Seiko 5 Sports x Pepsi Limited Edition SRPL99 and SSK047

Jamie Weiss

It’s truthful to say that the Rolex GMT-Grasp is without doubt one of the most iconic watches on the planet, to the purpose the place individuals who aren’t even into watches have heard of the ‘Rolex Pepsi’. Ever for the reason that launch of the unique Rolex GMT-Grasp ref. 6542, watch followers have been captivated by pink and blue bicolour bezels on instrument watches. Positive, there’s loads of Pepsi-coloured alternate options to the Crown as of late (we’ve bought a useful listing of a few of them right here), however Rolex’s Pepsi stays probably the most authentic.

Or at the very least it used to. Seiko, which has lengthy supplied Pepsi-coloured bezels on fashions in its 5 Sports activities line, has now formally teamed up with the world-famous cola model… And whereas their collaborative capsule is a restricted version, you possibly can wager your backside greenback they’ll be simpler to accumulate than a GMT-Grasp. Name it a battle of the bezels?

The Seiko x Pepsi collab consists of two totally different 5 Sports activities SKX Sequence watches (typically referred to by collectors as “5KXs” to distinguish them from the unique and super-popular SKX): a three-hander with a timing bezel and a GMT mannequin. The previous, the SRPL99, pays homage to the pink, white and blue colors of Pepsi cans and logos from the Nineties, and fittingly sports activities the 90s-era ‘PEPSI’ logotype on its silver dial under the central pinion at 6 o’clock. The 90s Pepsi emblem, resplendent in that iconic pink and blue, covers the exhibition caseback. It comes mounted on a metal three-link bracelet.

The GMT mannequin, the SSK047, displays Pepsi’s present branding fashion, sporting a black PVD coating on its case, black dial and black strap. Really, it’s the primary SKX-series GMT to characteristic a silicone strap: the trendy Pepsi logotype is embossed on the 12 o’clock facet, whereas the Pepsi emblem will be discovered on the tip of the 6 o’clock facet. A monochromatic print of the trendy emblem will also be discovered adorning the exhibition caseback, which has a darkish smoked tint.

Naturally, each the SRPL99 and SSK047 characteristic pink and blue bezels – due to course they do – with the SSK047’s being a 50/50 color cut up simply as you’d come to count on from a GMT watch, whereas the SRPL99 has a extra diver-style cut up with pink just for the primary 20 minutes. The perfect bit? Each fashions are packaged in Pepsi can-shaped instances, which is a very refreshing contact. See what I did there?

I feel that is an extremely cheeky collab on Seiko’s half. The SKX/5KX ranges have lengthy been the go-to choice for somebody in search of that Rolex Pepsi aesthetic on a price range. Now, they’ve stolen Rolex’s thunder by truly making their Pepsi watches official. After all, outdoors of unit watches or company commissions (such because the legendary Domino’s Pizza fashions gifted to high-performing Domino’s workers), Rolex doesn’t collaborate with different manufacturers. Nor has Rolex ever actually formally recognised the ‘Pepsi’ nickname for the GMT-Grasp. They left the door huge open for Seiko right here, and I’ll increase a glass to Seiko’s audacity in pulling this off.

Seiko 5 Sports activities x Pepsi Restricted Version SRPL99 and SSK047 pricing and availability

Each of those Seiko x Pepsi watches are restricted editions of seven,000 watches for every mannequin. Each are at the moment obtainable for pre-order straight from Seiko, with deliveries scheduled to happen in September/October 2025 with full monitoring. Worth: A$595 (SRPL99), A$950 (SSK047)