As someone who's really into watches, I've had the chance to own and wear some pretty amazing pieces from big names like Omega, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex. Over the years, I've gathered quite a collection featuring everything from the sleek ⁘Batman⁘ GMT to the sturdy Submariner and the classic ⁘Rootbeer⁘ GMT with its distinctive nipple dial. But the Rolex 2018 GMT-Master II Mk1 edition, or the ⁘Pepsi⁘ as it's fondly called because of its red and blue bezel, really changed the game for me. This watch turned me from a collector of many to a guy who mostly just wears this one. Well, two, if you count the practicality of an Apple Watch.
Vincent Nguyen at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance with Australian motorsport legend Mark Webber.
The Rolex GMT watch was intelligently designed in collaboration with Pan Am Airways for pilots requiring a functional and reliable timepiece to easily manage multiple time zones. This game-changing feature, introduced in the 1950s, still contributes to its enduring appeal today. The ⁘Pepsi⁘ model, identifiable by its distinct bi-color bezel, allows wearers to track day and night in another time zone at a glance. Additionally, there's a fourth hand on the dial ⁘ the 24-hour hand, further enhancing its functionality. The vibrant splash of color on the bezel has become an iconic symbol in horology, adding to the watch's overall appeal.
It was deemed an instant classic when Rolex revealed the GMT-Master II ⁘Pepsi⁘ reference 126710BLRO at Baselworld in 2018. This exceptional model stood out from the crowd with its new-generation movement, the caliber 3285, and a significantly more robust mechanism ensuring an impressive power reserve of up to 70 hours. The thoughtful decision to pair this model with a five-link Jubilee bracelet, traditionally reserved for more formal, dressier models, was a respectful nod to Rolex's rich heritage and a significant enhancement in both comfort and style.
