Another Pepsi Production Rumor Thread

[ShamRockNRoll]

Hi all, I almost feel guilty for starting one of these discussions, but it is a discussion forum after all...

I recently visited a Bucherer location I had never been to and struck up a friendly conversation with their Rolex ambassador about how I've been trying to get a Pepsi for years from a couple other ADs. Sharing his feedback here:

- He said there are only two people responsible for making all of the Pepsi bezels in the world, which is why supply issues have been so bad.

- He said that Rolex "just announced a few weeks ago" that they would soon begin automating that process now, and opined that this would quite possibly make them a little easier to come by soon.

- It was his opinion that the rumors of the Pepsi being discontinued were highly unlikely ("why would they stop making a watch that everybody wants that they know they can sell?")

Do these first two points strike anyone as new information? I did some googling to try and find any kind of backup on this without success. Most of what I found were the common discussions I see here about the additional factories coming online soon that would speed up production. I'd never heard anything about only a couple of individuals being responsible for the entire line's ceramic bezels, and I didn't see anything anywhere else about an announcement regarding automated production.

SO, my questions for the group:
1) Has anyone else heard this before (either 2 individuals finishing all the pepsi ceramic bezels, or the note an a new announcement about automating that process?)
2) Does the fact that this came from a Bucherer hold more weight since they are owned by Rolex?

I'm still not expecting one anytime soon, but I will continue to hope nonetheless... (and also stash away a few extra bucks because I'll probably go grey at the end of this year if nothing happens sooner)

Cheers

[4reRlxGuy]

Yes - my AD told me last year that the "break line" where the blue and red meet was hand painted. Found it hard to believe a component on a mass produced watch would have anything done by hand.

[ShamRockNRoll]

Originally Posted by 4reRlxGuy

Yes - my AD told me last year that the "break line" where the blue and red meet was hand painted. Found it hard to believe a component on a mass produced watch would have anything done by hand.

I don't find the hand painting itself that hard to believe, but I was kind of shocked when he said they only have 2 people who can do it.

[Benjack]

Originally Posted by ShamRockNRoll

I don't find the hand painting itself that hard to believe, but I was kind of shocked when he said they only have 2 people who can do it.

+1
Exactly!

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by ShamRockNRoll

Hi all, I almost feel guilty for starting one of these discussions, but it is a discussion forum after all...

I recently visited a Bucherer location I had never been to and struck up a friendly conversation with their Rolex ambassador about how I've been trying to get a Pepsi for years from a couple other ADs. Sharing his feedback here:

- He said there are only two people responsible for making all of the Pepsi bezels in the world, which is why supply issues have been so bad.

- He said that Rolex "just announced a few weeks ago" that they would soon begin automating that process now, and opined that this would quite possibly make them a little easier to come by soon.

- It was his opinion that the rumors of the Pepsi being discontinued were highly unlikely ("why would they stop making a watch that everybody wants that they know they can sell?")

Do these first two points strike anyone as new information? I did some googling to try and find any kind of backup on this without success. Most of what I found were the common discussions I see here about the additional factories coming online soon that would speed up production. I'd never heard anything about only a couple of individuals being responsible for the entire line's ceramic bezels, and I didn't see anything anywhere else about an announcement regarding automated production.

SO, my questions for the group:
1) Has anyone else heard this before (either 2 individuals finishing all the pepsi ceramic bezels, or the note an a new announcement about automating that process?)
2) Does the fact that this came from a Bucherer hold more weight since they are owned by Rolex?

I'm still not expecting one anytime soon, but I will continue to hope nonetheless... (and also stash away a few extra bucks because I'll probably go grey at the end of this year if nothing happens sooner)

Cheers

Originally Posted by 4reRlxGuy

Yes - my AD told me last year that the "break line" where the blue and red meet was hand painted. Found it hard to believe a component on a mass produced watch would have anything done by hand.

Guys. Come on. This is absolute nonsense. 2 people? Hand painted??

https://newsroom-content.rolex.com/-...ic_english.pdf

[Norbert]

Originally Posted by 4reRlxGuy

Yes - my AD told me last year that the "break line" where the blue and red meet was hand painted. Found it hard to believe a component on a mass produced watch would have anything done by hand.

Why is that, a lot of the production a a Rolex is done by hand isn't it?

[fly4food84]

I’m fairly confident your AD, especially a salesman would not know that level of inner workings.

It could be discontinued simply because it hypes and boosts the brand.

People forget the Pepsi has been discontinued before and brought back in 2014 in WG and again in 2018 in SS.

Will be be discontinued this year? Who knows, but ADs have not been receiving many of these.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mystro]

Absolutely absurd.

[Infusion1]

What part is absurd?

