Rolex Pepsi SS series?

[ryan1011]

Hi Guys,

So I am thinking of going for the classic pepsi but I really want to try and get a mint example and know there were different 'series' to this piece D, Z I think?

Can someone tell me what years ran what series and which was the latest one and differences?

Cheers

[Quicksilver]

This site should help you -

http://www.gmtmasterhistory.com/

[HogwldFLTR]

Also...



Same watch model should generally be equivalent especially in older watches. Watch for the transition from Tritium to Luminova, from plain rehaut to engraved rehaut, from through hole lugs to solid lugs, and from folded end links to solid end links.

Serial numbers by year are approximate and can be found at the below link.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

The addition of the engraved rehaut on the GMTIIs might have started in Z serial so examining the watches will tell you for certain. I believe other then that the watch are very close if not the same.

[ryan1011]

So i've found a 2007 last production year 16710 but it's a coke bezel - been told i can get it swapped to pepsi in RSC for a small amount which i like as means i get a brand new bezel.

not sure if i allowed to post links to the seller website? they want £7k for it which is a lot :/ sound about right?

[shoppy]

You will honestly love it, I had one years ago and sold it when I got my first ceramic GMT. Just reacquainted with one last week and its not left my wrist since.

Popping into St James to pick up a Coke insert when I am next in London.
I have a A serial 99 model that was sold in 2000, so still has lug holes and non SEL bracelet.

Simon

[shoppy]

Originally Posted by ryan1011

So i've found a 2007 last production year 16710 but it's a coke bezel - been told i can get it swapped to pepsi in RSC for a small amount which i like as means i get a brand new bezel.

not sure if i allowed to post links to the seller website? they want £7k for it which is a lot :/ sound about right?

Rolex do an exchange of inserts or if you want to keep the original its a 50% mark up.

I paid sub £4K for mine full set with everything, they are going for a lot these days.

[Quicksilver]

Prices are on the up with this model. You need to check this thread -

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=493421

[ryan1011]

Can I post the link to it?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by ryan1011

Hi Guys,

So I am thinking of going for the classic pepsi but I really want to try and get a mint example and know there were different 'series' to this piece D, Z I think?

Can someone tell me what years ran what series and which was the latest one and differences?

Cheers

Rolex have never made a series of any watch they are just case serials nothing more.And many serials overlap a year or two and what any case serial can tell you is a approx date between X&Y years when the case was stamped and not a 100% date when it was made.As for inserts in the UK quite easy to get and DIY change cost of insert around £45 from Rolex.As for changes very little from around 2000 on, the last of the 16710 could have the slightly modded cal 3185 into a cal 3186.Now some pay a premium for this myself would not,how to tell a cal 3185 for one complete crown turn the second time zone hand will jump around 5 hours, on the cal 3186 around 8-9 hours.

R 1987
L 1988
E 1990
X 1991
N 1991 (Nov)
C 1992
S 1993
W 1994
T 1996
U 1997 (Aug)
A 1998 (Nov)
P 2000 (Jan)
K 2001 (Sep)
Y 2002 (Sep)
F 2003 (Sep)
D 2005 (Apr)
Z 2006 (May)
M 2007 (Aug)
V 2008 (Aug)
G 2010 (July) latter part 2010 some randoms started to appear
G2010/ 2011 On
Plus Randoms

[Quicksilver]

Originally Posted by ryan1011

So i've found a 2007 last production year 16710 but it's a coke bezel - been told i can get it swapped to pepsi in RSC for a small amount which i like as means i get a brand new bezel.

not sure if i allowed to post links to the seller website? they want £7k for it which is a lot :/ sound about right?

Mine came with a Pepsi bezel and Oyster bracelet. Rolex have at various times swapped the bezel to a new Coke and black for me, but now its back on its original Pepsi bezel. Whenever I have felt like a change I have popped into the service centre at St James and the obliging folk there have switched it over for me free of charge (free to change it that is - not a free bezel). At first I did this countless times and I felt they must have been getting fed up with me but they never showed it.

At its first service I also had the bracelet changed to a Jubilee which I prefer to the Oyster and sets the watch off beautifully in my opinion. Some forum members have even switched to a Super Jubilee but Rolex will not do this for you.

