[Closed] Seiko divers watches

Pretty much as bombproof as you can get.

very good watches, good value. They are not bomb proof though. I've had a crash in mine which knackered it, re-build was £250. Basic service was about £170.

I've got a standard, non-Pepsi SKX007. I love it, bought it second hand off here about, blimey, 9 years ago, I don't know how old it was at that point. It did just stop about three years ago, but I had it serviced then and it's not missed a beat since.

I think they're a great watch.

I have the Kinetic version, which I haven't killed.

Creation Watches for grey imports...

Pretty cheap here:  http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-automatic-watches-69/seiko-automatic-divers-skx009-skx009k1-skx009k-mens-watch-1454.html

I have a pepsi that needs a service as it gains time. Are you interested in second hand?

Pepsi Kinetic here and it's been really reliable for the few years I've had it.  For what it's worth, I think Seiko watches hit that sweet spot where they're expensive enough to be of quality but don't cost thousands for no real benefit (in other words, more discerning, less estate agent).

I have one, love the look, but from the outset it gained minutes a week, so a bit annoying. Eventually binned it off in favour of a slightly more accurate Christoper Ward.

It's now my sort of 'beach, holiday, riding, whatever' watch.

For the time-gainers (or losers), it's a doddle to get it regulated and once it's set, it'll keep fantastic time for years,.

For the time-gainers (or losers), it’s a doddle to get it regulated and once it’s set, it’ll keep fantastic time for years,.

Interesting - I had mine looked at by Seiko and they said "they all do that sir"...

How/what would I do?

I've had a non Pepsi one for about 12 years, it needed regulating when I first got it as it was gaining a couple of minutes a day but is within a few seconds a month now.

I fitted a 'super oyster' strap which is way better quality than the original  and it's been worn almost everyday, I've cycled, been swimming, fixed bikes and cars, done diy and gardening wearing it and other than a couple of small scratches in the glass still looks great.

I'd happily buy another if I lost this one.

I had mine looked at by Seiko and they said “they all do that sir”

Really? Was it Seiko themselves, or one of their 'service centres' in a jewellers? If the latter, they generally know nothing.

Seiko UK have a good repair service:

http://www.seiko.co.uk/customer-support/seiko-servicing/service-and-repairs

or, find a good independent watch repairer near you who'll probably do it there and then. Where are you?

Some good info in this Retrobike thread

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=66&t=258674

It was a while ago, but probably the latter in all honesty. I seem to recall the option of sending it for a service to Seiko UK was discussed, but I think as it was new, and the price of the service (£170) was more than I'd paid for the watch, I just thought 'meh'.

I'm in Bath. If you do know of a good indy, nearby that'd be helpful for other watches.

I have a non pepsi SKX007 as well and I wear it a lot, I wear it with a couple of different NATO straps for variety..

Mine gained time though, an independent watch guy made a change, it now loses time (but not as quickly). I can live with it.

Seiko can have issues with quality control, this is due to their pricepoint and the numbers they pump out - inevitably some are lemons.

They're certainly not 'bomb proof' with being a mechanical watch and all - there is always a durability upper limit, especially at their price point.

However they're quite well made and will last a long time.

If you really want bombproof then GShock or similar is the way to go.

Im personally a fan of Tudor's dive watches, their GMT Pepsi is seriously good looking, and their black bay range (That steel version, mmmmm) is equally fantastic.

Love mine, it's cheap enough to not worry about but definitely solid and mine is keeping pretty good time, at a guess about a minute lost per month. Good fun to mod too, swapped out the bezel for a coin edged polished one and it looks lovely imho.

Pretty cheap here: <span class="skimlinks-unlinked"> http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-automatic-watches-69/seiko-automatic-divers-skx009-skx009k1-skx009k-mens-watch-1454.html</span>

Remember to add import duty + handling fee if buying from Creation. Still worth it though. I think there was an extra £30 to pay on the Seiko Prospex I got for Christmas.

Skx009 is the pepsi version, skx007 is black dial/bezel insert, the picture in the op is a mod I believe, different dial and handset (sumo?) to an skx009/007, plus a cyclops.

They're quite tough watches but obviously are mechanical so bear that in mind.

