Pepsi vs. Batgirl vs. Sprite vs. Root Beer
Four bezels, one icon. Here’s how to pick the GMT-Master II that’s right for you.
I’ll be honest: I’ve changed my mind on which Rolex GMT-Master II is “the one” more times than I’d care to admit. I’ve tried them all on, agonized in my local AD and even fallen asleep scrolling through wrist shots at 1am. If any of that sounds familiar, this guide is for you.
The GMT-Master II might be the most complete watch Rolex makes. It tracks two time zones at a glance, it’s rated to 100 metres, and it sits on an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet that makes pretty much everything else on the market feel like a compromise. But the moment you decide you want one, you’re immediately hit with the question that has derailed more buyers than any waitlist: which bezel?
Rolex currently offers the GMT-Master II in four distinct colourways, each with its own personality, its own following, and its own quirks on the secondary market. Let’s break them down.
The Pepsi: 126710BLRO
The one that started it all. Blue and red, paying direct homage to the original GMT-Master from 1955, designed for Pan Am pilots who needed to track two time zones across transatlantic flights.
The Rolex Pepsi is the most historically significant colourway in the lineup, and it carries that weight effortlessly. On the wrist, the red-and-blue contrast is surprisingly versatile. It reads as bold without being loud, and the colours shift beautifully under different lighting. I was genuinely shocked at how well it pairs with a casual outfit.
Available on both Oyster and Jubilee bracelets, though purists tend to gravitate toward the Jubilee for its visual connection to the 2018 reintroduction that reignited modern GMT mania.
Best for: The collector who wants the reference with the deepest heritage. If you only ever own one GMT-Master II, the Pepsi is the historically correct choice. It’s the one your grandkids will thank you for.
The Batgirl (or Batman): 126710BLNR
Blue and black. Darker, more restrained, and honestly? Probably the one I’d grab if I could only keep a single watch in rotation. The Batgirl (so named because it launched on the Jubilee bracelet, while the earlier “Batman” ref. 116710BLNR came on an Oyster) dials back the Pepsi’s playfulness in favour of something that just disappears into your life.
The black half of the bezel blends into the dial, creating an almost monochromatic look from certain angles. The blue half catches just enough light to remind you this isn’t a Submariner. I’ve worn one to client meetings, to dinners, through airports, and it never once felt like the wrong watch. That kind of versatility is genuinely rare and shouldn’t be underestimated.
Best for: The daily wearer. The one-watch-collection candidate. It’s also historically the easiest of the four to source on the secondary market, which makes it a strong entry point if you’re new to the GMT family.
The Sprite: 126720VTNR
The newest member, and the one that caused the biggest stir at launch. Green and black, with a left-handed crown position at 9 o’clock. That crown placement isn’t just a gimmick. It shifts the crown guard away from the back of your wrist, and if you’ve ever noticed a standard crown digging in during a long day, you’ll appreciate the difference immediately.
The green is subtle. Nothing like the Submariner “Starbucks.” In low light it reads almost black, and in direct sunlight it reveals a deep, forest-like tone that I genuinely wasn’t
expecting the first time I saw one in the metal.
The lefty configuration also gives the watch a distinctive asymmetry on the wrist that photographs don’t quite do justice to. I’ll admit I dismissed this one before trying it on. That was a mistake, and I suspect I’m not the only one who’s made it.
Best for: The buyer who already owns a GMT or two and wants something that feels genuinely different. Also worth considering if you’ve ever found a right-side crown digs into your wrist. The Sprite solves a real, practical problem while looking fantastic doing it.
The Root Beer: 126711CHNR
Brown and black on Everose Rolesor (steel and rose gold). The Root Beer is the warm
outlier in a collection dominated by cool tones, and it might be the most underappreciated watch in the entire Rolex catalogue right now.
The combination of Everose gold with the brown-and-black bezel creates a richness that photographs rarely capture properly. I remember putting this one on for the first time and thinking, “Right, I get it now.”
It has a vintage warmth that recalls the original Root Beer GMT references from the 70s and 80s, updated with modern proportions and the calibre 3285 movement. The two-tone construction means a higher retail price than the full-steel models, but secondary market premiums tend to be proportionally lower. If value matters to you, and it should, that’s well worth noting.
Best for: The buyer who’s moved past the stage of buying what everyone else wants and is choosing based purely on what they love. It’s a connoisseur’s pick, and you’ll know within about three seconds of putting it on whether it’s for you.
Under the Hood
All four references run on the calibre 3285, Rolex’s latest generation GMT movement. It delivers a 70-hour power reserve (up from 48 hours on the previous 3186), uses the Chronergy escapement for improved efficiency, and carries Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer certification to
+2/-2 seconds per day. The case is 40mm across, water resistant to 100 metres, with a scratch-resistant Cerachrom bezel insert and a precious metal-coated 24-hour scale. The underlying watch is identical across every reference. The movement doesn’t change, the case dimensions don’t change, the build quality doesn’t change. Your decision comes down to aesthetics and how the watch fits your life. Which, frankly, is the best kind of decision to have to make.
So, Which One?
Heritage and versatility? Pepsi. A daily beater that works with everything you own? Batgirl. Something that stands apart from the crowd? Sprite. Warmth, character, and a touch of precious metal? Root Beer. There’s no wrong answer here. Only the right wrist. Yours.
We carry all four GMT-Master II references. Browse the collection or get in touch to check availability.
