The Rolex GMT-Master II 116719BLRO is a 40 mm GMT in 18k white gold with a blue-and-red Cerachrom bezel, nicknamed the white gold Pepsi. It is one of the most copied GMT-Master II references because white gold photographs like stainless steel and the two-tone ceramic insert is hard to reproduce. A replica can look right in a wrist shot, yet it fails on weight, bezel color depth, dial printing, and the movement inside.
Production ran from 2014 to 2018, and Rolex replaced it with the 126719BLRO. The reference is often mistyped as 116719BLSO or 116719B LSO, but the correct code is 116719BLRO.
What is the Rolex GMT-Master II 116719BLRO?
The 116719BLRO was the first GMT-Master II to pair a blue-and-red ceramic bezel with a white metal case, following the 2013 blue-and-black 116719BLNR. Rolex built it in 18k white gold only, which set it apart from the steel GMT models of the same era.
- Case: 40 mm Oyster case in 18k white gold, 100 m water resistance
- Bezel: bidirectional Cerachrom insert in blue and red, numerals coated with platinum through PVD
- Movement: caliber 3186 automatic, 48-hour power reserve, independent 24-hour hand
- Bracelet: white gold Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock clasp and Easylink extension
- Dial: black lacquer with Chromalight lume and a red GMT hand
Why do fakes of this reference look convincing in photos?
Polished white gold and polished 316L steel reflect light in a similar way on a phone camera, so weight and warmth are lost in an image. The bezel is the harder problem. Real Cerachrom is a fired ceramic with a deep, saturated red and blue, while most replicas use painted or coated inserts that look flat, purple, or orange in person.
Scale also fools people. A 40 mm replica case can match the outline of the real one, but a fake often uses a thinner bezel assembly, a taller crystal, or wider lugs. Side-by-side photos hide all of it.
What details give a fake Rolex GMT-Master II away?
Case weight and metal
18k white gold is roughly twice as dense as stainless steel, so the genuine 116719BLRO feels heavy and slightly top-loaded on the wrist. A steel replica usually comes in light. An X-ray fluorescence test settles the question in seconds, and any jeweler can run it.
Bezel insert color and finish
Genuine Cerachrom has crisp edges, a smooth matte surface, and a red that stays red in shade. Replica inserts often show a seam where the two colors meet, visible paint texture, or numerals that sit shallow instead of recessed and platinum-coated.
Dial, hands, and crystal
Authentic dial text is razor sharp under magnification, with the coronet aligned to the 12 o'clock marker and lume plots that sit flat. Many fakes show fuzzy printing, a squashed crown logo, or a date window with incorrect magnification. The cyclops should magnify about 2.5 times.
Movement and markings
The real watch has a caliber 3186 with Geneva stripes, a free-sprung balance, and a properly stamped rotor, all visible once the caseback is removed by a watchmaker. Replicas run commodity movements that cannot hold the same rate, and the reference and serial engravings between the lugs are often the wrong font or depth.
How do you verify a 116719BLRO before you buy?
- Check the reference and serial engravings between the lugs at 12 and 6 o'clock with a loupe.
- Weigh the watch and have the case tested for gold content with an XRF or acid test.
- Inspect the bezel insert in daylight and again in shade for color shift.
- Have a watchmaker open the case and confirm the caliber 3186 or a service replacement.
- Match the box, warranty card, and service papers to the serial number, then call an authorized dealer to confirm.
What are the legal and financial risks of buying a fake?
Trafficking in counterfeit goods is a federal crime in the United States under 18 U.S.C. section 2320, with prison terms that can reach 10 years for a first offense. U.S. Customs and Border Protection routinely seizes counterfeit watches at ports of entry, and the buyer loses the money and the watch.
The practical risks are just as real. Rolex will not service or authenticate a counterfeit, parts availability is low, and resale value is close to zero. Some replica cases also use nickel alloys that irritate skin, and online sellers often collect payment by wire or crypto with no recourse.
What are honest alternatives to a fake 116719BLRO?
If the goal is a Pepsi-style GMT on a budget, several legitimate options deliver real materials and real warranties. A steel Rolex 126710BLRO remains the closest ownership experience, and the white gold 126719BLRO is the direct successor to the 116719BLRO.
- Tudor Black Bay GMT, a Swiss automatic GMT with a two-tone bezel
- Grand Seiko or Seiko 5 Sports GMT models at entry price points
- Christopher Ward, Squale, and Steinhart GMT homages in stainless steel
- A pre-owned genuine 116719BLRO from a trusted dealer with full box and papers
FAQ
Is the 116719BLRO discontinued?
Yes. Rolex discontinued the reference in 2018 and introduced the 126719BLRO, which uses caliber 3285 and a 70-hour power reserve.
How much does a genuine 116719BLRO cost?
Secondary market prices usually sit in the $30,000 to $45,000 range depending on condition, completeness, and year, well above the original retail price.
Is a fake 116719BLRO solid gold?
Rarely. Most replicas use steel with gold plating or a gold wrap, and plated gold wears through at the clasp and case edges within months.
Can Rolex tell if a watch is fake?
Yes. A Rolex service center checks the case, movement, and reference engraving, and it will refuse service and keep the watch if the item is counterfeit.