If you're interested in Seiko divers an skx of some sort is a must, it's a classic. Suits loads of different straps and can be easily modded.

Accuracy wise I wouldn't let it bother you, if it was within 20 - 30 secs a day I'd be happy with that for this movement, but yes they are easy to regulate. It's also a non hacking movement (and non handwinding) so hard to accurately set to the second, I'd just wear it and when you notice its out enough to bother you just reset it.

Creation were doing a bit of extra discount off them recently too. They also offer a shipping service that comes from Europe somewhere (you have to pay around £7 or something) this means no import fees and vat etc to pay, but it won't come in a box (I assume they're still doing this, I bought something in January and it was avail then).

In the spirit of recommending something else entirely- have you seen the Orient Mako Pepsi? Owned by Seiko but a separate company and generally really well regarded.

Had an SKX007 for ages, got my Dad one too a while back.

Cracking watches, try and go for the J version if you can - Japanese made, where as the others are made in Taiwan or Korea I think. Definitely worth paying the extra.

I've got an SKX007, SKX09 and a Samurai. If you can stretch to the Samurai its an amazing bit of kit. I'm lucky enough to have a couple of posh watches (Some Omega, Tag Aquaracer etc) and they just don't get worn since my girfriend bought me a Samurai as an engagement present. The 007/009 are fantastic, bombproof watches that give a huge amount of pleasure. Very versatile, changing the strap from Jubilee to Oyster style or even a Nato and they are transformed. Never liked them on rubber but I may change my mind in the future, I'm fickle like that.

Get one bought and enjoy it. Another vote for Creation Watches but be aware that they are getting caught for import taxes on a regular basis now (I'm a regular customer).

My dad has exactly that one. He got it for his 40th birthday, he is now 65. The thing still works, he only stopped wearing it a couple of years ago because he got sick of it.

As I said above you won't get caught for taxes and fees if you select the correct shipping option. Go for the Royal Mail 4-5 days option, it's £6.79 but no fees or taxes (they ship from within Europe somewhere) and no box (not that you really want the cheapo Seiko box anyway).

Also use code SKDIVER for an additional 10% off at the minute.

I'd go for the 'J' version too.

🙂

Having reread the thread (properly) I would agree that maybe the term bombproof is being bandied about a bit freely, it's no g shock, but by mechanical watch standards it's pretty solid. Mine have taken a lot of abuse.

As for the place it's manufactured it's all the same components just put together at a different factory to my understanding. I don't have an issue with where it's made if the cost is more favourable, especially if you are not worried about resale values (which at this price point I wouldn't be)

I wouldn't say bombproof. I won't use mine in the water as it's 30+ years old - it's been serviced etc but it's not the kind of watch I'd wear in the sea or at the beach. Mine was a custom design - I chose the face and bezel (the face is pseudo kevlar weave not a flat print). It had a black divers strap which I change for the current strap. It's not a perfect fit as there is a gap where the bars / edge of bezel / strap is, but on the wrist it's not noticeable. Keeps time pretty good, probs loses 30s to a min over 24 hours but as I said it's a 30+ year old watch and losing a bit of time is expected with some automatic watches. Worn most days at work - clear and easy to read time. Day and date not so great but my eyes are slowly letting me down... Age *sad face*.

Orient black Mako are lovely looking watches too.

Used to use mine as one of my main dive watches too when I dived (BSAC Sports Diver) - used in quarries, Red Sea and English Channel.

Also worth pointing out that the movement is a non-hand winding and non-hacking movement either - you have to shake it to get it going and when you pull the crown out the second hand doesn't stop (although if I remember correctly a little bit of backwards rotation/pressure on the crown will stall the second hand so you can get close to setting seconds).

Lume on them is superb - Seiko lumibrite is amazing.

Good review here:

[i][b][url= http://wornandwound.com/review/seiko-skx007-review/ ]Worn & Wound - Seiko SKX007 review[/url][/b][/i]

I think I might have to get myself another one now after reading this thread......

Damn it........

Just ordered one.....

Used the 10% SKDIVER code and changed shipping to Royal Mail (extra £6.79) with no box and no import duty.

