Dear Friends of IWS, On January 31, 2024, Rolex Filed a Patent for a New Ceramic Insert Coloring Technology. At first glance, this may not seem like earth-shattering news. Rolex is no stranger to filing patents, and one for coloring a bezel might not be its most groundbreaking. Yet, this move has sparked a flurry of speculation and anticipation among watch enthusiasts, leading to debates over the possible introduction of a new “Coke” bezel model and the future of the legendary “Pepsi,” an iconic model of the brand characterized by its blue and red bezel.

A Look Back at Rolex’s Bicolor Bezel Models

Rolex has a long history of creating watches with bicolor bezels, not limited to the famous “Pepsi” and “Coke” models. The house introduced the first GMT-Master watch in 1955, with a bicolor bezel designed to help pilots distinguish day from night. Since then, Rolex has explored various color combinations, including:

• GMT-Master II “Pepsi”: Perhaps the most iconic, with its blue and red bezel.
• GMT-Master II “Coke”: Less common but equally beloved, with a red and black bezel.
• GMT-Master II “Batman”: With its blue and black bezel, introduced in 2013, it quickly became popular among enthusiasts.
• GMT-Master II “Sprite” or “Destro”: This version was introduced in 2022 at Watches & Wonders. Besides the iconic green and black bezel, the most unusual feature of the watch is that the movement is “flipped,” moving the winding crown to the left and making the watch suitable for wearing on the right wrist.

Well, actually Rolex GMT Master history is way longer and deeper than what we are summarizing now so you may want to check it out on our dedicated article.

The Patent

The excerpt from the patent in French describes a “Process for manufacturing a ceramic watch component,” highlighting an innovative process that includes the fabrication of an intermediate component in ceriated zirconia, followed by a series of treatments culminating with partial impregnation with at least one solution containing at least one metallic salt. This method allows for vivid and durable coloring, marking a significant advancement in the production of ceramic components for watchmaking.

The Impact on “Pepsi” and the Potential Comeback of “Coke”

The filing of this patent has ignited hopes for the return of the “Coke” model, characterized by its distinctive red and black bicolor bezel, once beloved and then overshadowed by the more famous “Pepsi.” While some enthusiasts fear this could mark the end of the “Pepsi” production, it’s important to remember that Rolex has already managed periods when models with different bicolor bezels coexisted peacefully in the catalog. To be honest, we don’t know what to expect, but surely all these speculations will be silenced this April when Rolex presents its novelties at Watches & Wonders.

Conclusions and Future Perspectives

The patent registered by Rolex opens up new possibilities not only for the reintroduction of the “Coke” model but also for the exploration of further combinations of colors and materials. Regardless of the fate of the “Pepsi,” it’s clear that Rolex continues to invest in technological research while maintaining a connection with tradition and brand history. Watch enthusiasts eagerly await Rolex’s next moves, ready to welcome the Maison’s new creations.

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