The Seiko SKX is an Icon, But It's Time to Move On
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- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
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In this video, I'll take a look at the Seiko SKX009, a watch that is unquestionably an icon of affordability. However, a lot has changed since the 1996 introduction of the SKX. The question then becomes, is the SKX what it once was? Or is it simply time to move on?
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When I graduated high school in 2019, my parents asked me what I wanted as a gift and I asked them for an SKX009J. They thought it was really weird since most kids these days aren't that into watches (and if they're it's smart watches). I have it with me and I love how I have a great tool on my wrist wherever I go.
Absolute legend my friend. I got the SKX007 so a bit basic but looking to get the 009 one day.
Perfect
great choice!
It’s an icon, my friend!
I know...douchy, but i got a Rolex Sea Dweller 43 on right now, but i want, neigh DEMAND an SKX. It is a really really pretty watch. Im a diver. Yes, i wear a backup mechanical watch. Even diving hardware fails, and u need redundancies. My favorite dive spot is the worlds deadliest. Psychology is important (especially there, as it gets really really weird at around 65m down with insanely disorienting lighting, and u kind of have to pass through a vault/cave on ur way down past 100M). I trust Rolex. I trust Seiko. I wouldnt ever wear something like Royal Oak offshore Diver for actual diving. May u grow old, and dumb enough to dive THERE and have a cool watch collection 2 do it with.
My skx is 10 years old and was worn 5 days a week as my "work" watch until recently i just retired it. I wear my more expensive timepieces at nights and on the weekends. I work as a general contractor and everyday the watch was worn while I use every kind of power tool imaginable. It was subjected to extreme vibrations, temperature variations, and alot of shocks. Bezel and hardlex are scratched to hell but its still legible. I came home and showered everyday with it on to clean the dust off of it. Mines still accurate within 10 seconds a day after 10 years and everything it's been through. I even had someone slam a gate shut one time not realizing my hand was in there and the gate wacked the watch super hard and probably saved my wrist from injury. After the weekend was over and it was time to put my SKX back on. You just gave it a little shake it started up and you could do what's called "back hacking" to stop the seconds hand to sync the time with my phone. Not having handwind or true hacking never ever bothered me. 7S26 is literally a insanely tough movement. Hardlex didn't bother me either, I think it looks cool all beat up. I would buy another in a heartbeat if they weren't crazy prices. One of the best tool watches their ever was. I have alot of higher end watches too and if I have to get down and dirty guess what? The SKX is always up for the job. Seiko should of never discontinued it. I wish I could show a picture of it and you'll see what a well worn well loved watch looks like 👍.
I’m literally 5 years behind you in my skx journey. Absolutely love it, it’s a reliable companion 5 days a week never missing a beat 👌
Nice mate, i have 2 of them. Did you have it serviced in that 10 years? Im hoping not cos that would be more impressive. Cheers
@@miked6367 I did have a guy open it and give it a work over about 3 years ago. I wouldn't send it into seiko though if I had too. I would of just bought new one if that was my only option.
my SKX is 5 years old and wear mine during the day as a civil contractor as well! take a shower with it. weekends I have a collection of higher end watches. gets really beat up during the day does not miss a beat and is within 10 seconds day!
Had mine six years, worn in rotation with others in my collection so its still pretty much perfect. Don’t think I’ll ever sell it.
After wearing my SKX in a rotation of 10-ish watches for a few years, I gifted it to my brother-in-law as he always commented on it and he didn’t have a watch. He wears it daily and adores the watch. He’s even had WIS stop him to talk about the watch. I do miss it but it makes me smile every time I see it on his wrist. I’m sure most in the comment section have a good SKX story.
My mailman is Filipino. He noticed one day that I had regular packages coming from there. So one day I showed him an incoming SKX. He said his dad had one when he was a kid and got from the military store. He mentioned it was orange. So for Christmas, I bought a SKX011. When he was set to deliver I immediately said it wasn’t mine and handed it to him.
He opened and immediately started crying. He wears it everyday. And has for the last 2 years.
@@Judah.Rosenthal That's awesome! Seeing people wear and love watches that you got them is truly special.
@@Judah.Rosenthal that's a beautiful story. Thank you sir for your comment and kindness to that mailman!
@@Simku “Hey Anthony!” “Are any of those packages for me?” “No. They’re all for your wife.” “Just keep walking then.” We play that same dialog game almost every day.
Love stories like that. When you can’t give a certain watch the wrist time it deserves but then gift it to someone who can.
I love how half the shots have the bezel aligned to the 11:59 position. Gets you mentally ready to own an actual Seiko.
I owned two SKX's but sold them due to crooked bezels. To this day I'm scared to buy another seiko with a rotating bezel. It's really bad when one of the biggest watch manufacturers can't get it right when rubbish from China does a good job at alignment and they throw in a sapphire crystal as well.
