The watch that always escaped me – The Ixdao Pepsi Vitage

In the world of watches, there is something rather strange when it comes to categories. Dive watches, despite having an ISO certification, they can look very different, field watches are basically a canvas to be whatever the brands want to design but when it comes to GMT, there is not much of an evolution, and we believe that is good thing. Sure, there are plenty watches which include jumping hour mechanisms or dual faces to display different time zones but the basics of a 24 hour-scale and a fourth hand are pretty much spot on since the inception of the complication.

Today we have a watch that has escaped me for a while, not only on its features but on the dimensions and functionality: a small, affordable, well built, and good-looking GMT.

I have handled a plethora of watches, some good and other not very much so, and to my surprise I believe I found the best companion in the Ixdao Pepsi vintage. I know that many people will start screaming: ‘’this is an homage watch…’’ but please hear me out, it so much more than that.

The IPV (Ixdao Pepsi Vintage) is a watch that is clearly inspired in the lovely Rolex GMT 6542, it makes no apologies as you can read the inspiration on the dial. Just by this small detail gives me the honesty that I need to validate my love for this watch.

I have worn the IPV for more than a week and not only has won me over, because of the looks, it has won me over because it is one of the best executed watches that I’ve tried this year. Join me to find out in detail.

The specifications

Part of the great appeal of the watch is the size at 37mm in diameter for the case, yes you read that right, and then at the bezel grows to 38mm for better grip. The lug to lug measures a compact 48mm which fits my 6.25-inch wrists to perfection but more on that later. Under the double domed sapphire crystal, you can start appreciating the ‘’nerdy’’ touches that a vintage recreation should have, from the matte dial that looks almost grey under the sun to the gilt printing with aged markers, it all looks warm and cozy on this dial, I really cannot stop staring at it.  

The external sapphire crystal bezel mimics a bakelite insert which is another touch that is well executed, it includes C3 superluminova for better legibility, everything looks spot on. The period accurate ‘’roulette’’ wheel changes from red to black and offering those open numbers that I am a fan of, just like an original 6542.

The watch has another ace up its sleeve as the case is made of 904L stainless steel, which is the same material used by modern Rolex, a real privilege to wear. Th IPV has a screw down crown and 100 meters of water resistance, it is an elegant watch but also a tool one.

In order to keep the price down, the IPV comes with a NH34 Seiko GMT movement, and it works like wonders, we also enjoyed that the text on the dial mentions that the watch is a ‘’caller’’ GMT movement, again exposing that the watch is not pretending to be more than a tribute band but to me sounds as good as the original.

On the wrist

This is to me the part the watch really excels; the case not only is manageable from a diameter perspective but also it is very thin at 11.4mm which means that it can be worn by a variety of wrists sizes and feels period correct. With great proportions, the IPV it’s a perfect everyday companion, it is not heavy and comes equipped with an impressive jubilee style bracelet. The solid end links provide a great modern feel while the short solid milled clasp feel perfect for a watch with this size, very robust in terms of architecture. The watch also includes drilled lugs if you want to swap it to a leather strap or a nato, I have found the stock bracelet so comfortable that I haven’t dared to change it.

I wore the IPV mostly for work, which is an office environment, the look of the watch really blends with more than one setting. It can look rugged and ready to be worn with jeans and a t-shirt but also feels great with a suit jacket, it has the right size to wondering within worlds and a design that to match.

The IPV is offered also with a white dial which is the unicorn of the 6542s, no one really know if an albino GMT is real, but we would be keen to see this one in person, it might be the ultimate 2 traveler watch combo and it won’t break the bank, more on this at the end.

Conclusions

One of the concerns I had while waiting for the IPV, was to understand what position should I take when reviewing this watch: is it a copy or a true homage?, and  I was gladly surprised that it was the latter, mainly because there aren’t many 6542 in the market in good condition and to own one would mean to avoid wearing it, also Rolex doesn’t produce this watch anymore and now Tudor has a similar proposition but again is not a real replacement is tribute to the original. Ixdao has done a great job and probably the best one I’ve seen so far with this piece because it ticks all the boxes that a vintage lover might have. As to me it is one that I gravitate towards when deciding what to wear and as a current Rolex owner, I do not feel offended by it, on the contrary it complements nicely my collection. The Ixdao is 399 USD and with this level of finishing (hoping that the macro shots made justice), a great movement and a special case material, it is hard to beat.

For more information please visit https://www.ixdaowatch.com/product-page/black-pepsi-insert-vintage-gmt-wristwatch-904l-stainless-steel-38-mm

Technical specifications

·         Movement: SEIKO Japan NH34 GMT Movement

·         Case material: 904L stainless steel

·         Case Back material: 904L stainless steel

·         Glass: Sapphire crystal boxed shaped (double domed), AR coating

·         Bezel: Bidirectional 60 clicks bezel, sapphire crystal bezel, full luminous markers

·         Luminous: Retro C3 Green super luminous light.

·         Case Back: Screw-down case back

·         Strap: 904L stainless steel 5-link bracelet

·         Water Resistant: 10 Bar = 100 meters

·         Watch Dimension:

·         Case diameter: 37 mm

·         Bezel diameter: 38 mm

·         Case length(Lug to Lug): 48 mm

·         Thickness: 11.4 mm excluding glass /13.5mm (including glass)

·         Band width 20 mm