Rolex
GMT Master II L Series - Faded Pepsi

Rolex GMT-Master II — Ref. 16710 L-Series (1989) Pepsi bezel “red faded” Steel 40 mm, Sapphire crystal, Calibre 3185, Tritium dial — Mostra luxury box

Travel is not only about changing place, but about leaving one’s imprint, on places and on the patina of time.

The GMT-Master II does not only tick off the hours: it keeps the memory of journeys. Aluminium inserts tell latitudes through their shade; here, the red of the Pepsi has gently faded, like posters scorched by summers, while the tritium has warmed its tone over the years. You wear it daily like a discreet flight log: you set the local time with a click of the hand, you let the 24-hour hand watch over the home time zone, you find on the wrist that texture of time that is the charm of “five-digit” Rolex. There is nothing affected here: only the rare alliance of a first-year 16710, a patinated Pepsi insert and a tritium dial that has taken the light at its own pace.

Born in 1955 for Pan Am with ref. 6542, the GMT established itself as the crews’ tool. The 1675 (1959–1980) set the icon, then the 16760 known as “Fat Lady” (1983–1988) inaugurated the GMT-Master II line with a movement featuring an independent hour hand. In 1989, the 16710 took over: sapphire, 100 m water-resistance, aluminium Pepsi/Coke/Black inserts and the calibre 3185 at 28,800 vph. It coexisted for a time with the 16700 (the “simple” GMT-Master), before evolving in the late 1990s toward modern luminous compounds, then bowing out in 2007 in favour of six-digit references. Our L-series example sits at the very start of production, with a tritium dial and characteristic drilled lugs.

The 40 mm 904L steel case has a slim profile and drilled lugs that make strap changes easy; the knurled bidirectional bezel carries a Pepsi aluminium insert whose red has taken on a very attractive raspberry hue, echoing its day/night reading purpose. The flat sapphire crystal, topped by the Cyclops, protects a matte black dial marked SWISS-T<25 with tritium hour plots, matched to period Mercedes hands. The self-winding calibre 3185 offers hacking seconds, a jumping local hour for border crossings, a coupled date and a 24-hour hand for the reference time zone; its frequency of 28,800 vibrations/hour and power reserve of about 48 hours ensure precision and comfort in use. The whole is rated to 100 m (vintage watch: everyday use recommended after Workshop checks). Between Oyster and Jubilee, the 16710 accepts a wide range of 20 mm bracelets; the drilled lugs heighten this pleasure of personalisation.

This is the watch for mobile lives or for those who work across time zones. You set local time on arriving in London, Rotterdam or Rio, you keep Paris or UTC on the 24-hour track, you read at a glance the bezel’s two-tone logic. The Pepsi “red faded” softens the tool and gives it that cinematic grain enthusiasts seek. Day to day, the 16710 moves from Oxford cotton to a jacket, from an Oyster bracelet to tan calfskin, without ever forcing the look. It naturally imposes itself as the everyday Rolex for those who travel, negotiate, write, pilot — or are already dreaming of the next departure.

The 16710 was produced from 1989 to 2007. L-series covers 1989–1990, marking the model’s start with tritium dials (until around 1998). Pepsi/Coke/Black inserts coexisted; the calibre 3185 powers most of the production, with a few 3186 appearing only at the very end (2007). Our 1989 watch sits at the very first chapter of the 16710, with the sought-after attributes: tritium, drilled lugs, Pepsi insert. A 1989 example featuring a Pepsi insert whose red is nicely softened, original tritium dial and hands with even patina, a case retaining sharp edges with wear consistent with age. Watch checked by the Mostra Workshop (rate, amplitudes, functional everyday water checks), delivered with a Mostra luxury box for storage and travel, and covered by our Mostra 3-year warranty. (Bracelet on request: Oyster, Jubilee or leather — options and sizes adjusted to your wrist at the boutique.)

At Mostra, Aix-en-Provence, each Rolex is selected, opened and inspected by a certified watchmaker. We favour pieces that are coherent historically and aesthetically, prepared for real-world use. Your purchase comes with a 3-year warranty, strap advice and workshop follow-up (future services, restrained polishing, tests). You leave with an authentic story on your wrist and a long-term point of contact.