Went for the 'J' as I'm a tart and like the extra text on the dial (21 Jewels, Made In Japan) - and the perception that as it's made in Japan it's better than the 'K' made in Malaysia/Singapore version (which it isn't and Seiko state the difference due to different markets and import routes....).

Ive had an skx007k for a few months that came from creation watches

Great watch. the skx isn't with out its quirks though

the date wheel that you get will have two languages on it so between around midnight and 3am it will show the day in the second language (in my case arabic but thats pot luck) if your asleep thats fine but if your using your watch its a mild annoyance

Theres also no hacking so if your anal and want to try and set it to the second you can't.

theres also no manual wind option

if it runs fast or slow regulating it is fiddly but fairly easy ( I had to after dropping the watch) you just need a case opener and you can get an app for your phone to help measure the speed before you put the case back on and there are guides on youtube.

I've used one of these in saturation for ten years. Excellent working watch, good crystal glass which is resistant to scratching, batteries and straps easy to replace. The luminosity was beginning to fade but apart from that very nice watch that's thin enough to wear with a shirt without being obtrusive.

D.

Please, stop all this about Seiko watches! I can't afford another.

I've always been a fan since about 1970 when I lived in Singapore. Seiko were very popular there, I guess because they were cheap and for Europeans a bit exotic. My first watch was a child's Seiko which I still have somewhere.

As Gunz says above, I think Seiko have it spot on, looks vs cost.

Got a pepsi , and a 6309 - the predecessor and much nicer to wear case.

But for the last 3 years have been wearing an Orient Ray  ,  it was incredibly cheap , like £80 with a rubber strap and is the most accurate auto I have owned  - like less than a minute a month  never adjusted, they all can be adjusted at home if you want to.

Orient have some great watches - like the Bambino , Mako , Curator , and some more upmarket divers - its like a custom shop version of Seiko but cheaper, their parent company BTW.

Hmmm, tempted to swap the bezel insert on mine from the 'classic' to the Pepsi, the inserts are only about £15 on eBay.

I've got one of their solar divers watches. It runs out of charge mid-winter, which is a pain in the neck to be honest.

I'd get a kinetic one next time, if the one I've got ever breaks - which I doubt; they're very solid!

You lot are a really bad influence! I have a Orient Mako already, the blue version which is currently on a blue and red nato strap and looks a lot more expensive than it was, it's a lovely bit of kit.

However, the SKX just appeals for some reason and it's cheap enough to be a bit of an impulse purchase too. I don't like the metal bracelet so think I'll get it on a rubber strap, I have a few options at home to swap over if needed anyway.

1 question, is there any difference between the J and the K version?

<div class="bbp-reply-author">Davesport
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I’ve used one of these in saturation for ten years.

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As literally worn by actual divers guys ! 🙂

Difference between J and K:

J has ''made in Japan, 21 Jewels" on the dial.

Serial numbers and case back are different too.

And about £30 lol

Movement is exactly the same in both .

I used to wear mine diving - not Sat diving though, just sport diving .

Pic in OP is a seiko skxa65k, Thailand limited edition.

Seiko divers rock, have 4 and 2 5's mocked up as divers.

I’m in Bath. If you do know of a good indy, nearby that’d be helpful for other watches.

If you need a good shop that has its own watch makers in-house, then Deacons in Marlborough,  Swindon and  Royal Wootton Bassett are the people to go to. They repaired my old Yema Rallygraf a year or so back after the mainspring broke, serviced it, replaced the crystal and polished the case. Cost me £460, which seems a lot for a watch I paid £40 for in 1970. One sold at auction in London in March for £3400...

I also have a Seiko diver, a SPORK, or SP045RK, stunning watch, face style is pilots watch, and they were only made for a while, mine was NOS, with box and warranty from a dealer in the Midlands, cost £650, with money my mum left me. As someone else said, it’s not too difficult to regulate them yourself, but a minute a week would be considered acceptable for a Rolex, mine was running at around a minute every couple of weeks, after I tweaked it, not quite as good now, but still more than acceptable, I’ve got a G-Shock that’s much worse.

That Seiko is very handsome indeed CZ.