Mine is a 2003 model and it still has lug holes which I prefer.

That's what I love about the 16710 - 3 possible bezel and two bracelet options. 9 watches in one

You wont regret buying this watch.

[Speed]

Buy one in the best condition you can find.

If you really prefer a quickset date-get a model with that feature.

You have all the info now...but everything depends on what you find in your timeframe to buy.

Good hunting.

[Alpino]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

The addition of the engraved rehaut on the GMTIIs might have started ...

It never happened on 16710.


Some modifications occured from 89 to 2007 :

. at the start : lug holes / tritium dial ("SWISS - T < 25") / 78360 Oyster or 62510 jubilee
. 94 to 97 : bracelet 93150 with oysterlock as an additionnal option
. 97 : bracelet 78790 replace both 78360/93150 choice
. 97 : luminova dial ("SWISS")
. 99 : superluminova dial ("SWISS MADE")
. 00 : bracelet 78790A with SEL replace 78790
. 03 : LEC on the saphire (laser etched crown) / no hole lugs
. 07 : 3186 movement / new credit card warranty


.

[masyv6]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Also...



Same watch model should generally be equivalent especially in older watches. Watch for the transition from Tritium to Luminova, from plain rehaut to engraved rehaut, from through hole lugs to solid lugs, and from folded end links to solid end links.

Serial numbers by year are approximate and can be found at the below link.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=54362

The addition of the engraved rehaut on the GMTIIs might have started in Z serial so examining the watches will tell you for certain. I believe other then that the watch are very close if not the same.

Cool graphic

[ryan1011]

Great comments Padi et all.

Ok so I have asked if it's ok to post links and no one said no so posting lol! Take off it bad!?

Here is the best, well, newest one I can find.

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Rolex/G...450/item/70145

It's a coke but i'm happy to pay to get a brand new pepsi bezel.

Question is am I overpaying? Seem to be paying about £1000 more just to get it in a 2007 model. Also I noticed the box changed in 2007 to the current type which I like.

[ryan1011]

Also found this one - a 2003 but looks actually in BETTER condition than the 2007 and is £1000 less. What do you guys think?
There wouldnt be any differences between the two right?

[Chewbacca]

fwiw, if you're going to wear it, buy the cheapest QS one and add a pepsi bezel along with sending it to RSC for a full overhaul.

if its going to be a drawer queen and long term investment (fingers crossed), buy the latest, best, verified factory pepsi version with boxes etc...

good luck!

[ryan1011]

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

fwiw, if you're going to wear it, buy the cheapest QS one and add a pepsi bezel along with sending it to RSC for a full overhaul.

if its going to be a drawer queen and long term investment (fingers crossed), buy the latest, best, verified factory pepsi version with boxes etc...

good luck!

Thanks - so I admit I am new with GMT. I have noticed a difference in lugs where there is a pin on the 2003 K serial compared to the 2003 F that has no pin!! I assume it's better to NOT have the pin?? So it's more like the modern GMT etc/Solid?

[mtgjr]

K serials were produced in 2001/02. F was 2003/04. If you look at post #12 above, you'll see they went to no through hole cases in 2003. Lug holes/no lug holes is complete preference.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by ryan1011

Thanks - so I admit I am new with GMT. I have noticed a difference in lugs where there is a pin on the 2003 K serial compared to the 2003 F that has no pin!! I assume it's better to NOT have the pin?? So it's more like the modern GMT etc/Solid?

Most Rolex models changed over from the pierced lugs to the "no holes" lugs within a few years. It is not "better" one way or the other, it's just a look.

The pierced lugs can be argued to be a bit safer since the larger diameter spring-bar pivots extend all the way through the case and the new ones hang on with a smaller diameter, shorter pivot.

As mentioned, there are no "series" of models. It's just the serial prefix and Rolex produced 2 or 3 serial prefixes simultaneously. When actual dates are mentioned, they are "first seen" dates - prefixes were used over several years.

16700 GMT's and 16710 GMT II's were also produced simultaneously too until ~1999. All 16700's were either pepsi or black. 16710's were black/red, blue/red, or black.