Introducing the Rolex GMT Master II in White Gold with Cerachrom “Pepsi” Bezel


Each year at Baselworld, Rolex’s timepiece launches become the most talked about topic among fair goers. Needless to say, their most popular conversation piece this year in Basel, was the Rolex GMT Master II with its newly developed two-color Cerachrom “Pepsi” bezel.

To achieve the signature two-color blue and red bezel, that is commonly referred to as a “Pepsi” bezel, in ceramic, was no easy feat. According to Rolex SA, “This insert echoes the traditional two-color bezel of the original GMT-Master and GMT-Master II models. An exceptional achievement on two counts, the innovation consists of creating a red ceramic disc – a color that, in itself, is extremely difficult to obtain – and then locally modifying the chemical composition of each grain, right to the core of the ceramic, to change the red into blue over only half the insert with a perfectly clear demarcation between the two colors.”

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First introduced in 2005, Rolex Cerachrom (ceramic) inserts, are practically scratch proof, extremely corrosion-resistant, and their color will not fade over time. They feature a diamond polished surface and the 24-hour scale is engraved in the ceramic and coated with a platinum PVD.

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Apart from the fantastic new bezel, everything else is virtually unchanged from the Black and Blue GMT Master II that Rolex introduced last year, with the exception of the case material (the new model is in white gold) and the GMT hand (which is red instead of blue).

The colors of this new GMT Master II are reminiscent of the Bakelite bezels used on the original GMT Master (Ref.6542). And considering how coveted the Bakelite bezels are, it is safe to say this will be a very collectible model, especially because Rolex choose to offer it, at least initially, only in white gold. The retail price is $38,250. (Ref. 116719 BLRO)

For more, visit Rolex.