Few colour combinations in watchmaking have achieved the mythic stature of the red and blue bezel, affectionately christened the “Pepsi.” Originally conceived for practical dual time functionality, this vivid pairing evolved into a design signature that transcends utility. Today, the Pepsi bezel represents heritage, travel, and unmistakable wrist presence. From aviation roots to haute horology reinterpretations, these five timepieces exemplify the enduring charisma of the world’s most famous bi-colour bezel. Born from the practical necessity of distinguishing day from night on a 24 hour GMT scale, it has since matured into a design trope that signals travel, heritage, and effortless cool. From democratic quartz revivals to Swiss mechanical heavyweights, the Pepsi watch today exists across strata of luxury, each iteration reinforcing its enduring magnetism.
Rolex GMT-Master II
The archetype from which all Pepsi conversations flow. This 40 mm Oystersteel case timepiece is equipped with a Triplock screw-down winding crown featuring a triple waterproofness system at 3 o’clock. Above the dial sits a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a signature Cyclops lens over the date window at 3 o’clock, offering ease of reading the date at a glance. Surrounding the case is a hallmark bidirectional rotatable 24-hour graduated bezel, fitted with a two-colour Cerachrom insert in red and blue ceramic — the defining “Pepsi” bezel that allows the wearer to track day and night hours or a second time zone. The arrow-tipped GMT hand circles the dial once every 24 hours, working in harmony with the bezel’s graduations to enable intuitive reading of an additional timezone — a feature that gives this model its enduring appeal among global travellers. The black dial provides a clean, high-contrast backdrop for exceptional legibility. Traditional Rolex hands and hour markers — triangles, circles, and rectangles — are generously filled with Chromalight luminescent material, emitting a long-lasting blue glow in low-light conditions. At the heart of this GMT-Master II beats the Calibre 3285, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Certified as a Superlative Chronometer — a designation that goes beyond the COSC standard — this calibre delivers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours
Tudor Black Bay GMT
If Rolex is sovereign, Tudor is the charismatic younger sibling with vintage flair. This 41mm stainless steel timepiece gets polished and satin brushed surfaces, and a winding crown at 3 o’clock, adorned with the Tudor rose. There is a 48 notch bidirectional rotating bezel in stainless steel, fitted with a matt burgundy and deep blue anodised aluminium insert calibrated for 24 hours. The burgundy sector denotes daylight hours, while the deep blue segment signifies night time. Together with the dedicated red Snowflake GMT hand that completes one full rotation every 24 hours, the bezel forms a precise and highly legible dual time display. The domed opaline dial, finished with a galvanic treatment with applied hour markers filled with Grade A Swiss Super LumiNova. At 3 o’clock sits an instantaneous date window. Beneath this carefully composed exterior beats the Manufacture Calibre MT5652, a self winding mechanical movement with bidirectional rotor system and integrated construction delivering an impressive power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer GMT Automatic
A Calibre 7 GMT powered Aquaracer with an expansive 43mm stainless steel case and a two-colour GMT function bezel for additional time zones. The dial’s distinctive horizontal streak effect and special luminescence markers on the hands, and trapezoidal shaped hour markers make reading easy in dim light or under water. The dial has a date window at 3 o’clock, and is powered by Calibre 7 with a 50-hour power reserve.
Timex Q Reissue
The Timex Q Reissue is proof that the Pepsi aesthetic need not reside exclusively within haute horology. This 38mm stainless steel watch has a ratcheted bezel, a 12-hour red-blue bezel, and a crown at 3 o’clock. The blue dial gets hour, minute, and second hands with a day-date window at 3 o’clock. Powering the watch is a quartz movement.
Seiko 5 Sports
Seiko’s 5 Sports collection brings mechanical credibility to the accessible end of the spectrum. Select Pepsi bezel variants within the line combine automatic reliability with youthful design language. Robust, versatile, and enthusiast approved, the Seiko 5 Sports Pepsi models offer everyday wearability with unmistakable visual punch. This 42.5mm stainless steel timepiece has a with a black hard coating, a fluted bezel, a winding crown at 4 o’clock, and a red-blue 24 hour bezel. The black dial gets lumibrite on hour, minute, second and red GMT hands and also on the hour markers. The dial also gets a date window at 3 o’clock with a date magnifier glass. Powering the watch is calibre 4R34 with a 41-hour power reserve.
