Rolex GMT Pepsi Ultimate Strap Guide 101

A pre-eminent creator of custom rubber watch straps, Rubber B has spent the last several years crafting watch straps for watches for some of the most highly respected watchmakers in both Europe and North America, including Rolex, Tudor, and Apple. Rubber B has a wide selection of colors, styles, and materials to choose from for these timepieces, and all of these straps are made exclusively from 100% vulcanized rubber.

For the first blog post of 2023, Rubber B has decided to put together a brief guide on watch straps for one of the most popular Rolex models the company has ever produced – the Rolex GMT Pepsi. We will go into a brief history of the watch itself, and then take a closer look at the different kinds of straps that Rubber B has available for this watch.

The Beginnings of the Rolex “Pepsi” GMT-Master

The “Pepsi” watch is the unofficial nickname for a popular variant of the Rolex GMT Master, which has been in production in some form or fashion since 1955. Although the color scheme used on the watch is one that is popularly identified with Pepsi, the soda giant actually had nothing to do with the color choices on this watch.

The watch was actually designed at the behest of Pan American, who wanted a watch that would make flying easier for the pilots. The red and blue coloring on the watch was actually meant to signify “day” and “night,” which makes a great deal of sense in the correct context.

However, due to the popular association with Pepsi’s logo colors, the watch has remained popular among collectors for several decades. It continues to remain in production, with the most recent iteration appearing in 2021. In this instance, the watch in question was a GMT-Master II 126710BLRO with an Oyster bracelet. 

What Straps Does Rubber B Have Available for the Rolex GMT Pepsi?

Because of this watch’s enduring popularity over the years, Rubber B offers our customers a wide variety of options to choose from when purchasing straps for this watch. We will explore each of them below in more detail.

Straps for Pepsi GMT-Master II 126719 BLRO – Blue or meteorite dial

Classic Series Pepsi GMT-Master II 126719 BLRO

For those who want to pair their rubber watch strap with the original Rolex clasp, the Classic Series is the best place to start. We offer four different styles of watch straps for this option, including:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

SwimSkin® Ballistic & Alligator:

Velcro® Series

For those looking for something with a bit of professional polish for the Rolex GMT Pepsi, the Velcro® Series is an excellent option. This industrial-strength Velcro closure helps ensure your watch strap’s safety and stability. At this time, this particular strap is only available in Jet Black.

Tang Buckle Series

For those with the ceramic model of the Rolex GMT, the Tang Buckle series will likely be the perfect fit for your watch. There are two style options available for this watch:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

Straps for Pepsi GMT-Master II 126710 BLRO –  Cerachrom Pepsi bezel

Classic Series Pepsi GMT-Master II 126710 BLRO

For those who want to pair their rubber watch strap with the original Rolex clasp, the Classic Series is the best place to start. We offer four different styles of watch straps for this option, including:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

SwimSkin® Ballistic & Alligator:

Velcro® Series

The Velcro® Series is an excellent option for those looking for something with a bit of professional polish for the Rolex GMT Pepsi. This industrial-strength Velcro closure contributes to the safety and stability of your watch strap. This particular strap is currently only available in Jet Black.

Tang Buckle Series

For those without the ceramic model of the Rolex GMT, the Tang Buckle series will likely be the perfect fit for your watch. There are two style options available for this watch:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

Straps for Pepsi GMT-Master II 116719 BLRO – Cerachrom Pepsi bezel

Pepsi GMT-Master II 116719 BLRO – 14kt White Gold Oyster Bracelet with Rolex Folding Oysterclasp – Production Years: 2014 – 2018 – The Blue dial was only produced in 2018 and the normal Pepsi GMT-Master II 116719 BLRO comes on a black dial

Classic Series Pepsi GMT-Master II 116719 BLRO

For those who want to pair their rubber watch strap with the original Rolex clasp, the Classic Series is the best place to start. We offer four different styles of watch straps for this option, including:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

SwimSkin® Ballistic & Alligator:

Velcro® Series

For those looking for something with a bit of professionalism for the Rolex GMT Pepsi, the Velcro® Series is an excellent option. This industrial-strength Velcro closure helps ensure your watch strap’s safety and stability. At this time, this particular strap is only available in Jet Black.

