Orient Mako II and SKX

[ZesPak]

Ok, so I got an SKX last year and I'm very impressed for the money. It's an amazing watch, keeps great time with brilliant lume.
It feels a lot higher quality than it has any right to. The only let down was the bracelet, but I replaced it with a nice nato strap.
So, now I'm itching for a pepsi dial.
An SKX009 would set me back EUR 152, but I can get a new Mako II Pepsi for 160.
I'd like to change it up, but most sites will tell me that a Mako won't live up to the quality of the SKX.
It seems a bit excessive getting two SKX's, and I like the look of the mako but never held/worn one.

Anyone on here with experience with both?

[uncinqsix]

I'm not a regular in the watch forum, but started poking around a couple of weeks back looking for some ideas for what to replace my busted SNK809 with. I ended up choosing a blue Mako II, which arrived today. I was also looking at an SKX007, but preferred the look of the Mako.

So, bearing in mind that I've never held a SKX, I have to say I'm mighty impressed with the Mako. It's beautifully finished, nothing feels cheap or sub-par, and I can't really imagine what might be better about the Seiko in terms of quality, finish or general feel.

Take that with a handful of salt - I have zero experience with nice watches, so I have no place recommending one over the other. I'm happy with the Orient, and can say it's much nicer than the SNK809

[HTP99]

I've got an Orient Mako XL, I've had it a couple of years now buit not worn it for about a year as I got a Galaxy Gear S3, however I was very impresed with it, it is very well built, feels very solid, it never let me down, it looked and felt much more expensive than it was, the only negative is the metal strap it felt a bit cheap and rattly but what do you expect for the very low price.

[uncinqsix]

HTP99 said:

the only negative is the metal strap it felt a bit cheap and rattly but what do you expect for the very low price.

The one on mine doesn't seem too bad. Maybe a little rattly, but not terrible. It's not an issue for me as I don't like metal straps anyway (I'm a bit ape-like and find they catch on my arm hairs) and will be sticking a Nato on it.

[TiggerBits]

HTP99 said:

I've got an Orient Mako XL, I've had it a couple of years now buit not worn it for about a year as I got a Galaxy Gear S3, however I was very impresed with it, it is very well built, feels very solid, it never let me down, it looked and felt much more expensive than it was, the only negative is the metal strap it felt a bit cheap and rattly but what do you expect for the very low price.

I have the same experience, my Mako XL also has a noisy strap. As well as that the bezel is terrible, and feels like it came off a looky looky watch

[uncinqsix]

TiggerBits said:

As well as that the bezel is terrible, and feels like it came off a looky looky watch

I read somewhere that the bezel was upgraded for the Mako II. Mine feels pretty good.

[Fullook]

How about if I go full Pistonheads and answer an entirely different question than the one you've asked?

Imagine that all you'd typed was 'Seiko' and 'Pepsi' - I'd be asking "what about the SNE439?"

OK so its solar quartz rather than automatic
Rubber strap instead of bracelet
£230 (delivered from Chrono24 / Discountshop) rather than €150 ish from wherever you're getting the SKX

But it looks great (much nicer bezel and case shape and design to my eyes than the SKX), and the solar makes it both more interesting and more practical than a standard quartz movement and much more accurate (if less satisfying) than any automatic. I really like rubber straps too (quiet at the back)...

Here's a pic

[ZesPak]

uncinqsix said:

I'm not a regular in the watch forum, but started poking around a couple of weeks back looking for some ideas for what to replace my busted SNK809 with. I ended up choosing a blue Mako II, which arrived today. I was also looking at an SKX007, but preferred the look of the Mako.

So, bearing in mind that I've never held a SKX, I have to say I'm mighty impressed with the Mako. It's beautifully finished, nothing feels cheap or sub-par, and I can't really imagine what might be better about the Seiko in terms of quality, finish or general feel.

Take that with a handful of salt - I have zero experience with nice watches, so I have no place recommending one over the other. I'm happy with the Orient, and can say it's much nicer than the SNK809

Thanks for the input, you have me doubting again .
The SKX and the SNK809 are on another level though. Both very impressive at their price point, but the SKX is about 3x more expensive .

Fullook said:

How about if I go full Pistonheads and answer an entirely different question than the one you've asked?

Imagine that all you'd typed was 'Seiko' and 'Pepsi' - I'd be asking "what about the SNE439?"

OK so its solar quartz rather than automatic
Rubber strap instead of bracelet
£230 (delivered from Chrono24 / Discountshop) rather than €150 ish from wherever you're getting the SKX

But it looks great (much nicer bezel and case shape and design to my eyes than the SKX), and the solar makes it both more interesting and more practical than a standard quartz movement and much more accurate (if less satisfying) than any automatic. I really like rubber straps too (quiet at the back)...

Here's a pic

Thanks for the suggestions.
I don't want to blow the budget as the Pepsi watch is just going to be a "leisure" watch.
The SKX is at that price at Creationwatches.

[Dempsey1971]

ZesPak said:

Ok, so I got an SKX last year and I'm very impressed for the money. It's an amazing watch, keeps great time with brilliant lume.
It feels a lot higher quality than it has any right to. The only let down was the bracelet, but I replaced it with a nice nato strap.
So, now I'm itching for a pepsi dial.
An SKX009 would set me back EUR 152, but I can get a new Mako II Pepsi for 160.
I'd like to change it up, but most sites will tell me that a Mako won't live up to the quality of the SKX.
It seems a bit excessive getting two SKX's, and I like the look of the mako but never held/worn one.

Anyone on here with experience with both?

I have had both, and feel the SXK is a nicer watch. Less of an obvious homage to another famous diver too. It feels like it is made from granite.
As a perpetual watch flipper, I've had many far more expensive watches, and it really stands up to them. The bracelet is very flexible and a little cheap looking, and my first reaction was to swap it out for one of the many oyster type aftermarket ones available. However, whilst procrastinating onwhich to go for, I kept wearing it and have discovered that the stock bracelet is by far the most comfortable I have ever worn. Way more comfortable than anything from Rolex, Breitling, Omega or IWC, if a little rattlier.

[TiggerBits]

uncinqsix said:

I read somewhere that the bezel was upgraded for the Mako II. Mine feels pretty good.

I believe that is the case. Mine is a 60 click, turns to easy, and hasn't got a ceramic insert. Despite that, and the poor strap, it is still a nice watch though

[Rob_F]

I've had both, much prefer the orient - I sold the seiko despite upgrading to the super oyster bracelet.

[kuro]

Not had an skx but have owned an original mako for a few years. Watch is well finished but as others have said the strap is the only bad point.