Okay we've all seen the new 116600 and the awesome 116719BLRO but....

[HauteHorlogerie]

I thought I might take time to share something with why the Pepsi is so special. This will be a long post. But means a lot to me. And it's funny, I mentioned many times since 2011 that 2014 would mark the 60th birthday for the Bakelite Pepsi 6542. Maybe Rolex has a heart after all. Anyways this is my rant on why I love this thing...

It's here. The 116719BLRO. White Gold. Ceramic Pepsi. As a man that has owned the 1675, the 16750, 16700 and most recently the piece I miss the most the 16710. I must say this is the ultimate expression. Sure platinum might have been heavier but white gold on a Rolex Dive piece is extremely special if you know Rolex. This is truly the greatest GMT Master since the Bakelite 6542. Which really got this whole love started back in the 50's, long before me. All I can say is wow. People said it would never be done. That Rolex doesn't look to the history books. I always knew they did, from the lightning bold hand on the milguass a few years back. Also the orange explorer hand. To the red print we still see on all stainless steel Daytona's. To the oyster bracelet they continue to upgrade and most importantly the maxi dial they brought back eleven years ago (I think haha) after time without it. You cannot evolve without respecting that past and Rolex has always done that. People were worried they would just use Tudor to reference the past...but I knew. Though the new 116600 Sea Dweller will probably sell more. This one, this one is special. Wow oh wow. I've been talking about this being released forever, in 2011 I wanted it...but alas it wasn't meant to be. Then in 2012 I wash hoping for it...then we got the Sky Dweller and No Date Sub Ceramic. Last year....I wanted it oh so badly...but we got a blue/black GMT Master IIc...the people in my life will recall me throwing some rolex books across my living room hahaha, they'll remember my disappointment last year. Funny thing is I started to come around to the blue/black....really I did..because I too was losing hope. But at 5AM PST this morning Rolex made children and old men around the world happy!

Here is a story. About another's love for the GMT. A story from 4 years ago. When me, and my then girlfriend (and now lifelong anchor) were dating. One of the greatest things that ever happened to me:

I was eating in German Village (Columbus, OH) back in 2010...corned beef and pickles (I was not eating pickles). And I saw an old old old man with this old wife. He was wearing what I thought was a 16750 transition GMT Master. I walked over and complemented him..his face lit up..but not as much as his wife's face. She glowed. Most likely, because not many people recognize this watch, it's not as recognizable as a Submariner to the average person. And I said, "I love your GMT Master, it's my favorite reference and the ultimate in cool. It's a 16750 correct?" The man looked confused and his wife replied rather proudly, "No, it's a 16710, GMT Master II [quite proudly said 'TWO!"] that I bought for him for our 50th wedding anniversary after his other watch got lost, his other watch was not one of these. I picked it out. It's an amazing watch. You have a good eye." I, myself was a humbled because I rarely name a ref. wrong haha, but it made my day. I love the pepsi. I wore mine in my engagement photos but sadly sold it before my wedding. I am so happy. Wish I could've been in Basel this year, but no worries. I know Rolex will continue to innovate. In in another few decades...when I'm a much older man they will do the next version of this maginificiant piece. I will end this post. That I'm sure only two or three people have read through to this point.

I'm so happy. Here are the photos for some people...though I know everyone has seen them.

[nickb732]

Really nice story. And the watch is beautiful as well. All those inserts are so tempting.. :Drool:

[nickb732]

Really nice story. And the watch is beautiful as well. All those inserts are so tempting.. :Drool:

[nickb732]

Really nice story. And the watch is beautiful as well. All those inserts are so tempting.. :Drool:

[Maxy]

Only if it was in SS but then maybe Rolex didn't want everyone out there to have one Pepsi watch, want to keep it exclusive. I know for sure if it was in SS, this would have hit the roof with sales among all the new models.

[nickb732]

Sorry for the triple post, there was smething wrong with my internet, mods can you please remove two of them

[HauteHorlogerie]

Originally Posted by nickb732

Really nice story. And the watch is beautiful as well. All those inserts are so tempting.. :Drool:

Thanks! I love this thing. Don't mind shelling out for white gold as well. Because for me it's worth it. But I definitely hope this insert works for the BLNR or just the regular 16710 so people can enjoy the amazing bezel. I cannot wait to get my grubby hands on one.

Also, I think trf's servers went crazy? your post tripled posted hahaha

[nickb732]

Originally Posted by HauteHorlogerie

Thanks! I love this thing. Don't mind shelling out for white gold as well. Because for me it's worth it. But I definitely hope this insert works for the BLNR or just the regular 16710 so people can enjoy the amazing bezel. I cannot wait to get my grubby hands on one.

Also, I think trf's servers went crazy? your post tripled posted hahaha

Haha yeah. I noticed. I think it affected some other posters as well. I hope tht the BLRO insert works on the 116710 as well, because I've just ordered an LN, and so maybe it's good fortune that I just happened to order it now!

[SeaDweller50]

Well I'm fuming and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I can't imagine you'll see many pilots wearing one.

