Seiko SKX009 Review - A Great Watch For Divers
Seiko have been making watches for almost as long as anyone, and their innovations over the last century have been astounding.
They are well-known for their stylish and affordable watches, especially when it comes to diving watches that are certified and can function down to 200m, a claim that usually only expensive Swiss watch brands can make.
That is why today I am excited to review the Seiko SKX009 a diver’s watch, that is not only functional, but attractive, and to add to the mix, it is also fully automatic – aka “no battery”.
Is it really that good? Let’s find out.
- Specifications
- ISO certified dive watch - waterproof to 200m
- Luminescent hands and markers (for low light)
- Uni-directional bezel for dive-time measurement
- Shock and corrosion resistance
- 41mm x 13mm (diameter x thickness)
- 21 Jewel Non-winding Automatic Movement
- 41 Hours power reserve
Notes on model numbers
K – made in Malaysia
J – made in Japan
The Style
Some people will always go for the most expensive watches, like Rolex (for 5-10 thousand bucks) but in all honesty, this Seiko looks almost the same as a Rolex GMT Master II (see the last two images below – Seiko vs Rolex).
Of course, it is not all about the look, sometimes nothing but the “real” brand is enough, but most of us just don’t have thousands to spend on a watch!
The Seiko SKX009 is a true divers watch with luminescent hands and minute markers, a one-way rotating dial to mark elapsed time, and a day/date calendar to help you keep track of the date.
There are two choices of band and color: blue/red (or pepsi as it’s often called) and black/red, along with the 5 piece linked metal band or rubber band.
Some people claim the metal band is uncomfortable or “cheap” and often replace it with a Nato or Perlon band. If that is your style, then go for it, although personally I recommend the rubber strap if you want something a little more strain-resistant and soft. It does take a little while to fully wear in the band to that nice “soft” state though, however it is fairly comfy right out of the box.
The crown (the small screw on the right) is also at a 4 o’clock position to help keep it out of the way and make wearing more comfortable, especially when people will be doing things like diving and other sports with this watch.
All in all, this watch is almost as classy looking a dive watch as the Rolex GMT Master II, but with a zero missing at the end of the price tag!
The Features
And of course, innovators like Seiko don’t disappoint on the features of their watches either. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
The Automatic Self-winding Movement
First things first. This is an automatic watch. Technically, it is Seiko’s 7S26 automatic movement.
What does that mean? It means there is no battery and that it winds by itself. Ingenious, huh?
How does it work? There is a tiny spring inside that is set into motion by the movements you make. The only downside of course is that if you don’t wear it for a day or two (technically it lasts 41 hours), the watch may stop keeping time. But, if you wear it regularly, it will run indefinitely (unless you sit stone still for days :>).
ISO Certified Diving Watch
It may not seem like a big deal to say a watch is waterproof, but if it is an ISO certified diving watch, especially down to 200m (660ft) then it is “very” waterproof.
This means a lot of things, but some of the most important being:
-
Completely waterproof to 200m
including water-resistant crown (screw adjustment) - Legible in low-light (it has luminescence on the hands and minute markings)
- Clear 5 min bezel markings (to measure elapsed dive time)
- Shock and corrosion resistance (against sea-water for example)
- Uni-directional bezel dial for accurate time keeping for dives
There are of course a lot more tests and specifications for the diving watch certification, but let’s just say that it means this thing is pretty darn bullet proof! (so to speak :>). No more quick swims on your vacation, only to find your watch has either stopped working or is full or water inside the glass!
Day & Date
Another nice addition to the Seiko SKX009 is the day/date combo, which is often seen on more expensive watches.
Seiko has a habit of taking the best traits of more top-end watches and making them accessible to people like you and me. They have been doing it for decades. And this is no exception.
Selection Of Bands
Another small detail (for some people anyway) is that you can choose either a metal or rubber band for this watch. It may not seem important, but metal can be less reliable for people doing sports and also more prone to scratches.
With a watch at this lower price point, that is also meant to be used for diving (or at least not as a dress watch) that means rubber is a great option! It’s nice to have the choice in any case.
Summing It All Up
The SKX009 range is a true gem from Seiko. With an automatic / battery free movement that also keeps day/date along with ISO certified waterproofing to 200m (660ft) you almost can’t go wrong.
This is a watch for the person without a huge budget, but likes quality and a truly functional watch.
