Seiko Diver SKX009K1 Dive Watch Review

Reviewed By Travis Turgeon / Scuba Editor

November 11, 2022

THE SEIKO SKX009 DIVE WATCH REVIEW

Seiko SKX009 Pepsi Dive Watch

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Summary

The Seiko SKX009 is a high-quality dive watch that has become one of the most popular in this category thanks to its eye-catching design. One of the most prominent features is the beautiful blue and red bezel, which is why the watch got the Pepsi nickname it’s famous for. The SKX009 watch features an automatic mechanism, meaning it’s self-winding so you don’t have to worry about maintenance.

This well-made watch has a waterproof rating of up to 660ft (200m) to go along with the ISO6425 certification, which practically guarantees you can do anything you want underwater without any damage. Because of this (and how pretty it is to wear on dry land), it has been one of the top choices among divers for a very long time now.

The case of this watch is made of stainless steel and has a Hardlex dial window that it very difficult to scratch. The mentioned bezel is also made of stainless steel and turns in one direction only. The dial itself is dark blue with large dotted marks and has three white handles which are very easy to read.

Both the handles and the markers are filled with a luminous substance. Seiko watches are famous for remaining luminous for a long time after being exposed to light, which is a big plus when you’re underwater. One of the nice additions to this watch is the calendar that shows the current day and date, located at the 3 o’clock position.

The crown is located at the 4 o’clock position and protected with crown guards. It’s notched for a better grip and has to be unscrewed before pulling out. This is a feature all great dive watches have since it makes sure the insides of the watch remain dry.

This is a beautiful watch that is made to last a long time. The fact that you only need to wear it for it to work makes it even better. And if you leave it for some time, you just need to shake it a bit and it starts working again – it’s that simple. If you like how all of this sounds, be sure to read the rest of our review.

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What Makes This Dive Watch Stand Out
Automatic mechanism
Stainless steel case with strong hardlex window
Pepsi-colored unidirectional bezel
Luminous hands and markers
Day and date window
Screw-down crown

MODEL & ACCESSORY SPECS

Case diameter: 42mm
Water resistance: 660ftft
Materials: Stainless steel/rubber
Movement: Seiko Automatic 7S26

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Features

When it comes to diving at least, the Seiko SKX009 gives you everything you would want from a good dive watch. It’s incredibly easy to read, stays illuminated for a long time, has a really high-quality bezel, and it’s fully sealed and tested to large depths. Take a quick look at why you should consider putting it on your dive checklist:

Seiko’s reliable 7S26 automatic mechanism with a 40-hour reserve
The dark blue dial face looks great and features a day/date window
Beautiful red/blue unidirectional bezel for timing your stay underwater
Three white hands are easy to see and read
Lume in the hands and dotted markers last for hours
Screw-down crown seals the watch and prevents leaks
The rubber strap on the Seiko Pepsi is comfortable to wear (steel strap is also available)

Specifications

Case diameter: 42mm

Case thickness:12mm

Case Material: Stainless steel

Dial: Dark blue, luminous hands and markers

Dial window: Hardlex

Calendar: Day and date window

Bezel: Unidirectional, stainless steel, red/blue color

Band length: Standard for men

Bandwidth: 21mm

Band Material: Rubber, black

Closure: Buckle

Lug width: 22m

Water resistance: 660ft, ISO6425 certification

Movement: Seiko automatic engine 7S26

Battery: No battery

Warranty: 2-year warranty

User Experience

Design: All owners agree that this is one beautiful watch. The stainless steel case complements nicely with the black band and the dark-colored dial. The dial is dark blue, with three white hands that are easy to see against the background and a date window that users find really convenient. The luminescence makes the Seiko Pepsi very easy to read in the dark, which is an added plus.

The bezel is very tough, and people like that it makes a ratcheting sound when you turn it. It moves in one direction only, and each click represents one minute. It’s doesn’t move easily (to prevent accidental turning), but it has notches so you can turn it even with dive gloves on.

