Seiko Divers SKX007 0r 009; help me decide

[AndyWoodall]

Have just returned from holiday yesterday and it has prompted me to carry out a restructure in my 'collection'. My main watches (excluding sentimental keepers like an old Seiko kinetic, my first watch a bright yellow Animal and a Nixon Scout) are the following;

I have a Lotus Type One which was a birthday present that I very occasionally wear which I treasure more than all of them (O/H bought it for me despite times being slightly tight one birthday - they very shortly afterwards disappeared from sale).

I have a Tissot PRC-200 which was again a special present which has become my 'special' everyday watch.

Lastly I have a Invicta Lefty 2770 which is my everyday knocking about watch which I bought around about the time I got the Tissot to spare it from being on my bike/swimming/hiking/messing about.

I have a Blue faced Monaco incoming in the near future and I'm finding myself wearing the Tissot all the time as I've never felt the Invicta was right (its right for knocking about and has proved robust - but I just don't like it as much as the Tissot) and on the holiday I have just gotten back from it took a bit of a battering (nothing serious, just a brush with rocks, dust, water!).

So, I'm looking at getting shot of the Invicta asap on ebay (won't get much, but I'd like someone else to enjoy it whatever the price really) and I've decided, after seeing some numerous examples on here and TZ, an Automatic Seiko Divers watch coupled with a black or khaki NATO strap would be a good idea as my knock about everyday watch. I've narrowed it down to either this, which I'm sure you all know is the SKX007;



Or the red and blue bezelled SKX009;



Looking for opinions, I'm presuming they are identical bar the cosmetic difference of the bezel. I know there are plenty of owners, are these nice and durable, is there lots of love for these watches? Should I go for black or khaki, pictures more than appreciated.

As a second side to the post, I'm guessing Creation Watches are pretty well regarded here, they are often mentioned in threads and they are certainly competitive, free UK shipping is a bonus.

Edited by AndyWoodall on Wednesday 31st August 11:24

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Can't really help with which one to choose as that's ultimately a matter of personal preference but I can vouch for Creation Watches. I bought a watch from them a few weeks ago and it took three days from purchase to being on my wrist, impressive delivery with no hassles.

[CardShark]

The 007 and 009 are *exactly* the same watch except for the bezel insert and colour of the face - all black on the 007, red/blue insert and matching blue face on the 009. Don't get hung up on the J or K suffix on the model numbers either, they're supposed to indicate where the watch was made (J - Japan, K - Korea or at least outside of Japan, but there's a theory that they all come out of the same factory and the J and K are added on just to identify the market in which it's intended for...). The Js can come with a £ premium, but IMO don't bother.
I've got a 009 and an 053 (same again but another face type) and they're great watches, they're a good size and very comfortable due to their case shape. One thing I will say though is that the original rubber strap is supposed to be a bit stiff though I've never tried one myself, though there are many aftermarket strap and bracelet combos out there and the 007 in particular would work very well with a black NATO.

ETA that I've also used Creation, no worries there at all

Edited by CardShark on Wednesday 31st August 11:38

[AndyWoodall]

Thanks for the advice, and good to hear about Creation, will go for them. Not that I would, but are these models not available on the high street? Can't find them on the Seiko UK website either.

I am leaning towards the black 007 with black NATO and I'll never use the rubber strap, so that won't be an issue. The only reason I was interested in the blue and red of the 009 is because that was the colour of the one I looked at in a touristy jewellers on holiday. For reference, they wanted €400 although they were keen to start the haggling naturally. I quite liked it, but the colour might be a bit too much. Scared of making another wrong decision like I did with the Invicta, so will play it safe and probably go for black.

[hornetrider]

Personal opinion obviously, but you asked for it - 007 for me.

[andy tims]

AndyWoodall said:

Not that I would, but are these models not available on the high street? Can't find them on the Seiko UK website either.

Not available on the High Street, but www.citywatches.co.uk have them and are UK based.

AndyWoodall said:

I am leaning towards the black 007 with black NATO and I'll never use the rubber strap, so that won't be an issue.

Personally, I'd suggest buying on the Oyster (subject to availability), or Jubilee bracelet. You can pick up a NATO separately for about £10.00

Edited by andy tims on Wednesday 31st August 14:38

[CardShark]

AndyWoodall said:

Scared of making another wrong decision like I did with the Invicta, so will play it safe and probably go for black.

They're not available in bricks and mortar shops on these shores which is probably why they're not on Seiko's UK site, I'd guess. And don't worry about making the wrong decision, you'd be able to sell it on quite easily or you could go the slippery slope route and 'mod' it

Have a look here if you get bored with the standard look, other mod sites also available -

http://www.10watches.com/apps/webstore/

Edited by CardShark on Wednesday 31st August 13:22

[KP328]

I went for the 009, the blue and red bezel is a change from the usual black,although the blue is a dark blue and almost looks black in most light.
I have it on a jubilee braclet which doesnt half rattle when im out on the bike.

[tonto1]

Quite fancying one of these myself as a 'kicking about' watch, but whats the difference between the 007 & 009?? Seem to be same size, same movement, same specs, same price etc, what am i missing?

[rhinochopig]

Faced with the same dilemma a while back I ended up going with neither and went with this seiko - $255 from creation.



Or on a rubber strap.

[andy tims]

tonto1 said:

Quite fancying one of these myself as a 'kicking about' watch, but whats the difference between the 007 & 009?? Seem to be same size, same movement, same specs, same price etc, what am i missing?

See CardSharks post ^^^

[SVS]

I personally love the SBDC007 in titanium with Diashield but it's too pricey for me

rhinochopig said:

Faced with the same dilemma a while back I ended up going with neither and went with this seiko

IMO that's a very handsome Seiko, especially on the bracelet. What model number is it?

[rhinochopig]

SVS said:

I personally love the SBDC007 in titanium with Diashield but it's too pricey for me

rhinochopig said:

Faced with the same dilemma a while back I ended up going with neither and went with this seiko

IMO that's a very handsome Seiko, especially on the bracelet. What model number is it?

SKA371P1

[CardShark]

[quote=rhinochopig]Faced with the same dilemma a while back I ended up going with neither and went with this seiko - $255 from creation.



I tried one of these on ages ago in my local Ernest Jones, lovely watch but not at the eye watering and extortionate price of £295.

Creation's current price? 156 Sterling, including delivery.

[Spice_Weasel]

007 gets my vote. I'm about to order 2 from Creation - one for me and one for my brother.

[ApexJimi]

I got my 007 from creation in January of this year, and have since bought an orange Monster from them too - fantastic people to deal with.

Cardshark has answered your questions pretty comprehensively, so all I will add is that you shan't be disappointed with either the 007 or the 009.

Others to consider are the monster and stargate. In fact, the latter is going to be my next purchase I think.

[AndyWoodall]

Thanks for all the advice, going to decide tonight and do the order I think.

Love the Seiko following, not sure why I've ignored them for so long.

[Rgee]

I couldn't decide either so bought both . This was about 3 years back when they could be had off the 'bay for £65 new.

[ApexJimi]

AndyWoodall said:

Thanks for all the advice, going to decide tonight and do the order I think.

Love the Seiko following, not sure why I've ignored them for so long.

Seiko are a total manufacturer, so everything from the hardlex crystal, to the movement itself, is all made in-house. Not a lot of manufacturers can claim that.

There's also a certain honesty about Seikos, and it goes without saying that the bang for buck is very high indeed.

Once you take stuff like that into account, it's easy to see why they have such a following.

[60]

I've got the all black one on a bracelet from creation, it feels very well made an delivery from creation was just under a week.