@@trollerblade1011 the annoying thing (for me) is once you notice it, you cannot unsee it. It becomes a magnet for your gaze each time you look at your watch.
I’ve got several Seiko divers including SKX007. The bezels are OK. I just got lucky, I think ;-) On the other hand, I bought a Marathon GSAR (it’s Swiss made) and I had to return it because the bezel was misaligned. 🤷🏻♂️
@@trollerblade1011 Also, how hard can it be to fix that? Pop off the bezel, push the insert out from the back side, re-attach the bezel and glue in the insert in a now perfectly aligned position. Done! You can't be unable to do that!
Lol!
I've had my SKX009 for 7 years. I wore it during my open water PADI course and it has come on every dive with me since. I run an events company and have worn it at 30+ events, while loading up vans with heavy equipment and generally beating it to hell. It has never skipped a beat and still looks awesome. Love it.
I’ve wanted an SKX for the past year and a half and my parents got me one this past Christmas! It might not be the best in class now but the legacy and reputation makes it worth it to me!
These are collectible as vintage pieces. Do people who buy 1970's Rolex with hollow folded links worry about specs and relative value? No, they just want a beautiful cool old watch.
Yeah, you got a fair point here.
I 100% agree with your point...I thought he was going to give us some alternatives but it looks like he's just hating on the model....some people don't want to move on as they know they are wearing a legend. TBH the SKX is arguably Seiko's last true mass produced tool watch. If Seiko do end up bringing out a true ISO rated replacement you can guarantee it will be closer to €1k.
Well for less than that you can get an Arnie or a turtle, both ISO compliant, still more than an SKX that has not been replaced and I doubt it will ever be.
@@jnrjnr77 turtle and sumo are ISO rated dive watches which cost way less than 1k$
@@kanjobahn I'm talking pre prospex models.
When I first began my collecting journey the majority of CZcams watch channels hailed the SKX as a "must have" for any collection for a dive watch enthusiast. Before their pricing got so ridiculous after the official announcement that they would be discontinued I picked up a pair of them, the black dial and the orange dial (SKX007j & SKX011j, respectively), each under $200 new. While both my taste in dive pieces and the specific pieces amongst my Seiko-lection have evolved as my journey continues I still love my SKXs for what they are/were at their original price point. Both of these still find their way into my wearing rotation with regularity. I love how they wear on-wrist and as they're very basic they have each proven to be as reliable as an oak tree.
That said, fast forward to 2022 and their ridiculous cost from most venues, they simply no longer make sense as a new watch purchase. Pricetags between $300 and $500 will easily source you a piece that's clearly built better and should provide similar trouble-free longevity. Would I buy an SKX @ $500 today? No. Would I sell either of mine for $500? Also no.
Top-Shelf vid as always, Teddy. Thanks for your thoughts.
Thank you for being one of the IMPARTIAL, informed, and fair CZcamsrs, Teddy.
Lots of love from my SKX in Los Angeles.
Appreciate the support, Winston!
@@TeddyBaldassarre Please continue your work! It is appreciated!
Started collecting watches last September. Started with a Vostok amphibia because of your review. Followed up with a dresskx as a nice daily wear. A month later, my dad then gifted me his old seiko 6309 slim turtle, the predecessor to the skx you talked about. Once I started diving into CZcams reviewers and saw the history of some of these watches, I fell in love with the SKX . I wanted to have a similar exchange with my future son one day and jumped on a skx007 that I saw for under $300. I’m definitely keeping the slim turtle and the skx, but eventually, I may have something even nicer to pass down one day.
From where did you bought vostok , i am living in london ,searched alot but didn’t find it anywhere.
You must not move on yet, explore this SKX007 mod watch world first, amazing community with very very nice watches not trying to be a homage, I would say 2 years at least for the SKX, must go check the mod world and yes anyone can create his own without spending loads of money, or buy a modded
@@mohamedfarsin7305
Hello!
Take a look at Amazon, you might find some Vostok models there
i didn't know u can still find one for that price.
@@yerrie1908 You can do that with the Vostok. Leave the SKX as it is and move on to another brand. Maybe explore some Swiss, US or German watch brands....
I own a SKX009J1 myself, I just love the watch! This watch gets more compliments than more expensive watches in my collection. The fact that it does not have hacking and hand-winding doesn’t bother me much since I don’t wear it everyday. I see it as you said in your video… it’s an icon and it’s now crossing the line and becoming vintage, so the watch is what it is, you either love it for what it represents or not, just like any other iconic watch out there.
I love my SKX. I’m thankful that I got mine when they were still available. I don’t wear it nearly as much as it deserves, but it’s always a pleasure when I do.
I got this watch as my 16th birthday and it’s been my daily wearer even though I’ve had the pleasure of owning more luxury time pieces. It’s certainly not perfect, the misaligned bezel, poor timekeeping and almost non existent power reserve, but it’s all of those things that makes it what it is.
