Seiko Just Announced Two Real-Deal “Pepsi” Watches
The collaboration features two new watches, including—big surprise—a dual-time zone GMT watch. Housed in a 42-mm SKX-series case with a 4 o’clock crown, the design mimics the matte black Pepsi Zero Sugar can. The watch doesn’t go overboard with its right to the soda company’s branding. Of course, there’s the red-and-blue bezel. The one direct shout to the cola maker appears above 6 o’clock with the phrase “Pepsi GMT.” Furthermore, it comes paired to the SKX series’ first silicone strap with Pepsi branding. The fun doesn’t stop with the watch either. The lucky customers who grab one of the 7,000 pieces will receive their new watch in a package shaped like an actual Pepsi can.
If you’re not a fan of all-black watches—or if you’d prefer your “Pepsi” watch a little bit less horologically on the nose—then there’s the SRPL99, an automatic Seiko 5 also housed in a 42-mm SKX-series case with 4 o’clock crown. This time the watch comes in stainless steel without the black coating—it appears alongside what looks like a vintage can you would have cracked open alongside some Gushers during the ’90s. Shipping on a matching steel multi-link bracelet, it’s got a rotating dive bezel with blue and red demarcations and silver indices. Like the GMT, this watch also features a nod to the soda brand on the dial with “Pepsi Automatic” situated above 6 o’clock. Powered by the automatic cal. 4R34 movement, it’s water resistant to 100m and comes in a silver Pepsi “can.” This model is also limited to 7,000 pieces. Both will be available come September.
The watches look handsome enough and the branding is subtle enough that many will doubt be unbothered by it—in fact, there are many of us who would probably dig the idea of wearing a “literal” Pepsi GMT, snickering down at our wrists whenever catching sight of the branding. Then there’s the affordability angle: While official pricing hasn’t been announced yet, most of the pieces in this series don’t crest the $400 mark, and we should expect something similar here. If only they came with a year’s supply of cola…
