Choose the Pepsi (126710BLRO) if you want the heritage red and blue bezel that people recognise across a room, and choose the Batman (126710BLNR) if you want the same GMT-Master II in a darker blue and black that goes with almost anything. Rolex discontinued the Pepsi in early 2026, so it is now a secondary-market purchase, while the Batman is still in Rolex's catalogue. Both are 40 mm Oystersteel watches with the same movement, the same case and the same 100 metre water resistance, so the decision is about colour, character and how much attention you want the watch to draw. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk, not an authorised Rolex retailer: browse the Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master II watches we can source and the Rolex Batman GMT-Master II watches we can source to see the configurations we can seek to order.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Figures on linked listings are dated observations, not quotes. Source: Rolex, GMT-Master II collection.
What is the difference between the Rolex Pepsi and the Batman?
The only built-in difference is the bezel: the Pepsi has a red and blue ceramic bezel, and the Batman has a blue and black one. Rolex does not use either nickname, so each is collector shorthand for a specific reference, which our guide to Rolex nicknames maps in full. The Pepsi nickname comes from the red and blue colour scheme of the original 1950s GMT-Master. The Batman name comes from the dark, comic-book palette of the black and blue insert. In both watches the two colours split the 24-hour bezel into day and night halves, so the colours are functional as well as decorative.
Pepsi vs Batman: how do the specifications compare?
The two watches share everything except bezel colours and, in some configurations, the bracelet. The table lists the specifications Rolex published for the 126710 generation. Rolex stopped supplying the steel Pepsi 126710BLRO (Jubilee and Oyster) and the white gold 126719BLRO in early 2026. Both had left its catalogue by Watches & Wonders 2026 in April, with no successor, so a Pepsi now comes only from the secondary market. The Batman 126710BLNR is still in production.
| Attribute | Pepsi 126710BLRO (discontinued 2026) | Batman 126710BLNR |
|---|---|---|
| Bezel | Red and blue Cerachrom, 24-hour scale | Blue and black Cerachrom, 24-hour scale |
| Case | 40 mm Oystersteel | 40 mm Oystersteel |
| Dial | Black | Black |
| Movement | Calibre 3285, automatic | Calibre 3285, automatic |
| Power reserve | About 70 hours | About 70 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 metres | 100 metres |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, second time zone |
| Bracelet | Jubilee on the common configuration | Jubilee on the common configuration; the earlier 116710BLNR used an Oyster |
Because movement and case match, neither watch is technically better. Bracelet options vary by reference and year, so confirm the exact reference and bracelet on the watch you are offered.
Which looks better: red and blue or blue and black?
That is a matter of taste, but each bezel has a clear personality. The red and blue Pepsi is bold and nostalgic; it reads as a statement and pairs best with casual and sporty clothing. The blue and black Batman is quieter, and the dark insert sits comfortably under a shirt cuff or with a suit. Both use the same black dial, so the difference shows mostly on the bezel and in the light: the blue shifts between navy and bright in daylight, and the red on the Pepsi leans from deep to vivid depending on the angle.
Is the Pepsi or the Batman easier to wear every day?
The Batman is the easier daily watch, and the Pepsi is the more expressive one. A dark bezel disappears into most outfits, while the red segment on the Pepsi becomes the first thing people see. Wear comfort is identical, because the case size, thickness and weight are the same for the same bracelet. If you wear a watch to the office and on weekends, the Batman asks less of your wardrobe. If you already wear colour and want the watch to be a talking point, the Pepsi earns its place.
Jubilee or Oyster: which bracelet comes with each?
Most Pepsi and Batman watches we see are on the five-link Jubilee, which is lighter and more flexible than the three-link Oyster. The Oyster is the sportier, more rugged look, and the earlier Batman, the 116710BLNR, came on an Oyster. Collectors use the term "Batgirl" for the 126710BLNR on a Jubilee, although usage varies and we always work from the reference number. If a bracelet matters to you, say so in your sourcing request, because the same bezel can be offered on either style depending on the reference and year.
Which holds value or is harder to find?
The Pepsi has historically drawn the stronger collector demand, and the Batman is usually the more accessible of the two. The Pepsi is now the harder one to find: Rolex discontinued it in early 2026, so authorised dealers no longer receive it and every example comes from the secondary market. The Batman is still in production and has a long waiting history at authorised retailers, so unworn examples tend to trade above retail. We do not quote prices in articles, because asks change from week to week; compare the from-prices on the linked listings, then request a quote for the exact watch. Demand moves with the market, so treat any claim that one is a guaranteed investment with caution. Every watch we offer is sourced on demand, so nothing here implies a unit is waiting on a shelf.
How do other GMT-Master II colours compare?
There are other bezel options if neither suits you. The green and black Rolex Sprite GMT-Master II has a left-hand crown, the grey and black version is known as the Bruce Wayne, and the brown and black Root Beer is paired with gold. You can see the whole family in our Rolex GMT-Master II collection and the wider Rolex collection. If you are weighing the travel watch against a dive watch instead, read GMT-Master II vs Submariner.
Which GMT-Master II should you buy?
Buy the Pepsi if you want the heritage colour and the watch that most people picture when they hear "GMT-Master". Buy the Batman if you want an understated daily wearer with the same spec. If you cannot decide, try both on a wrist before committing, because the bezel colours look different in person than in photos. The catalogue entries are the GMT-Master II 126710BLRO Pepsi and the GMT-Master II 126710BLNR Batman.
Quick answers
Is the Rolex Pepsi better than the Batman?
Neither is better. They share a case, movement and water resistance, so the Pepsi suits buyers who want heritage and colour, and the Batman suits buyers who want a darker, more versatile look.
Do the Pepsi and Batman use the same movement?
Yes. Both the 126710BLRO and the 126710BLNR use the in-house calibre 3285, an automatic movement with about 70 hours of power reserve.
Which has the higher demand?
The Pepsi has historically drawn stronger collector demand, but both are popular and prices move with the market, so ask for a dated quote on the exact reference.
Why is the Batman sometimes called the Batgirl?
Some collectors use Batman for the Oyster-bracelet 116710BLNR and Batgirl for the 126710BLNR on a Jubilee. Rolex uses neither name, so always confirm the reference number.
Are the Pepsi and Batman water resistant for swimming?
Both are rated to 100 metres, which covers swimming and daily use, but neither is a dive watch.
Related reading: Rolex Batman vs Batgirl, Rolex nicknames explained.
Get your GMT-Master II sourced
Tell us the model, size, dial and bracelet preference, whether you want new or pre-owned, and your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit. Browse the Pepsi, Batman and GMT-Master II collections, or sell or trade a watch toward your next Rolex.
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