I still haven’t found a worthy luxury replacement for it and the only time it comes off my wrist is when I have to attend formal event.
My hardlex crystal held up pretty good until it got a faint yet noticeable scratch on it so I had my local watch store switch it to a Sapphire crystal.
I’ve had so many adventures with this and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that I’ll be keeping this watch for life and hopefully passing it on one day.
I got into watch collecting in 2018, when SKX was discontinued and value "wasn't there" already. So I bought better-specced Seiko instead and always felt that it was in the shade of SKX, the true legend. Ended up paying $300+ for SKX009J in 2022 while you can still find them new. Absolutely in love with it. Doesn't feel like tons of money for the watch that had such an influence, even if it's best days have passed. Agree as for value, but today you are paying for horological significance which is hard to measure. Great video, Teddy!
well said, a higher price for its horological significance :D
Where did you find it for that price? Been looking everywhere
"It's Time to Move On" says the watch salesman that only sells new watches.....
Great, balanced opinion. I would add that I think it’s still okay to buy an SKX in 2022 but know it’s not a value proposition, it’s a heart led purchase.
I decided to pick one up for $300 as a nostalgic gesture to a past more simple, I love the basic movement, jangly bracelet, mineral crystal and aluminium bezel insert. But I did so with my eyes fully open knowing I could get a much “better” watch for the same cash.
I’m going to wear this thing til it dies, which maybe after I do!
If Seiko ever does a reissue of this with an updated movement, it would be incredible!
I have a hunch that's in the long term plan for Seiko. They've done it with several other old classics.
Be prepared for them to apply an X logo and charge $1200 lol
@@Huwberts_Emporium at least it will be misaligned.
Just buy a new Seiko 5. It's got hacking and hand winding and 100m, which is all you need.
And it would be incredibly expensive! Seiko will more than likely over price it & still cut corners. I have both the SKX007 & 009. I really enjoy these watches, they remind me of Seiko in the better days. The 7S26 movement has proven itself as one of the greats, with its reliability & toughness. To top this would be to make an affordable Sapphire Crystal version, with a perfect aligned bezel & to make that bezel a Ceramic one. Oh, I forgot, there's a micro brand company that does a homage to the Seiko Tuna with all of that I've mentioned, also with the Hand Winding & Hacking NH35A movement (same movement as the 4R35), this is known as the SteelDive SD1975 Tuna; they put Seiko to shame. I am the proud owner of one of these, the build quality is incredible & the price of £135, you'd be amazed. Seiko can keep their re-release of the SKX, which I'm sure is coming in the future; it wouldn't be any better than the SteelDive I have, just be way over priced, as I stated previously.
Bless
Still easily one of the best daily driver watches in todays market, love mine and could never get rid of it
I agree with you, never get rid of this divers
Sorry true collectors will never move on from skx. Prices are appreciating because the skx is a legend. Who moves on from their first mechanical watch?
Your video precisely captures exactly where the SKX is right now. You’ve accurately described what most of my watch collecting friends say. Not worth the money if you don’t own one, but not worth selling if you have one. I’ll be keeping mine!
Thanks for another great video. Antiquated or not, I still love my SKX and it will always be a part of my collection. In my opinion, the older Seikos just have so much more character than the modern releases. My favourites are the 6139 Speedtimer, SKX007 and SARG009 which are all still a part of my weekly rotation.
I have entered the "watch world" right when the production of these ceased in 2018
I remember I was looking for an affordable diver to pair with my newly acquired Speedy, and I was so gutted to see the scalpers just buying all the leftover Skx just to speculate on them with a much higher resell value.
I've never let my judgment to be obfuscated by all the hype created by the countless reviews/forum discussions that praised the watch for it WAS. Ie... a $100 watch
There is a number of established/older brands and micro-brands that offer much more than what the Skx has to offer in this day and age. For the money a NOS Skx goes nowadays you can easily get a ETA powered watch with sapphire crystal and a bezel that actually aligns (from a microbrand most likely.. but still...)
Great review, it was about time someone with a healthy number of subscribers was going to say summarise this... One of the best CHEAP divers of all time... $500 ain't a cheap watch anymore
I agree. If I were just starting my collection today, I probably wouldn’t buy an SKX. However I bought mine before they discontinued them when they were still in that $100-$250 price range and I plan to keep it and still wear it.
Teddy, I don't know if this is mentioned but whoever writes your scripts is a genius. To write text that is not only beautifully descriptive but perfectly concise for literally every single paragraph written needs more kudos. I marvel at the rate in which you guys produce high quality content but to keep the level of writing basically perfect for every line of ever segment of every video is insane.
Thank you Teddy for this as always very honest and factual review of the old dear SKX. I have owned my SKX009 for more than 7 years and it has survived all the purges that my collecion has suffered during the years. Even now it is the only inexpernsve watch that can sit proudly next to my Swiss timepieces beacuse I just love the way it is. I think That Seiko had 2 incredibly succesful models in the last decades, the SKX and the SARBs, and they have not been able or willing to create worthy successors of these classics. I plan to keep my SKX, It is one of these watches that comes back to my wrist time and time again, despite all their quirks and limitations. I just love it.
