Forget GMT-Masters: Seiko has officially teamed up with Pepsi
Jamie WeissIt’s fair to say that the Rolex GMT-Master is one of the most iconic watches in the world, to the point where people who aren’t even into watches have heard of the ‘Rolex Pepsi’. Ever since the release of the original Rolex GMT-Master ref. 6542, watch fans have been captivated by red and blue bicolour bezels on tool watches. Sure, there’s plenty of Pepsi-coloured alternatives to the Crown these days (we’ve got a helpful list of some of them here), but Rolex’s Pepsi remains the most legitimate.
Or at least it used to. Seiko, which has long offered Pepsi-coloured bezels on models in its 5 Sports line, has now officially teamed up with the world-famous cola brand… And while their collaborative capsule is a limited edition, you can bet your bottom dollar they’ll be easier to acquire than a GMT-Master. Call it a battle of the bezels?
The Seiko x Pepsi collab consists of two different 5 Sports SKX Series watches (sometimes referred to by collectors as “5KXs” to differentiate them from the original and super-popular SKX): a three-hander with a timing bezel and a GMT model. The former, the SRPL99, pays homage to the red, white and blue colours of Pepsi cans and logos from the 1990s, and fittingly sports the 90s-era ‘PEPSI’ logotype on its silver dial below the central pinion at 6 o’clock. The 90s Pepsi logo, resplendent in that iconic red and blue, covers the exhibition caseback. It comes mounted on a steel three-link bracelet.
The GMT model, the SSK047, reflects Pepsi’s current branding style, sporting a black PVD coating on its case, black dial and black strap. Actually, it’s the first SKX-series GMT to feature a silicone strap: the modern Pepsi logotype is embossed on the 12 o’clock side, while the Pepsi logo can be found at the tip of the 6 o’clock side. A monochromatic print of the modern logo can also be found adorning the exhibition caseback, which has a dark smoked tint.
Naturally, both the SRPL99 and SSK047 feature red and blue bezels – because of course they do – with the SSK047’s being a 50/50 colour split just as you’d come to expect from a GMT watch, whereas the SRPL99 has a more diver-style split with red only for the first 20 minutes. The best bit? Both models are packaged in Pepsi can-shaped cases, which is a particularly refreshing touch. See what I did there?
I think this is an incredibly cheeky collab on Seiko’s part. The SKX/5KX ranges have long been the go-to option for someone looking for that Rolex Pepsi aesthetic on a budget. Now, they’ve stolen Rolex’s thunder by actually making their Pepsi watches official. Of course, outside of unit watches or corporate commissions (such as the legendary Domino’s Pizza models gifted to high-performing Domino’s employees), Rolex doesn’t collaborate with other brands. Nor has Rolex ever really officially recognised the ‘Pepsi’ nickname for the GMT-Master. They left the door wide open for Seiko here, and I’ll raise a glass to Seiko’s audacity in pulling this off.
Seiko 5 Sports x Pepsi Limited Edition SRPL99 and SSK047 pricing and availability
Both of these Seiko x Pepsi watches are limited editions of 7,000 watches for each model. Both are currently available for pre-order directly from Seiko, with deliveries scheduled to take place in September/October 2025 with full tracking. Price: A$595 (SRPL99), A$950 (SSK047)
| Brand | Seiko | Seiko |
| Model | 5 Sports x Pepsi® Limited Edition SKX Series | 5 Sports x Pepsi® Limited Edition SKX Series GMT |
| Reference Number | SRPL99 | SSK047 |
| Case Dimensions | 38mm (D) x 12.1mm (T) x 44.2mm (LTL) | 42.5mm (D) x 13.6mm (T) x 46.0mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel with black PVD hard coating |
| Weight | 142 g (with bracelet) | 106 g (with strap) |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Hardlex front and back, Pepsi logo graphic on back | Hardlex front, smoked Hardlex back, Pepsi logo graphic on back |
| Dial | Silver, retro Pepsi logo at 6′ | Black, Pepsi logo at 6′ |
| Lug Width | 20mm | 22mm |
| Strap | Steel three-link bracelet with foldover clasp | Black silicone strap with Pepsi details, pin buckle |
| Movement | 4R36, in-house, automatic | 4R34, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours | 66 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date, unidirectional timing bezel | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT, bidirectional GMT bezel |
| Availability | Limited edition of 7,000 pieces, open to pre-orders, available from September 2025 | Limited edition of 7,000 pieces, open to pre-orders, available from September 2025 |
| Price | A$595 | A$950 |