Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi vs Rolex Daytona (126710BLRO vs 116500LN) Luxury Watch Review

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Baselworld 2019 is in full swing, and 2019 Rolex watches have been announced. While watch collectors digest the 2019 Rolex novelties, Verus is taking a look into the rearview mirror at 2016 and 2018 with the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and Rolex GMT-Master II, respectively.

As the hottest of the hot stainless steel Rolex sports watches, these two models almost leave the vaunted Rolex Submariner gasping to keep up; the GMT and Daytona boast the longest waiting lists and the highest pre-owned watch markups of any current Rolex models. Given their similar size, pricing, and status, which of these Oyster-cased luxury watch titans is the best bet for your wrist?

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN was launched at Baselworld 2016 to great acclaim. Its 40mm stainless steel case and Oyster bracelet are a perfect match for the watch’s motorsports-driven image, but the arrival of a Cerachrom black ceramic bezel was the headlining refinement of the year. Two dials were offered in the form of the black lacquer dial seen in today’s test watch and a matte white alternative. Rolex Chromalight provides easy reading at night – presumably while trackside at a 24-hour endurance race.

Rolex launched the 116520 – the basic platform for the current Daytona – back in 2000. The technical breakthrough was Rolex’s first in-house automatic chronograph caliber, the 4130. Its refinements include a chronograph with both a vertical clutch and column wheel, a COSC Swiss chronometer certification, a 72-hour power reserve, a free sprung balance with a full balance bridge, and a Breguet overcoil hairspring in Rolex Parachrom Blue antimagnetic alloy. Stop seconds is a feature. Thanks to screw-down chronograph pushers and crown the Rolex Daytona is water resistant to 100 meters.

Baselworld 2018 was dominated by the year of the Pepsi GMT. Both Rolex and Tudor offered standout pilot’s models with the iconic blue-and-red combination, but Rolex’s GMT-Master II 126710BLRO was the show-stopper. Its 40mm Oyster case was unchanged from the previous model, but the first use of a Rolex Cerachrom “Pepsi” GMT bezel with a stainless steel case marked a major change. The GMT further marked the return of the traditional Rolex Jubilee bracelet as a component of the GMT-Master line for the first time since the mid-2000s.

A black lacquered dial includes white gold hands and indices. The Cyclops Eye date magnifier hangs over the date window, and a 24-hour hand allows Rolex buyers to set and monitor a second time zone with clear day/night distinction. The GMT bezel features ceramic in blue and red with a thin layer of platinum sitting within the wells of indices and numerals. Use of the pilot’s bezel permits instantaneous reading of a third time zone.

The 2018 Pepsi GMT-Master 2 included an all-new movement for the GMT family, Rolex caliber 3285. Several refinements combine to increase the power reserve from 48hours to 70 hours; these changes include a thinner mainspring barrel with a larger mainspring and the Rolex Chronergy escapement that dramatically reduces frictional losses. Also a COSC-certified Swiss chronometer, the caliber 3285 enjoys a roster of refinements that includes the Parachrom Blue hairspring, Breguet overcoil, free sprung balance, and a full balance bridge. Hacking seconds and a dual-time function are included.

As the watch world processes the arrival of the Jubilee bracelet-equipped 2019 Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR “Batman,” it is fitting to look back to the 2018 GMT that started this trend. For that matter, it makes sense to look at the new GMT’s greatest competitor – and in-house rival in the form of the Rolex Daytona.


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With new Rolex watches being released at Baselworld this year, here's a comparison of two Rolex giants. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (black dial) measures 40mm in diameter, 12.2mm thick, 20mm lug spacing and 36.6mm lug to lug. The Rolex GMT Master 2 "Pepsi" measures 12mm thick, 48mm lug to lug, and 49.5mm end-link to end-link. Tune in for full reviews and a comparison of both watches!

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