
Alexandre de Lamberterie
Specialist
This auction has ended. View lot details


Sold for €17,920 inc. premium
Our Watches specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialist
Specialist

Senior Cataloguer

Senior Sale Coordinator
2018 was a landmark year for the GMT-Master II. Alongside a complete refresh of the line, Rolex unveiled the long-awaited return of the stainless steel "Pepsi" with the reference 126710BLRO. The watch introduced a 40mm Oystersteel case with slimmer lugs, a red-and-blue Cerachrom bezel, and the latest-generation Caliber 3285 movement, boasting a 70-hour power reserve and updated technical features.
What truly caught collectors' attention, however, was Rolex's decision to pair the new steel Pepsi exclusively with a Jubilee bracelet. Although this bracelet design had appeared on earlier GMT models, its comeback after more than a decade—and without an Oyster alternative—was both unexpected and polarizing. The move clearly set the steel Pepsi apart from the white-gold version, which continued to be offered on an Oyster bracelet.
In 2021, Rolex expanded the offering by reintroducing the Oyster bracelet option for the 126710BLRO, giving clients the choice between the elegant Jubilee or the sportier Oyster. While this announcement delighted enthusiasts, it only fueled demand further, with waiting lists—already notoriously long—stretching even more at authorized retailers.