Hot Hues: GMT Watches With Red and Blue Bezels
With a striking color combo, practical functionality, and catchy “Pepsi” nickname, GMT watches with a red and blue bezel are (yet again) having a moment in the luxury watch space. Here are three of our favorite ones right now.
Photo Credit: Rolex
Rolex GMT-Master II
The originator of the bi-colored red and blue bezel, Rolex made big news earlier this year when it released a new generation GMT-Master II BLRO (BL for bleu and RO for rouge) in stainless steel. The GMT-Master II ref. 126710 is not the first GMT-Master II with a ceramic blue and red bezel, but it is the first one available in more wallet-friendly stainless steel rather than empty-the-bank-account 18k white gold. With its well-proportioned 40mm Oyster case, tough steel construction, iconic bi-colored bezel in modern Cerachrom, classic Jubilee bracelet, ability to track three time zones, and new Caliber 3285 self-winding movement with an amped up 70-hour power reserve, what’s not to love?
Photo Credit: Tudor
Tudor Black Bay GMT
In a surprising twist, Rolex’s brother-brand Tudor, also released a steel GMT watch with a Pepsi style bezel at this year’s Baselworld. The Tudor Black Bay GMT sports a steel 41mm case, aluminum burgundy and blue rotating bezel, riveted steel bracelet (leather and fabric straps are also available), and signature “snowflake” style center hands. What’s more, the new Black Bay GMT allows the wearer to keep tabs on three time zones and the date, all powered by an in-house COSC-certified Caliber MT5652 automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve. With a price that’s less than half of Rolex, this is an attractive proposition indeed.
Photo Credit: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 7 GMT
In 2017, TAG Heuer released the Aquaracer Calibre 7 GMT watch equipped with a red and blue bezel. While Heuer used this catchy color combo on Autavia chronographs decades ago, this is a first for the Aquaracer collection. The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 7 GMT features a generous 43mm case in stainless steel along with a matching steel three-link style bracelet. The blue and red bezel insert is fashioned from aluminum while the black opaline dial includes the characteristic horizontal grooves, as well as a red GMT-hand to indicate the second time zone. As part of TAG’s water-ready watch family, the Aquaracer GMT boasts a water resistance of 300 meters and runs on the ETA-based Caliber 7 automatic movement with a 42 to 46-hour power reserve. Plus, the watch’s entry-point price means that more can enjoy a sip of that Pepsi feeling.
