As a special gift to all our readers who celebrate Christmas during the holiday season, we’re posting our review of the Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” Ref. 126710 BLRO that will appear in the January/February print issue of WatchTime early for everyone to enjoy. And don’t forget, a gift subscription to WatchTime makes the perfect last-minute stocking stuffer. Happy Holidays! ? Ed. 
Coke or Pepsi" It?s a matter of taste, some say, and individual tastes always differ. But there?s only one right answer if you?re talking about the Rolex GMT-Master. Although the manufacturer made a version that had a GMT bezel in red and black, called ?Coke,? the first GMT-Master from 1955 bore the red-and-blue scale for the 24-hour display and was nicknamed ?Pepsi.? This year’s new Pepsi GMT-Master II represents the reincarnation of the classic in its original form. At first, the colors were used to distinguish between the day and night times of the second time zone. This and other specs for the watch came from Pan American Airways, at whose request this model was created. At the time, new jet airliners made intercontinental flights shorter and more popular. And the increased number of flights also increased the demand for watches with a second time zone. In addition to having the aura of a pilots? watch, the high level of recognition of the colored bezel contributed to the GMT-Master?s popularity.
Rolex modified the Pepsi very cautiously until 2007. But then,...