18th birthday present for son - Seiko SKX007 ?

[liner33]

Thinking of buying a nice watch for my son , he does wear a watch unlike most his age, bought him a cheap but nice AVI-8 in Japan last year but seeing as its his 18th and all that thought I'd get something that will last

The SKX007 does have a well deserved reputation but anything else I should consider ? Budget up to say £250

[randlemarcus]

Usual answer, he's 18, and it's going to live on his wrist, so get him involved from the beginning, as its such a personal thing.

[liner33]

randlemarcus said:

Usual answer, he's 18, and it's going to live on his wrist, so get him involved from the beginning, as its such a personal thing.

I want it to be a surprise so I've been subtle , he does like divers watches, wants stainless steel and black face , he likes my Omega Seamaster but will have to wait for that one

[sandman77]

I prefer the SKX009 to the 007 but the position of the crown has put me off buying any of them thus far.

[DJMC]

liner33 said:

I want it to be a surprise so I've been subtle , he does like divers watches, wants stainless steel and black face , he likes my Omega Seamaster but will have to wait for that one

Surprise him by saying "we're going out to find you a watch!"

I don't think you can choose for him, unfortunately.

[A common lawyer]

My skx007 is on my wrist right now. Not on my wrist: my Planet Ocean big size

Obviously, I'm biased, but I'd say that's a great choice for a first nice watch. That budget will get you the watch and maybe a decent metal bracelet to put it on (mine came with just a thick rubber strap, it's on a deployant bracelet now).

[ZesPak]

I have the SKX007 and it's one of my favorite watches. It's also normal in size, very legible and superb lume.
Don't go for the smaller model unless he really has very thin wrists.

Iirc you can order it with the rubber or jubilee.
A lot of people criticize the bracelet for being "too flimsy", but I like it a lot.

All in all, and you've probably heard it before, but I can think of little other watches I'd get at that budget. Especially if he likes divers.

As above, I have over a dozen watches and I'm wearing my SKX right now.

[thehawkswoops]

An excellent choice, but if you look on Creation Watches you may even get him a Monster for that money sir.
Suggest you get one from there anyway at £150-£160 they are a steal. Only problem is they are not around the corner so you have to wait a week or two, worth it though.

Saw a blue INOX from Victorinox (the pen knife peeps) at a great price on Amazon last night, (£240.12 for some reason JUST the blue though?!! (Black is £336.51)), yes its quartz but that might suit him better. Either way they are pretty indestructible, think they have driven tanks over them...yeah seriously!! Not the diver, but is he one?

All the best
Mark

Edited by thehawkswoops on Tuesday 24th October 13:18

Edited by thehawkswoops on Tuesday 24th October 13:39

[liner33]

I'm torn between the Orient Ray II , Mako and the Seiko , the plus for the Orient watches is being able to wind them if not wearing

Checking out Creation watches now , thanks for the link

[PJ S]

You can wind the SKX as well.

[liner33]

PJ S said:

You can wind the SKX as well.

ahh not been able to find that out . Thanks

[wildoliver]

I've got a 007, I also got it when I was fairly young, circa 23 if memory serves me right.

Its a great watch, I also have a seamaster that was my 18th so if he likes a seamaster I suspect he will like it. I don't understand the comment about the stem above, it is unusual and at first I found it odd but now I like it as a feature that sets it apart from other watches.

I got mine on the rubber strap and ordered an oyster strap from wjean, the oyster is lovely, I also use it on NATO straps whenever possible, my favourite being a tan leather NATO, but this is now on its sister citizen diver. I've never worn it on the rubber but I am glad I've got it, however I do want to order a 009 with the jubilee so I have all the straps. But I can't speak highly enough for the oyster.

I also bought the j (Japan) model over the k (Korea) however if I buy a 009 then I'll order the k. Quality wise it's impressive. Honestly I feel it's a better made watch than my omega. Its certainly likely to be long term more reliable.

[ZesPak]

PJ S said:

You can wind the SKX as well.

? I don't think so...

[PJ S]

^
You’re correct – forgot it was using the 7s26 movement, so you’re supposed to swing it in a figure of eight motion, horizontally.

[anonymous-user]

thehawkswoops said:

An excellent choice, but if you look on Creation Watches you may even get him a Monster for that money sir.
Suggest you get one from there anyway at £150-£160 they are a steal. Only problem is they are not around the corner so you have to wait a week or two, worth it though.

Saw a blue INOX from Victorinox (the pen knife peeps) at a great price on Amazon last night, (£240.12 for some reason JUST the blue though?!! (Black is £336.51)), yes its quartz but that might suit him better. Either way they are pretty indestructible, think they have driven tanks over them...yeah seriously!! Not the diver, but is he one?

All the best
Mark

Edited by thehawkswoops on Tuesday 24th October 13:18

Edited by thehawkswoops on Tuesday 24th October 13:39

Love my SKX007J from creation
Remember there is import tax to pay. Most forums say you won’t get charged. But you most probably will. I was. Not a big deal but factor it in.
Even with the tax, the J (made in Japan & seemed better by some) was cheaper than non-Japan SKX007K from Amazon Uk etc.
I was previously tempted to buy a Tudor etc. Still look in the shop window. But I look at the Seiko & can’t justify x10 the price for something not much better!

[SlimJim16v]

The 007 is a great choice, however it really needs a quality oyster bracelet.

[ReaperCushions]

Forgive me if this is rude, it's not intended to be so. But as it's his 18th, wouldn't that be a perfect time to pass on the Omega?

[stuttgartmetal]

I got an orange one on my 18th
The equivalent that was made in the early eighties.
I've still got it.
Great present
You can't lose

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-dive...

£138

I preferred this one



http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-dive...



Or

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-auto...

Nice

Edited by stuttgartmetal on Tuesday 24th October 23:50

[anonymous-user]

stuttgartmetal said:

I got an orange one on my 18th
The equivalent that was made in the early eighties.
I've still got it.
Great present
You can't lose

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-dive...

£138

I preferred this one



http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-dive...



Or

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-auto...

Nice

Edited by stuttgartmetal on Tuesday 24th October 23:50

£138 + tax
So more like £170

[wildoliver]

I didn't get caught for mine but was aware it was a risk.

Still a great price either way.