New GMT Pepsi that almost looks like a Coke

[JDA0779]

Lovely photos. I have my 2020 Pepsi on Jubilee ofcourse, similar dark blue hues but just love it. Looks like COKE in evenings.
ENJOY THE WATCH MATE IN GREAT HEALTH.

RGDS jd

[Nikrnic]

So... the mark iv is now (officially¿) here. Rolex nailed it again.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

[AJMarcus]

Congrats. BLRO is a fantastic piece whatever the bezel hues.

Here’s mine from June 2018; making it an MK1. This pops in any kind of light. And that’s it’s charm IMO. Reminds me of the vintage Bakelite Pepsi’s.

[gtnator]

Originally Posted by andrewgusa

I picked up my new Pepsi from my AD a few days ago on the new oyster bracelet.

On my particular watch, the blue on the bezel is extremely dark and in most lights looks close to black. If it wasn't for the black dial, most people would probably mistake it for black in many light conditions.

I understand the color limitations with ceramic and was aware that Rolex has been darkening the Pepsi bezel over time to try to reduce the pastel look of the colors. I am also aware that there are color variations between batches and likely variations within batches.

I'm not sure how I feel about this particular watch as its almost not a Pepsi but its not a coke either.

Either way, I thought many of the forum members would be interested to see this as another data point along the Rolex road. I have tried to add pics in different lightening conditions and also a comparison with my bat/man/girl.

OP, can you post some pics in the outdoors with direct and indirect sunlight?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Alfa2109]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I’m in the vast minority on TRF, but I prefer the pink/ purple version

Agreed. And I don’t want my Pepsi to look like a Coke.

[andrewgusa]

Originally Posted by JP.

That's very dark. It looks good though. But you're right... not quite the traditional Pepsi.

My old 16710 has quite dark blue too... I'd prefer it to be a bit lighter. But at least it's slightly different from the Coke version (especially the newer, more burgundy insert version). The red in Coke insert is much darker... especially in the new insert... and I like that.

Thanks Juho. Great reference pieces for this discussion!

[andrewgusa]

Originally Posted by Uggi

The colours have clearly changed completely. This is almost a different watch.
And yet some will still claim it is just "different lighting conditions"......
I prefer the older, paler versions myself.

I agree, it's definitely not 'different lighting conditions' and that was the reason I wanted to start this thread. From members contributions in this thread alone, it is clear that there have been subtle changes over time and a significant color variation from the MK1 bezels to the latest

[andrewgusa]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

Thank you. I appreciate the gesture but I wouldn't recommend keeping them crossed. If could be years and I wouldn't want to be a cause of discomfort.

[1995akcoop]

Very disappointing. The colors on the BLRO suck. Nothing pepsi about it, hence why I sold mine but still have my BLNR. I ended up buying a NOS 5-digit pepsi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[andrewgusa]

Originally Posted by gtnator

OP, can you post some pics in the outdoors with direct and indirect sunlight?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just took the following pics. At the time I took the pics, the weather here in Tampa was a mix sun and cloud cover with light rain showers on and off.

Pics 1 & 2 - I tried to get a pic with more direct sunlight (Pic 1) at one angle and then turning to the opposite angle (Pic 2) to reduce the direct sunlight (if that makes any sense??).

Note: My previous posted pics are a best reference for direct strong sunlight on a clear and sunny day.

Pics 3 & 4 - Taken under the patio out of any direct sunlight.

Pic 5 - It started raining a few minutes later so I thought I would take a pic in overcast sprinkling rain conditions.

Let me know if there is something else you are after.

[andrewgusa]

Originally Posted by 1995akcoop

Very disappointing. The colors on the BLRO suck. Nothing pepsi about it, hence why I sold mine but still have my BLNR. I ended up buying a NOS 5-digit pepsi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I agree that my watch is definitely not the traditional Pepsi that we all automatically think about. Congrats on the NOS 5-digit Pepsi!!

[nr1416]

Totally agree with the OP. Having a 2020 BLRO myself I confirm it does look more like a Coke then a Pepsi specially at night.

For this reason alone I can't see Rolex coming out with a Coke GMT it would be way to similar in color tone to the BLRO.



Sent from my SM-G975W using Tapatalk

[JSolution]

Originally Posted by andrewgusa

I just took the following pics. At the time I took the pics, the weather here in Tampa was a mix sun and cloud cover with light rain showers on and off.

Pics 1 & 2 - I tried to get a pic with more direct sunlight (Pic 1) at one angle and then turning to the opposite angle (Pic 2) to reduce the direct sunlight (if that makes any sense??).

Note: My previous posted pics are a best reference for direct strong sunlight on a clear and sunny day.

Pics 3 & 4 - Taken under the patio out of any direct sunlight.

