The ‘Pepsi’ nickname denoting a split red and blue bezel is finally officially a part of watch lore with the release of a new set of limited editions from Seiko. The color combo dates back to the early ‘50s and it’s seen use on watches from a variety of brands, either marking the first 20 minutes of a timing bezel, or splitting day from night when paired with a GMT hand. The moniker is arguably mostly associated with the Rolex GMT, having been an integral part of the original 1953 ref. 6452 design, but the motif has also been in use by Seiko for nearly as long. With Seiko, the colors were put to a slightly different use, however, and the colors were chosen for their lasting contrast at depth (red is among the first wavelengths to disappear).
In 1950, Pepsi-Cola took the step of adding a splash of blue to their existing red color scheme. The pairing would become synonymous with the drink, and by 1962 they dropped the ‘Cola’ bit, cementing the iconic look that would evolve through the decades while maintaining the distinctive red over blue theme. The Pepsi nickname was a natural choice for bezels that used the same colors, and it’s one that’s become woven into the fabric of how we talk about watches. I’m not sure how quickly the name gained momentum between owners or enthusiasts, but it’s been firmly established within the community for decades, giving way to all manner of sometimes silly names applied to certain design motifs.
This week, Seiko is making it official with the release of two references done in collaboration with Pepsi, each featuring red and blue bezels. The SRPL99 and SSK047 both fall within the Seiko 5 Sports family, and each will be limited to 7,000 units produced. The first is a 38mm steel diver with a day and date complication courtesy of the Seiko caliber 4R36 within. This one takes inspiration from Pepsi logo of the ‘90s, and bears throwback branding at the bottom of the silver dial. The second gets a 24 hour hand, and splits the red and blue bezel in half to mark day and night. This one gets the modern Pepsi branding on the black dial set within a hard coated 42mm case.
The first Seiko to use these colors at the bezel was likely the reference 7548-700B produced in the late ‘70s. As colors fade at depth, the real benefit of this execution comes down to the contrast between the two portions. Of course, it’s a nice aesthetic to behold on land, and the added benefit of the contrast under water is a handy practical feature. These divers separated the first 20 minute segment of the elapsed time bezel to make quick references easier. It’s a detail we see maintained right through the likes of the 7002 (reviewed here) and even the modern PADI SRPE99.
These new Seiko watches now officially gain the ‘Pepsi’ title, though I doubt it will do much to stop the word being applied to any other red and blue bezel that happens to come along. It’s best to view these as a bit of meta within the niche, and I suppose as a celebration of the history of one of America’s most iconic brands. The Seiko SRPL99 (EUR 380) and SSK047 (EUR 540) will be available this September. Seiko