Pepsi MK Variations, colors and dates

[jwalker497]

Can someone tell me when the MK 1, 2, and 3 pepsi bezels are/were in production? i want to buy a pepsi but don't know what years correspond to which bezels?

Also if anyone has any clear pictures or comments on the difference between 2 and 3 versions, that would be helpful. i know 1 is lighter, just don't know when it stopped and 2 began.

Any help is appreciated

[padi56]

In the real world there is no real Mk stuff only on the internet yes there are a few slight colour variations but like most all ceramic items especially reds and blue when firing batch to batch there will be slight variations.

[Cassian739]

Putting aside Padi's usual, and completely inaccurate, comments - this thread does a great job summarizing the MK1-3 differences.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=930570

[Harry-57]

Rolex did not officially release any serial iterations of the BLRO insert. The Mk1/2/3 stuff is an internet meme.

Early ones tended somewhat towards purple and pink but as Peter states above, batch variations occur more with red and blue ceramic inserts and there will likely never be 100% consistency. My 2022 126710BLRO is a good blue/red combination, although a ceramic insert can't recapture the warmer organic look of the aluminium inserts, any more than the aluminium inserts can capture the colour and texture of the original Bakelite.



If you look at my insert above you'll see the blending of the red and blue at 6, which is the at root of the colour variations.

[jb335]

I think both camps within this thread are right. Kind of.

There is definitely a pastel mk1 from 2018 the we haven't seen since but since 2019 I have seen bezel colors change from batch to batch. My 2022 is lighter than my friends 2021. And the differences are very slight between mk2 and 3 compared to mk1.

[Cassian739]

I was bored on my flight so had ChatGPT create an internet meme :)

And agree, multiple "rights." Rolex rarely, if ever, acknowledges bezel color changes such as Pepsi MK1-3 or SubLV MK1/2. Some changes are deliberate, others very minor variations in the ceramic firing for the Pepsi.

[Mystro]

The earlier variants are the lightest in color and more purple and raspberry.
When I wore any blue shirts, I really could see how purple my MK1 BLRO was. Never could get use to the off color combo. Even the Rolex catalog showed a proper red and blue color for the BLRO but my BLRO didn’t match the colors at all in real life.

[Duey]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

Putting aside Padi's usual, and completely inaccurate, comments -

You truly need to choose your words wisely and show Some Respect for Padi . He knows more than all of us here ......




And the 2014 was blue or purple and pink or cranberry

[ArtNouveau]

The first SS BLRO I saw was at a trunk show after its introduction in March ‘18, it definitely had a pastel lighter tone. When mine arrived in December of that year it was noticeably darker and brighter. A year or two later it seems like they got a little darker and have been that way since.
While I do agree that there can be variations by batch my longtime SA who has seen lots of them pass through his store says there are generally three distinct generations. Of course Rolex would never confirm or deny this.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

The first SS BLRO I saw was at a trunk show after its introduction in March ‘18, it definitely had a pastel lighter tone. When mine arrived in December of that year it was noticeably darker and brighter. A year or two later it seems like they got a little darker and have been that way since.
While I do agree that there can be variations by batch my longtime SA who has seen lots of them pass through his store says there are generally three distinct generations. Of course Rolex would never confirm or deny this.

Exact same here. December 2018

[febie111]

.

[casadecamporolex]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

Putting aside Padi's usual, and completely inaccurate, comments - this thread does a great job summarizing the MK1-3 differences.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=930570

Been on this forum quite awhile.
Padi is someone whose opinion I respect and acknowledge.
Your post goes over the line.

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Been on this forum quite awhile.
Padi is someone whose opinion I respect and acknowledge.
Your post goes over the line.

I think what Padi has forgotten, majority of people in this forum have yet to learn.

[1665fan]

Alot of the original white gold gmt got the mark 1 purple bezel also

[123Blueface]

While there are color variations, you have to consider lighting and how it impacts those variations.
I got mine in October of year of release. Theoretically, a so called MK1, bordering on release of MK2.
Same watch, different lighting. Seems to fit both categories.

[jamesgames]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

While there are color variations, you have to consider lighting and how it impacts those variations.
I got mine in October of year of release. Theoretically, a so called MK1, bordering on release of MK2.
Same watch, different lighting. Seems to fit both categories.

The ceramic bezels colors are certainly dynamic in nature esp the pepsi (I love it). However that link that cassian739 sent, the lighting is the same on the the 3 diff pepsi in diff years so that shows the variations a little better bc it takes out the diff shot / diff lighting variable.

[D3R3K]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

Putting aside Padi's usual, and completely inaccurate, comments - this thread does a great job summarizing the MK1-3 differences.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=930570

But at least we get to see his highly irrelevant ham radio and six lines of text in his signature!

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by jamesgames

The ceramic bezels colors are certainly dynamic in nature esp the pepsi (I love it). However that link that cassian739 sent, the lighting is the same on the the 3 diff pepsi in diff years so that shows the variations a little better bc it takes out the diff shot / diff lighting variable.

Don’t disagree but keep in mind, only way you’ll know is if all three are side by side.
Otherwise, mine clearly illustrates how same watch with no other to compare to can be deceiving.
My point being many buy a so called MK1 or 2 or whatever based on photos or appearance at that moment, and all of it is impacted by lighting.

Found a third.

[jamesgames]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

Don’t disagree but keep in mind, only way you’ll know is if all three are side by side.
Otherwise, mine clearly illustrates how same watch with no other to compare to can be deceiving.
My point being many buy a so called MK1 or 2 or whatever based on photos or appearance at that moment, and all of it is impacted by lighting.

Found a third.

Yup agree, thats exactly what I meant - the thread shows all 3 next to each other side by side.

[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

Putting aside Padi's usual, and completely inaccurate, comments - this thread does a great job summarizing the MK1-3 differences.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=930570

You can comment without insulting other forum members. Padi has been here a long time and has a lot of knowledge to share. If you don't like what he writes, skip his posts. This is a place for all of us to enjoy, no need to bring any negativity here.

[Cassian739]

Originally Posted by casadecamporolex

Your post goes over the line.

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

If you don't like what he writes, skip his posts.

Yeeaaahhh we can respectfully agree to disagree.
This has to go both ways - you can't vilify me for one post yet allow other TRF members to post with impunity, almost daily, and in an incredibly condescending and judgmental manner, when they don't like or agree with something - nickname's, MK differentiation, watches being out of spec given xxx thousand seconds in a day, not using your watch as a tool, yada yada yada.

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

This is a place for all of us to enjoy, no need to bring any negativity here.

See previous comment.