2005 Rolex GMT Master II 'Pepsi' Ref. 16710 (Full Set)

GMT Pepsi

The Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710 is one of those references that has quietly become a cornerstone in the world of neo-vintage Rolex sports watches. Produced during a period where Rolex was moving into more modern construction while still keeping the proportions and charm of the earlier references, the 16710 offers a balance that many collectors feel is increasingly difficult to find today. With its 40mm case, aluminum Pepsi bezel and slimmer profile compared to modern GMTs, it still carries the feel of a traditional Rolex tool watch on the wrist.

This 2005 example represents one of the later executions of the reference and comes complete as a full set. By this period Rolex had already introduced several practical upgrades including sapphire crystal, solid end links and improved bracelet construction, giving the watch the durability and everyday usability expected from a contemporary sports watch while maintaining the lighter and more elegant wearing experience associated with earlier generations. The result is a watch that feels equally at home as a daily wearer or as part of a serious collection.

There is currently strong collector interest surrounding neo-vintage Rolex sports models like the 16710, largely because they represent what many see as the best of both worlds. They retain the original case dimensions, aluminum bezel inserts and overall vintage character, yet offer the convenience and reliability of modern Rolex engineering with sapphire crystal, robust water resistance and solid bracelet construction. For many collectors, references like the 16710 sit in a particularly appealing middle ground between vintage and contemporary Rolex.