Pic 5 - It started raining a few minutes later so I thought I would take a pic in overcast sprinkling rain conditions.

Let me know if there is something else you are after.

Wow it’s so different even from my 2020 posted earlier on in the thread. Obviously they’ve changed the bezel again very recently. I do like it however it really doesn’t look like a Pepsi and more like a coke as you said. I thought when you gave us some photos out in the sunlight it would appear a lot brighter as mine did.

[Seaswirl]

I thought the same when I got my BLRO last summer. In low light conditions, the bezel often looked black. Now, however, I always see the blue. The mind does play tricks! I recall thinking the the bezel of my SubC and DaytonaC looked grey when I first got them as well. Congrats on the BLRO. It’s a great watch.

[Pinchy]

Blue is my favorite color and the "splash" of blue on the BLRO does not hit the spot. The BLNR blue is perfect, the BLRO is simply... compromised. Lovely watch, and I would not pass (mostly because my wife will be wearing it), but it does surprise me that most prefer the BLRO at this stage?

Are people just following hype/heritage or are they actually using their eyes? I understand many people preferring the BLRO, I genuinely don't understand why MOST would prefer it.

[MrMercedes]

My BLRO MK 3 in the sunlight

[MrMercedes]

Same watch without sunlight

[stainlesssteve]

I received my BLRO in 2021 and my first impression upon opening the box was wow this is a coke. I struggle to find any blue, indoors or out...

[andrewgusa]

Originally Posted by MrMercedes

Same watch without sunlight

Thanks David. Your watch better matches what I was expecting.

[andrewgusa]

Originally Posted by stainlesssteve

I received my BLRO in 2021 and my first impression upon opening the box was wow this is a coke. I struggle to find any blue, indoors or out...

Thanks for confirming I'm not losing my mind Steve!

[stmoore]

Originally Posted by 1995akcoop

Very disappointing. The colors on the BLRO suck. Nothing pepsi about it, hence why I sold mine but still have my BLNR. I ended up buying a NOS 5-digit pepsi


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The colors of the “pepsi” have done nothing but change since the 6542 - and I’m not talking about fade either. Rolex is doing what they’ve always done, small changes.

The red alone has been rust, fuchsia, orange, cranberry, etc.

[jaySL350]

Congrats OP,,,
Wear in good health,,

[Seaswirl]

Originally Posted by Pinchy

Blue is my favorite color and the "splash" of blue on the BLRO does not hit the spot. The BLNR blue is perfect, the BLRO is simply... compromised. Lovely watch, and I would not pass (mostly because my wife will be wearing it), but it does surprise me that most prefer the BLRO at this stage?

Are people just following hype/heritage or are they actually using their eyes? I understand many people preferring the BLRO, I genuinely don't understand why MOST would prefer it.

I just don’t like the Royal blue of the BLNR and passed on it back in 2015. Much prefer the deep navy of the BLRO.

[Driver8]

It seems that all the time Rolex insist on making the bezel out of one piece of ceramic (which I applaud them for in terms of persistence) then I think the colours are always going to be a little compromised compared to the original aluminium bezel. Red and blue are so far apart on the spectrum that turning half a solid red bezel into blue without getting hints of red coming through is extremely difficult.

That said, I think the OPs very dark bezel looks great.

[kieselguhr]

Originally Posted by Driver8

It seems that all the time Rolex insist on making the bezel out of one piece of ceramic (which I applaud them for in terms of persistence) then I think the colours are always going to be a little compromised compared to the original aluminium bezel. Red and blue are so far apart on the spectrum that turning half a solid red bezel into blue without getting hints of red coming through is extremely difficult.

That said, I think the OPs very dark bezel looks great.

Did you know Squale makes a Ceramic Pepsi bezel closer to the 5 digit colors than Rolex? It’s 1 piece ceramic.

[StevenMichael]

Better question is HOW did you get that? I’ve been trying for 9 months now. What was your purchase history and where is your AD?

[Pinchy]

So I think an actual coke will likely be amazing with a red as vibrant as the blue is on the BLNR.

This honestly makes me want to remove the pepsi from my wishlist (in favor of other watches). Maybe that coke comes...

[Marco Panti]

Originally Posted by stmoore

The colors of the “pepsi” have done nothing but change since the 6542 - and I’m not talking about fade either. Rolex is doing what they’ve always done, small changes.

The red alone has been rust, fuchsia, orange, cranberry, etc.

Personally I love the darker colours especially on the Oyster bracelet.

When mine arrives I just want the tone/saturation of the blue and red to match a little better, so the blue and the red are equally dark.

That is the most important part of the aesthetic to me.

Marco

[JRell]

They mind as well have just made it the Coke bezel.

[AK797]

TBH I did think Rolex would have a clearer blue and red mix by now, rather disappointing.