Timex atelier gmt24 m1a 40mm automatic watch 3

Timex’s $2,500 Atelier GMT24 Gets the ‘Pepsi’ Treatment

By Elliot Nash - News

Updated: 9 November, 2026

Readtime: 5 min

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Timex has introduced a red-and-blue ‘Pepsi’ colourway of its Atelier GMT24 M1a, bringing the familiar GMT look to its premium Swiss-made collection.
The 40mm watch features a black enamel dial, glass-box sapphire crystal and Swiss-made Landeron 24 GMT automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve.
Available in Australia for AUD $2,700 on a stainless-steel bracelet or AUD $2,500 on a black rubber strap.

American watchmaker Timex has given its premium Atelier GMT24 M1a a red-and-blue makeover, borrowing one of watchmaking’s most recognisable colour combinations for a Swiss-made automatic GMT starting at AUD $2,500.

Regardless of where you stand in the cola wars, there’s no denying the allure of the ‘Pepsi’ colour scheme. First coined for the red-and-blue Rolex GMT-Master, it’s one of several colourful monikers we’ve covered in our guide to Rolex nicknames. But Timex isn’t leaning over the desk to steal somebody else’s homework. Rather than copying and pasting the famous two-tone exterior bezel onto its own watch, Timex has placed its red-and-blue 24-hour scale beneath a raised sapphire crystal, giving the familiar soft drink-inspired colours a flavourful twist.

The new release follows the black-and-green GMT Première M1a we covered back in September, affectionately dubbed the ‘Sprite’ for its lemon-and-lime-inspired colour scheme. This time, Timex has opted for a slightly larger 40mm case, a splash of red on the GMT hand and two bracelet and strap configurations.

A Familiar Cola Colour Scheme, With an Atelier Twist

Rolex discontinued its latest ‘Pepsi’ GMT-Master II models earlier this year, leaving enthusiasts to chase the iconic red-and-blue colour combination on the secondary market. Now Timex is offering its own interpretation for a fraction of the price.

The red-and-blue 24-hour GMT scale is the obvious soda-inspired attraction, but Timex goes far beyond a tribute. The ‘Pepsi’ ring surrounds a glossy black enamel dial with silver-tone hands and applied hour markers. A bright red fourth hand tracks a second time zone, while a date window at 3 o’clock adds everyday practicality.

What makes the GMT24 particularly interesting is how Timex has arranged those elements. Instead of placing the coloured scale on a conventional exterior GMT bezel, it sits beneath a domed glass-box sapphire crystal with triple anti-reflective coating. The result is a layered dial that makes the red-and-blue scale appear almost suspended above the black enamel surface.

For now, we’re still admiring the Atelier GMT24 M1a. Measuring 40 mm across, 48.11 mm lug-to-lug and 12.7 mm thick, the stainless-steel construction features skeletonised sides that reveal a contrasting gunmetal IP-coated middle section. This architectural detail helps distinguish the Atelier from Timex’s more conventional designs, alongside a screw-down crown and 100 metres of water resistance.

Inside, you’ll find a Swiss-made Landeron 24 GMT automatic movement, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour with 28 jewels and an approximately 40-hour power reserve. And when you’re not engrossed in the Pepsi, flip the watch over to admire the movement through its exhibition caseback.

Timex atelier gmt24 m1a 40mm automatic watch 1 — The Timex Atelier GMT24 M1a brings the classic Pepsi colour scheme to its Swiss-made GMT collection. | Image: Timex

Bigger Than Sprite, Surprisingly Thinner

Although the new GMT24 is larger than the green-and-black GMT Première M1a, it’s also thinner. The Première measures 38mm across and 13.8mm thick, compared with the new model’s 40mm diameter and 12.7mm profile. The GMT24 is also rated to 100 metres of water resistance, compared with 50 metres for the Première.

Both watches use the same Swiss-made Landeron GMT movement, so if you’re torn between the two, it largely comes down to which colour scheme and case proportions you prefer.

Timex offers the new GMT24 M1a in two configurations. The stainless-steel bracelet version (TW6A20600) costs AUD $2,700 and includes self-adjustable links, a butterfly deployant clasp and quick-release spring bars. Alternatively, the black NBR rubber strap version (TW6A20700) brings the price down to AUD $2,500.

With its distinctive case architecture, Swiss automatic movement and familiar Pepsi colours, the Timex Atelier GMT24 M1a makes a compelling case for the brand’s premium ambitions. Even if AUD $2,700 is a long way from what most people are used to spending on a Timex, especially for a watch based on something that comes out of a vending machine.