Seiko Kinetic Diver SKJ003 5M43-0A40

[SpinDoctor]

A friend sent me this on loan.  Thought it would be appreciated here.  Pepsi kinetic diver.  SKJ003 5M43-0A40.  Late 90s.  22mm lugs and case just under 42mm.  Classic looks and nice proportions.  Construction is very nice with lots of applied markers on the dial.  Case finishing is simple. Bezel is somewhat aggressive considering the style of the rest of the watch, but the design works well and the action is still the classic seiko feel of an instrument.  Bracelet is the rattly jubilee, but ridiculously comfortable.

This particular example has held up well.  No signs of aging on the dial and hands what so ever.  Also has the sapphlex crystal.  That's a first for me.  Does have a small nick in it.  Could use an AR coating, but that's probably just my opinion.  I love AR.

A nice option especially considering that the current line of kinetics are somewhat garish and overstyled.  I have a BFK and I like it a lot, but its really at my tolerance limit for size and design. Also noticed its a day/date which I don't think is an option anymore.

[7s26b]

I like that a lot, far nicer than the BFK IMO. I much prefer the standard diver style hands over the condom ones.

[igniferroque]

The dial/hands combo is almost as nice as an SKX031, but not quite.

[sdoocms]

Nice looking watch!

[trandy]

I'd like to find the two-tone gold version of that....I think it's the SKJ004...but the Pepsi version looks great too.

[SpinDoctor]

Dec 22, 2013 8:05:46 GMT -8 igniferroque said:

The dial/hands combo is almost as nice as an SKX031, but not quite.

yeah very similar except for the engine.

weird the SKX031 is only 100M WR.

[SpinDoctor]

Dec 22, 2013 8:23:12 GMT -8 trandy said:

I'd like to find the two-tone gold version of that....I think it's the SKJ004...but the Pepsi version looks great too.

Interesting while searching on SKJ004, I didn't realize there were so many options in this line.

The 2-tone in blue looks damn sexy as does the steel bezel insert.

[SpinDoctor]

Dec 22, 2013 8:04:47 GMT -8 7s26b said:

I like that a lot, far nicer than the BFK IMO. I much prefer the standard diver style hands over the condom ones.

True.  Like I said for me the BFK is at the edge of my tolerance level.

Strange how the skeleton hands on the Seamaster can work so well, but on the BFK, not so much.

[sewingman]

Hi, Had mine from new (1997) first battery lasted about 3 years, a known problem,replaced with a later type,then the charging coil failed within a month, it's just as well I managed to do the repairs myself, as it would have been a very expensive watch to maintain.Still have and still enjoy.
In 1997 the watch cost £325. freaked-out-smiley-emoticon........Bob.