Perhaps among the most collectible watches in the Philippines are the so-called Philippine divers watches. These are supposed to be divers watches that were manufactured and released in the Philippine market. There are two of them - the SKX 399, which has a black bezel (becoming blue with the use and/or the passing of time), and the SKX 401, which has a red and blue bezel (often termed Pepsi, after the colors of the soft-drink). These were usually very expensive with prices usually triple compared to the 399's. I had maybe three or four opportunities to get one but decided against purchasing as the timing wasn't right (i.e., I had more important things to spend money on.). This one came a bit unexpectedly or so it seems and the price was right so things were just right for its acquisition.
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| Signature Pepsi bezel on the SKX 401 - this one is the original and not a replacement, and not too weathered or damaged |
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| Size view showing the screw-down crown |
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| The other side view |
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| Case back showing the serial number that indicates this watch to have been manufactured in November 1999. |
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| Close-up of the dial showing the original bezel and the well-preserved hands and lumes. |
The watch is powered by the same Cal. 7S26A used in the 399 that runs at 21,600 beats per hour with a potential power reserve of 43h. I haven't really attempted to measure the power reserve but it runs overnight after I take it off and I don't have to adjust it in the morning. I have been using the watch for my regular morning constitutionals and it works fine. I probably will soon change the plastic strap into an oyster or a super engineer.
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