Seiko Divers Watch types & alternatives
Seiko Divers Watch types & alternatives
Author
Discussion

trickywoo

14,266 posts

261 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
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First and third are the same watch. The third is made in Japan and hence the higher price.

The Japan one might have a bit more value if you ever decide to sell it. I've got the non-Japan 007 had it a few years now and actually been diving in it to 30m. Really good watch and mine keeps almost perfect time, certainly better than I would expect from an automatic.

The middle one is a smaller version of the same watch.

I'd recommend looking at a metal bracelet. I have the jubilee but they look great on an oyster too. If you aren't a metal fan how about a nato? I just don't think the rubber is great for everyday.

Mr Pointy

13,427 posts

190 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
The difference between the £115 SK007K1 & the £136 SK007J1 is that the J1 version is made in Japan (or for the Japanese market) & the K1 version is made elsewhere (maybe Korea?). Folklore has it that the J1 version is more desirable but I've not seen evidence of any actual difference other than maybe "made in Japan" on the dial. The SKX007 is a very popular, rugged watch.

The SKX013K1 is a smaller watch at 38mm diameter as opposed to the 45mm of the SK007. I would find that too small, but it may suit you better.

If you haven't worked it out the SKX007K2 is the same watch as the K1 but with a steel bracelet & the SKX009 is the same watch as the SKX007 with a Pepsi bezel.

Ultraviolet

625 posts

247 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
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I bought this for diving, and it's been very good - easy to read underwater and a bit funkier than average:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seiko-SRP523K1-Automatic-M...

SVS

3,824 posts

302 months

Tuesday 30th December 2014
quotequote all
The obvious alternatives for an automatic diver would be Citizen and Orient's Mako range. I've not tried them, but both have very good reputations.

If you can find a pre-loved one, then Orient Star used to do some superb divers. These would be a significant step up in quality, compared to Seiko/Orient/Citizen. (If Orient was Toyota, then Orient Star would be Lexus.)

tighthead

24 posts

158 months

Wednesday 31st December 2014
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If you're bothered about hacking and been able to hand wind it, you need to look for a model with the 4r or 6r caliber's. If not you cant go wrong with the 7s26

wong

1,449 posts

247 months

Wednesday 31st December 2014
quotequote all
The SKX 007 (et al) are a great range.

Always buy a diver with the bracelet. The rubber strap can always be purchased cheaply as well, but much more difficult vice versa. Looks good with NATO straps.

Do you need to stick to automatics? Quartz divers needs battery replacement - not 100% waterproof afterwards unless official (expensive) service. Some newer quartz use solar recharged batteries, good for 10 - 15 years.

Just got a Citizen BN0100 and delighted with quartz accuracy again.

andy tims

5,606 posts

277 months

Wednesday 31st December 2014
quotequote all
wong said:
The SKX 007 (et al) are a great range.

Always buy a diver with the bracelet.
This, but expanded to say if buying a new watch, get the bracelet version unless for some reason you hate the bracelet. NATO's, rubber or leather straps are cheap to buy later.

texaxile

3,812 posts

181 months

Thursday 1st January 2015
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My daily wear SKX007 gave up the ghost last year are 14 years of abuse, the death knell was sounded when it got knocked off the worktop onto the tiled floor in the kitchen, so it now stops at around 4pm until given a jolt. I got a quote for repair, and was told it would need a service which is £120. Daft when you think a new one from Creation is £115 or so.
Brilliant watches, iconic looks and very hard wearing.

However, I had a Traser (Outdoor Pioneer) purchased for me for Xmas which after their discount came to £135. Slightly larger than the SKX with the Tritium lighting, it weighs virtually nothing, seems fairly well put together but is a battery rather than an automatic. The movement isn't as graceful as the SKX, neither is the Bezel as smooth in operation but I am warming to it.

It won't be long until I end up buying another one (SKX) from Creation though. They do often email discount codes or have promotions where another 5% or so is obtainable, so worth looking out for that. I've had 2 watches from Creation and not had a problem with them or any further costs incurred like Customs etc.

checkmate91

861 posts

204 months

Tuesday 6th January 2015
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I have both a SKX007J and a SKX007K and I think the Japan model has a slightly better glass (it's somehow clearer), the face just that bit blacker and the white paint just that bit more glossy and raised (i.e. there's more of it) and the typeface of "Automatic" just a fraction It's not halo effect, there are discernable differences. The K in isolation is a fine watch though...

ruff'n'smov

1,092 posts

180 months

Saturday 10th January 2015
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Sorry to hi-Jack the thread, just looking for opinions on my 1st world problem...lol

Anyway :

Seiko skx009j or Orient Mako Automatic Diver EM75003B Green bezel, just as a work watch
And has anybody bought from sports-watch-store.com ?

