If you are looking at green and black or red and blue, the Rolex Sprite vs Pepsi GMT-Master II is the comparison you keep coming back to. Both come from the same GMT-Master II platform, and both cost enough that picking the wrong one matters.
One has a destro crown position that no GMT-Master II had before. The other carries over 70 years of color history and faces a likely discontinuation. Same family, but they suit different buyers.
This guide covers the key specs, construction differences, and current secondary market performance of both references. Read through before you decide.
Rolex Sprite GMT-Master II Overview
Rolex introduced the 126720VTNR at Watches and Wonders 2022. The nickname came fast. The black and green colors reminded the watch community of Sprite’s branding, and the name stuck within days. VTNR stands for “Verte Noir,” French for green-black.
The biggest difference from any previous GMT-Master II has nothing to do with color. Rolex moved the crown from 3 o’clock to 9 o’clock, making it the first destro GMT-Master II ever. The Caliber 3285 is physically rotated 180 degrees to match the repositioned crown.
The 126720 is a mirror-image case architecture, not a color variant on an existing platform. It is currently exclusive to Sprite. As of early 2026, the 126720VTNR is a single-generation watch with no vintage lineage.
Key Specifications:
- Reference: 126720VTNR
- Production: 2022 to present
- Dial: Black with Chromalight indices, green GMT hand
- Bezel: Black and green Cerachrom ceramic, bidirectional, 24-hour graduated
- Case: 40mm, 126720 destro architecture, 904L Oystersteel
- Crown position: 9 o’clock (destro)
- Bracelet: Jubilee or Oyster, Oysterlock clasp, Easylink extension
- Movement: Caliber 3285 (rotated 180°), ~70-hour power reserve
- Water resistance: 100m
Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master II Overview
Rolex launched the 126710BLRO in 2018. It was the first steel Pepsi with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. The red and blue color combination goes back to 1954, originally made for Pan American World Airways pilots tracking two time zones. Red marked daytime. Blue marked nighttime.
The two-color ceramic bezel is difficult to produce. The sintering process has high rejection rates, and getting a clean split between red and blue has always been a challenge. That production difficulty is widely cited as a key reason Rolex appears to be discontinuing the 126710BLRO.
The 126710BLRO shares its case with the Batman Ref. 126710BLNR and the Bruce Wayne Ref. 126710GRNR. It also introduced Chromalight lume and the Caliber 3285 to the GMT-Master II line.
Key Specifications:
- Reference: 126710BLRO
- Production: 2018 to present (likely discontinuing)
- Dial: Black with Chromalight indices, red GMT hand
- Bezel: Red and blue Cerachrom ceramic, bidirectional, 24-hour graduated
- Case: 40mm, 126710 architecture, 904L Oystersteel
- Crown position: 3 o’clock (standard)
- Bracelet: Jubilee or Oyster, Oysterlock clasp, Easylink extension
- Movement: Caliber 3285, ~70-hour power reserve
- Water resistance: 100m
Rolex Sprite vs. Pepsi: Most Notable Differences
Both watches share the same movement, case diameter, bracelet system, clasp, dial color, and water resistance. The differences come down to five things.
1. Bezel Color
The Sprite has a black and green Cerachrom bezel, the first time Rolex used this combination in the GMT line. Both bezels are scratch-resistant and fade-proof. The Pepsi reads louder. The Sprite reads cleaner.
The Pepsi has a red and blue Cerachrom bezel. Red covers the daytime half of the 24-hour scale. Blue covers the nighttime half. The color split reads immediately on the wrist.
2. Crown and Date Position
The Sprite has the crown and date window at 9 o’clock. For right-wrist wearers or left-handed buyers, it fits more naturally. Crown position affects daily comfort more than most specs on paper suggest.
The Pepsi has the crown and date window at 3 o’clock, standard across the entire GMT-Master II lineup. It is built for left-wrist wear with right-hand crown operation. If you can, try both on before you commit to either.
3. GMT Hand Color
The Sprite has a green GMT hand. Green on black is readable but takes a split second longer to pick up, especially in low light. The Chromalight lume is identical across both references.
The Pepsi has a red GMT hand. Red on black is the fastest-reading GMT hand color in the current lineup. If you use the GMT function daily, this matters.
4. Case Architecture
The Sprite sits on the 126720 case, a separate mirror-image architecture built specifically for the 9 o’clock crown position. It is currently exclusive to Sprite. Both cases measure 40mm in diameter, approximately 12.1mm thick, with a 48.5mm lug-to-lug.
