1968 Rolex GMT-Master 'Pepsi'
Reference 1675
Stainless Steel
Original Tropic 38 Crystal
Uber Rare: Tropical Brown Dial, Fuchsia Bezel
Rolex 1968/1969 Calendar, Oyster Booklet, Chronometer Booklet, Box, Original Hang Tag and Green Circle Rolex Tag
Once a standard, deep matte black, the dial has undergone a "Tropical" transformation. Decades of exposure to UV light and humidity have oxidized the surface, turning it into a rich, variegated tobacco brown.
The iconic "Pepsi" bezel, originally a bold, primary red and blue, has aged with equal poetic flair. The blue half has softened into a "ghost" denim hue, while the red has shifted into a vibrant, electric Fuchsia. This specific color shift is a rare chemical anomaly found in a narrow window of late-60s production, a hallmark for the world’s most serious collectors.
Own a piece of history...
Rolexes legacy is as the leader of iconic technical tool watches having created many patented innovations including the screw down crown, anti-magnetic casing, helium release valve, the ratchet bezel...
The Rolex Pepsi GMT is one of the most recognizable watches on the planet. Launched in 1954, it was designed for pilots in the age of transcontinental flights. The characteristic blue and red bezel was said to be inspired by the colors of Pan American Airways, who commissioned the watch from Rolex.
In 1960, Rolex launched their second series of the GMT-Master, a reference that would run until approximately 1980, the reference 1675. This new reference featured the new 1530 series movement, in the case of the GMT-Master caliber 1565. The most striking feature of the updated watch was the presence of crown guards. The case had been enlarged by 2mm and was now 40mm (excluding the crown guards) and was again available in both stainless steel (1675/0) and 18ct yellow gold (1675/8).
Rolex also introduced the aluminium insert as standard on the reference 1675. On the steel version the ‘Pepsi’ bezel was standard and on the yellow gold watch the insert was brown. The 1675 went through two crown guard versions too. The first iteration is referred to by collectors as pointed crown guards (PCG) or in Italian ‘cornino’. This was due to the thin and sharp profile of the guards. The later version is much thicker and rounded and can be referred to as rounded crown guards as per the lingo used for Submariners.
Ours is in excellent condition with very strong lugs, original dial, hands, period bracelet and is authenticated and guaranteed original.