**Title:** Did Rolex Discontinue the Pepsi? The Definitive Guide to the GMT-Master II 126710BLRO

**Complete Article Body:**
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### Topic Map: What This Pillar Page Covers
– **Introduction:** The "Pepsi" panic – why the rumor persists.
– **Core Question:** Did Rolex actually discontinue the Pepsi?
– **Subtopic 1: The Birth of the "Pepsi" – A Legacy (Ref. 6542 to 1675)**
– **Subtopic 2: The Ceramic Revolution & The "Wrong" Pepsi (Ref. 116719BLRO)**
– **Subtopic 3: The Modern Savior – Oystersteel Returns (Ref. 126710BLRO)**
– **Subtopic 4: The Production Reality – Why Supply Is Scarce**
– **Subtopic 5: The 2022 Discontinuation Scare (Jubilee vs. Oyster)**
– **Subtopic 6: The Current State (2024-2025) – Still in the Catalog**
– **Subtopic 7: Value & Collectibility – Are Prices Dropping?**
– **Subtopic 8: How to Buy a New Pepsi in 2025**
– **Conclusion: Rumor vs. Reality**
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### Introduction
If you search online for "Did Rolex discontinue the Pepsi," you will find forums flooded with panic, confused YouTube titles, and vintage dealers rubbing their hands together. The answer is both simple and complex. **No, Rolex has NOT discontinued the GMT-Master II reference 126710BLRO (the "Pepsi").** However, the watch remains notoriously difficult to obtain, and periodic tweaks to the lineup have fueled persistent rumors that the red-and-blue bezel is on the chopping block. This pillar page will dissect every layer of that rumor, from its ceramic birth to its current production status, helping you separate fact from watch-industry folklore.
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### Subtopic 1: The Birth of the "Pepsi" – A Legacy (Ref. 6542 to 1675)
To understand the panic, you must understand the icon. The "Pepsi" bezel debuted in 1954 with the reference 6542, Rolex’s first dual-time watch created for Pan Am pilots. The red-and-blue Bakelite bezel was functional: red for day hours (daylight), blue for night hours. Over decades, references 1675, 16750, and 16760 refined the design, cementing the Pepsi as the most sought-after color combination in the GMT lineup. **Internal Link Opportunity:** [Explore the full history of the GMT-Master series here →] This legacy created an almost religious attachment; any hint of removal triggers market hysteria.
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### Subtopic 2: The Ceramic Revolution & The "Wrong" Pepsi (Ref. 116719BLRO)
In 2014, Rolex introduced the ceramic (Cerachrom) bezel for the GMT-Master II. The first ceramic "Pepsi" was the reference 116719BLRO. The problem? It was only available in **white gold**. At $38,000+, it was a luxury item most enthusiasts couldn’t afford. Worse, the ceramic manufacturing was notoriously difficult—Rolex struggled to produce the seamless red-and-blue transition without bleeding colors. This fueled the first major "discontinuation" rumor: *"Rolex can’t make the ceramic Pepsi, so they’ll kill it."* **Internal Link Opportunity:** [Why White Gold Pepsi is a collector’s sleeper →]
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### Subtopic 3: The Modern Savior – Oystersteel Returns (Ref. 126710BLRO)
In 2018, at Baselworld, Rolex shocked the industry: they announced the **126710BLRO**. This was the ceramic Pepsi in **Oystersteel** (stainless steel) with a Jubilee bracelet. Waitlists exploded overnight. The rumor was finally dead—Rolex *could* make the ceramic Pepsi affordably. However, the jubilation was short-lived. **Key detail:** The new steel version had a different movement (Caliber 3285) and a major change: it only came on a Jubilee, while the previous steel GMTs (like the "Batman") were on Oyster. This created a new rumor: *"Rolex is making the Pepsi only on Jubilee to kill demand."* **Internal Link Opportunity:** [Jubilee vs. Oyster: Which bracelet is right for you? →]
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### Subtopic 4: The Production Reality – Why Supply Is Scarce