The Pepsi sits on the 126710 case, shared with the Batman Ref. 126710BLNR and Bruce Wayne Ref. 126710GRNR. Crown tube, date housing, and internal geometry sit at 3 o’clock.
5. Heritage Depth
The Sprite has no precedent in the GMT line before 2022. There is no earlier 126720 to point to.
The Pepsi color goes back to 1954, spanning references 6542, 1675, 16710, and now 126710BLRO across bakelite, aluminum, and ceramic bezels. Earlier Pepsi references form their own collector category on the secondary market, separate from the current steel reference.
Price and Market Demand
The Sprite Ref. 126720VTNR retails at $12,300 and trades at around $16,567 (source). The Pepsi Ref. 126710BLRO retails at $11,800 and currently trades at around $21,277 on the secondary market (source). The gap between retail and market price is much wider on Pepsi.
The Pepsi ranks in the top 1% of all tracked watches by sales volume on WatchCharts, with a median sale time of around 33 days as of early 2026. Prices have climbed sharply since late 2025. Rolex appears to have cut supply to authorized dealers, and the secondary market is pricing in a discontinuation.
The Sprite launched with strong premiums in 2022 but has softened since. Rolex reportedly increased supply, and the watch has underperformed the broader GMT-Master II market index over the past year. The Jubilee bracelet carries a modest premium over the Oyster.
On both references, unpolished cases, original papers, and matching bracelet parts push prices higher.
Side-by-Side Comparison (At a Glance)
Check the table below where the Sprite and Pepsi separate in construction details and market position that affect how each watch wears and holds value over time.
| Specification | Sprite | Pepsi |
| Reference | 126720VTNR | 126710BLRO |
| Production | 2022 to present | 2018 to present (likely discontinuing) |
| Case Size | 40mm | 40mm |
| Case Thickness | ~12.1mm | ~12.1mm |
| Lug-to-Lug | ~48.5mm | ~48.5mm |
| Case Architecture | 126720 (destro, exclusive) | 126710 (standard, shared) |
| Case Material | 904L Oystersteel | 904L Oystersteel |
| Bezel | Black and green Cerachrom | Red and blue Cerachrom |
| GMT Hand | Green | Red |
| Crown Position | 9 o’clock (destro) | 3 o’clock (standard) |
| Date Position | 9 o’clock | 3 o’clock |
| Movement | Caliber 3285 (rotated 180°) | Caliber 3285 |
| Power Reserve | ~70 hours | ~70 hours |
| Bracelet Options | Jubilee or Oyster | Jubilee or Oyster |
| Clasp | Oysterlock + Easylink | Oysterlock + Easylink |
| Water Resistance | 100m | 100m |
| Heritage Depth | 2022 only | 1954 color lineage |
| Retail Price | $12,300 | $11,800 |
| Market Price | ~$16,567 | ~$21,277 |
Rolex Sprite vs. Pepsi: Which One Should You Choose?
The decision comes down to how you wear your watch, what you value in a reference, and what you are willing to spend. Here is a straight breakdown for each type of buyer.
Choose the Rolex Sprite (126720VTNR) if:
- You wear your watch on your right wrist or you are left-handed
- You prefer black and green over red and blue
- You want the only GMT-Master II with a 9 o’clock crown
- You do not want to spend significantly more than retail price
- You are fine with a 2022 single-generation reference with no vintage lineage
Choose the Rolex Pepsi (126710BLRO) if:
- You wear your watch on your left wrist and want the crown at 3 o’clock
- You want the fastest-reading GMT hand color in the lineup, red on black
- You want a reference with a color history that goes back to 1954
- You want a watch that moves fast on the secondary market with strong value retention
- You want the most recognizable GMT-Master II colorway in the current lineup
Final Thoughts on Rolex Sprite vs. Pepsi
The Sprite and Pepsi share the same movement, case size, and bracelet system. What separates them is where you wear your crown, how much history you want behind your watch, and how much above retail you are willing to go.
When buying on the secondary market, focus on unpolished cases, original papers, and matching bracelet parts. On the Sprite, also check the Jubilee bracelet for stretch, as it is one of the first things that affects long-term wearability and resale value on pre-owned examples.
Both models hold their place for different reasons, so the better choice is simply the one that fits your habits, budget, and long-term plans.
