Rubber B was the first company worldwide to develop custom rubber watch straps exclusively for Rolex timepieces, and since then, the company has added several other prominent watchmakers to its product portfolio. Rubber B also creates custom rubber watch bands for watches produced by Panerai, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet.
The Rolex 1675 GMT-Master was the first iteration of the watch that many collectors now affectionately refer to as the “Pepsi” GMT. It remains one of the most sought-after watches from the storied watchmaker, and older variations of the watch remain incredibly valuable among watch aficionados.
With that in mind, Rubber B thought it would be an excellent idea to take a brief look at the history of this beloved watch and explore further how it became so popular in the first place.
The Early History of the Rolex “Pepsi” GMT-Master
It is important to note that there are two distinct starting points in the history of the Rolex GMT Master. Originally, the watch was released with the reference number 6542 in 1955. However, this version of the watch was not made commercially available to the general public.
This particular version of the watch was made for Pan American pilots. At the time, Pan American was one of the biggest airlines in the world. The company wanted watches to assist their pilots as they were making their flights, especially on longer voyages. The GMT dial allowed the pilots to keep track of two different time zones at the same time.
The Rolex 1675 GMT Master Becomes Available to the General Public
Four years later, in 1959, the Rolex 1675 GMT Master became available to consumers around the world. While the original GMT Master was heavily inspired by other vintage Rolex watches, such as the Submariner and Turn-O-Graph, the 1675 GMT Master marked a new beginning for this line of watches.
This is because a significant number of changes were made to this early iteration of the watch. The most immediately noticeable change was that the case size had been increased by 2 mm, which was a significant amount at that time. Crown guards were also added for the first time, and an all-new movement was added to the watch.
How Did Consumers React to the Rolex 1675 GMT Master?
Despite the fact that the watch had initially been produced for pilots, the “civilian” iteration of the watch would prove very popular among the general public. Some consumers had an interest in the dual-bezel GMT dial, which was a highly novel feature at the time.
However, for most consumers, it was not the GMT dial that sparked interest in the Rolex 1675 GMT Master. What caught most consumers’ attention was the unique two-tone color scheme of the watch, which was also a relatively new innovation in the production of wristwatches.
Many people noticed that the watch shared the same color pattern as the Pepsi logo, which generated significant consumer interest in the watch. And despite the fact that Rolex does not officially endorse nicknames for their watches, they are certainly aware that the watch is referred to as the “Pepsi GMT” by many collectors and experts.
The watch has remained consistently popular over the last several decades. The most recent update to the line came in 2021, with the release of the GMT-Master II Ref. 116719BLRO. Based on past history, it is highly likely that this line of watches will remain very popular for many years to come.
Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today
All of Rubber B’s watch straps are made from 100% vulcanized rubber and are crafted exclusively by experts in Switzerland. Orders are shipped out within 24 to 48 hours of receiving them, and Rubber B also offers shipping options to its international clientele as well.
If you would like to learn more about our complete list of products, shipping policies, and pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued team members will be happy to answer your inquiry in a timely manner.
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