The most persistent reason behind the "discontinuation" rumor is sheer scarcity. Rolex produces roughly 1 million watches per year, but the steel Pepsi is likely a low-single-digit percentage of that output. Why? Manufacturing the two-color ceramic bezel is still technically demanding; rejects are high. Combined with artificial scarcity (Rolex limits supply to boutiques) and genuine demand from a global audience, the Pepsi has a perceived availability of near-zero. This leads to the logical but erroneous conclusion: *"I never see it, so they stopped making it."* **Internal Link Opportunity:** [How Rolex allocation works: The AD relationship explained →]
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### Subtopic 5: The 2022 Discontinuation Scare (Jubilee vs. Oyster)
The most acute scare came in 2022. Rolex introduced the left-handed GMT-Master II (ref. 126720VTNR, the "Sprite") and simultaneously released a new version of the Pepsi—the **126710BLRO on an Oyster bracelet**. Confusion erupted. Some interpreted the new Oyster-bracelet Pepsi as a "replacement" for the Jubilee model, implying the original Jubilee version was discontinued. In reality, Rolex simply expanded the lineup: you can now buy the Pepsi on either bracelet. **No version has been discontinued.** The 2022 panic is a perfect case study of how minor catalog updates feed major rumors. **Internal Link Opportunity:** [Sprite vs. Pepsi: How to choose your GMT →]
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### Subtopic 6: The Current State (2024-2025) – Still in the Catalog
As of 2025, the Rolex GMT-Master II reference 126710BLRO (Pepsi) remains an **active production model**. It sits alongside the "Batman" (126710BLNR), "Sprite" (126720VTNR), and "Bruce Wayne" (126710GRNR). It is listed on Rolex’s official website and is available (theoretically) at authorized dealers. **Key caveat:** Rolex does not publish production end dates. But given the Pepsi’s status as the brand’s most famous colorway, discontinuing it without an immediate successor (e.g., a titanium model) would be a commercial anomaly. **Internal Link Opportunity:** [Full 2025 Rolex GMT-Master II lineup comparison →]
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### Subtopic 7: Value & Collectibility – Are Prices Dropping?
A rumor often drives price, and the "discontinuation" panic has created a secondary market premium. Pre-owned steel Pepsi watches routinely trade for **$18,000-$22,000**, nearly double the retail price of ~$10,700. However, the market has softened slightly since the 2022 peak. Why? Because the watch is *not* discontinued. Collectors are now waiting, knowing another batch will come. If Rolex were to ever officially discontinue the Pepsi, expect a 30-50% price spike overnight. **Internal Link Opportunity:** [Pepsi vs. Batman: Which holds value better? →]
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### Subtopic 8: How to Buy a New Pepsi in 2025
If the watch isn’t discontinued, how do you get one? There is no trick.
1. **Build a relationship** with an Authorized Dealer (AD). Be prepared to buy other watches (e.g., a Datejust or Explorer) first.
2. **Join a waitlist** honestly; expect a 1-3 year wait for new clients.
3. **Go grey market** (Chrono24, Bob’s Watches, DavidSW) and pay a premium.
4. **Avoid scammers** – never pay upfront for a "new, unworn" Pepsi from an unverified seller.
**Internal Link Opportunity:** [10 tips for navigating the Rolex waitlist →]
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### Conclusion: Rumor vs. Reality
**Did Rolex discontinue the Pepsi?** No. The red-and-blue GMT-Master II 126710BLRO is alive and well in the 2025 catalog. The rumor persists because scarcity masquerades as absence, and because watch enthusiasts love a crisis. The reality is simpler: Rolex makes the Pepsi in small numbers, on both Jubilee and Oyster bracelets, and has no public reason to stop. The only true "discontinuation" was the white gold-only 116719BLRO—which was replaced by the steel version we now know. So rest easy: the Pepsi isn’t gone. You just have to be patient—or wealthy—to get one.
**Further Reading Internal Map:**
– [Rolex GMT-Master II: Complete Buyer’s Guide]
– [The Unofficial History of Rolex Bezel Colors]
– [How to