GMT-Master II Pepsi vs Batman vs Root Beer: Complete Bezel Color Guide

No Rolex collection has generated more nicknames than the GMT-Master II.
The two-tone bezel, originally a functional tool for pilots reading day and night hours at a glance, turned out to be the perfect canvas for color combinations that collectors couldn't resist naming after sodas and superheroes.
If you've ever seen "Pepsi" or "Batman" in a listing and wondered what it actually means, or which one is right for you, this is the complete guide.

The Short Answer

Every GMT-Master II nickname refers to the two-tone color combination of its bezel insert, not a different model or movement. Here's the full lineup, oldest to newest:

None of these are official Rolex names.

Rolex refers to every reference by its number and, at most, a color description like "blue and red."
The nicknames come entirely from collectors, dealers, and forums, but they've become so widely used that even auction houses and major retailers list watches by nickname now.

Pepsi: Where It All Started

The original two-tone GMT-Master bezel from 1955 was blue and red, built for Pan American Airways pilots who needed to read both day and night hours instantly. The blue-and-red combination visually echoes the Pepsi-Cola logo, hence the name that stuck for good.

The Pepsi has appeared across more eras than any other GMT colorway, from the original bakelite-bezel references through aluminum inserts like the 16700, to the modern ceramic Cerachrom bezel on the 126710BLRO.
This makes Pepsi the most approachable nickname to shop for pre-owned, since there's a Pepsi in nearly every era and price bracket.

Coke: The Bolder, Discontinued Cousin

The Coke swaps blue for black, pairing black and red in a bezel that debuted in 1983 on the ref. 16760 (itself nicknamed the "Fat Lady" for its unusually thick case) and continued through the widely loved ref. 16710 until 2007. The red-and-black pairing evokes the Coca-Cola logo.

Unlike the Pepsi, Rolex has never brought back a Coke colorway in the modern ceramic era, which keeps demand for good pre-owned examples of the 16710 consistently strong. If you want a Coke GMT, pre-owned is currently the only route, since there is no current-production equivalent.

Root Beer: The Warmer, Two-Tone Classic

Root Beer isn't a single reference but a family of two-tone GMT-Master and GMT-Master II watches combining steel and gold, with a brown-and-gold or black-and-brown bezel. It first appeared in the 1970s, went out of production in 2006 alongside the older four-digit and five-digit cases, then returned in 2018 with a modern Cerachrom ceramic bezel on the ref. 126711CHNR.

Root Beer is also sometimes called "Dirty Harry" by collectors, after the two-tone GMT-Master worn by Clint Eastwood's character in the 1970s films. Because Root Beer references are steel-and-gold rather than full steel, they tend to sit at a different price point and appeal to buyers who want a dressier, warmer alternative to the sportier Pepsi or Batman.

Batman: The First Two-Color Ceramic Bezel

Released in 2013, the ref. 116710BLNR paired black and blue in Rolex's Cerachrom ceramic for the first time, a genuine manufacturing achievement since bi-color ceramic was far harder to produce reliably than the single-color inserts used until then. The black-and-blue combination immediately reminded collectors of Batman's costume, and the nickname was permanent within months of release.

The original Batman came exclusively on an Oyster bracelet and was discontinued in 2019, which has pushed pre-owned prices for clean examples steadily upward ever since.

Batgirl: Same Bezel, Different Bracelet

When Rolex reintroduced the black-and-blue bezel in 2019 as the ref. 126710BLNR, it came on a Jubilee bracelet instead of the original's Oyster, and with the newer caliber 3285 movement. Collectors quickly nicknamed this version "Batgirl" to distinguish it from the original Oyster-bracelet Batman, even though the bezel color itself is identical.

If you're shopping pre-owned and see "Batman" versus "Batgirl" in a listing, the distinction is entirely about bracelet and generation, not bezel color. Both wear the same black-and-blue insert.

Bruce Wayne: The Stealthier Alternative

The ref. 126710GRNR, released in 2022, swaps blue for grey alongside black, producing a more subdued, monochrome-leaning bezel. Collectors named it "Bruce Wayne" after Batman's civilian identity, continuing the superhero theme started by the Batman a decade earlier.
It's currently in production and offered on both Oyster and Jubilee bracelets.

Sprite: The Newest Soda Name

Introduced in 2022, the ref. 126720VTNR pairs black and green in a Cerachrom bezel, reviving the soda-naming convention after a run of superhero names. The green-and-black combination visually nods to the Sprite logo. It's also sometimes called the "Destro" or "Left-Handed GMT" by collectors, since Rolex placed the crown on the left side of the case, a genuinely unusual layout designed for wearing on the right wrist.

