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Rolex GMT: From “Pepsi” to “Batman”
We take a closer look at the watch that tracks more than one time zone: the Rolex GMT.
Photo: care of carl team
Text: Joakim Rönnqvist
There are watches – and then there are icons. The Rolex GMT-Master is the kind of watch that says “I know what I’m doing” without having to shout. It’s been worn on the wrists of pilots, film stars, presidents and seasoned travellers throughout the years. But the GMT is more than just a handsome wristwatch – it’s a design that works just as well on an aircraft floor as it does at a wine bar in Islington.
So, sit back and let us walk you through everything you want (and ought) to know about the Rolex GMT. Next time you’re sipping a negroni on a terrace and someone mentions “Pepsi” – you’ll know it’s not about soft drinks.
The Birth of a Globetrotter
The year is 1954. Air travel is in its golden era. Pan Am Airways – the Rolls-Royce of the skies at the time – approaches Rolex with a specific problem: their long-haul pilots need to be able to keep track of two time zones at once. The result? The GMT-Master ref. 6542 – a functional, rotating bezel in red and blue (hence the nickname “Pepsi”), a fourth hand for the 24-hour format, and a robust Oyster case built to withstand cabin pressure.
The Rolex GMT-Master wasn’t originally designed for luxury consumers – it was a tool for professionals. But, in typical Rolex fashion, the tool quickly became a status symbol. Function met form – and an icon was born.
From “Pepsi” to “Batman” – A Watch with Nicknames
Over the years, the Rolex GMT has picked up more nicknames than an Italian football star. Here are a few you should know before making a purchase – or settling into dinner conversation.
- Pepsi – The original red and blue colour combo. A tribute to day and night – not fizzy drinks.
- Root Beer – Bronze and gold on a GMT-Master II that looks like a glossy 1970s dream. Known as the “Clint Eastwood” in some collector circles.
- Batman – Black and blue Cerachrom bezel.
- Sprite – The most recent addition, with a black and green bezel and the crown on the left – for left-handers or simply for those who like to stand out.
These aren’t just nicknames – they’re codes. If you know what you’re wearing, then you know what you’re signalling.
Who Wears a GMT?
Few watches appear on as many A-list wrists as the GMT.
- Tom Selleck – Wore his Pepsi ref. 1675 in Magnum P.I., making the moustache, Ferrari, and Rolex GMT three pillars of 1980s masculinity.
- Che Guevara – Was photographed with a GMT on his wrist.
- David Beckham – Of course. GMT on a vintage Jubilee bracelet? Check.
- Fidel Castro – Occasionally wore two Rolex watches – including a GMT – which became something of a signature move, albeit a slightly eccentric one.
That’s the point: from revolutionary leaders to Hollywood stars – the GMT fits in everywhere.
Trivia to Impress
- The first GMT had a Bakelite bezel – which looked great but cracked easily. Rolex quickly switched to aluminium. Bakelite models today? Top-tier collector’s items.- The GMT-Master wasn’t chronometer certified at launch, but that soon changed. Customers expected precision.
- GMT stands for “Greenwich Mean Time” – but you knew that already, didn’t you?
How to Wear It
The GMT isn’t a dress watch – and yet it goes with almost everything. On a NATO strap, it’s relaxed. On a Jubilee bracelet: luxuriously old-school. On an Oyster? Clean and confident.
Tip: Don’t let the colour scare you. A Pepsi can be just as wearable as a black Submariner.
Buying a Rolex GMT isn’t just about tracking different time zones. It’s an investment in history, style and symbolism. A marker of someone who moves through the world with both direction and an eye for detail.
So the next time someone asks why you chose a GMT – talk about the jet pilots, the revolutionaries, the nicknames and everything in between. And say it with a knowing smile.
Because you know: style isn’t something you shout about – it’s something you have.
