Rolex Coke

A Watch for Pilots and World Travelers

The Rolex Coke has been a favorite of pilots and world travelers since its introduction in 1982. In fact, the very first GMT-Master II that Rolex brought to market belongs to the Coke family. The original bears the reference number 16760, and its most distinctive feature is its black and red bezel. This color combination reminded people of a Coca-Cola can, and fans were quick to nickname this GMT-Master II the "Rolex Coke." However, the 16760 also goes by other names. You may hear people refer to this model as the "Fat Lady" due to its caliber 3085 and the resulting thicker case.

Rolex only produced the 16760 for a few years, meaning this reference is quite rare and coveted among collectors today. The somewhat flatter GMT-Master II (ref. 16710) replaced the "Fat Lady" in the late 1980s and was in production until 2007. Thanks to its long production run, this model is a much more common sight on the market than its predecessor. However, prices for well-maintained timepieces aren't too much lower than those of their rarer counterparts.

Since ceasing production of the 16710, Rolex has yet to release another GMT-Master II Coke watch. Instead, the company has turned their attention to creating new versions of the even more famous GMT-Master II {keyword-rolex pepsi,Pepsi}. As you may have guessed, this watch has a red and blue bezel just like the logo of Coca-Cola's greatest rival.

Reasons to Buy a GMT-Master II Coke

• High-precision Superlative Chronometer
• Displays up to three time zones simultaneously
• One of the most famous GMT watches in the world
• Highly likely to appreciate in value

Prices at a Glance: Rolex Coke & Others

Rolex Coke: Price and Model Information

If you're interested in purchasing a "Fat Lady" ref. 16760, you will need to have roughly 17,500 USD on hand. Prices for pre-owned pieces in good condition sit around 14,000 USD. Between 2018 and 2020, the "Fat Lady" increased in value by over 30%, making it an intriguing investment opportunity.

Despite being produced in much larger numbers, the Rolex Coke 16710 costs nearly as much as its predecessor. You can purchase a used watch for about 12,000 USD. Never-worn editions also occasionally pop up for sale, and when they do, they tend to sell for some 17,500 USD. Like the "Fat Lady," prices for this model rose by about 30% between 2018 and 2020.

Alternatives to the Coke: Batman and Pepsi

Batman models with the refs. 116710BLNR and 12610BLNR are two possible Rolex Coke alternatives. With a blue and black ceramic bezel, the Batman has a more classic, conservative look. It also goes extremely well with business attire. Rolex retired the 116710BLNR in 2019, replacing it with the 126710BLNR. The latter is in short supply, and acquiring one often comes with a long wait time.

This has caused prices to soar outside of brick-and-mortar shops. For example, the current 126710BLNR on a Jubilee bracelet has a list price of "only" 8,800 CHF (approx. 9,700 USD); however, it actually trades for up to 18,500 USD. Licensed Rolex dealers no longer sell the previous model, the 116710BLNR. This version now demands between 15,000 and 17,000 USD

The Rolex Pepsi series has a much longer history and, thus, offers a wide range of interesting vintage watches with aluminum bezels. One example, the ref. 16750, costs between 14,000 and 17,500 USD, depending on its condition. Rolex began outfitting Pepsi GMT-Master II watches with Cerachrom bezels in 2007. You'll find both stainless steel editions and white gold models like the ref. 116719BLRO. Due to its precious metal case and bracelet, this reference demands around 36,500 USD.

If you like the Pepsi design but prefer stainless steel, you should take a closer look at the ref. 126710BLRO on a Jubilee bracelet. Like all GMT-Master IIs since 2019, this watch gets its power from the in-house caliber 3285 – a certified Superlative Chronometer with a 70-hour power reserve. However, licensed dealers are even less likely to have this watch than the Batman. Regardless of its condition, a stainless steel Pepsi will set you back about 19,000 USD.

There are more affordable ways to get your hands on a GMT-Master II. Take the ref. 116710LN, for instance. It has a solid black bezel and was in production from 2007 to 2019. Prices for mint-condition pieces have been on the rise ever since, having nearly doubled since 2018. Today, you can purchase a new watch for approximately 14,500 USD and a used watch for 12,000 USD.

GMT-Master II: Sapphire Crystal, Ceramic, and a New Caliber

The Rolex GMT-Master II Coke has a decisive advantage over "normal" GMT-Masters: You can independently set its hour hand in hour increments thanks to the caliber 3085. This makes it easier to quickly change the time when you arrive in a new time zone. On the other hand, the caliber 3075 requires you to set the hour, minute, and 24-hour hands together. This movement powers the GMT-Master ref. 16750, among others. The bidirectional rotatable bezel aids in setting the second time zone. With its newer caliber, the GMT-Master II can keep track of three time zones simultaneously. Furthermore, the Rolex Coke with reference number 16760 was the first Rolex GMT watch to feature sapphire crystal.

The successor to the "Fat Lady," the Rolex ref. 16710, is available with three different bezels: black, black and red, or blue and red. The blue and red bezel has been around since the introduction of the first GMT-Master in the 1950s. The 16710's bezel inlay is made of aluminum, which is why you will often find them with faded colors that underscore their vintage look. Rolex outfits current GMT-Master II watches with Cerachrom bezels. Cerachrom is an extremely hard and scratch-resistant ceramic mixture that Rolex produces themselves. Thanks to this material, age-related discolorations are now a thing of the past.

Rolex has been equipping every GMT-Master II with the in-house caliber 3285 since 2019. This movement replaced the 3186, which had been around since 2005. This updated caliber boasts an improved 70-hour power reserve, a blue Parachrom hairspring, and Rolex's Chronergy escapement. The hairspring and escapement provide the movement with its high efficiency and magnetic resistance.