It’s the real Pepsi watch, not just a nickname, and at $395 retail, it’s a fun steal. But $1,000 on the secondary market? That’s crazy!
I’m not even a Pepsi fan—but this retro ‘90s can and red-blue bezel got my collector heart racing. Let’s unbox it, check the specs, and see if it’s worth the hype.
Why Do Watches Get Called “Pepsi”?
If you’re new to watches, you might’ve heard nicknames like Tuna, Turtle, Batman, Hulk, or the big one: Pepsi. These aren’t official—watch nerds like us just made ‘em up.
Credit: www.wristcheck.com
It stuck to any watch with that color combo, like Seiko’s SKX009 or Timex GMTs.
But this SRPL99? It’s the real deal—an official Seiko x Pepsi collab.
Unboxing: That ‘90s Pepsi Can Is Everything
Unboxing this was so cool. It comes in a silver Pepsi can straight outta the ‘90s—not the new black one—with the watch specs printed on the back, like nutrition facts but for watch geeks. As a collector (stamps, keychains, toy cars since I was a kid), this packaging is a shelf star. Pop the top, and boom—there’s the SRPL99. Limited to 7,000, it’s already a hit in the watch community, sold out almost everywhere.
Watch the video to check out the unboxing!
SRPL99 Specs: What You’re Getting
Here’s the quick rundown:
- Case: 38mm stainless steel, 44.2mm lug-to-lug, 12mm thick, 20mm lugs
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water Resistance: 100m
- Movement: 4R36 auto, 24 jewels, ~41-hour power reserve, hacks, hand-winds
- Bezel: Unidirectional aluminum, red-blue Pepsi, 120 clicks
- Dial: Sunburst silver, Lumibrite lume (hands, indices, bezel pip), Kanji day-date
- Extras: Transparent caseback with Pepsi logo, serial #/7000 etched
Retail’s $395—pretty sweet for a limited collab.
Design: Pepsi Bezel Steals the Show
This watch has that SKX vibe—same silhouette but tweaked. It’s 1mm thinner than my SKX013 (12mm vs. 13mm) and lighter, perfect for my 15cm wrist. Hubby’s 16cm could probably rock it too. It’s not a real diver like the SKX’s 200m—just 100m here, so it’s a Seiko 5 Sports budget diver style watch, not an actual diver.
I’d compare it to the Seiko 5KX, but I don’t own one, so I’m going off pics and vids. Big difference? The 5KX usually has a single-color bezel—dark blue or black. This SRPL99? It’s all about that red-blue Pepsi bezel, the whole reason it’s called a Pepsi watch, lah. Aluminum insert, first 20 minutes red with minute marks, then blue from 20-60 with 5-minute hashes, no minute markers. It’s unidirectional, 120 clicks—one per minute—and super loud and clicky, like a ratchet snap. Picture me rotating it on camera—click-click-click. So tactile, I love it.
The colors pop brighter than I thought. Bonus over the 5KX: a Lumibrite pip at 12 o’clock on the bezel. Not all 5KX models have this, and it glows like crazy in low light—super nice.
The sunburst silver dial is a stunner, catching light like nobody’s business. Blue-framed lume on the hour markers and syringe hands (blue seconds too). I’m obsessed with the Kanji day-date at 3—my first Seiko with it. Not sure if all 7,000 pieces got Kanji, so comment if yours did! The retro Pepsi logo sits below the Seiko 5 and “Automatic”—way cooler than the modern logo on the black SRPK01. Lume’s Lumibrite, same as my SKX013, but this glows brighter. Wore it at my desk with soft sunlight, walked into a dark room—bam, it was like a torch. Blew me away.
Unsigned crown at 4 o’clock with guards. I kept trying to unscrew it like my SKX—LOL, oops. Transparent caseback has a Pepsi logo, still shows the 4R36 movement. Side etch says 5267/7000—collector flex. 20mm drilled lugs make strap swaps easy, but I tried NATOs, Artem leather, Delugs—nothing felt right. Strap monster? You tell me in the comments. I’m keeping the bracelet for now, but it’s a bit jangly, and only two micro-adjust holes make sharing with my husband a pain.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- 38mm, 44.2mm lug-to-lug, 12mm thick—fits my 15cm wrist comfortably.
- Fun and chill design; silver sunburst dial and blue-framed hands match so well with the Pepsi bezel.
- Kanji day-date
- Lumibrite lume + bezel lume pip beats other ordinary 5KX.
- That ‘90s Pepsi can? Collector’s dream.
Cons:
- Resale prices are nuts, most of the stores are sold out.
- Bracelet’s okay but jangly, micro-adjusts too limited.
Affordable Pepsi Bezel Alternatives
Want the red-blue bezel look without the $1,000 scalper nonsense? Try these:
- Seiko SRPD53: 42.5mm, black dial, SKX-style, red-blue bezel, ~$350. Not a collab, but easy to find and nails the Pepsi style for daily wear.
Q Timex GMT Pepsi (TW2V38000): 38mm, stainless bracelet, GMT for two time zones, ~$200–$250. Quartz, not auto, but sharp and wallet-friendly.
Both are way smarter than overpaying on Chrono24. If you’re set on this collab’s retro can and limited-edition feels, hold off—prices might drop? Maybe.
Final Thoughts
I rushed this out before my Japan haul posts ‘cause you guys DMed me about the SRPL99.
Worth $395? Heck yes.
$1,000? No way—grab those alternatives for the Pepsi look. If you’re all about the collab, maybe wait for a better deal.
