Pepsi style watches: the latest options
One of the world's most popular carbonated drinks is probably familiar to you due to its use of distinctive brand colors. Red and blue are very noticeable colors: they go very well together chromatically, and when placed next to each other, they create the perfect contrast.
The first watch with a blue and red bezel was produced by Rolex. It was a Rolex GMT Master. This was not the world’s first GMT watch; what made it unique was its original and extremely successful external design. Let us remind you that GMT watches are distinguished by the presence of a second hour hand, which at the same time moves twice as slow as the main one and describes a circle around the dial in exactly 24 hours. In order to correctly read the readings of this hand, 24-hour markings are applied to the outer edge of such watches. But the idea to separate the day and night zones, coloring them red and blue, respectively, came to Rolex engineers.
We should not forget the features of the time when these watches were released. This was the heroic era of the first intercontinental flights, and the need to check the time in two different time zones was not just a whim, but often a vital necessity. As a result, this practical and elegant solution was to the taste of customers, and the “popular” name “Pepsi” was assigned to this watch almost instantly. This combination was later adapted to other types of watches (even non-GMT watches). For example, for diving models: where the speed and accuracy of reading readings are also very important.
Now there are a huge number of offers on the market from a variety of brands with a wide price range, but we will consider the most interesting of them.
The model from the Swiss brand Mathey-Tissot is made with the utmost respect for the canons of Pepsi. Here are the markings of the bezel, the shape of the hands, the bracelet, and even the lens on the glass above the date window - all the details almost exactly repeat the “parent” model. The watches are distinguished by their affordable price, but at the same time high quality workmanship.
Another model, made in the best Pepsi traditions, comes from Germany from the Élysée brand. In terms of appearance and price, it is almost no different from the first model from the review, but boasts more serious water resistance of 200 meters (versus 100 meters for Mathey-Tissot).
A more daring interpretation is demonstrated by the design brand Tsar Bomba. This is a mechanical model with self-winding, and in order to emphasize this fact, the dial of the model is made transparent: both the owner and others can admire the work of the mechanical caliber. The designers worked on the case, bezel and bracelet - as a result, the model received a very fresh and even sporty look.
To close the topic of the “correct” Pepsi, we cannot fail to mention more expensive models from Swiss manufacturers. A striking example of original performance is the model from the BALL brand. There is an in-house caliber with chronometer precision, a titanium case/bracelet, and a unique technology for illuminating the hands and markers using tritium tubes. As a cherry on the cake - a limited edition model: only 1000 copies worldwide.
Next we will talk about watches that interpret the Pepsi theme in different ways, but can no longer be considered canonical.
For example, the model from the American brand Invicta is a “real” Pepsi at first glance, but upon closer examination we will find that this is a model without the GMT function, and the bezel is marked not 24 hours, but 60 minutes. However, this fact does not make this watch any less beautiful. Moreover, not everyone really needs a second hour hand on their watch. And if you look at the price of this model, it will turn out to be even more attractive.
Invicta has another model that uses iconic colors, but for a different reason. The brand's collaboration with MARVEL has given birth to many “superhero” watches. One of the models is dedicated to Captain America, and red and blue are his signature colors too.
At the beginning of the material, we said that the contrasting blue and red markings came in very handy in diving models. It is used in a slightly different form: here the 15- or 20-minute part of the rotating bezel is painted red. This design makes it easier for a diver to read the watch underwater. On the Seiko model, you can see a traditional approach to the design of a diver's bezel.
One of the most serious watches on the Russian market, Slava “Sadko”, is designed for deep-sea work down to 500 meters. Their rotating bezel is painted in the same canonical colors.
But a dive watch is not only a trouble-free tool. The unique brand Cuervo y Sobrinos was able to present to the market the Buceador model, suitable for diving, and at the same time executed as a work of art. The in-house caliber is housed in a case unlike any other brand. The Pepsi markings are especially noble thanks to the use of expressive shades, as well as the grainy texture of the dial and the internal rotating bezel.
