Opinions on 'Pepsi' GMT II bezel insert please!

[pauleypaul]

Hi everyone,
Walking past my AD today i spotted a pre-owned 1991 GMT II with box, papers, service receipts, all tags etc and decided to take the plunge!
When i collect it tomorrow i need to decide which insert to have: It has the red/black in at the moment, but my fabulous AD has said i can have any replacement insert free of charge.
My heart says go with the Pepsi, my head says keep it ALL original as it is.
I welcome all input, and i PROMISE to post pics when i have it.
Thanks in advance,
Pauley :-)

[JBHII]

CONGRATS!!!

Why not get both the Pepsi and the "Coke" bezel inserts (red/black)? If he'll sell you both, then you change them from time to time (fairly easy to do). It's like having two watches!

[pauleypaul]

Fabulous idea, although i'm not sure i have the courage to do the swap!
:-)

[mike]

I certainly understand the quest to keep it original. The original 1675 was indeed equipped with the traditional RED/BLUE insert (Black came along in the eraly 70s).
However; when it made it's debut as the reference 16760 circa 1983, the GMT II was only manufactured with the RED/BLACK insert. (Though certainly any insert sized for the GMT II will fit)
It was with the introduction of the reference 16710 that Rolex made all bezel inserts correct for the model.

The idea of having multiple inserts has a lot of merit as one of the strengths of the GMT II is it's versatility. Changing the look does indeed make one feel like having a new watch!
There are several excellent tutorials on how to change the insert.

[pauleypaul]

Thanks Mike,
The model i'm getting i think is a 16710, (1991) so it has the Tritium dial with the WG surrounds.
The bracelet looks like a service replacement since it is non sel oyster and not a fliplock. Again i am tempted here to get the correct bracelet with not so much unease since it is already non-original.
It being 22:10 here in England, it is realistically about 15 hours until i collect it on Saturday (Nov) 23rd, and i'm really excited!
I think because this one kind of ambushed me it's just starting to sink in!
You have some nice watches there by the way, i particularly like the middle one with the matt-black dial and 'proper' tritium markers.
:-)

[mike]

pauleypaul said:

Thanks Mike,
The model i'm getting i think is a 16710, (1991) so it has the Tritium dial with the WG surrounds.
The bracelet looks like a service replacement since it is non sel oyster and not a fliplock. Again i am tempted here to get the correct bracelet with not so much unease since it is already non-original.
It being 22:10 here in England, it is realistically about 15 hours until i collect it on Saturday (Nov) 23rd, and i'm really excited!
I think because this one kind of ambushed me it's just starting to sink in!
You have some nice watches there by the way, i particularly like the middle one with the matt-black dial and 'proper' tritium markers.
:-)

Yep! 1991 would indeed be a 16710--the 16760 left the house circa 1988. Your bracelet may be correct. SELs generally can onto the scene on the GMT II around the A series ( say around 2001)

[goodwatchgoodtime]

Get the Pepsi insert for sure. I've recently acquired 1990 vintage GMTII
with an all black insert. After having a Sub for many years I wanted to a change and the red/blue bezel looks so much cooler than all black. I have a red/black bezel Oris so I didn't bother with it on the Rolex.
One thing I noticed is that it makes the watch appear larger than the 40mm it is. Also you don't see many Pepsi GMTs as of late. It stands out
more and I've noticed that more non-enthusiasts are checking out the thing & asking about it. Get both inserts if you can and have a pro swap them out about once a year. It shouldn't cost much.
Good luck.
Mike

[pauleypaul]

Thanks for all your input everyone, i collected the watch yesterday,(Saturday 24th) and have asked my AD to get the pepsi for me. I will be posting pics in the thread 'My new (old) GMT II' in a little while so thanks again and see you there!
:-)