Pepsi lovers – last of the aluminum or first of the ceramic?

[seabreeze]

Getting ready to finally replace an old vintage GMT i regret selling.

10 years ago when I joined the farm and made my first AD purchase the AD said the ceramic was an overall much better watch despite the general feeling at the time by many that it was “not the same”. And I think she was right I love it.

However, having just picked up a Caster, a couple of months ago, I went for the 2220.80, which was basically the last of the aluminum bezel and more for that is a very good reference and a beautiful Dial I was much happier with it over the newer

So as for the Pepsi I always appreciate peoples thoughts about these kind of topics although I know everyone has their own passionate opinion I love it and I learn a lot.
Older - more traditional. Better colors. ?
Newer - funky colors, fickle bezel but better watch. ?

Is that about right ?


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[Travis29]

Can’t go wrong with either. Personally I prefer newer, current gen. The market prices are insane right now, +$22k for a jub .

[daOnlyBG]

If you can find a way to make it comfortable, an earlier BLRO (just for that somewhat brighter bezel). If you can get comfortable with it, get a later 16710 and don't look back (forward?).

[jamesbondOO7]

The 16710 is a much better looking watch.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Rolex is Rolex. But I dare say Rolex's best days are behind it. Much like modern sports cars. I'd much rather an older 911 (930, 964, 993, 996, 997 etc.) than a newer 991/992.

Watches are all about emotion. They are about character. The watches of today, just like the cars of today (as a matter of fact - much of today's manufacturing come to think of it) lack emotion almost entirely.

For me, nothing does it like the 5 digit era.

Pre-ceramic for sure.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by jamesbondOO7

The 16710 is a much better looking watch.

100% agreed mate

[seabreeze]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Rolex is Rolex. But I dare say Rolex's best days are behind it. Much like modern sports cars. I'd much rather an older 911 (930, 964, 993, 996, 997 etc.) than a newer 991/992.

Watches are all about emotion. They are about character. The watches of today, just like the cars of today (as a matter of fact - much of today's manufacturing come to think of it) lack emotion almost entirely.

For me, nothing does it like the 5 digit era.

Pre-ceramic for sure.

This is the thought I had hitting the boat show this weekend. It was nothing there for me so much useless stuff they are putting on these boats. Nothing about function. Or seaworthiness.


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[Rex Kwon Do]

Have had and sold a modern Pepsi. Would love to get ahold of a vintage.

The bezel colors of the MK2 and MK3 (I had a MK2) are very underwhelming and unemotional.

Vibrant red coupled with the blue from the BlNR…I’d be all over that.

[pk552502]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Rolex is Rolex. But I dare say Rolex's best days are behind it. Much like modern sports cars. I'd much rather an older 911 (930, 964, 993, 996, 997 etc.) than a newer 991/992.

Watches are all about emotion. They are about character. The watches of today, just like the cars of today (as a matter of fact - much of today's manufacturing come to think of it) lack emotion almost entirely.

For me, nothing does it like the 5 digit era.

Pre-ceramic for sure.

You really summed up my thoughts exactly. Agree, go with the 16710 for sure.

[Harry-57]

The current 12 series is my favourite but there are so many variants to choose from across so many iterations that you can pretty much pick whatever you like.

On a Jubilee, the 126710BLRO is a fitting modern homage to the original 6542. There have been so many aluminium insert models down the years that they are often considered to be the classic Pepsi, although strictly speaking the original classic is bakelite and as such bears more of a resemblance to Cerachrom.

The build quality and finish is also significant to me. Some would say the lighter and more tool-like five digit models are less flash and more honest. I prefer the more solid build quality and clean surfaces of the ceramic era models.

[yankeeromeo]

I like the old style. Especially as for a few hundred bucks you can acquire the other inserts so can have a variety

[Curated]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Rolex is Rolex. But I dare say Rolex's best days are behind it. Much like modern sports cars. I'd much rather an older 911 (930, 964, 993, 996, 997 etc.) than a newer 991/992.

Watches are all about emotion. They are about character. The watches of today, just like the cars of today (as a matter of fact - much of today's manufacturing come to think of it) lack emotion almost entirely.

For me, nothing does it like the 5 digit era.

Pre-ceramic for sure.

