Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi"

About the Watch

The GMT-Master "Pepsi" was originally introduced by Rolex in 1954, in collaboration with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am). The watch was designed to meet the needs of international pilots, who often traveled across different time zones. The "GMT" in its name stands for Greenwich Mean Time, which is the standard time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. The main feature that sets the GMT-Master "Pepsi" apart is its bi-color bezel, split into two halves in red and blue. The design was conceived to assist pilots in distinguishing between day and night hours, as well as to read the time in two different time zones. The 24-hour bezel, along with an additional 24-hour hand on the dial, allows the wearer to track a second time zone, making it a practical tool watch for frequent travelers and aviation professionals. Throughout the years, the GMT-Master "Pepsi" has undergone various updates and improvements. Early models were powered by the Rolex calibre 1036, followed by subsequent calibers like the 1570 and 3075. The watch's popularity soared, and it became an iconic symbol of luxury and adventure, worn by explorers, aviators, and celebrities alike.

About the Brand

Known the world over, Rolex is a benchmark for prestige and quality in watchmaking. Since its creation, the brand has placed the reliability of its products uppermost. It submits virtually its entire movement production for testing by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres to obtain COSC certification. Rolex is also renowned for its after-sales service which is performed by staff who have been specially trained, often in Rolex's own schools in countries around the globe, including the United States and Japan. Rolex was founded by Hans Wilsdorf. A Bavarian watchmaker who emigrated to Switzerland, he immediately put his natural flair for products and business acumen at the service of a brand that would soon forge an international reputation. He was succeeded in 1963 by André Heiniger, whose son Patrick took over at the helm in 1992. Bruno Meier in 2009 then Gian Riccardo Marini in 2011 were successively appointed at the head of the business, a limited company (société anonyme) that is wholly owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation. In 2014, Jean-Frédéric Dufour, previously Chief Executive of Zenith, was named as the new CEO. Such a reputation hasn't gone unnoticed among collectors, as recent auction results demonstrate. At a 2013 sale in Geneva, for example, a Daytona Chronograph in steel achieved an absolute record price of US$ 1.1 million. The brand hones its image through associations with prominent and well-respected personalities chosen from the arts and sports. Also, in 1976 Rolex launched its Awards for Enterprise which each year single out innovative projects that promote sustainable development. The Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative gives young artists a privileged opportunity to benefit from the experience of masters in their field.