We’ve already mentioned the screw-down crown, but, from a user standpoint, placing it at 4 o’clock is really smart – it doesn’t pinch you or poke your wrist. The watch itself is ideally sized (not too large or small) and it will fit most people great. It’s a good choice to wear no matter where you go – diving in the USA, around the world, or casually wear it every day.

Diving and everyday use: This is what you would call a ‘true divers watch’. It’s certified for depths of over 600ft and has a certificate to prove it. Numerous divers have tested it many times and it has worked flawlessly. Whether you’re a beginner scuba diver or a seasoned diving enthusiast, this watch is nice to have.

People say it’s very comfortable to wear underwater, even over a wetsuit. It’s incredibly easy to read (strong luminescence), and the reliable bezel allows you to track time and your ascent rate without any trouble.

Some divers even use it for freediving, since it’s very accurate. However, it doesn’t give you all the sophisticated functions of a dive computer, so you need to choose according to your needs.

Finally, this is an amazing watch for casual wear too. The rubber strap it comes with is easily replaceable, and the 22mm lug width allows you to put any type of strap you want – Nato, leather, or any other. This is one of the reasons the watch is very popular even among people who never go diving.

Mechanism: The movement of this watch is fantastic – it moves as long as you move. The Seiko caliber 7S26 is a bit outdated according to some users, but we think that as long as it’s reliable (and this one excels at it) there’s nothing to complain about.

The hand revolves smoothly (without jumps), and the watch will continue working for almost two days from the moment you set it down. There is no type of battery involved in any of this, which is a huge advantage. And even after you leave it stored for a while, the Seiko SKX009 starts working again as soon as you put it on, as if nothing happened.

Durability: Users claim that this watch is one tough product. It will last for many years without any signs of wear or any signs of a compromised function. Still, we would advise that you take some care of it so it serves you better. Make sure to rinse it off after every use in saltwater, and care for the rubber band so it doesn’t crack. If you want, take a look at how to maintain a dive watch to learn more.

Many people also suggest that you should take the watch to an authorized repair shop so they can thoroughly clean and lube it every two to three years. In any case, the 2-year warranty you get from Seiko should give you some comfort and peace of mind when it comes to the durability of this great watch.

Pros:

Watch is absolutely beautiful
The automatic mechanism means no maintenance
Luminescence in hands and markers lasts for several hours
Convenient day and date window
Unidirectional bezel with large numbers and a luminous dot
Absolutely reliable underwater without any leaks
Great for both fresh and saltwater

Cons:

The band can be a bit firm at the beginning
Hardlex window is prone to fingerprints

You might also like: Casio Men’s Sport Analog Dive Watch Review

Overall Rating

Price: 95% – Even though there are cheaper dive watches than this one, none of them are even close when it comes to quality. The Seiko Pepsi is easily one of the best in terms of value for money, and one of the best in general when talking about dive watches in the $500 range. We think that it’s definitely worth investing in.
Material: 95% – The stainless steel case is almost indestructible which is a big plus for wearing the watch worry-free. The model we reviewed came with a rubber band which is of good quality and durable but can also be easily replaced if you have problems with it.
Design: 100% – The design of this watch is excellent, both in terms of looks and functionality. The ‘Pepsi’ color choice is what made it so popular, but the functions it offers and the overall quality is something that makes people come back to it.
Overall: 97% – We have a very high opinion of this watch, and we would argue that you can’t do better for this amount of money. It’s great-looking, versatile, and extremely reliable – a good recommendation for divers and watches enthusiasts alike.

Globo Surf Overview

The Seiko SKX009 Pepsi is an attractive high-quality diving watch that is definitely one of the best in its price range. It looks even better in person, the images don’t do it justice. But this watch is not just about style, there is a lot of substance too. We mentioned the automatic mechanism, meaning you only need to wear it for it to work.

It’s made from very strong materials so you can count on it to last for a very long time. As we mentioned earlier, changing the band is very easy, allowing you to wear this one on many different occasions too, not just when preparing for a dive holiday. If you decide to give this watch a shot, we guarantee you’ll love it the whole way.

Seiko SKX009 Pepsi Dive Watch

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Last Updated: May 28, 2019 Last Updated: May 28, 2019

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Seiko SKX009 Dive Watch