Pepsi MK Variations, colors and dates

[Tzachi]

Originally Posted by 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.

It’s all flippers way to generate fau rarity.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by Cassian739

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.




See previous comment.

Welcome to the forum.
Enjoy your stay.

[joli160]

If you use a spectrophotometer there are probably more differences to be found. So Mk1, 2, 3, 4, 5 …

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by joli160

If you use a spectrophotometer there are probably more differences to be found. So Mk1, 2, 3, 4, 5 …

Yep. See post #2.

[chris007]

Mk1/Mk2/Mk3


Envoyé de mon iPhone en utilisant Tapatalk

[trout_thumper21]

Originally Posted by 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.

Horrible take, LOL

[Ravager135]

The bezel has really never been perfect. Rolex really willed this into production initially and there were some obvious color issues on the earliest bezels. Around 2020 Rolex seemed to have modified their process making the blue and red more "true" to the traditional aluminum Pepsi bezel, but even then it's not perfect.

I had a BLRO from 2021 that looked pretty damn good color-wise, but it was never perfect and depending on the light could vary significantly.

I don't completely agree with Padi in the sense that there clearly are differences among the bezels from 2018 to current, but I also recognize that this appears to be an ongoing process as the production gets better and better.

It seems, anecdotally, that Rolex is producing less BLROs and my hypothesis really comes down to the difficulty in getting the colors "just right" as they currently are (albeit still not perfect). For all intents and purposes, the BLRO looks great as is currently, but there's been plenty written about how they are differently from the other biceramic bezels produced by Rolex and that they appear to be more fragile.

I always liked my BLRO, but found myself wearing it far less than I wear the BLNR now.

[worldofoyster]

so far MK2 looks the best in the picture

[CaptT]

I would think that, if a portion of a population frequently takes issue with my tone/delivery/attitude, that I would take a good look in the mirror, as the saying goes. And in doing so, and because I’m a generally self-aware individual, I’d see that what I’m wearing is clearly a *MK3* BLRO, dated March 2024, And damn that thing looks good.

[espanol]

The whole manufacturing issue narrative…

First, it’s never, ever, been confirmed by Rolex. Only speculation. Nothing more.

Second, estimates would have Rolex’s revenue to be between 20-30 BILLION per year (1,200,000 watches*avg watch price of 15-18k). You mean to tell me a company that generates over 20 billion dollars per year cannot manufacture a watch bezel? Even after 10 years now of ceramic BLRO’s?

I can be gullible, but this is many levels beyond that…

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by espanol

The whole manufacturing issue narrative…

First, it’s never, ever, been confirmed by Rolex. Only speculation. Nothing more.

Second, estimates would have Rolex’s revenue to be between 20-30 BILLION per year (1,200,000 watches*avg watch price of 15-18k). You mean to tell me a company that generates over 20 billion dollars per year cannot manufacture a watch bezel? Even after 10 years now of ceramic BLRO’s?

I can be gullible, but this is many levels beyond that…

No one is saying Rolex can't produce the BLRO bezel.

What people are discussing is that the process is more difficult than some of their other bicolor ceramic GMT bezels. Now I am not an expert in ceramics, but my understanding is that the ceramic used is slightly different from the BLNR bezel and that the bezel is also slightly more fragile. For sure, none of us knows exact numbers, but there have been countless threads on the fragility of the BLRO bezel even with routine service.

It would not be the first time Rolex has released something and changed it down the road without announcing it formally. It doesn't mean the first iteration was wrong, it just means Rolex perhaps got "better" at doing something, but in doing so it has become more difficult.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by espanol

The whole manufacturing issue narrative…

First, it’s never, ever, been confirmed by Rolex. Only speculation. Nothing more.

Second, estimates would have Rolex’s revenue to be between 20-30 BILLION per year (1,200,000 watches*avg watch price of 15-18k). You mean to tell me a company that generates over 20 billion dollars per year cannot manufacture a watch bezel? Even after 10 years now of ceramic BLRO’s?

I can be gullible, but this is many levels beyond that…

I do think Rolex is having issues making the Pepsi bezel. Only due to the fact that the Pepsi has the thickest outer metal ring surrounding the bezel compared to the other GMTs. If anything, it does confirm it’s the most fragile of the bunch. Can’t think of a reason why Rolex would make it that way if it wasn’t. It just supports imo the theory.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by OTX

I do think Rolex is having issues making the Pepsi bezel. Only due to the fact that the Pepsi has the thickest outer metal ring surrounding the bezel compared to the other GMTs. If anything, it does confirm it’s the most fragile of the bunch. Can’t think of a reason why Rolex would make it that way if it wasn’t. It just supports imo the theory.

Agreed. No one here knows anything for sure, but there are plenty of anecdotes that over time does become data. I was not aware of the outer metal ring being thicker, but I have seen countless threads of the BLRO bezel cracking either on the fault of the owner or just during servicing. Not to say that this doesn't happen with other ceramic bezels, but there seems to be a disproportionate collection of stories regarding the BLRO.

