Rolex GMT Master II 16710 ‘Pepsi’ 40MM

Introduction

The Rolex GMT Master II reference 16710, particularly with the red-and-blue “Pepsi” bezel, stands as one of the most iconic sports watches of the modern Rolex era. Introduced in the late 1980s and produced until the mid-2000s, it became the definitive GMT of its time. Its heritage traces back to the pioneering Rolex GMT Master of the 1950s, yet the 16710 offered a modern update that carried the line into a new generation.

The “Pepsi” bezel—blue for night, red for day—remains its most recognisable feature, evoking both the glamour of international travel and the technical precision of aviation timekeeping. With its 40 mm case, automatic GMT movement, and unmistakable two-tone bezel, the 16710 has become a reference point for what many consider the perfect Rolex sports watch.

Origins of the GMT Master Line

The GMT Master story begins in 1954 with the reference 6542, developed in collaboration with Pan American World Airways. At the dawn of the jet age, pilots required a tool to read two time zones simultaneously—local time and home time. The solution was simple yet elegant: a fourth hand circling the dial once every 24 hours, in combination with a rotating 24-hour bezel.

Over the decades, Rolex refined the GMT Master. The 1675, introduced in the late 1950s, became the archetypal GMT, with its matte dial, pointed crown guards, and aluminium bezel insert. By the late 1970s, the 16750 introduced quickset date functionality and updated movement technology, while the transitional 16760 “Fat Lady” of the mid-1980s marked the debut of the GMT Master II line.

This set the stage for the 16710, which represented the perfect balance of classic proportions, modern functionality, and enduring style.

The Reference 16710 in Detail

The GMT Master II 16710 was launched in 1989 and remained in production for nearly two decades. During this time, it evolved through subtle changes in lume, dials, and bezels, but the core design remained consistent.

Case and Dimensions

The stainless steel Oyster case measured 40 mm across, the standard size for Rolex professional models of the era. Its proportions offered excellent versatility, fitting comfortably on a wide range of wrists while retaining the robust, tool-like character expected of a pilot’s watch.

The case featured a combination of brushed lugs and polished flanks, a screw-down crown with Triplock system, and water resistance to 100 metres. While not a dedicated dive watch, the GMT Master II offered more than enough durability for daily use and international travel.

The Pepsi Bezel

The red-and-blue aluminium bezel insert is the defining visual element of the GMT Master II 16710 “Pepsi.” The colour split was designed with function in mind—blue indicating night-time hours, red showing daylight hours on the 24-hour scale.

Rolex offered other bezel options for the 16710, including all-black and black-and-red “Coke,” but the Pepsi bezel remains the most enduring and historically significant. Its roots go back to the original GMT Master 6542, and over time it became a symbol of the GMT line itself.

The insert was constructed from anodised aluminium, which, unlike the modern Cerachrom bezels, develops patina with wear. Fading could shift the red into pinkish tones and the blue into a softer, lighter shade, giving each watch a unique character.

Dial and Hands

The dial of the 16710 balanced functionality and clarity. Applied white-gold surrounds housed luminous markers, while Mercedes-style hour and minute hands were paired with a red GMT hand tipped in luminous triangle. The additional 24-hour hand was independently adjustable, enabling the tracking of a second time zone—a key advancement over earlier GMT Master references.

Dials evolved during the model’s production, transitioning from tritium to Luminova and finally Super-Luminova. This change is a useful way of dating individual examples, but regardless of luminous material, the overall aesthetic remained constant.

Movement

The 16710 was powered by the Rolex Calibre 3185, later upgraded in some examples to the Calibre 3186. Both were in-house automatic GMT movements with hacking seconds, quickset date, and independent 24-hour hand.

The independent GMT hand was particularly significant, as it allowed the wearer to set local time without disturbing home time—a true pilot’s watch innovation. With a 48-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the calibre offered accuracy and robustness suitable for professional use.

Wearing the GMT Master II 16710

On the wrist, the 16710 achieves a balance that few watches manage. At 40 mm, it retains the classic dimensions of Rolex sports models, avoiding the bulk of later “super case” iterations. Its aluminium bezel insert keeps the watch relatively light, and the Oyster bracelet ensures a secure fit.

The Pepsi colour scheme adds vibrancy without overwhelming the design. It is sporty yet versatile, equally at home with a flight jacket, a business suit, or casual wear. For many, this ability to cross contexts is what defines the 16710 as one of the most wearable GMTs ever produced.

The GMT Master II vs Earlier References

The defining difference between the GMT Master II and earlier GMT Master references is the functionality of the 24-hour hand. In the GMT Master II, the GMT hand can be set independently, allowing for true dual-time reading.

This change was introduced with the reference 16760 in the mid-1980s but became fully realised in the 16710. Compared to the earlier 1675 or 16750, the 16710 represented a leap forward in practicality for travellers and professionals who frequently crossed time zones.

Evolution of the 16710

Throughout its production run, the 16710 underwent several incremental updates:

• Early examples featured tritium dials, signed “SWISS – T<25.”
• Later models transitioned to Luminova, briefly marked “SWISS” at six o’clock.
• Final production used Super-Luminova, marked “SWISS MADE.”

These subtle differences have become important identifiers, but they all share the same essential design DNA.

The bracelet also evolved, with solid end links introduced in later production years, improving the overall robustness of the Oyster bracelet.

The Pepsi Bezel as a Symbol

Beyond its functional purpose, the Pepsi bezel became a cultural symbol. It represents not only the practical side of aviation but also the romance of the jet age. For decades, pilots, travellers, and adventurers have associated the red-and-blue colour scheme with exploration and international movement.

Rolex’s decision to retain the Pepsi option across multiple generations of the GMT Master line demonstrates its enduring appeal. While other colour schemes—Coke, all-black, or modern Cerachrom blue-and-black—have found their place, none resonate quite as deeply as the Pepsi.

Why the 16710 is Important in Rolex History

The GMT Master II 16710 represents a transitional period in Rolex sports watches. It carries the classic proportions and aluminium bezel inserts of vintage Rolex while introducing the independent GMT hand and other modern refinements.

This places it at a crossroads between vintage charm and contemporary functionality. Later GMT references grew larger, heavier, and featured ceramic bezels, but the 16710 retains a lighter, more classic character.

In many ways, it represents the final expression of the “traditional” GMT before Rolex moved into a new era of modern sports watch design.

The GMT Master II in Aviation and Travel

Though the watch was born in collaboration with Pan Am, by the time of the 16710 the GMT Master II was no longer a tool issued to airline pilots. Instead, it had become a symbol of international travel more broadly.

Its practical ability to track multiple time zones remained invaluable to business travellers, airline crew, and frequent flyers. Yet it also carried with it the glamour of the jet age, even as the aviation industry itself evolved.

Conclusion

The Rolex GMT Master II 16710 “Pepsi” is a watch that bridges eras. With its 40 mm Oyster case, Calibre 3185/3186 movement, and iconic red-and-blue bezel, it distils decades of Rolex GMT history into a single reference. Produced for nearly two decades, it offered pilots, travellers, and everyday wearers a robust and versatile dual-time chronograph.

Its Pepsi bezel ties it back to the pioneering days of the GMT Master, while its independent 24-hour hand marks it as a modern tool watch. In many ways, it remains the purest expression of the GMT Master II, embodying both the spirit of international travel and the enduring design language of Rolex sports watches.

Case in very good condition. Hairline Scratches visible. Bracelet in great condition, minimal stretch, hairlines visible. 

• Dial and hands are in very good condition.