[HauteHorlogerie]

Y'all see the hodinkee post, I have a feeling there are going to be multiple threads about everything the next week:

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/new-rol...erachrom-bezel

[nickb732]

It's a beauty. I really like the video of the insert. Who knows, this might become a WG icon..

[Trouble15]

Nice story! I love the look of the new GMT, just wish it was in SS. If it was I would have already placed my order.

[HauteHorlogerie]

Also, did anyone notice on the official copy rolex put out on the 116719 it mentions the original gmt to be 1955....but any vintage guy like myself who's studied the bakelite know it was introduced in 1954?? Hodinkee...and Jake both state in multiple posts it was 1954...hmmm.

Link here: http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/on-the-...york-live-pics

quote "The GMT Master was first introduced by Rolex in 1954 as reference 6542."

From Ben, and Jake states the same thing in some places. Too lazy to link for a jump.

[tkerrmd]

Great post OP

[elcompa]

Haute,
Thanks for this informational. Enlightening and a nice feel good story about marriage. I too an a big fan of the GMT in all it's forms. These days Im wearing the BLNR, but will soon look to pick up a nice 16710.

As for the new WG Pepsi...i love it. May not be able to afford it, but love it. If the bezel comes available at some point, it may be fun in a few years to slap it on the BLNR. I think the blue 24hr hand would look nice!

And oh yeah, thanks for posting all the new pix in one place. My electronic file thanks you.

[RFFG]

This watch is a winner in my book.

[iLLGT2]

Originally Posted by Trouble15

Nice story! I love the look of the new GMT, just wish it was in SS. If it was I would have already placed my order.

Agreed. Stupid move.......

[HauteHorlogerie]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

Agreed. Stupid move.......

It's stupid on many levels...in that it definitely alienates people. And for those with the funds to purchase it...it'll be challenging to not go with something more complicated from another house...but for me I actually wanted this in white gold or platinum because I wanted something to make the GMT truly special...though the 116718 green dial is special..it doesn't do it like this thing, for me at least.

[HauteHorlogerie]

Love this quote from rolex

"In the beginning, there was red and blue

From its launch in 1955, the Rolex GMT-Master stood out with its rotatable 24-hour graduated red and blue bezel. Thanks to an additional hand that circled the dial once every 24 hours, airline pilots on intercontinental flights – a rapidly expanding sector at the time – could read the time in two time zones simultaneously. Red and blue, situated at opposite ends of the colour spectrum, are strongly contrasting colours for the human eye, a determining factor for legibility on a Professional watch. The first GMT‑Master bezel inserts were made of transparent Plexiglas, painted half red and half blue on the underside. This method of production gave a certain depth to the bezel, as the colour showed through the Plexiglas.

In 1959, still in the original two colours, the Plexiglas insert was replaced by one in anodized aluminium once the manufacture of a two-colour insert in this material had been mastered. Various other combinations were introduced later, such as brown and gold on Rolesor (steel and gold) models, or burgundy and black on the GMT-Master II launched in 1982. But in the minds of many GMT-Master lovers, a red and blue bezel remains the signature feature of this model."

[elcompa]

Originally Posted by iLLGT2

Agreed. Stupid move.......

Yeah, why not an SS Pepsi this year and then a YG version next year? Sort of accomplishes the same thing marketing wise. Still would have given folks the feeling of "stepping up".

[HauteHorlogerie]

Originally Posted by elcompa

Yeah, why not an SS Pepsi this year and then a YG version next year. Sort of accomplishes the same thing marketing wise? Gives folks the feeling of "stepping up".

YG Pepsi? You mean WG? I agree in some ways...but if they wanted it to be really special (like the smurf or 116718 green dial then they had to do white gold...)

"Rolex know-how

In keeping with its quality standards and its mastery of the production of all its key watch components, Rolex developed in-house the expertise, processes and high-technology equipment needed to acquire complete independence in the production of its ceramic components. The workshops are housed at the impressive Rolex Plan-les-Ouates production site on the outskirts of Geneva. There, the brand makes all the elements for its cases and bracelets, starting with the casting of its own gold alloys or the sourcing of other raw materials, to their machining, assembly and polishing. The production of ceramic components is completely mastered, from raw material to the finished Cerachrom bezel insert. Such complete in-house mastery allows Rolex to devise innovative solutions and create components that correspond exactly to its specifications and quality criteria.

Since 2007, Rolex expertise has produced exclusive Cerachrom bezel inserts in blue and in green – in addition to black – for its Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date models or its 18 ct yellow gold Oyster Perpetual Yacht‑Master II. In 2010, it took another leap forward in developing a monobloc Cerachrom bezel – rather than a bezel insert – to equip the Cosmograph Daytona. It first appeared in black, and then in brown in 2013 on the platinum version that marked the 50th anniversary of the legendary chronograph.

