The Seiko SKX007: A discontinued icon
Hi there! I would like to give a warm welcome to you, discerning reader, to my blog and my first blog post in a series of watch reviews starting with the Seiko SKX007. As the 'war against the virus' is being waged on an international scale, I would like to take this time of idle (and social distancing) to channel my energy into reviewing an ISO 6425 certified diver's watch named after a british spy I bought a few weeks ago. I will be sharing my personal opnions on why this watch is one of the most satisfying purchases I have made in recent years and why this watch is for everyone.
Starting off with the details, the SKX007 houses an 'ancient' workhorse 7S26 movement that has been used since its introduction in 1996. Featuring a day and date display, it operates smoothly at a steady 21,600 bph with the use of 21 Jewels. Taking this into account, one can undoubtedly feel assured about this watch's mechanical health, giving me a certain sense of confidence that I would not need to service this watch anytime soon. In terms of dimensions, this watch is surprisingly well-balanced. With a case diameter of 41mm and a case thickness of 13mm, one might think of an uncomfortable and distressing experience while wearing this watch for the fear of an accidental abrasion. However, the robust yet streamlined design of the SKX's mirror-finished lugs and oyster bracelet has minimised the overall bulk we come to expect from a stereotypical diver's watch, being able to plant itself quite steadily on my wrist during my ocassional night swims. The lumed hands giving me a spectacular display underwater.
This brings me to the other quirks and features of the watch, which could be clearly identified right off the bat. The'offset'crown guards although a little out of place, have been beautifully executed,fitting perfectly with the design language while refraining from sticking out like a sore thumb in which many other dive watches suffer from. The bezel, which offers a luminous pearl inset and beyblade-like edges evokes a sense of seriousness and professionalism contrasting against a lume-plotted dial that has been kept minimal of words or numerals. In a sense, every single design choice fits cohesively,playing on each other's strengths to allow for a distinctive potrayal of a watch that is both affordable and well thought-out creatively. However, as much as how iconic this watch is, the end product was ultimately being brought upon by Seiko's determination and prowess to create a tool for divers all around the globe.
Likewise, this contagious passion by the Seiko engineers (more like geniuses) has been passed on to the general watch-loving public, garnering the wide-spread popularity it deserves amongst the likes of Rolex Submariners and Omega Seamaster Professionals at a significant fraction of the price. This has made it a long-time contender for generations of young men who are looking for entry-level watches (like me) which carries a certain charm and heritage cementing it as a stylish essential. On the other side of the spectrum, it should not be surprising that this watch is one of the biggest driving forces for the Seiko modifying culture too.With a plethora of out-of-this-world combinations and aftermarket parts such as foetina dials, Grand Seiko-esk hands, Pepsi/Hulk/Batman bezel inserts to straight up movement-swapping. The shear variety of ways to express ones personality and uniqueness is endless coupled with the value proposition and functionality turly makes this an all-rounder.
To call the Seiko SKX007 an icon might just be an understatement for the legacy that it has created for all Seiko dive watches that was and is to come, a gateway into the world of horology or even playing a crucial part of someones occupation as a diver.I am certain that many people would have their own personal stories about their experience with the SKX007 and how it must have changed their perspective on what a great watch (and not just expensive watches) can be. It is with shear disappointment that only last year, Seiko had indefinitely shut down production of the SKX007 and its siblings, moving on to produce the new Seiko turtle. Hence, as of now, Seiko SKXs are a finite 'resource' and some would even consider them a commodity with prices climbing by the seasons past on websites such as amazon and ebay.
Great design will always be recognised and loved in a saturated market like the watch industry. Considering all that I've said, it would only make sense if this Seiko will one day be inducted as a true vintage sought-after timepiece.