This is my very first watch review, so please be patient with me. I was asked to review my Rolex GMT Master II 16710 “Coke” with a red and black bezel from c. 1992. I will draw here and there comparisons to the Rolex GMT Master II with the red and blue bezel aka 126710 from 2018 (“Pepsi”). Yes – I am a lucky owner of that masterpiece as well!

The Coke is a modern classic of Rolex. It is not as big as current watches with a diameter of only 40mm vs today’s GMT size of 42mm. The “old” Oyster bracelet is comfortable, but lacks the features of new Rolex bracelets such as the Gildelock mechanism, which the Pepsi has. It makes it much more comfortable. In general the Pepsi is extremely comfortable to wear due to the Jubilee bracelet, but it is more present on the wrist compared to the Coke.

What I like about old Rolex is that they are thinner, smaller and more subtle, less flashy. The new ones are chunkier and more glamorous. I like both and there is an occasion for both, but in general I prefer the older ones.

In regards to the dials, both are black, but the one on the Pepsi is a bit more glossy and has bigger markers. The bezel is aside from the size the biggest difference. The new Pepsi has a ceramic bezel with platinum filled numbers. Mine is the very first version (Mk1) and the colors are not as dark as the newer versions as Rolex has improved the production process of the bezel. The Rolex GMT Master II 16710 Coke has a painted aluminum bezel with superb colors, but it is less shiny compared to the Pepsi. In addition, the aluminum bezel can develop a patina and get scratched, which the ceramic bezel will never do. When using it you feel that the new bezel is more refined in the way it moves and clicks.

With regards to the 3186 movement I don’t have much to say aside from the fact that the newer one is “better” and has a power reserve of 70 hours compared to the 48 hours of the Coke. Apologies for not going into any specifics here, but I believe there are great write ups available on that already.

The GMT mechanism on both watches works in the same way by using the fourth hand or turning the bezel to adjust to another time zone. I personally use it frequently when traveling or when communicating with relatives, so that I know what time it is in their respective time zone.