Seiko SKX009 Pepsi: price, features, and specifications

The Seiko SKX009 is a highly popular diving watch among enthusiasts of the sport, sought after for its attractive price and water resistance, being one of the few that meets the ISO certification.

Also known as the Seiko Pepsi, the SKX009 is a slightly modified version of the Seiko SKX007, highly coveted among collectors of Japanese watches for its striking color combination.

The SKX00 series was first introduced to the market in 1996 with the aim of creating a reliable diving watch that truly served its purpose in marine environments. They not only achieved this but also created a watch with its own personality.

Since 2019, they are no longer manufactured, making them one of the most recent discontinued Seiko watches. However, it is still possible to find a new Seiko SKX009 at a good price.

Seiko Analogueico SKX009K1

• Analógico en Caucho para Hombre
• Automático
• Militar
• Azul y Negro
• Diver's 200mt

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✚ Seiko SKX009 – Specifications

✚ What sets the Seiko SKX009 and SKX007 apart?

The main difference between the models lies in their appearance. The Seiko SKX009 has a more unique color combination with a blue and red bezel, resembling the Pepsi logo, hence its nickname “Seiko Pepsi.”

There is also a smaller SKX version known as the Seiko SKX013, although its design is more similar to the SKX007.

In any case, all models share the same water resistance of 200 meters and use the same automatic movement: the Seiko 7s26 caliber.

Here are the colors of the different models:

Seiko Analogueico SKX009K1

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Seiko Reloj Analógico Automático para Hombre con...

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✚ Design and features of the Seiko SKX009

The Seiko SKX009 is a robust automatic diving watch designed to work at great depths and in adverse conditions.

Therefore, it features a sturdy design where even the smallest details are carefully crafted for water immersion.

In fact, it is one of the few Japanese divers boasting the ISO 6425 certification, which, as we’ll see below, guarantees its performance as a diving watch.

➤ Case, Crown, and Bezel

With a diameter of 42 mm, the watch is substantial but not among the largest in its category. The stainless steel case has rounded edges for added comfort during dives.

For the same reason, the crown of the Seiko SKX009 is positioned at 4 o’clock (instead of 3 o’clock like most watches) to prevent it from interfering with wrist movement while worn by divers.

The case, with polished sides and brushed top, incorporates a two-tone unidirectional bezel in blue and red, known as the “Pepsi bezel” due to its resemblance to the popular beverage’s colors.

The bezel is designed to be used underwater and has 120 clicks, surpassing other diving watches in the same price range. It is precise and easy to rotate, yet secure enough not to move accidentally.

The crown is screw-down, preventing water from entering the watch’s interior. It even needs to be screwed in to adjust the time or date, ensuring the case remains waterproof.

On the back of the case, the screw-down stainless steel case back features the classic Seiko tsunami, indicating that it is a diving watch.

➤ Dial

The dial of the Seiko SKX009 is primarily designed for visibility in low-light conditions. For this reason, both the circular hour markers and the thick sword-shaped hands are coated with luminescent material.

All these elements are set against a dark blue background, which also includes a date window at 3 o’clock, displaying the day of the week and the day of the month.

Overall, both the dial and the bezel bear a striking resemblance to the classic Rolex GMT Master II, although with a watch costing several thousand euros, you probably wouldn’t take it diving with the same ease.

➤ Crystal

Completing the case is a hardened mineral crystal, also known as hardlex, which is more scratch-resistant than conventional mineral crystal but not as durable as sapphire crystal. Nonetheless, it is more resistant to impacts due to its flexibility.

➤ Strap

The SKX009 comes in different variations distinguished by the strap. Thus, it can be found with a synthetic rubber strap and a metal jubilee-type bracelet.

The rubber strap (model SKX009K1) is slightly less elegant but possibly the better choice for diving. This version of the watch is usually slightly more affordable.

On the other hand, the metal bracelet (model SKX009K2) is much more stylish and elegant but less sturdy for a watch built for toughness. Here are both versions:

Seiko Analogueico SKX009K1

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Seiko SKX009K2 Reloj automático 200 M Divers para...

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✚ The ISO 6425 certification

The ISO 6425 certification is the international standard for diving watches. It encompasses requirements that go beyond water resistance, as it involves other factors essential for diving, such as:

• Minimum water resistance of at least 100 meters.
• Visibility of the dial at least 25 cm in total darkness.
• All hands must be visible in the dark, including the seconds hand to verify that the watch is functioning.
• The minute markings must also be highly visible on the watch face.
• A unidirectional 60-minute bezel with markings at least every 5 minutes and a marker to select a specific minute.
• A certain level of magnetic resistance.
• Shock resistance.
• Resistance to saltwater.
• The strap and attachments must also have a specific tensile strength.

This says a lot about the reliability of the Seiko SKX009, a watch that meets these quality requirements and is unlikely to fail during a dive, especially considering its water resistance of up to 200 meters.
More information on the specific tests watches must undergo to obtain this certification can be found on Wikipedia. It also states that it is not mandatory for dive watch manufacturers to obtain this certification, as it incurs additional costs. Fortunately, this is not reflected in the price of the SKX009.

✚ Mechanism and operation

The automatic movement powering the SKX009 is the Seiko 7s26 caliber, one of the most widely used by the manufacturer. While it may not be the most precise movement they produce, it is highly reliable and durable.

It is a 21-jewel movement with 6 beats per second, providing an approximate accuracy of +-15 seconds per day, depending on adjustment.

With 6 beats per second, the sweeping motion of the hands is not as smooth as that of a Swiss watch, but it also experiences less wear, prolonging the mechanism’s lifespan. This is especially important for a watch designed for tough work.

Regarding power reserve, the 7s26 caliber can offer up to 41 hours of uninterrupted operation, thanks to a bidirectional rotor that winds the watch through movement in both directions.

However, the 7s26 movement also has some drawbacks, such as the lack of manual winding and hacking seconds.

These are features commonly found in modern calibers like the Orient F6922 found in the Mako II or even the Miyota 8203 in the Citizen NY0040, which lacks hacking but does feature manual winding.

The absence of manual winding means that you cannot leave the watch in a box and wind it occasionally by hand to keep it accurate.

In other words, it cannot be wound by rotating the crown like other automatic watches, but rather must be worn to increase its power reserve.

Nevertheless, it is a mechanism that can remain in operation for years without the need for adjustments, making it well-suited for a watch with the characteristics of the SKX009.

✚ Advantages and disadvantages of the SKX009

In summary, the SKX009 has the following pros and cons:
PROS

• Extremely robust and durable.
• Complies with ISO 6425 standard.
• Economical for an automatic watch.
• The crown is positioned at 4 o’clock.
• The Pepsi-type design gives it a unique identity.
• Abundant lume on the dial elements provides excellent nighttime visibility.
• The 7s26 caliber is highly reliable and can operate for years without maintenance.

CONS

• No manual winding and no hacking seconds.
• The straps could be improved, especially the metal bracelet, which is too delicate for a watch with these characteristics.

In conclusion, despite having some disadvantages, the pros far outweigh the cons, making it a great watch.

Last update of links and images on 2024-04-28.