A Common Mix-Up: The Hulk Is Not a GMT

If you've heard the name "Hulk" in the same conversations as Pepsi and Batman, it's worth clearing up: the Hulk (ref. 116610LV) is a green-bezel, green-dial Submariner, not a GMT-Master II. It earned its nickname the same way, through a bold color and a superhero association, but it belongs to a different collection entirely with a different case, bezel type, and function. It's an easy mix-up, but the two watches aren't interchangeable, and it's worth knowing the difference before you go shopping.

Which Bezel Should You Buy?

Choose Pepsi if: you want the most recognizable, most versatile GMT colorway with the widest range of vintage-to-modern options and price points.

Choose Coke if: you specifically want a discontinued colorway with no modern equivalent, and you don't mind shopping exclusively pre-owned.

Choose Root Beer if: you want a warmer, dressier two-tone GMT rather than a full-steel sports watch.

Choose Batman or Batgirl if: you want the boldest, most modern-feeling colorway, and are comfortable choosing between Oyster (Batman) and Jubilee (Batgirl) bracelets.

Choose Bruce Wayne if: you like the Batman family but want something more understated for daily wear.

Choose Sprite if: you want the newest colorway and don't mind the unusual left-crown case design that comes with it.

Buying a Pre-Owned GMT-Master II: What to Check

1. Bezel insert integrity. Ceramic inserts (post-2005 references) resist fading and scratching far better than the earlier aluminum bezels used on references like the 16700 and 16710. On aluminum bezels, check specifically for color fading, particularly on the red half of Pepsi and Coke bezels.
2. GMT hand alignment. The independently adjustable 24-hour hand should move freely and align correctly with the bezel scale. Misalignment can indicate prior movement service issues.
3. Bracelet type and generation. As with Batman versus Batgirl, bracelet and case generation can look identical in bezel color but represent very different production years and price points. Confirm exact reference number, not just nickname, before buying.
4. Two-tone wear (Root Beer specifically). Gold surfaces on steel-and-gold references can show more visible wear than full steel watches. Check bezel edges and clasp for brassing or thinning.
5. Papers and box. As always, a full set supports resale value, but condition and service history matter more for long-term satisfaction than paperwork alone.

Our Take

The nicknames are fun, but the decision underneath them is straightforward: full steel and sporty (Pepsi, Coke, Batman, Bruce Wayne, Sprite) versus steel-and-gold and dressier (Root Beer). From there, availability drives most of the rest: Coke and the original Oyster-bracelet Batman are both discontinued, so if you want one, buying pre-owned isn't a preference, it's the only option. For a first GMT, we'd point most buyers toward a Pepsi for its balance of recognizability, versatility, and range of price points across generations.

Browse our current GMT-Master II collection, including Pepsi, Batman, Batgirl, Bruce Wayne, Sprite, and two-tone Root Beer-adjacent references, all backed by our laboratory's checks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between GMT-Master II Batman and Batgirl? Both feature the same black-and-blue ceramic bezel. The original Batman (ref. 116710BLNR, 2013–2019) came only on an Oyster bracelet, while the reintroduced version, nicknamed Batgirl (ref. 126710BLNR, 2019–present), comes on a Jubilee bracelet with an updated movement.

Is the Rolex Coke bezel still made? No. The Coke (black-and-red bezel, ref. 16710) was discontinued in 2007 and has no current equivalent in Rolex's catalog, which is part of why demand for clean pre-owned examples remains strong.

Why is it called a Root Beer GMT if it doesn't have a specific reference number? Root Beer refers to a family of steel-and-gold GMT-Master and GMT-Master II watches with a brown-and-gold or black-and-brown bezel, spanning multiple references and decades rather than one single model.

Is the Hulk part of the GMT-Master II lineup? No. The Hulk (ref. 116610LV) is a green Submariner, not a GMT-Master II. It's a common point of confusion because both nicknames come from bold color schemes and superhero associations, but the two watches are different models entirely.

Which GMT-Master II bezel is considered a good investment? Discontinued colorways with strong ongoing demand, like the Coke and the original Oyster Batman, have historically held value well due to limited supply. Current production references like Pepsi and Root Beer tend to track closer to retail with less scarcity-driven premium, though all GMT-Master II references have generally performed well on the pre-owned market.