GMT-Master II · Buying guide
Ceramic Pepsi or Batman, vintage Coke or Fat Lady — how to choose, and what to check before you buy.
Modern: the Pepsi (126710BLRO) is the bold classic, the Batman (126710BLNR) the understated daily, the left-handed Sprite (126720VTNR) the conversation piece, and the two-tone Root Beer (126711CHNR) the warm option — all calibre 3285. The previous-generation 116710LN (black) and 116710BLNR (Batman on Oyster) are slightly cheaper entries to ceramic. Vintage: the 16710 (Pepsi/Coke/black) is the versatile collector pick; the 1675 and 16760 'Fat Lady' are serious vintage territory.
On modern watches, check the bracelet choice (Jubilee or Oyster) suits you, the ceramic bezel is unchipped, and the rehaut serial matches the card. On vintage, the aluminium bezel insert and its fading are a major value factor — original faded inserts can be prized, replacements less so. Confirm the dial is original to the reference; service dials are common on 1675s.
The 16710 spanned calibres 3185 and the later 3186 (with Parachrom hairspring) — the 3186 is generally preferred. The 116710 used the 3186; the current 126710 uses the 3285 with a 70-hour reserve. Matching the calibre to the serial era is part of verifying an honest watch.
Like the Submariner, steel GMTs carry retail waitlists and trade above list pre-owned. The Pepsi and Batman are the most liquid; the Sprite and Root Beer are more niche. Buy condition and completeness over chasing the lowest price.
Buying guide FAQ
They are the same watch with different bezels. The Pepsi (red-and-blue) is bolder and more historic; the Batman (blue-and-black) is more understated and versatile. Both use calibre 3285 and come on Jubilee or Oyster bracelets.
It can be, but vintage GMTs (1675, 16710) require care: bezel originality, dial authenticity, and calibre-to-era matching all affect value. Buy from a knowledgeable seller and authenticate.
Demand far exceeds retail supply, the two-colour ceramic bezels are hard to produce, and the steel models carry long waitlists — so secondary-market prices sit above list.