Absolutely agree with this….the 5 digit era was peak Rolex….I also feel the same about my 993…peak Porsche.

[omar-rye]

I don’t own either, so I’d like to think I’m not going to be biased when I say the 5 digit Pepsi looks much nicer.

[HHIslander]

Red and blue > maroon and purple

[anjizkit]

Am very biased towards my first Rolex!!


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

The current 12 series is my favourite but there are so many variants to choose from across so many iterations that you can pretty much pick whatever you like.

On a Jubilee, the 126710BLRO is a fitting modern homage to the original 6542. There have been so many aluminium insert models down the years that they are often considered to be the classic Pepsi, although strictly speaking the original classic is bakelite and as such bears more of a resemblance to Cerachrom.

The build quality and finish is also significant to me. Some would say the lighter and more tool-like five digit models are less flash and more honest. I prefer the more solid build quality and clean surfaces of the ceramic era models.

This is spot on to my way of thinking

FWIW, I tried on a 16710 at Bucherer over the holidays. It is a beautiful reference, but it wears smaller on the wrist as compared to the 126710. That may also play into your decision OP

[ArtNouveau]

Meh, I’ve been buying Rolex new since 1984 and no way I’d trade my modern BLRO for an older one. To each their own but the endless whining and debate about the bezel insert colors has never bothered me, it’s red and blue to me.

[Bazil]

If it was my choice I’d go old school - bezel just pops and has so much more history to it .l

[airchitect]

If I were picking from last of the old first of the new, I’d pick last of the old. The colors were just really weird on the new WG when it came out. Versus the current bezel though, new watch all day…..though I’d still like a birth year.


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[Tools]

The newer ceramics look pretty good.

There are plenty of us though, who still prefer the look, size and general appearance of the earlier generation of watches.

[painexpert]

Originally Posted by jamesbondoo7

the 16710 is a much better looking watch.

[4 Aussies]

Vintage or new, any Pepsi you can score is a win!!

[ColoradoTime]

Originally Posted by 0nly5iv3Digits

Rolex is Rolex. But I dare say Rolex's best days are behind it. Much like modern sports cars. I'd much rather an older 911 (930, 964, 993, 996, 997 etc.) than a newer 991/992.

Watches are all about emotion. They are about character. The watches of today, just like the cars of today (as a matter of fact - much of today's manufacturing come to think of it) lack emotion almost entirely.

For me, nothing does it like the 5 digit era.

Pre-ceramic for sure.

Well said! Couldn’t agree more!


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[favx]

My preference is the 16710.

[Dan Pierce]

Another vote for the 5 digit.
dP

[Duralex]

Bakelite is the original, aluminum was a compromise and 126710BLRO is truer to the original. Try a jubilee on your wrist. For the ultimate it’s 126720, talk about character and VTNR bezel is perfection!

[Hkspwrsche]

As the owner of a 126710 Pepsi, 16750 matte dial Pepsi and prior owner of 16710 Pepsi 3186 from 2008 to 2018, I must say I miss my “last of the 5 digit” Pepsi. I would not trade what I have either. I have a lot of nostalgia around my 5 digit stuff since that has been most of my journey and have other 5 digit watches. Try them all on first. See what fits you best.

As far as the Porsche 993 discussion, I have a 993 and also and a 356. When I talk to younger (mid to late 30s) Porsche owners they don’t always have the same nostalgia I have about vintage watches or air cooled cars that I do. So much is based on personal experience and views. I’m just glad there is any interest in mechanical watches and sports cars at all.

[Easy E]

I had a 12 series BLRO and sold it right after I picked up a 16710 with the 3186 movement. Have both a Coke and Pepsi bezel, better movement and I put 97200 glidelock bracelet on it. Hard to beat. It does wear smaller than the 12 and is my only beef, minor as it may be.

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I had a 12 series BLRO and sold it right after I picked up a 16710 with the 3186 movement. Have both a Coke and Pepsi bezel, better movement and I put 97200 glidelock bracelet on it. Hard to beat. It does wear smaller than the 12 and is my only beef, minor as it may be.

If you can, would you post some pics of the front and back of the bracelet connected to the bracelet watch case? Is the fit spot on?

And did you use the spring bars from the 97200?

Thanks!

[john_peter33]

Let go of a blnr for a 2006 16710. Love it and have t looked back.