As for the rest of you, stop mincing about with the Pepsi and just go full Monster.

more love for Seiko here. Great quality without the cost.  I got a thing for their high frequency 8f quartz movements - supposedly accurate to about 10 seconds per year, long battery life (8 years claimed) and perpetual calender (so no fiddling every other month).

SBCM023 diver.  Face very small compared to most modern watches but if you've small wrists like me it looks to size and far easier to wear.

Also have a very well worn Sportura titanium. Lovely 3d face and a  movement that has a second hour hand you leave set to GMT and allows moving the hour hand without moving minute/second so can change timezones. Great when travelling. Smooth edges and light weight mean it's really comfortable to wear (and ride with when commuting)

So annoyed they dropped the 8F movements - I don't get the love for mechanical.  I want a watch that's accurate and will be telling the right time and not need winding/setting if I pick it up having not worn it for a month.  Do like that Samurai though - wish they did it in Quartz!

This is definitely turning into an expensive thread for me, I've got about 5 different 6309/7002/skx pepsi's that I'm now watching on ebay! I know the 6309's etc will be modded but I definitely prefer the pepsi bezel to the stock.

Actually does anyone know of anywhere else other than getting lucky on ebay to pick one of these up? I don't really want to spend masses....

Amazon?

Creation Watches is what I have in mind for when I click buy. Think I’m going for the 011 now, the more I look at the orange the more I like it.

Needs an orange nato band... But yes, do it.

Thanks, johnners, I love it to bits, it’s such a clean, uncluttered design, I changed the bracelet for a stainless mesh ‘sharkskin’ one, like Breitling fit, the difference is roughly £600! Mine was $18, if I recall, and it really suits the watch, plus it’s super comfy, and lighter than the original.

Currently $29.99 for a mesh bracelet like mine, which is still damn cheap!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/20mm-Shark-Mesh-Stainless-Steel-Watch-Band-Strap-fits-Breitling-Thick-Heavy/162088510454?_trkparms=aid%3D555018%26algo%3DPL.SIM%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D44039%26meid%3D693146cbe95b47f7a71cdc0b4fd346d0%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D12%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D281220073111%26itm%3D162088510454&_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850

I'm wearing my SKX009 now.  I quite like it, although it's not been without trouble.  It was from Creation which meant that when I had an issue (it suddenly started gaining lots of time - gaining about 5 mins/hour), the warranty process was a pain (Although to be fair to Creation it worked out OK in the end).

I've changed the bezel and bezel insert as well as strap.  All are easy mods.  I've also learnt to regulate it, and it now keeps good time.  I might try a snowflake hands mod at some point.  Buy it if you want a cool, interesting watch which you can play with.  Don't buy it if you want a low-maintenance, super accurate watch.

https://flic.kr/p/26tMpsu

Seiki

Kinetic, Water Resist 100m

Great watches and try creation watches for an excellent deal I've bought a few off them over the years.

Just picked one of these up. I have the non-chrono solar Seiko divers and it keeps almost perfect time. A few seconds a month. So hopefully this will be similar.

Those two directly above are particularly nice. Gobuchul, what model is that?

Can’t comment on the Pepsi watches.

But I’ve had several of the automatic and kinetic Seikos, the kinetic I’ll never sell, but it never gets worn. As I always wear my Seiko orange monster, best watch I’ve ever bought, tough as any other watch you can buy and once serviced, keeps bloody good time.

And as johnners stated above, Seiko monster is the watch to get, but it has to be the orange monster.

http://www.creationwatches.com/products/seiko-prospex-299/seiko-prospex-divers-solar-chronograph-200m-ssc617-ssc617p1-ssc617p-mens-watch-11658.html

it has to be the orange monster

and you were doing so well...

After this thread I've been wearing my Kinetic for a day or two and the, sadly it seems the battery is struggling with holding its charge.

The watch is quite old and I'm surprised it's lasted this long.

Anyone recommend a Seiko or good watch mender in Bristol.

Any thoughts on the WatchLab in Bristol Cribbs, The Mall.

Cheers.