Hoover.

5,993 posts

273 months

Sunday 11th January 2015
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texaxile said:
My daily wear SKX007 gave up the ghost last year ............. I got a quote for repair, and was told it would need a service which is £120. Daft when you think a new one from Creation is £115 or so
I broke mine after 2 years, not sure how but it runs very fast, ..... quote to service as above circa £120 plus parts required to fix....... no brainer, new one ordered........ unlike the rest of you I like the rubber strap smile

trickywoo

14,266 posts

261 months

Monday 12th January 2015
quotequote all
I jinxed myself.

A few posts up I said how great my 007 was. The crown has just broken / come out and it looks like moisture has got in. I had been to 30m with it in December but never unscrewed the crown when it was wet and it was still keeping great time.

Looks uneconomical to repair - might get a new Monster.

BS75

1,975 posts

197 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
ruff'n'smov said:
Sorry to hi-Jack the thread, just looking for opinions on my 1st world problem...lol

Anyway :

Seiko skx009j or Orient Mako Automatic Diver EM75003B Green bezel, just as a work watch
And has anybody bought from sports-watch-store.com ?
Seriously? Classic work-horse Seiko or Rolex Sub knockoff? No brainer. I have 20 watches, but have rarely worn another since the day my SKX009 arrived.

checkmate91

861 posts

204 months

Wednesday 14th January 2015
quotequote all
Hoover. said:
I broke mine after 2 years, not sure how but it runs very fast, ..... quote to service as above circa £120 plus parts required to fix....... no brainer, new one ordered........ unlike the rest of you I like the rubber strap smile
My son's skx031 did this, transpire that he somehow shocked it and one of the coils of the mainspring bounced and snagged on one of the adjustment levers which caused a gain of 5 minutes per hour. Unsnagged it and all returned to normal

ruff'n'smov

1,092 posts

180 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
quotequote all
BS75 said:
ruff'n'smov said:
Sorry to hi-Jack the thread, just looking for opinions on my 1st world problem...lol

Anyway :

Seiko skx009j or Orient Mako Automatic Diver EM75003B Green bezel, just as a work watch
And has anybody bought from sports-watch-store.com ?
Seriously? Classic work-horse Seiko or Rolex Sub knockoff? No brainer. I have 20 watches, but have rarely worn another since the day my SKX009 arrived.
That's quote an unequivocal answer BS75 ...cheers although I've heard it said Orient Mako the best sub £150 watch on the market.....

But I think you're right. What about Sports watch store ??

Jovial Joe

371 posts

216 months

Thursday 15th January 2015
quotequote all
ruff'n'smov said:
BS75 said:
ruff'n'smov said:
Sorry to hi-Jack the thread, just looking for opinions on my 1st world problem...lol

Anyway :

Seiko skx009j or Orient Mako Automatic Diver EM75003B Green bezel, just as a work watch
And has anybody bought from sports-watch-store.com ?
Seriously? Classic work-horse Seiko or Rolex Sub knockoff? No brainer. I have 20 watches, but have rarely worn another since the day my SKX009 arrived.
That's quote an unequivocal answer BS75 ...cheers although I've heard it said Orient Mako the best sub £150 watch on the market.....

But I think you're right. What about Sports watch store ??
I've got an 009 and funnily enough my Mrs has that exact same Orient. Pros and cons to each in my opinion. Originally my Seiko was losing 2s or so daily but after 8 months, it's now pretty much spot on. I don't believe I've had to adjust the time at all since the clocks went back. The watch has come to be my firm favourite. Fantastic value for money.
Took it off the rubber strap and fitted a after market oyster. It's a nice size and weight but does sit a little taller than the Orient.

The Mako has been a consistant 3s fast per 24hrs since it arrived over a year ago now. Which given that I think I paid all of £94 for it from Creation is pretty amazing. She's worn it every day, doesn't take it off even when she has a bath (water-proof you know!) and generally bashes it about. Not all brilliant though, lume is terrible, crown stem is fragile and it's very easy to knock the day over accidently.
Big plus point over the Seiko was the bracelet, the endlinks are folded but that aside it's not bad at all for the money. Although it's a bit larger that the Seiko (looks massive on her) it does sit lower on the wrist.

Guess the bottom line is just like the above poster, I've hardly worn another watch since my 009 arrived. However the Mako was not that far shy of 1/2 the price of the Seiko and bracelet, and was twice the watch I expected it to be.

Both of them came from Creation with no issues. Can't give an opinion as to Sports Watch Store.

Regards