Is the Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi" Being Discontinued? A Look Back at the Space Legend of the Iconic Red-and-Blue Bezel
Recently, rumors regarding the discontinuation of the Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi" have set the watch world ablaze, sending market prices on a wild rollercoaster ride. But beyond the iconic red-and-blue ceramic bezel lies a story far more profound than mere aesthetics. Did you know this watch once worked alongside the Omega Speedmaster to save three lives in deep space?
In April 1970, the Apollo 13 mission shifted from a lunar landing to a desperate survival manual after an oxygen tank exploded mid-flight. As the crew hurtled back toward Earth in a crippled spacecraft, every second became a matter of life or death. The division of labor was critical: Commander Jim Lovell maintained the ship's attitude, Fred Haise operated the engine switches, and Jack Swigert was tasked with the most high-pressure job—the precision countdown.
While Swigert used his NASA-issued Omega Speedmaster to time the critical engine burns, he famously wore his personal Rolex GMT-Master on his other wrist as a navigational reference. In a freezing cabin with zero power and failing instruments, the stakes were absolute: a timing error of even one second could cause the capsule to bounce off the atmosphere and drift into the void forever.
Thanks to the mechanical precision of these legendary timepieces and the nerves of steel displayed by the crew, the "Successful Failure" concluded with a safe splashdown. Following the mission, Swigert even sent a letter to Rolex, praising the watch for its flawless performance and stating it kept him "Always On Time."
Behind the "Pepsi’s" undeniable charm lies a legacy of cold, hard utility in the face of disaster. As we approach the Watches & Wonders exhibition this April, the industry is holding its breath to see if this icon will truly be retired.
The big question is: Would you pull the trigger and add a "Pepsi" to your collection right now, or are you waiting to see what the horizon holds?