I never had an issue with mine. I thought the colors were fine. Fragility issues did concern me, but they weren't the reason I got rid of it for the BLNR. Ceramic bezels are not necessarily the most robust material anyway, but it's nice to know that the BLNR (again at least anecdotally) seems to have had fewer issues. And why not? Rolex made a blue/black bicolor bezel first because it was the easiest to do.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

Agreed. No one here knows anything for sure, but there are plenty of anecdotes that over time does become data. I was not aware of the outer metal ring being thicker, but I have seen countless threads of the BLRO bezel cracking either on the fault of the owner or just during servicing. Not to say that this doesn't happen with other ceramic bezels, but there seems to be a disproportionate collection of stories regarding the BLRO.

I never had an issue with mine. I thought the colors were fine. Fragility issues did concern me, but they weren't the reason I got rid of it for the BLNR. Ceramic bezels are not necessarily the most robust material anyway, but it's nice to know that the BLNR (again at least anecdotally) seems to have had fewer issues. And why not? Rolex made a blue/black bicolor bezel first because it was the easiest to do.

I agree no one knows for sure but I also heard stories even from ADs who worked on them. If I had to bet, there is something going on with making the Pepsi bezel.

[espanol]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

No one is saying Rolex can't produce the BLRO bezel.

What people are discussing is that the process is more difficult than some of their other bicolor ceramic GMT bezels. Now I am not an expert in ceramics, but my understanding is that the ceramic used is slightly different from the BLNR bezel and that the bezel is also slightly more fragile. For sure, none of us knows exact numbers, but there have been countless threads on the fragility of the BLRO bezel even with routine service.

It would not be the first time Rolex has released something and changed it down the road without announcing it formally. It doesn't mean the first iteration was wrong, it just means Rolex perhaps got "better" at doing something, but in doing so it has become more difficult.

I used "cannot manufacture a bezel" loosely. Of course they can, they're likely cranking them out in the thousands per year.

But to assume Rolex has issues in producing them, to me, is absurd.

Any company that makes an estimated $20B per year in top-line revenue could easily hire the crème de la crème engineers. I'm not talking watchmakers, I'm talking ceramic, materials, and chemical engineers. To put $20B into perspective, Rolex would fall within the top 200 largest companies in the US on a net revenue basis, or approx. top 40% of the S&P500. That's alongside the top manufacturing and tech companies. This isn't run-of-the-mill type access to resources.

IF Rolex is having manufacturing issues, and I mean that as a big IF, it would solely be due to their own decision making. The technology to make a bi-colored bezel with red as the base layer and blue on top AT SCALE is absolutely there and achievable.

Assuming there truly is a shortage of these watches compared to the other GMTs, the only scenarios that come to mind are (a) Rolex is doing this on purpose to sell more ladies DJs or (b) somehow, someway, never thought to engage the appropriate engineers.

My opinion, ADs get these. They lie to you. SAs are your friends, sure, but their job is to sell watches and keep you happy. They may get slightly less than the blue/black GMT because this is their GMT icon. Rolex may want the BLRO to be limited, who knows. But ADs don't receive "1 every 3 years." That's ridiculous. Many ADs read the forums, they know the game. "We haven't seen any" is the nice way of saying "no way, Jose. Not for you"

Until Rolex confirms issues with manufacturing the bezels, it's all hearsay.

Just my 0.02.

[Daytona king]

Originally Posted by 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.

I kind of wish i had the mk1 version. It’s funny how things change with time. I think the purpleish raspberry is kinda cool. Not something I would wear everyday but definitely a cool summer watch!


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[Daytona king]

Originally Posted by 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.

Looks like a borderline coke. But I like it. The Bakelite imo was the coolest Pepsi they made. Too bad for that pesky little radium issue.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

I have seen countless threads of the BLRO bezel cracking either on the fault of the owner or just during servicing. Not to say that this doesn't happen with other ceramic bezels, but there seems to be a disproportionate collection of stories regarding the BLRO.

Countless issues of cracking?

I can recall one or two but countless? I must be living under a rock

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by Daytona king

Looks like a borderline coke. But I like it. The Bakelite imo was the coolest Pepsi they made. Too bad for that pesky little radium issue.

Yeah. Bummer!

The "original aluminium insert" is commonly cited as the best for colour. I agree with it being the most pleasing visually, at least when new and chenically unaltered, but "original" it is not.

The variation in colours that come off my BLRO insert is wide, depending on angle, intensity and wavelength of the incident light. Sometimes it can gto distinctly Coke, other times it glows.

Information from Rolex on ceramic bezel inserts here:
https://newsroom-content.rolex.com/-...ic_english.pdf

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Yeah. Bummer!

The "original aluminium insert" is commonly cited as the best for colour. I agree with it being the most pleasing visually, at least when new and chenically unaltered, but "original" it is not.