Never letting go of my SKX013. If I could find a replacement OEM jubilee, this would probably return to my rotation. Aftermarket bracelets may be “better” in terms of quality and specs, but that cheap jingly jangly jubilee is the most comfortable watch I own.
I bought a Seiko jubilee bracelet for my SKX013 from Long Island Watch back in November. Can’t remember exactly how much it cost, but it wasn’t expensive and arrived quickly here in the U.K.
Look at Amazon!
I put a uncle Seiko oyster on mine. it never left the watch, awesome quality.
@@fredericc9676 I agree, Uncle Seiko is quality, but it’s not the same level of comfort.
I also bought an OEM Jubilee from Island Watches. It was about £40 including shipping to the UK.
I watched this video 6 months ago and listened to your advice. I wasn’t looking to buy a SKX but it was still somewhere at the back of my head. Yesterday I just decided to search for SKXs for sale and found one in pristine condition and close to the retail price. NOW I HAVE ONE AND I AM SO HAPPY. This watch is special.
Do you wear your SKX every day
So you basically disregarded everything this guy said, and said fcuk it I'm buying this icon lol
I'm fairly new to the world of watch collecting. Personally I'm not really into 'Vintage' watches. EVERYTHING I'd heard about the SKX until now, suggested that it's an essential part of ALL watch collections, but your vid cuts out all the crap and gets direct to the point.....It's had it's day, and it's a thing of the past! Thank You.
I just found my brother's SKX007. The bezel's quite beat up, the polyurethane strap disintegrated due to age, and it was a little dirty. But to my surprise, it started running again when I picked it up. I cleaned up the case with a toothbrush and some Dawn soap, put on a new NATO strap, and I'm wearing it to see if the time's still accurate before giving it back to him. Like you said, it's pretty crazy to see what these things are selling for these days.
You know, I remember the first time I saw a Seiko SKX and immediately LOVED IT! But i think you nailed it here Teddy. Great video, as always!
Appreciate it, Gringa!
I have an SKX007 and it's one of my favorite watches, getting pretty heavy rotation on the wrist over the last few years. Swapping in a 4R movement to gain hacking and hand winding was one of the more fun DIY projects I ever did, and the fact that mine is more of an "SKX plus" enhances its appeal to me. All that said, I'm glad I got mine when I did, and would not recommend it to anyone shopping for an affordable dive watch today. There's plenty of objectively better watches at the prices NOS are selling for.
Seiko could have done exactly what you did, and charged 100 dollars more, and it would have been a huge hit. Imagine being the individual who owns both models, the original and updated model. The discussions that would have taken place on watch forums would be entertaining and fun.
If you swapped in a 4R movement it's not an SKX anymore! Bit of a Franken watch now.
@@andybarnes3967 I suppose that's one way to look at it... but so what if it is? It's more valuable to me this way and I don't intend to sell it anyway.
@@andybarnes3967 it's still a watch, which happens to run better than the original. It was originally a $100 dollar watch, not an investment. Function comes first.
Yep, I suppose so and its unique to you, also you can have pride that you did the update.
I have tudors , Rolex’s, omegas etc but none of them bring a smile to my face like my skx013 .
The Skx was on its way out when I got into the hobby. I picked up a Pepsi samurai back in 2018 as my first diver, and it is still and will forever be a beloved piece. Wore it at the birth of my son, and many other important moments. Seiko divers, skx or not have a unique thing about them.
The fact that so many watch channels have made videos on this watch will make an icon more many more years to come
My SKX007J1 will remain in my collection. A true icon.
Just got an SKX007 today. Bought it because of its history and contribution to the watch community. It just gets more exciting now that Seiko discontinued it.
Considering they’re getting more difficult to obtain, yes, time to move on. Having said that, I’ll always keep the SKX007, …009, …011 and …013 in my collection. Someone’s gonna have a nice little collection when I die.
Dad?
@@ChaPPie01 lmao
@@ChaPPie01😂
I bought a 007 back in 2013. It was my first mechanical watch. I kind of forgot about it for a while since I lost interest in watches the past few years, but I still have it. I'm glad I held onto it; I had no idea they were discontinued.
Now I'm back on the watch train and can't stop researching watches. Gonna get my second watch soon!
I still have my skx401k that I got as a present from my dad, when I was in high school 22 years ago. It was my favorite watch back then, it still is now. The original rubber band has since disintegrated, so now it's on a jubilee bracelet. I never thought much of it as anything special back then, but now, it's a great watch that been made priceless to me.
It may not be an auto, but I adore my SNE575 - fully fills the Seiko diver need that I have. Only pull the SKX out once in a while now. Still appreciate it of course.