I can't knock the Seikos at all, good watches and great vfm. There's lots of other choices though and choose quartz of convenience is an issue. If you want a cheap diver that's made for the job then look at a Divex. Not got the bling of the Seiko but rarer and you can add a decent after market bracelet if you wanted one. Proper tool watch.

https://www.jfdglobal.com/products/compasses-gauges-and-watches/divers-watches/

As for auto timing, I've several and wouldn't  be happy with less than +/-15secs per week with any. Rolex run within that easily and many much more accurate so a minute a week is NOT acceptable.

Lovely watch, if you go with the rubber strap keep an eye on it, I lost mine on a ride never to be found (by me anyway) replaced with an Orient which won’t be as painful financially if the same thing happens again.

Not noticed any mention of yokobies mods yet:

https://www.mywatchmart.com/users/yobokies/

I bought one of these 5 years ago and it's done me well. Looks very premium on the arm but with the practically and price of quartz.

After this thread I’ve been wearing my Kinetic for a day or two and the, sadly it seems the battery is struggling with holding its charge.

The watch is quite old and I’m surprised it’s lasted this long.

Anyone recommend a Seiko or good watch mender in Bristol.

For a kinetic battery replacement, I got mine done by Watchkings (advertising on ebay). Not Bristol, but somewhere in devon.

Seiko diver? Has to be a samurai surely?

Get a Stargate!

Good call on the Stargate, wearing my skz323 atm and have another as a pmmm.

Gold coated rotor on a 7S36c anyone?

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i was sure someone linked to a site that did great second hand watches, any ideas?

I've a memory like a sieve.

Reading this made me wonder where my old watch is. A friend gave it to me around 1985, he got it in Belize says 6309-7049 on the back. Rubber strap split decades ago and stopped wearing it, maybe time for a new strap, any recommendations?

Aaarrrgh, was going to post photo but forgot what a pain that is! What are you all using, last time I put up an image was with photobucket, what works with mobiles too ... why can't we copy paste?

Not noticed any mention of yokobies mods yet:

the picture I posted has several mods on it.

maybe time for a new strap, any recommendations?

Everything i've bought from TimeFactors has been high quality and good value, and they're in the UK.

Their deluxe Nato straps are particularly good.

Thanks, not sure I'd like the deluxe nato strap as it goes across the back of the watch and it's already a big beast, but the nylon TF 2 piece strap looks ideal.

Kojacklollipop - postimage.org works like photobucket used to.

Probably need a service now.

No idea if this picture will turn out properly but you people are a terrible influence.

Just picked up a modded 6309 with a pepsi bezel and a (new) bond nato. Feels pretty big on my dainty wrists but I'm sure I'll get used to it!

Picked my 007J from the post office today.

Forgot how great they are in the hand - quality finish.

Here it is with my 6309 - which as far as I can tell is pretty much original including 6309 movement too.

[img] [/img]

This is mine. I didn't like the rubber strap so replaced it with a Nato one. Makes a very nice everyday watch.

maybe time for a new strap, any recommendations?

Try one of the stainless mesh bracelets I posted above. At around $30, and virtually indistinguishable from a £600 Breitling mesh bracelet, it brings some subtle bling to a watch, and they’re really comfy to wear, because they’re really flexible, and being mesh it breaths well.

Well this thread was a bad influence....

After I picked up the SKX I decided that my 6309 needed a bit of TLC.
Turns out that the dial I had on it wasn't original - but I had got some 'spares' that I'd picked up a while back.

[img] [/img]

This one of the bunch was an original 'Hong Kong' dial:

[img] [/img]

My tame watchmaker did a fantastic job of restoring it and re-luming it, along with the hands.
Movement was serviced, new crown and new crystal installed:

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

It arrived back yesterday looking like this:

[img] [/img]

I do have a new bezel insert to go one but couldn't get it to my watchmaker in time before he finished.
Total transformation! well worth the time and money....

Oh and this also arrived yesterday after seeing one in the window of the local jewellers:

[img] [/img]

2018 Solar 'Tuna' - this is smaller than the 'Proper Tuna' which is nice as it fits my skinny wrist unlike the original version!

SBCM023 diver.  Face very small compared to most modern watches but if you’ve small wrists like me it looks to size and far easier to wear.

This is the one I want if I can get hold of one. Nice size and quartz.

@dirkpitt74 - nice work on that watch! Who’s your ‘tame’ watchmaker, seems like someone it’s worth knowing.