Many consider luxury watches as an investment piece or an heirloom meant to transcend generations. Much like most ultra-luxe fashion items, the value of a designer timepiece—such as a Rolex—tends to appreciate over time, granted that economic conditions allow for it.
Sartorially, wristwatches hold a transformative power. Even if you're just clad in a simple white tee and denim jeans, a watch will instantly add a touch of elegance to an otherwise basic outfit. Needless to say, it's no surprise that prominent personalities tend to have a sizable repertoire of luxury watches. Take it from Hello, Love, Goodbye co-stars Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards, who both own one of Rolex's most iconic pieces: the GMT Master II—more popularly known as the "Pepsi watch."
LOOK: Kathryn Bernardo and Alden Richards Both Have the Rolex GMT Master II
In October 2022, Start-Up PH actor Alden Richards sat down with Preview to talk about his favorite designer watches.
In the Designer Faves episode, the 32-year-old watch connoisseur was evidently sporting a striking timepiece that featured a split-tone, red and blue bezel, which he later introduced as one of his favorites. "They call it 'Pepsi,' because of the finish of the bezel," he explained, referencing the colloquial nickname inspired by the famed soft drink's brand colors. Alden further adds that it's sometimes dubbed as the "Superman Rolex," too.
More recently, we also noticed Kathryn Bernardo sporting the exact same watch. On Tuesday, April 30, the 27-year-old actress chronicled her recent visit to eyewear store Ideal Vision via Instagram stories. Dressed in a white button-down, indigo jeans, and a chic pair of aviators, Kath spruced up her look with a sleek, Rolex GMT Master II that features the same bi-color bezel and black dial like Alden's.
The Rolex GMT Master II is notoriously difficult to acquire. If you're considering a visit to your nearest Rolex boutique in hopes of obtaining this coveted timepiece, be prepared to face an extensive waitlist.
First introduced in 1955, the Rolex GMT Master II was developed in collaboration with Pan Am Airways, the United States' largest flight carrier at the time. It was conceived as a practical solution for pilots to easily track changing time zones, a game-changing feature back then. Nearly 70 years later, this particular model has evolved into a sought-after collector's item, cherished for its historical significance, reminiscent of international travel's early days.
In addition to its eye-catching red and blue bezel, the same watch seen on Kathryn and Alden boasts a black dial and is crafted from 18ct white gold. Designed for long-distance travel across time zones, its 24-hour rotatable bezel and arrow-tipped hands enable simultaneous tracking of two time zones with ease.
If you've been following recent developments in the watch industry, you're likely aware of the depreciation trend affecting Rolex timepieces in the secondhand market. However, amidst this decline, two Rolex models have shown consistent appreciation: the Lady-Datejust and the Rolex "Pepsi" GMT Master II. Over the past year, the resale value of the Pepsi watch has even risen by 5%, with prices starting at $20,000, or approximately P1,156,590.
GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO, P596,500, ROLEX, rolex.com, lucerneluxe.com*
*Note: Some of the prices mentioned in this article have been sourced from authorized resellers and not directly from the brand's official website. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, it is important to note that prices may vary depending on the reseller and the region. We encourage readers to visit the official brand website or consult authorized resellers for the most up-to-date pricing information.
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