I got a black monster instead about 20 years ago. Still have and still don’t regret the decision one bit
Teddy, I know in a way he may be a competitor and I apologize in advance if this rubs the wrong way. However, I think Marc Frankel at Long Island Watch and his 'Islander' line has become pretty much the SKX replacement we wish Seiko would have done. With watches in different 'modded' styles with NH 35/36 movements, sapphire crystals, SKX style case, etc. I can't see other than for nostalgia reasons why I'd buy a 7S26 SKX of any style with hardlex to boot.
I've had one of Marc's Islanders for more than a year now and it has been running -2 to -6 secs/day. I would love to see your review and rate the value he is creating in his space..... again apologies if this ruffles any feathers... But if the SKX is an Icon, then a $299 version with the upgraded hacking/hand-winding movement, sapphire crystal, bracelet, and bezel has got to be an incredibly viable replacement, even if not from Seiko.
your Thoughts?
I bought the SKX last year and was excited to hear your review. It is my weekend watch and I use it frequently when I go swimming. Your right , the rubber strap is not wearable. I went with a bracelet band and I now get a lot in positive comments. It’s a looker. Thx for the video.
loved the opening scene. Great video and messaging as usual Teddy! Still love my SKX009 will always stay in my collection.
You just got to love the SKX…… simply put it is an ICON …
Had an SKX009 as my back up dive watch since 2002. It is one of the best watches around and I can’t imagine my collection without it.
I bought my SKX in the middle of 2019 for 205 bucks new, with the steel bracelet. At that price, it was still a great watch.
The Orient Kamasu is a worthy replacement. It has a sapphire crystal and a screw down crown. Although not ISO compliant. Orient has also recently released the Kamasu 2.
My only issue is that there is no Orient equivalent to the SKX013. They're all a little too big IMO.
Also, the ISO compliance thing is kinda BS bc even the SKX series wouldn't be ISO compliant anymore according to their new guidelines.
@@dmytro732 You're right. The Kamasu is no 013. It is the smallest of the popular Orients, though. I had the Kanno and the Kamasu and kept the Kamasu because it was smaller and more wearable. I wouldn't say no to a smaller version though.
@@dmytro732 may i ask whats the guideline that the SKX does not pass on the ISO?
@@aimanyunus8728 At least one of the new requirements is that all hour markers be lumed. The 3 o'clock on the SKX isn't lumed. You can actually see the difference with some of the newer Prospex divers where halfway through production Seiko started adding a tiny little lume pip to the right of the date window.
Great video as always! I like mechanical dive watches but don’t have the means to justify a 500+ purchase. I’ve been wearing my 009 since 2002, serviced it only once in 2012. The crystal has 2 distinctive scratches and the bezel faded into a light blue/almost rose “customized” one. I loooove my watch. I’ve tried and weared several watches over the years but always came back. It feels right…
The Seiko SKX is the Pentax K-1000 of diver watches. You know you are not buying a watch with impressive specifications and features but at the same time you know that you are buying THE absolute tool watch that will keep ticking forever.
Yes or the Pentax ME super!
I just went from the skx to the Tissot PRX 80. It’s weird seeing the old seiko in the new Tissot box. My goal however, is to double the price of each watch I buy as I become more and more successful. My next goal is something that has precious metals in it.
How am I supposed to move on when you make the greatest showcase video of the Sexkx?!?!
Teddy coming in hot! I miss these more "controversial" videos. It seems like we don't get them as often. I agree on the SKX. Even when I first started watching Teddy's videos in late 2018, I was never really into it. They clearly aren't as cheap (what is now a days?), but the Mini Turtle and Turtle/King Turtle are great diver rated options, and my King Turtle has the benefit of a 4R36, sapphire crystal, and ceramic bezel for less than an SKX007. I got my SRPE03 from an AD for $434.
My love/hate relationship with Seiko started with the SKS007, then I went on to aquire the 7S36 Samauri, 1st gen Orange Monster, Turtle, and 2nd gen Samauri. I now own only one Seiko, and it is a slighlty modded Sumo. The hardlex crystal had a scratch and I thought the bezel insert was too wide. It now has sapphire crystal and a much slimmer ceramic lumed bezel insert.
The lack of hacking and hand winding can be good for longevity, those two features introduce a lot of wear and tear on the movement. The 7s26 movement is legendary for being able to last decades.
True, this can introduce challenges. The 7s26 does simply work! I also find hacking to be a somewhat overrated feature for a mechanical watch anyways given their appeal to being other than telling the time. Nice to have but not a deal-breaker for me like many.
The lack of hacking is only good when the watch costs more than $10,000 like the Royal Oak. :)
You can always back hack but when you're off by +20 - +30 seconds a day. Running at most a minute fast isnt a big deal and will correct itself.
I got my SKX009 pepsi late on around 2007 but I love it, there doesn’t seem to be a direct replacement now, shame. Seiko please take note!
