dual colored bezel?

[abigsecret]

Can somebody explain to me the reason/function of the 2 colors on some of the GMT bezels? (Like the pepsi bezel.)

Thank you

[mike]

Distinguish AM from PM with the GMT hand.

I think it was more a feature with the older versions than the 16710.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

So the all-black bezel is just a cosmetic variety of it?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by mike

Distinguish AM from PM with the GMT hand.

I think it was more a feature with the older versions than the 16710.

I'll agree with Mike on this ..

The original/older GMT's didn't have the independent hour hand so you always had to turn the bezel.. If you're busy in the cockpit where all flight time is in GMT, a quick glance would tell you if you had set your bezel. With the newer independent hour hand, the 24hr would be set to GMT so you would seldom move the bezel.

In today's world, a black bezel is just as easy to read as any if you have set the hands properly..

[Stef_Call]

Originally Posted by Tools

I'll agree with Mike on this ..

The original/older GMT's didn't have the independent hour hand so you always had to turn the bezel.. If you're busy in the cockpit where all flight time is in GMT, a quick glance would tell you if you had set your bezel. With the newer independent hour hand, the 24hr would be set to GMT so you would seldom move the bezel.

In today's world, a black bezel is just as easy to read as any if you have set the hands properly..

Ahhhh I was wondering how that would work since the colours change at 0600 - 1800

[abigsecret]

Originally Posted by Stef_Call

Ahhhh I was wondering how that would work since the colours change at 0600 - 1800

See, that's what I don't get either...
I heard the explaination of am-pm, but I don't understand how it works....

[Tools]

It's really irrelevent except as a handy reference that breaks the bezel down into 4 quadrants rather than one big dial.

And think of it in terms of night-time vs day-light (rather than am vs pm)....0600-1800 is daylight while 1800 - 0600 is night time..

[abigsecret]

Awesome! Thank you all for your responses! I really appreciate it!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by abigsecret

Can somebody explain to me the reason/function of the 2 colors on some of the GMT bezels? (Like the pepsi bezel.)

Thank you

It is to tell the AM/PM difference as the GMT hand moves around the dial.

[BiG JeEzY]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

It is to tell the AM/PM difference as the GMT hand moves around the dial.

Yes it is a way to tell between AM and PM differences.

Since the Explorer II and GMT black bezel dont have dual colors, the way to tell AM and PM with those is to always know the idea that any number from 0 to 12 is AM and from 12 to 0 is PM on the bezel.

That idea works for all the second timezone watches actually.

[Jedi]

the blue red association with Pepsi is perhaps more obvious to the wider market in terms of recognition as opposed to TWA's corporate colours.

[Flyjet601]

I recently switched my Red/Black bezel to the all black version.

Although I find the Red/Black combo very nice looking it is not practical for me as I change many times zones.

My red 24 hr hand is always set to GMT(Zulu). So if it is 3 o'clock in the morning for me, dark outside, and its 1400 Zulu, it will point to the Red section of the bezel, indicating day time....I really dont care about that. An all black version I find more useful for me, but that is me.

Here is a thread about how I use my GMT.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22171

[ICUCOCCPA]

Originally Posted by Flyjet601

My red 24 hr hand is always set to GMT(Zulu). So if it is 3 o'clock in the morning for me, dark outside, and its 1400 Zulu, it will point to the Red section of the bezel, indicating day time....I really dont care about that.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=22171

lol
good point. I guess you're over the fact that it can be Day in one place and Night somewhere else.
To me, it still freaks me out.

thanks for the link to your How I Use thread.
I'll check it out.

[aanthunter7]

Great info everyone

[Destroy]

It'll be interesting to see what Rolex do with the Ceramic version. Since the ceramic black piece is made from a paste-like substance, it is very very difficult to merge the two colours. Rolex have successfully made an all green one (supposedly) but a seamless two colour version is as yet not existant......

C'mon Rolex, YOU CAN DO IT!

[mike]

Originally Posted by Destroy

It'll be interesting to see what Rolex do with the Ceramic version. Since the ceramic black piece is made from a paste-like substance, it is very very difficult to merge the two colours. Rolex have successfully made an all green one (supposedly) but a seamless two colour version is as yet not existant......

C'mon Rolex, YOU CAN DO IT!

Hopefully the problems can be solved.

[timebroker]

Mike has to guess, that says it all as to how rare these are.
Any of the Pan Ams on display in for instance a Rolex museum or anything like that?

[Dan Pierce]

Studying these wonderfull pieces and the rich history of the company is indeed half the fun of all things Rolex. Often we look at Rolex in the microcosm of the here and now.
Historically, Rolex has led the way in several fields of endeavor, the history of the GMT being only one.
The article you refer to is a great start! Here's another, with a few pics, (note: the author borrowed heavily from the article written by Mr. James Dowling that you cite).
http://www.fiftyfathoms.net/Rolex/6542.html

Other great bits of information on the GMT can be found here.
The author is a wonderfull gentleman and extremely knowledgeable in all things GMT.

http://www.doubleredseadweller.com/

As with most everything Rolex, new information constantly comes to the fore. Certainly the printed word is a valuable tool, but IMO some great internet sites have proven to be the real nexus of study and learning as collectors share the wealth of their study.

Well said Mike! And great info.
dP

[ICUCOCCPA]

Wow. Mike.
Thanks for the posting the picture! Wow, again.

wow.