GMT Master 126710BLRO Any differences between years

[golden state of mind]

Merry Christmas to all!!! Just wondering if there are any differences in color, movement or anything between the 126710BLRO gmt Pepsi models from 2018 - 2023? If so are there particular years that are better?
Apologies if this is a dumb question but I did quick Google search and didn’t find much

[NewYorkRanger]

Short Answer - Yes.

Long Answer - In an ever long search for perfection, Rolex has experimented with dyes for the ceramic bezel. As such, the Pepsi is known to have several bezel color formations, with each version commonly referred in the community as a "Mark" - you will see this mentioned online in the short hand as Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3, etc.

See picture below for the purported three* versions of the Pepsi...note the asterisk. See note below on the Mark 3...

The Mark 1 Pepsi is the original Pepsi that came out in 2018. It is the one that stands out the most because the ceramic blue and red colors that are the absolute lightest - some will even say the red is a pinkish tone to it. In the picture below, it is the first one to the left in the first picture below. Generally speaking, initial run Pepsi's in 2018 are Mark 1 bezels.

The Mark 2 Pepsi was a change on the original Pepsi and notably darkened the color of the blue and red. In the first picture below, it is the one in the middle. Mark 2 Pepsi's allegedly came out in 2019, no one really knows when the exact switch happened.

The Mark 3 Pepsi Bezel is arguably the one in production today. It is a darker shade of red and blue, easily the darkest one. If it purported to be the third watch in the first picture below, the one to the right. Some even say the numbers are a bitter fatter on this Mark. Not really sure when the Mark 3 came out, but the first rumours of a Mark 3 were in late 2019, see this thread here where it was first mentioned.

Keep note there is some division among enthusiasts who claim there is no such thing as a Mark 3 bezel, and it is simply a Mark 2 with a minor dye change or batch changes and it is simply our minds playing tricks on us. I can say that you definitely can make any Mark look like another with the lighting choice and angle. Many think this "mark" stuff is nonsense and they have a point, without anything from Rolex themselves, it is all made up internet stuff outside of the very obvious change from a Mk1 to Mk2.

[omar-rye]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t

[JC316]

Originally Posted by NewYorkRanger

Short Answer - Yes.

Long Answer - In an ever long search for perfection, Rolex has experimented with dyes for the ceramic bezel. As such, the Pepsi is known to have several bezel color formations, with each version commonly referred in the community as a "Mark" - you will see this mentioned online in the short hand as Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3, etc.

See picture below for the purported three* versions of the Pepsi...note the asterisk. See note below on the Mark 3...

The Mark 1 Pepsi is the original Pepsi that came out in 2018. It is the one that stands out the most because the ceramic blue and red colors that are the absolute lightest - some will even say the red is a pinkish tone to it. In the picture below, it is the first one to the left in the first picture below. Generally speaking, initial run Pepsi's in 2018 are Mark 1 bezels.

The Mark 2 Pepsi was a change on the original Pepsi and notably darkened the color of the blue and red. In the first picture below, it is the one in the middle. Mark 2 Pepsi's allegedly came out in 2019, no one really knows when the exact switch happened.

The Mark 3 Pepsi Bezel is arguably the one in production today. It is a darker shade of red and blue, easily the darkest one. If it purported to be the third watch in the first picture below, the one to the right. Some even say the numbers are a bitter fatter on this Mark. Not really sure when the Mark 3 came out, but the first rumours of a Mark 3 were in late 2019, see this thread here where it was first mentioned.

Keep note there is some division among enthusiasts who claim there is no such thing as a Mark 3 bezel, and it is simply a Mark 2 with a minor dye change or batch changes and it is simply our minds playing tricks on us. I can say that you definitely can make any Mark look like another with the lighting choice and angle. Many think this "mark" stuff is nonsense and they have a point, without anything from Rolex themselves, it is all made up internet stuff outside of the very obvious change from a Mk1 to Mk2.

Excellent share!

But yes, the bezel color. Still haven't got it right, in my opinion.

[ltmgeller]

Yes. If you look, there are numerous threads on the topic.

[ArtNouveau]

My SA who sold me mine and others since they arrived in June of 2018 says he believes there has been three shades. I got mine in December 2018 and it seems to be a MK2.
No changes in movement, it was originally only on Jubilee bracelet, an Oyster bracelet option was added later.

[golden state of mind]

Originally Posted by NewYorkRanger

Short Answer - Yes.

Long Answer - In an ever long search for perfection, Rolex has experimented with dyes for the ceramic bezel. As such, the Pepsi is known to have several bezel color formations, with each version commonly referred in the community as a "Mark" - you will see this mentioned online in the short hand as Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3, etc.

See picture below for the purported three* versions of the Pepsi...note the asterisk. See note below on the Mark 3...

The Mark 1 Pepsi is the original Pepsi that came out in 2018. It is the one that stands out the most because the ceramic blue and red colors that are the absolute lightest - some will even say the red is a pinkish tone to it. In the picture below, it is the first one to the left in the first picture below. Generally speaking, initial run Pepsi's in 2018 are Mark 1 bezels.

The Mark 2 Pepsi was a change on the original Pepsi and notably darkened the color of the blue and red. In the first picture below, it is the one in the middle. Mark 2 Pepsi's allegedly came out in 2019, no one really knows when the exact switch happened.

The Mark 3 Pepsi Bezel is arguably the one in production today. It is a darker shade of red and blue, easily the darkest one. If it purported to be the third watch in the first picture below, the one to the right. Some even say the numbers are a bitter fatter on this Mark. Not really sure when the Mark 3 came out, but the first rumours of a Mark 3 were in late 2019, see this thread here where it was first mentioned.

Keep note there is some division among enthusiasts who claim there is no such thing as a Mark 3 bezel, and it is simply a Mark 2 with a minor dye change or batch changes and it is simply our minds playing tricks on us. I can say that you definitely can make any Mark look like another with the lighting choice and angle. Many think this "mark" stuff is nonsense and they have a point, without anything from Rolex themselves, it is all made up internet stuff outside of the very obvious change from a Mk1 to Mk2.

Appreciate the detailed information. Cheers!

[Cassian739]

Great summary!

[NewYorkRanger]

Originally Posted by golden state of mind

Appreciate the detailed information. Cheers!

No worries, good luck in your search, I was exactly in your shoes trying to figure this stuff out. :)

You can't go wrong with this model, no matter the mark. It is an iconic watch with a rich history - there is a saying, a fisherman recognizes a fisherman from afar, this is definitely a watch that watch geeks will recognize and appreciate on your wrist. Women...probably not so much lol.

[Oldfellow]

Thanks for all the effort you put into the response, great information.