Monster padi
the 009 is one of the best-looking watches I've ever seen. the shot at 2:14 is great
Well said Teddy totally agree. I can't believe you can pay up to £600 in the UK for a new old stock model. A CZcams channel in the UK (I Like Watches) tried to say it was still one of the best dive watches in 2022! You hit the nail on the head - it will always be an icon, but times change, let's move on.
Long story short : He can't sell you SKX so he hates it.
The SKX is a modern day ICON. Love the Hardlex and the movement. The dial is one of the best-balanced dials ever released as a diver watch. The day/date display sits harmoniously with the 9:00 cardinal marker. The splash of orange text on the bottom. If you can buy one for 500 or under, I say get it.
i bought an SKX in the first year they came out and after almost 30 years I still wear it 5-6 days a week. It is easy to get serviced and it is still keeps time to within a minute every 2 weeks or so. It's time may be "over" but I wouldnt get ride of a classic car just because no one knows what drum brakes are now.
Its not time to move on! Its just time to upgrade the movement in your skx to a nh36.
I bought an SKX 013 five years ago with graduation money. Haven’t worn it a while but I’ll never get rid of it. It a really cool watch.
I wore an SKX through all of undergrad and law school. Put a lot of miles on that watch. Me and that watch went through hell together. IMO, Seiko really shit the bed when they discontinued the SKX, or at least did not replace it. They created a vacuum in the market, with so many niche brands and smaller (less recognizable brands) trying to fill the void. Seiko really had cornered the budget diver market and now it feels like we are in a tailspin, there is no longer a ubiquitous budget diver that we all agree on. Oh well, everything goes to shit eventually I suppose.
I bought an SKX 007 in 2007 as my first dive watch, and it went to Japan with me twice. When I bought a Seiko Monster, my dad wore the SKX and put some rough wear on it. That watch took that abuse and ran with no maintenance until 2019.
Later I sold it for roughly what I paid for it. Part of me regrets it, but I used the money to buy a Mini Turtle, and hopefully that watch will provide me with over a decade of toughness and reliability.
Despite it’s many shortcomings, the SKX is a beautiful watch. It reminds me of a tough piece of military gear-built for purpose and under budget.
Amazing watch.
I feel the same way about my SNK809. That is a watch, however, I will not sell.
Very interesting video, but why do people refer to classic vintage watches as being "out of date". Of course they are. That's the whole point.
I like my un-modded SKX for what it is, and for what it represents in dive watch history.
If I wanted a "modern" diver I would get one.
💯
I did and bought a sumo :)
man speaking fax
Exactly it's like saying to me to move on from my Saab 900 classic because it has no ABS. I enjoy the 007. The Orient Kamasu just isn't a classic and never will be.
Ironically, this video prompted me put on my own SKX009. I received it as a birthday gift in 2017. It was my very first dive watch. After seeing numerous videos and reading countless articles about Seiko’s famous lume, I remember propping it up on my dorm room window to face the sunlight. After several minutes, I took it in a dark area and simply gasped at the glowing green indices..
I haven’t really had an experience like this with another watch. Perhaps because it was my first dive watch, along with the fact that it is a “birth year watch,” for me. I obviously have a sentimental attachment to the SKX, and I hope Seiko produces a proper heir to this icon that will give new enthusiasts the same feelings I had with the SKX.
Great video, Teddy! Between my Dad and I, we have an SKX007, SKX175, SKX009, and a SKX013. All great watches and not planning on selling any of them! I still remember all those years ago and picking up the 175 (which was the official US dealer SKX) - Macy's had a great sale around the holidays and I bought it in person at the flagship store in Chicago. I believe after all was said and done it was $100 or so. Thise days are long gone!
Really disagree with the idea that it's "time to move on." The watch is a classic for a reason, and those reasons have not faded with time. My SKX009 is an absolute workhorse and still looks as fresh as the day I purchased it years ago. The Hardlex gets a lot of hate when compared to Sapphire, but it is actually more resistant to shattering which is something I prefer over the scratch resistance. Also, too much is made about the non-winding and non-hackable element of the 7S26 movement. So what? It takes no time at all to set the watch, and the movement just keeps working. It's also one of the most comfortable watches I own, even despite the size and weight. Somehow, Seiko nailed this design and I feel it's as relevant today as ever. The point about rising costs is valid, but that's because Seiko have stopped making the watch. I'm still excited to see what Seiko will bring out to replace the SKX, but the Seiko 5 is definitely not that replacement.
Have a very similar looking Seiko I purchased in 1988 new and still love it...
I bought an skx013 way before prices skyrocketed - glad I did! 😅
Can't wait for Teddy's video on the new SSK GMT
I love the Seiko SKX, am a huge fan and I own Seiko SKX009J model and it’s amazing timepiece! Wearing it in 2022 still looking great and never out of date!! It’s never going to be out of date as long as the market demand is growing higher and higher prices!!! I still can’t understand the move on term you are using in this video!
