Ive been hankering for a modern diver and/or GMT for a while but cannot fit the life of me decide which model to go for.
While I mull it over for another couple of weeks/months/years I decided to go with a Seiko to tide me over and break my new watch duck as despite owning a number of vintage watches I've never paid owned a brand new watch (save for the obligatory Casios when I was little).
I considered some of the PADI branded divers and the SPB051/53/71/77 as well as turtles. After a while I thought "sod it, I'll get the obvious one, you know, the one Rolex copied when they made the Red Sub".
So I ended up with a bog standard SKX007j. I decided to go with the J version (even though I understand it's probably no better than the K) from Creation Watches in Singapore. I've got to say they were great, it arrived in the UK in 4 days, well packed at a good price. I'm just waiting for a new bracelet to arrive now.
In terms of the watch it's exactly what I expected. Tough, solid and built like a tank. The bezel has a nice action and the dial is wonderfully laid out.
Is it comparable to high end Swiss divers? Of course not. The screw down crown doesn't have quite the same smooth action, the printing isn't as crisp, the chapter ring is very, very slightly misaligned and the case, although nicely finished, doesn't have the defined edges and facets you would see in some watches.
The point is, none of this matters. The cost is 2-4% of a Rolex diver and it's just as capable of fulfilling the same duties. For me certain 'luxury' dive watches have drifted too far from their roots and intended purpose. While most of the Subs/Seamasters etc are focussed on bling and status and are put to work in offices and bars, the SKX will be happily ticking away, daring Tiger Sharks to come and bite it on the arse.
Let's see yours!!