[omar-rye]

Yeah I heard that Ball, Orient, Steinhart, Baltic, and Tag all hand paint a portion of their Pepsi bezels as well. Only difference is they produce a nicer red and blue color than Rolex

[ShamRockNRoll]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

Yeah I heard that Ball, Orient, Steinhart, Baltic, and Tag all hand paint a portion of their Pepsi bezels as well. Only difference is they produce a nicer red and blue color than Rolex

[ShamRockNRoll]

Well, seem to have generated some spirited discussion!

I didn't say I bought into the Two Elves Theory™ ...I just wanted to pass along what I heard directly from a Rolex-owned retailer and see how folks responded to the chum in the water.

Thank you @brandrea and @Devildog for the helpful articles! And to everyone else for the chuckles

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ShamRockNRoll

Well, seem to have generated some spirited discussion!

I didn't say I bought into the Two Elves Theory ...I just wanted to pass along what I heard directly from a Rolex-owned retailer and see how folks responded to the chum in the water.

Thank you @brandrea and @Devildog for the helpful articles! And to everyone else for the chuckles

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Infusion1

What part is absurd?

All of it

[espanol]

Strange, I was told the two people that produce the bezels were actually little Rolex elves, and the reason for the slow production is that those two elves are currently on strike, demanding fair elvish wages. Also heard they’re about to quit and head back to the North Pole.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by espanol

Strange, I was told the two people that produce the bezels were actually little Rolex elves, and the reason for the slow production is that those two elves are currently on strike, demanding fair elvish wages. Also heard they’re about to quit and head back to the North Pole.

Have to agree but the main problem is they dont know what MK to call it as so many MKs around is it now MK3 or was it MK4or 5 and very doubtful if the GMT bezel like the 126710BLRO will be discontinued .

[garyk]

Originally Posted by espanol

Strange, I was told the two people that produce the bezels were actually little Rolex elves, and the reason for the slow production is that those two elves are currently on strike, demanding fair elvish wages. Also heard they’re about to quit and head back to the North Pole.

This sounds completely logical especially on TRF

[KatGirl]

The only thing that sounded true is that the Pepsi wouldn’t be discontinued, because it’s so popular. The rest sounded unbelievable, to say the least, in my opinion.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[fly4food84]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

The only thing that sounded true is that the Pepsi wouldn’t be discontinued, because it’s so popular. The rest sounded unbelievable, to say the least, in my opinion.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It’s been discontinued before… and it’s always been popular.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by fly4food84

It’s been discontinued before… and it’s always been popular.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, I’m aware. I was merely pointing out, that it was the only logical part of the OP’s hypothesis.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Daytonaboy1977]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

The only thing that sounded true is that the Pepsi wouldn’t be discontinued, because it’s so popular. The rest sounded unbelievable, to say the least, in my opinion.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Patek decided to discontinue the 5711 because of ridiculous demand and inability to supply so I can see this being a possible reason. But I also agree with your statement.

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by Daytonaboy1977

Patek decided to discontinue the 5711 because of ridiculous demand and inability to supply so I can see this being a possible reason. But I also agree with your statement.

That would mean the SS Daytona is first in line to be discontinued not the Pepsi.

[Daytonaboy1977]

Originally Posted by APPRF

That would mean the SS Daytona is first in line to be discontinued not the Pepsi.

To my knowledge producing parts for the Daytona is not an issue, just demand is stratospheric.

The bezel on the Pepsi is an issue to manufacture (Allegedly) and the demand is just as big for the BLRO as the Daytona.

Makes sense in this situation to divert the manufacturing attention to other watches. I can see it being discontinued but it would be a real shame as it's iconic and probably the favourite and most worn in my collection.

Just my opinion of course.

[brandrea]

This is a decent article that explains the manufacturing process.


https://senatus.net/article/cerachrom-rolex/

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by brandrea

This is a decent article that explains the manufacturing process.


https://senatus.net/article/cerachrom-rolex/

Brilliant, thanks! Super clear

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Brilliant, thanks! Super clear

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by brandrea

This is a decent article that explains the manufacturing process.


https://senatus.net/article/cerachrom-rolex/

Thanks Brian. Good article.

There's also a Rolex published PDF about the process in circulation. I have a local copy of the file which is also an interesting read.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Thanks Brian. Good article.

There's also a Rolex published PDF about the process in circulation. I have a local copy of the file which is also an interesting read.

Thank you my friend


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Henrimontgomery]

A billion dollar company, worldwide presence with virtually unlimited R&D.

-> two people responsible for a key process.

I don’t believe it.

[Vince_76]

Originally Posted by Henrimontgomery

A billion dollar company, worldwide presence with virtually unlimited R&D.

-> two people responsible for a key process.

I don’t believe it.

This. It’s just a color man and you think Rolex can’t produce it?

Crazy how gullible people are.