I keep eying up the SKX009J. I’ve looked at the newer models and know they are probably better but I just love the look of this older model! Just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
@@jeitoots you won’t go wrong if you pulled the trigger! :) the only risk you will be taking is as I did is the alignment of the bezel and chapter ring of the SKX models and the time keeping! I guess I am lucky to get the right one as the alignment and the time keeping is phenomenal!
Literally just got a brand new never worn SKX009 and absolutely love it. I own over 20 watches and this will definitely be my daily for awhile.
I own an skx013, small in size for my wrist.
The skx is like the Honda civic or Integra type r in the 90s. It was a gate way to japanese NA performance cars at an affordable price point. Now that this have been discontinued, the prices of used type Rs have been going up year after year as these cars are getting less and less as the years go by.
And yeah, the mods for these cars were insane, just like the skx.
So I can see why these watches are going up in price, as these will be less and less available as the years go by. So my suggestion is that get it now, before it's completely gone
In 1976 I bought my first watch, a Seiko Quartz divers watch. Younger brother to the SKX, but my pride and joy for many years. As a diver I used it many times while diving. Unfortunately I had it serviced for a battery by someone that should not have been in the business of watch repair. The case leaked and the inside became corroded and stopped working. I kept the watch for about 30 years as a memento but finally gave it an overdue funeral. I have missed that watch and recently replaced it with an SKX. Having it on my wrist was like meeting an old friend after many years. I love this watch as much as my original and it brings back many fond memories. Is it worth it, to me yes.
I recently bought one, for three reasons: Its iconic status, the objectively speaking awesome design. And It's still a capable dive watch, Indeed. But I have other watches, of course.
Btw, I had it serviced (well, swapped the whole movement, 4h35r). $200. Not very economical, but then again it will probably run for 10years
Great! Just as I was considering pulling the trigger on a new 009, as they're still available at a somewhat reasonable price, Teddy shows up with this video!
I've always regretted not getting an SKX when they were still being produced. I do own a Turtle (just a bit too large) and an Orient Ray 2 (in black PVD - not very versatile) as 'beater' divers, but I still kind of miss that iconic SKX.
You pretty well nailed it. I’m keeping my SKX for historical purposes but have moved on to Bulova Precisionist diver with an 8 jeweled movement which sports a smooth running sweep second hand and on my wrist is accurate to 3 seconds a month, so far. It also boasts a 49 mm case which is a much more appropriate size when compared to the SKX approximate 43 mm. The one bone that I have is that my Bulova does not come with a day window. Only the date. But all else is superior and I am happy with my move. Keep banging out these thoughtful videos.
Good video as usual Teddy. Love my older SKX007 black dial and it's one of the most versatile watches I own style-wise, just seems to go with everything depending on the band you put it on. Therein I think lies another part of the popularity. I wouldn't pay $500 for one today but at the $200-$250 price point it was at before it was discontinued it was a solid value for a reliable everyday watch.
Totally agree that nothing in Seiko's line today is a real successor to it as well and they are missing the boat in that regard. They really owned a part of the market with the SKX and they are missing out on not having a worthy successor. They have plenty of calibers that work great in that space but none of them are packaged right to step into the shoes of the SKX. So those looking for a dive watch that is as classic as a pair of Levi's are going to have to look elsewhere for now. There are options (you mentioned a few) and until Seiko get's a proper package together that business will go to other brands.
The drawn to a classic seems to be a human trait as well, I love my old Jeep CJ-7 but it isn't a practical everyday driver compared to what's available today. They still command great prices but really are headed into the "classic" space.
Why does Hacking or hand winding determine how good the movement is, when the newer 4r isn’t even more accurate?
Also, some 4rs don’t have day complication. Isn’t that more of a factor when it comes to superior movement?
Mine is from 2013, in for a service right now.
I plan to use it for many years to come.
My first mechanical watch was the SKX007J for $300 in 2019. Modded it with an Islander bezel, insert, and hands. I agree with you that its not worth paying over $500. Mine will never leave my collection. It's Japanese diver royalty that looks like a pepsi GMT master and it's irreplaceable. Kudos to those that have a 90's model. 👏🏽👏🏽
I love the look of the SKX but I've always thought it's too thick for my wrist size even if it looks smaller than it is. I was at the mall this past weekend and saw a new SRPG07 with a black dial and really liked it. I lacks a few things that the SKX has but I love the simplicity of it, I'm not gonna go diving with it ever so don't need it to be a diver. But the vintage look, Seikos reliability and nice lume tells me it's gonna be a keeper. It's on its way to me as we speak 😊
It is the epitome of the tool watch dive watch, at least in the lower price ranges. It has its own style that is a bit crude. I've owned a number of them but personally I never liked the style of the hands. I've modded several of them with different hands and sometimes different dials. I think all it needs to update it to current times is the 4R movement. There are still a lot of fans. But then put the Samurai hands on it and it would be perfect for me.