The variation in colours that come off my BLRO insert is wide, depending on angle, intensity and wavelength of the incident light. Sometimes it can gto distinctly Coke, other times it glows.

Have to agree about the aluminium ones cheap and easy to change. Got it from a good good source Rolex have produced a MK lens tool, which when you look at it you can choose whatever Mk you want to see and works for future variations too.

[BraveBold]

Will just say not a fan of the ceramic BLRO colors. Prefer vintage alum bezels with the nice contrast. The issues with getting a “true blue” are even more stark when putting a BLNR side by side with a BLRO.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by padi56

Rolex have produced a MK lens tool, which when you look at it you can choose whatever Mk you want to see and works for future variations too.

You do realise that some people will believe that?!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

You do realise that some people will believe that?!

Well thought everything you read on the net especially so called social media and YouTube then it must be true.

[123Blueface]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree about the aluminium ones cheap and easy to change. Got it from a good good source Rolex have produced a MK lens tool, which when you look at it you can choose whatever Mk you want to see and works for future variations too.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Yeah. Bummer!

The "original aluminium insert" is commonly cited as the best for colour. I agree with it being the most pleasing visually, at least when new and chenically unaltered, but "original" it is not.

The variation in colours that come off my BLRO insert is wide, depending on angle, intensity and wavelength of the incident light. Sometimes it can gto distinctly Coke, other times it glows.

Information from Rolex on ceramic bezel inserts here:
https://newsroom-content.rolex.com/-...ic_english.pdf

That’s a good read and good you reposted here

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s a good read and good you reposted here

Thanks Brian.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Countless issues of cracking?

I can recall one or two but countless? I must be living under a rock

Ok, maybe a bit indulgent. I've seen a few threads that had multiple similar anecdotes from other users. I had the BLRO, never had an issue.

I certainly agree that there's no epidemic regarding the BLRO bezel. I do believe it is a bit more fragile and potentially more difficult to produce. How that results in numbers, I of course have no idea.

[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by espanol

I used "cannot manufacture a bezel" loosely. Of course they can, they're likely cranking them out in the thousands per year.

But to assume Rolex has issues in producing them, to me, is absurd.

Any company that makes an estimated $20B per year in top-line revenue could easily hire the crème de la crème engineers. I'm not talking watchmakers, I'm talking ceramic, materials, and chemical engineers. To put $20B into perspective, Rolex would fall within the top 200 largest companies in the US on a net revenue basis, or approx. top 40% of the S&P500. That's alongside the top manufacturing and tech companies. This isn't run-of-the-mill type access to resources.

IF Rolex is having manufacturing issues, and I mean that as a big IF, it would solely be due to their own decision making. The technology to make a bi-colored bezel with red as the base layer and blue on top AT SCALE is absolutely there and achievable.

Assuming there truly is a shortage of these watches compared to the other GMTs, the only scenarios that come to mind are (a) Rolex is doing this on purpose to sell more ladies DJs or (b) somehow, someway, never thought to engage the appropriate engineers.

My opinion, ADs get these. They lie to you. SAs are your friends, sure, but their job is to sell watches and keep you happy. They may get slightly less than the blue/black GMT because this is their GMT icon. Rolex may want the BLRO to be limited, who knows. But ADs don't receive "1 every 3 years." That's ridiculous. Many ADs read the forums, they know the game. "We haven't seen any" is the nice way of saying "no way, Jose. Not for you"

Until Rolex confirms issues with manufacturing the bezels, it's all hearsay.

Just my 0.02.

I certainly agree with your assessment of Rolex's resources.

I also agree that an AD saying that they get 1-2 a year is also nonsense. I've been told it was roughly 50/50 back in 2021.

My hypothesis, and again purely a hypothesis because I do not know anything more than anyone else, is that as BLRO GMTs went in for service (which would only begin to happen recently), fragility issues were noted when changing out the bezel. The threads I have seen regarding this are really all within the past two years or so.

Whether that's a few bad apples or just people complaining about an issues that gets more visibility than it should, who knows? Having been at this hobby for awhile now and being on TRF for some time, I also know that Rolex just being Rolex doesn't always just get everything right and will quietly "fix" issues. There was a notable period for a year or so where cyclops magnification was "off." People complained about it anecdotally, but it was fairly obvious. If you turned in a watch for service, Rolex would seemingly fix it. Then the issue disappeared from production.

I'm just saying that Rolex with all of their resources still runs into QC issues and quietly fixes them.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Ravager135

Ok, maybe a bit indulgent. I've seen a few threads that had multiple similar anecdotes from other users. I had the BLRO, never had an issue.

I certainly agree that there's no epidemic regarding the BLRO bezel. I do believe it is a bit more fragile and potentially more difficult to produce. How that results in numbers, I of course have no idea.

The conjecture here in this thread is all in good fun


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[Ravager135]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The conjecture here in this thread is all in good fun


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What else are we to do on a Friday morning? The nurse practitioner student sitting next to me is reading my responses here and wondering what the hell I am talking about.