Tang Buckle Series

For those without the ceramic model of the Rolex GMT, the Tang Buckle series will likely be the perfect fit for your watch. There are two style options available for this watch:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

Pepsi GMT-Master II 16710 BLRO – Come is different Bezel Aluminum Pepsi bezel, Coke bezel, or black bezel

From 1989 to 2007, the Rolex GMT Master II 16710 was available with the iconic red/blue “Pepsi” bezel insert, black/red “Coke” insert, or a black version. The Rolex GMT Master II 16710 was available alongside the Rolex GMT Master 16700 from its inception until 1999. The two watches were nearly identical, with the exception that the 16700 was powered by the Rolex calibre 3175 automatic movements and did not come with the Red/Black “Coke” bezel. Rolex calibre 3185 automatic movements with GMT hand and quick set functions powered the GMT Master II 16710. Prior to 1999, the GMT Master II 16710 had a SWISS T25 dial with Tritium hour markers and hands. In 1999, watches were only fitted with the “SWISS” dial, but starting in 2000, all watches were fitted with SWISS MADE dials with SuperLuminova hour markers and hands. The calibre 3186 automatic movements were installed in the last of the 16710s.

Classic Series Pepsi GMT-Master II 16719

For those who want to pair their rubber watch strap with the original Rolex clasp, the Classic Series is the best place to start. We offer four different styles of watch straps for this option, including:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

SwimSkin® Ballistic & Alligator:

Velcro® Series

For those looking for something with a bit of professional polish, the Velcro® Series is an excellent option. This industrial-strength Velcro closure helps ensure your watch strap’s safety and stability. At this time, this particular strap is only available in Jet Black.

Tang Buckle Series

For those without the ceramic model of the Rolex GMT, the Tang Buckle series will likely be the perfect fit for your watch. There are two style options available for this watch:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

Pepsi GMT-Master 16750 – Aluminum Pepsi bezel or black bezel

The GMT Master 16750 by Rolex. From 1981 to 1988, the Rolex GMT Master 16750 was available with the iconic red/blue Pepsi bezel to insert or in all-black. The Rolex GMT Master 16750 is a model in transition. Early examples of the 16750 with matte dials are extremely collectible. The Rolex GMT Master 16750 was equipped with a Rolex calibre 3075 automatic movements and was available with either a Jubilee or an Oyster bracelet.

Classic Series Pepsi GMT-Master 16750

For those who want to pair their rubber watch strap with the original Rolex clasp, the Classic Series is the best place to start. We offer four different styles of watch straps for this option, including:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

SwimSkin® Alligator:

SwimSkin® Ballistic

Velcro® Series

For those looking for something with style for Rolex GMT Pepsi, the Velcro® Series is an excellent option. This industrial-strength Velcro closure helps ensure your watch strap’s safety and stability. At this time, this particular strap is only available in Jet Black.

Tang Buckle Series

For those without the ceramic model of the Rolex GMT, the Tang Buckle series will likely be the perfect fit for your watch. There are two style options available for this watch:

Solid:

Vulchromatic:

The Solid options are available in Jet Black, Arctic White, Pacific Blue, Red Devil, and Mandarin Orange. The Vulchromatic includes Red Devil, Pacific Blue, and Forrest Green straps.

Pepsi GMT-Master 16700 –  Aluminum Pepsi bezel or black bezel

Overview of the Rolex GMT Master 16700. The Rolex GMT Master 16700 was introduced in 1988, alongside the slightly more expensive Rolex GMT Master II 16710. In 1999, the Rolex GMT Master 16700 was discontinued. The Rolex GMT Master II 16700, unlike the Rolex GMT Master II 16710, was only available with Blue/Red (BLRO) “Pepsi” or all-black (LN) bezel inserts. The automatic Rolex calibre 3175 movements powered the Rolex GMT Master 16700.

Pepsi GMT-Master 1675  – Aluminum Pepsi bezel; all-black bezel insert followed later

The Rolex GMT Master 1675 is reviewed. The Rolex GMT Master 1675 was manufactured from 1959 to 1980 and was initially available only with the iconic red/blue Pepsi bezel insert. It wasn’t until the early 1970s that a completely black bezel became available. Prior to 1965, the GMT Master was powered by a Rolex calibre 1565 automatic movement; beginning in 1965, a calibre 1575 movement was used. Early 1675s are known to have small GMT hands and gilt glossy dials. Matte dials were installed beginning around 1966. The Pointed Crown Guard and MK1 Long E are two rare and collectible Rolex GMT Master 1675 models.

Rubber Cuff Series

If you are looking for a more tactical or military-styled option for your watch strap, the Rubber Cuff series offers you a number of options. These durable SwimSkin® Twill straps are available in Jet Black, Navy Blue, and Pine Green. Despite their nomenclature, these straps are made from 100% rubber as well, even though they have the appearance and texture of twill.

Are You in Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today

Rubber B watch straps do not contain any coating, blends, or bonding, and each and every strap undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it meets quality control standards.

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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