None of my 7s26 movements have been as accurate as the one that you presented, and I had one fail in one of my watches for no reason that could be determined.
What killed the SKX for me was the Sumo- SBDC001 and SBDC005 and those became my favorites.
The video quality is like Blockbuster trailer level, incredible!
The SKX is the reason I modded my 5KX with threaded SKX case/crown and a solid steel case back. It also passed the 200m WR test 😁 When I got into watches the SKX was already discontinued and the cheapest used one in pristine condition that I could find was roughly 450€. Instead, as I said, Purchased a 5KX that has better looking dial and a better movement and swapped it into a 3rd party SKX case all total for 400€ so I got the SKX that looks slightly better now. 😁
I got my skx009 yesterday and I love it
Enjoy it!
Fair assessment. There is now an SKX, or at least what is modeled after an SKX, with a Grand Seiko movement and manufactured in the place where the GS is made.
I have the 5KX Pepsi and a JAPAN MOVT King Turtle. My brother had the SKX original. Around 1994 from memory. I was in the Army so non hacking was not an option. I love the King Turtle the most of the three. Currently wearing my Steinhart Ocean One 39 Ceramic. My most comfortable watch on a Stainless bracelet. Although not as good accurate as my KingTurtle. Love your channel mate. Cheers from Australia!
Move on? No. It's too awesome! Nothing beats it at its price point. I don't think anything ever will. What they need to do is reissue it.
SKX still looks the best out of all the other watches you showed in this video 🤷🏽♂️
My SKX009 was my first mechanical watch. Just checked and I bought it in May 2020 after it was discontinued. I was thinking I paid a lot, at £329 for the metal bracelet (rubber strap versions were cheaper) now the rubber versions are selling on Amazon for £500 😱
This watch gave me the time to learn more about watches before delving into the more expensive Swiss watch market thereby saving me from costly mistakes from buying watches that don’t suit my style. Also I had numerous opportunities to buy it before it was discontinued and with duty free while frequently commuting for work but at the time I had tunnel vision for Swiss watches only.
I’m glad I bought it and since I’ve had it on an integrated rubber strap, it has been one of my favourite daily ahead of all the Swiss watches I now own. It’s definitely a keeper 😍⌚️
Instead of getting an SKX I originally went with a Citizen Promaster Diver and never looked back. Great watch, highly recommend it. Too bad Seiko has so many QC issues and never really made a replacement for it (spec replacement).
For those of you who'd like to own an SKX but don't want to pay the exhorbiant prices for them, Long Island Watch makes a dive watch that is very similar to it but has hacking, handwinding and a sapphire crystal along with a very competitive price. Essentially, all of the key things the original SKX should have had are included. As an aside, Teddy, I think you should consider your own cobrand. It is one thing to sell watches, but at least manufacturing them gives you the ability to call the shots on how your time pieces are made.
Long Island Watch doesn't really manufacture them. The parts are all oem and they essentially just assemble and brand them. You can get the same exact watch from a cheap homage brand since the parts LIW uses come from the same factory
Just got into watches and I am in love with this watch!
I have similar thought, and it was the reason why I bought a Turtle Special Edition instead as the price was almost similar with a 2nd hand SKX. Now I'm dreaming of getting a King Samurai, haha.
Even though the prices for these have skyrocketed, they are still AWESOME! And if the price is too high for some, Seiko has 100 more AWESOME offerings for much less that are just as great!
Like?
The skx became an icon because of its value proposition. At 5-600$, that value is all but gone. Outdated (seriously....) movement, cheap materials, crappy bracelets, no boxes, and a somewhat distasteful but utilitarian dial and bezel.... for 5-600$?
Literally why would I buy one? Its not the price... its the lack of value. You can buy obkectively better watches for far cheaper, or you can buy objectively better Swiss models for right around this price too. The only reason to get an skx now is because... it says skx on the tag. If you find value in that? Great. Its your money. Im not saying that youre wrong about it either. In summary: decent watch, horrible value at current prices.
@@JgHaverty I was gonna comment but you said it much better than I could have .
@@juniorjohnson5961 cheers 🍻
Seiko has nothing in its current lineup that can beat Orient's automatic divers or Citizen's Eco-Drive diver for value. Not even close.
I have owned an SKX007K and SKX009K. I sold the 009 when the prices took off to "pay off" my watch habit. Now I intend to wear the SKX007 as a daily until I can justify getting a Tudor BB58 or Omega Seamaster
the skx013 was my first “nice watch” in 2019 before they discontinued them. hell what an addiction it started for me. now i sell skxs i have a 009 and a skx015 (midsize pepsi) currently on the hunt for a skx017 (midsize orange). if i could have the mini trio for daily’s for the rest of my life i’m set. seriously no other watch that does it better for me than a mini skx
Ever get your hands on that skx017?
Just bought my first skx013!