During all this time, the creation of a two-colour ceramic bezel – which should, moreover, be half red – remained mission impossible from a technical point of view. Yet the extensive internal resources of the Research and Development Department took up the challenge and finally managed to combine the technical performance of the Cerachrom bezel with the iconic two-colour aesthetics of the GMT‑Master.

In 2013, after many years of research and fine-tuning the exclusive manufacturing process, Rolex unveiled the first two-colour Cerachrom insert in the world – in blue and black. Now, in 2014, that mission has been brought to a successful conclusion with the introduction of a two‑colour Cerachrom insert in red and blue that complies with Rolex's strict quality standards for its watch components"

I think it actually did take them a longgggg time and they want to make up for the R&D buy selling a WG watch

[mike]

Excellent post.

I would have liked to see it in SS. Those that know the history of the reference know that this was/is a special reference that has seen duty in some of the most trying enviorments in the world....and above it.

Those that carried the GMT into those conditions were not rich, but wore what they felt was the best tool for the job. They bet the farm on their equiment.

Rolex is always quick to capitalise on the history while making watches the majority of owners buy for status.

Somewhere along the line something got lost.

Rant off.

[DVR]

I do not agree Mike. Think about it for a minute.
What would have happened if this watch was launched in SS ? Wouldn't it become the hottest seller in the Rolex line up by far ?
We know for a fact the ceramic Red/blue bezel is difficult to produce. They would never be able to produce enough to meet demand for a SS watch. So they wisely decided to offer it in WG , therefore limiting demand but making it possible for production to cope with demand. Nothing worse than everybody wanting one and none available. Think SS Daytona times 10.

[Robbyman]

Originally Posted by mike

Excellent post.

I would have liked to see it in SS. Those that know the history of the reference know that this was/is a special reference that has seen duty in some of the most trying enviorments in the world....and above it.

Those that carried the GMT into those conditions were not rich, but wore what they felt was the best tool for the job. They bet the farm on their equiment.

Rolex is always quick to capitalise on the history while making watches the majority of owners buy for status.

Somewhere along the line something got lost.

Rant off.

I agree, my Sub C is so far off the mark. Too bright and blingy and too expensive. I really want a Rolex diver tool watch. The new Sd meets that but the price!

[Furbo]

I'll have to wait 10 years or so to get a preloved WG Pepsi.. way to expensive right now.. oh well.. it's something to look forward to. :)

[nickb732]

Originally Posted by DVR

I do not agree Mike. Think about it for a minute.
What would have happened if this watch was launched in SS ? Wouldn't it become the hottest seller in the Rolex line up by far ?
We know for a fact the ceramic Red/blue bezel is difficult to produce. They would never be able to produce enough to meet demand for a SS watch. So they wisely decided to offer it in WG , therefore limiting demand but making it possible for production to cope with demand. Nothing worse than everybody wanting one and none available. Think SS Daytona times 10.

Good observation.

[mike]

Originally Posted by DVR

I do not agree Mike. Think about it for a minute.
What would have happened if this watch was launched in SS ? Wouldn't it become the hottest seller in the Rolex line up by far ?
We know for a fact the ceramic Red/blue bezel is difficult to produce. They would never be able to produce enough to meet demand for a SS watch. So they wisely decided to offer it in WG , therefore limiting demand but making it possible for production to cope with demand. Nothing worse than everybody wanting one and none available. Think SS Daytona times 10.

Denis,

Absolutely it would be a hot seller. I would think that would be the purpose. Sure Rolex will sell the new offering, but they are closing the door on those that would like to own and wear the watch in some semblance of what it was designed for. Lots of people travel, but not eveyone has their own jet.

My first was a 1675 bought new in 1968. $240 USD Not a light sum in those days, but one that could be reached by those likely to use the watch the way it was intended. (I still have it).

Rolex long ago made the decision to go luxury, but at least made the iconic pieces available to most, at some sacrifice. Moving into precious metals excludes to many people that might even use the watch as intended.

Rolex has obivously perfected the system and have the robots to make it work. They don't use elves anymore.

It seems the tool watch banner has been past to Tudor. So be it.

[ltmgeller]

There is also the possibility of a ss version being released Ina couple of years. The YMII came out with a ss version 3 years after the release of the original. One could always dream.

[mike]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

There is also the possibility of a ss version being released Ina couple of years. The YMII came out with a ss version 3 years after the release of the original. One could always dream.

That is a possibility. Wonder how many price increases that is though.

[HauteHorlogerie]

Good points. No matter our opinions it is what it is. The great Rolex has spoken. Haha. I'm fortunate to be in position where I can do white gold this year. But I totally understand the frustration.

The new 116600 is indeed a proper tool watch (as long as the ceramic doesn't crack haha). Though in all this time since 2005 I've not seen or hear first hand of any issues with the ceramic bezels..

The price of the new SD is indeed steep..but I think it makes sense with current pricing. It's not a matter of whether that piece is overpriced but whether rolex's gradual price increasing since the last SD has gone too far. I don't think it matches inflation or currency trends right now but it is what it is haha wish I had bought an SD for 6k new back in the day tho. Damn.