Saturday, April 13, 2013

May I have a can of Pepsi please? Seiko Diver 6309

Seiko 6309-7290 Diver with Pepsi Bezel

This is how a Pepsi logo looks like back in the 1970-80's. It consists of 2 main colours: Red and blue......


This is a can of Pepsi as I remembered it during my childhood and teenage years....


Seiko 6309 divers is the third generation diving watches. The 6309 divers replaced the 6105 in 1976 and ran until 1988, before being replaced by the 7002 line of divers. The 6309 divers come in two different versions: an earlier big cushion-cased "Turtle" variant produced from 1976 to 1988 and a later slimmed down case variant produced from 1982 to 1988. The production of the first generation continued well after the second generation was introduced. Actually there aren't much different between the two variants apart from the case and the dial design. What I have here is the second version with the slimmer stainless steel case with an approximately 41mm width; 13mm in thickness; and 22mm in lug width.. 




According to the Seiko Diver’s reference, the second version 6309 divers can be classified into: 
1) 6309-7290: first model to use slimmed-down cases, black-bezel version
2) 6309-729A: identical to 6309-7290 except with blue and red “Pepsi” bezel
(If the Japan made 7290 and 729A, there would be "17 Jewels" stated on the dial and the word Japan at the bottom of the dial and at its caseback.)
3) 6309-729B: very rare orange dialed model.
Ooopppssss something is fishy with my watch here. I bought this diver from a Philippines ebay seller. She clearly stated that the dial and the bezel are aftermarket. If according to the case back number of my watch, I would be having a black bezel on this 6309. I could not be bothered as the famous red and blue Pepsi bezel looks fantastic on the watch. It will also be very tedious and cost consuming if want to look for original replacement parts. 
The bezel on all 6309 are bi-directional non-locking. At the dial, the word SEIKO AUTOMATIC written in whitish silvery paint, directly below the 12 o'clock marker; and the words WATER 150m RESIST just above the 6 o'clock marker. The words WATER & RESIST where painted red, while the 150m was painted in whitish silver paint. At the bottom of the dial is the words “6309-735M R”, with a very small Suwa logo at the right. According to experts, the Suwa logo looks bigger in after market dial than the original dial.



The 6309 has a screw down crown. The back case is almost the same like the newer 7S26 divers with the Tsunami wave logo engraving in the center. If you compare properly, the workmanship of 6309 is far more superior than the later day 7S26. 


Below is the 6309 movement, which is a 17 Jewels unadjusted automatic movement with quickset day-date functions.  It runs at 21,600 bph. It's a non-hacking, non-handwinding and undecorated Japanese made movement.  It is plain simple, robust and reliable mechanism that can last generations to come. 




When I bought this watch, it came with a aftermarket Seiko's rubber strap. I want to give this watch a more macho and tough look. Therefore I ordered an original Seiko Oyster bracelet which costed me RM60.00. It was money well spent consider the outcome is what I desired. 



For many Seiko lovers, 6309 divers are highly regarded for its practicality, stability and reliability. The 6309-7290 introduced many contemporary design changes that are still visible in today's Seiko divers.

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