Where Did Rolex Get the Name "Pepsi" for Their Iconic Watch?
When it comes to Rolex, few nicknames have captured the imagination of collectors and enthusiasts quite like the "Pepsi". But where exactly did this playful nickname come from – and why has it stuck?
The Origin of the "Pepsi" Name
The Rolex "Pepsi" doesn’t get its name from the brand itself, but rather from the fans and collectors who noticed something striking about the watch’s design. Specifically, the “Pepsi” nickname refers to the bold red and blue bezel found on certain models of the Rolex GMT-Master and GMT-Master II.
These vibrant colours closely resemble the iconic logo of the Pepsi soft drink brand, which features a red, white, and blue colour scheme. While Rolex has never officially named the watch "Pepsi", the resemblance was strong enough that the nickname took off – and it’s stuck around for decades.
A Functional Design with Style
The red and blue bezel was more than just a stylistic choice. Introduced in 1955, the original Rolex GMT-Master was developed in collaboration with Pan Am Airways to help pilots track two time zones at once. The bi-colour bezel allowed wearers to quickly distinguish between day and night hours – red for daytime, blue for night.
This practical feature also gave the watch its now-famous look, which just happened to mirror the Pepsi logo’s colour palette. The resemblance was purely coincidental, but the nickname added a fun, pop-culture twist to a serious tool watch.
The Pepsi Legacy
Over the years, Rolex has updated the GMT-Master and GMT-Master II with new materials and movements, but the red-and-blue “Pepsi” bezel has remained a fan favourite. Modern versions use a ceramic bezel (known as Cerachrom) that keeps the vibrant colours sharp and fade-resistant.
Collectors often use the "Pepsi" nickname to differentiate these models from others like the “Batman” (black and blue bezel) or the “Root Beer” (brown and gold bezel), making the Pepsi part of a larger culture of Rolex nicknames that celebrate the brand’s diversity and evolution.
In Summary
The Rolex "Pepsi" gets its name from the watch community, not the company itself. It’s a nickname born from the visual similarity between the GMT-Master’s red and blue bezel and the colours of the Pepsi logo. What started as a practical tool for pilots has become an iconic and collectible piece – forever linked with a classic fizzy drink by colour alone.