A fake Rolex 16710 Pepsi is a replica of the GMT-Master II that Rolex built from 1989 to 2007 with the blue and red Pepsi bezel insert. The tells sit in four places: the bezel insert color and font, the case and lug shape, the dial printing, and how the GMT hand moves. Most replicas also skip the drilled lugs found on genuine cases.
What are the specs of a real 16710 Pepsi?
The 16710 uses a 40mm stainless steel case, a sapphire crystal, and a signed Oyster bracelet. Rolex ran the reference from 1989 to 2007 and offered three bezel inserts: Pepsi (blue and red), Coke (black and red), and all black.
Movement and bezel details
Early 16710 watches carry the caliber 3185. Collectors report that late examples from the final years use the caliber 3186, the same movement Rolex fitted to the first ceramic GMT-Master II.
The bezel insert is anodized aluminum, not ceramic. It has a matte finish, silver or white 24-hour numerals, and a serrated steel ring that turns in both directions with 24 clicks.
- Case size: 40mm, with lugs drilled for spring bars through most of the run
- Crystal: sapphire with a 2.5x cyclops over the date at 3 o'clock
- Dial text: "GMT-MASTER II" plus "SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED"
- Water resistance: Rolex rates the GMT-Master II to 100m
How can you tell a fake Rolex 16710 Pepsi from a real one?
Work through the watch in order: bezel, case, dial, bracelet, then movement. One mismatch is enough to stop.
1. Bezel insert
Replica inserts run bright or orange in the blue half and show thick, rounded numerals. Genuine aluminum inserts fade toward a soft red and purple with age, and the numerals stay crisp.
Check the fit as well. A real insert sits flush in the bezel ring with a thin gap. A gap you can see from arm's length points to a fake.
2. Case and lugs
Genuine 16710 cases measure 40mm across, and most years have drilled lug holes on the side of the case. Replica cases often measure 41mm or 42mm, with thicker lugs and softer crown guards.
The reference number sits between the lugs at 12 and the serial at 6. Fakes show shallow laser marks and wrong fonts.
3. Dial, crystal and date
Look at the coronet, the "GMT-MASTER II" line, and the mark at 6 o'clock. Watches built before 1998 or so use tritium and read "SWISS - T < 25". Later dials use Luminova and read "SWISS MADE".
The cyclops magnifies the date about 2.5 times. Weak magnification or a warped date wheel is a common replica fault.
4. Bracelet and clasp
Later examples use an Oyster bracelet with solid end links and a flip-lock clasp with a stamped coronet. Replica clasps feel light and the stamp looks mushy.
5. Movement and case back
Set the watch. On a real 3185 or 3186, the crown's second position jumps the hour and GMT hands in one-hour steps while the seconds keep running. A fake with a basic GMT module moves the hands in a different pattern.
Case backs are plain steel. An open case back with a visible rotor means a replica, no exceptions.
Why is the 16710 Pepsi faked so often?
The Pepsi bezel is the most recognizable GMT-Master II look, and the reference sold for 18 years, so demand stays high. Genuine supply is fixed and shrinking, which pushes prices up and pushes some buyers toward first copy watches.
How do first copy 16710 Pepsi watches compare?
First copy sellers group stock by grade, and the gap between tiers shows in the bezel insert, the case profile, and the movement.
- Entry tier: printed insert colors, 42mm case, quartz or low-grade automatic movement
- Mid tier: closer case shape, aluminum insert, Japanese automatic movement with a GMT hand
- High tier: 1:1 case and dial tooling, correct drilled lugs, Swiss or clone 3186 movement
Ask for photos of the case side, the lug holes, the clasp code, and the date window under magnification. A seller who has those photos on hand is easier to trust.
What should you check before you buy?
- Case width with calipers: 40mm, not 41 or 42
- Bezel insert material: aluminum with a matte finish, not glossy ceramic
- Dial print: correct spacing on "GMT-MASTER II" and a clean coronet
- Movement: GMT hand jumps in one-hour steps
- Lug holes: drilled on most years
- Return policy and photo proof of the exact watch you receive
FAQ
Is the 16710 Pepsi still in production?
No. Rolex stopped the reference in 2007 and moved the GMT-Master II to the ceramic 116710. The 16710 is discontinued, which is why clean examples hold value and why the replica market fills the gap.
Does a fake 16710 Pepsi use a real aluminum bezel?
Some high-grade copies use aluminum inserts, and they look close in photos. Feel matters more: a genuine insert has a matte, grainy surface and clicks with a firm snap through 24 positions.
How much does a genuine 16710 Pepsi cost?
Genuine examples trade in the five-figure range on the secondary market, with box and papers adding a premium. That spread is the reason buyers look at first copy versions instead.
Can a jeweler spot a fake 16710 Pepsi?
Yes, and in seconds, if they know the reference. The bezel insert color, case thickness, and dial print give it away under a loupe.