it came with the hack feature too so I’m surprised that the 16750 mentions it specifically as well as the waterproofing which I don’t think changed between the models.