Given my scrawny 15.3" wrists, I tried the 007, the 009 and the PADI at the shop, and despite the PADI having the bigger case, the SKX007/9 felt bigger and wore bigger than the PADI!
Somehow the PADI fit better on my wrist, perhaps due to the shape and how it sat on the wrist. I agree though that the PADI and the 007/009 are fairly heavy on the wrist, but with the bracelet, they're quite balanced so the head doesn't flop around.
I've been wearing my PADI almost every weekend since I bought it. As you said, the dial is awesome (nicer than the 009's Pepsi) and it's just such a delight to wear. Give it a shot!