Seiko 'Pepsi' Quartz Diver

Everyone knows and loves the "SKX" series of mechanical Seiko dive watches from the 1990s/early 2000s. But did you know that a series of quartz-powered divers actually preceded them — and that their movement was based largely on the architecture of the mechanical Calibre 6309? Yep. Meet the Ref. 7548-700B, a watch born way back in 1978 and produced through the mid-1980s. Measuring 42mm in stainless steel with a 4 o'clock screw-down crown, an acrylic crystal, and a lovely, faded red and blue 'Pepsi' dive bezel insert, you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for an automatic watch. But look closely at the navy dial, and you'll notice the word "Quartz" proudly displayed in white beneath the "Seiko" wordmark. Featuring luminous round and triangular hour plots, an outer open minute track in white, a day-date display at 3 o'clock, and a luminous 'arrow' handset with 'lollipop' seconds hand, it's powered by a well constructed quartz calibre that rivals its mechanical cousins in consideration and design: Boasting largely full-metal construction, it simply swaps a out a traditional mainspring for battery-powered circuitboard. Paired to an aftermarket stainless steel multi-link bracelet from Uncle Seiko with a signed fold-over clasp, this handsomely patinated tool watch from the early 1980s is ready for another several decades' worth of hard use. Finally: a quartz watch you'd be proud to wear to a mechanical meetup!