What do you think the best SKX alternative is in 2020? PS: you can still buy the Seiko SKX here: amzn.to/34gkP2T Follow me on Insta. I post affordable watches daily: instagram.com/chronometercheck/
Citizen NY0040.. pick them up for well under £200.. I seen someone selling an skx for £570 !! You can buy a seiko PADI solar for around £300 which is a far superior watch
My biggest complaint is the lack of a replacement for the SKX013. With the discontinuation of the SKX009 and SKX007, the new Seiko 5 Sports SRPD series is a good enough replacement for most - you get the same specs and more design options. But there's no true replacement for the 38mm SKX013, which is a bummer if you have smaller wrists. Sure, Seiko did release the 40mm SPRE line for the 5 series, but they lack a timing bezel and don't have the same sporty nature of their SRPD big brother. It would be great if Seiko introduced a smaller new 5 watch with a timing bezel, but I don't think that's going to happen.
There is one thing these videos all seem to miss when they discuss ISO certification - they talk as though its just a depth testing, so if you aren't a deep water diver who cares. But the ISO test checks for depth rating (plus 25%) AND shock resistance, magnetic resistance, external force resistance, salt water resistance, temperature resistance - its much more of a certification to confirm robustness rather than just water resistance. And that's one of the reasons why people love the SKX - its bomb proof - but not only is it bomb proof, its reasonably priced enough that you can put its ruggedness to the test. A Caliber de Cartier Diver is ISO certified too - but you likely aren't going to be testing the ruggedness of an £8000 watch.
Clearly there's something special about this watch that after 20 years we still want to talk about it. We love that the SKX traces its lineage directly to Seiko's first diver from the 1960s. It's my main go-to watch for sure. That said, if I were in the market for a sub-$300 dive watch today, I'd seriously consider the Islander (Long Island Watch co.) -- homage styling but with hacking, hand-winding, sapphire crystal, and 200m water resistance (though not ISO certified).
@@TypeSly Not at all. Do you know me?? I say regardless of price. I will always stand by that. The SKX is an incredible watch. For different reasons than the obvious highly expensive pieces. Items can be wonderfully designed, practical and loved by many without costing a fortune.
I love both my SKX 007/009. Never leaving my collection. When I bought them they still priced $120-140. But at current prices I doubt they would be my first affordable automatic watch to buy in 2020.
Despite the obvious similarities, I've owned both, and they make a great pair. They were once the king of value divers, especially at that price range. Unfortunate that they'll no longer be available that affordably, but I'm glad that those who were "in the know" most likely have all picked one up by now.
Just paid about $350 for one. I’ve had my eye on one for a while, but always pushed it to the back burner in favor of other watches. I’m hoping it’s everything I want it to be. 😊
I LOVE my 007. It was the watch that started it all for me. I recently changed it's movement to an NH36 movement and it's been an absolute dream since. It runs +- 0.5 sec a day and the fact that it hacks and hand winds makes it even more perfect!
As odd as it may seem, I actively seeking to buy an SKX007, and it is March 2022! U used to own one, sold it a year or two back and really miss it. I loved its quirks, robustness and just knowing it was ISO certified it added a bit extra peace of mind when on the boat or windsurfing. I rarely wear a suit and tie, so no worries there. I never wear bracelets so the Jubilee won’t pose a problem. I know I can get a higher spec, “better” watch for less cash, but I can’t get the same amount of style! Actually, I might buy two, one to keep as stock spec, and the second to mod the hell out of… keep well everyone.
You're absolutely right - despite all of its quirks, there is, and likely will never be another watch that hits the same way the SKX does. Pick them up while you can!
I have a Citizen NY0040 and a SKX009, both are great and will never leave my collection. Paying $300-$400 for a SKX now is too much, but you will always make your money back if you don't like it and want to sell it, those other watches mentioned will lose money on the resell.
Very good video! Vostok amphibia definitely, automatic, robust, reliable, 200 water resist, in-house movement. all for less than 100 bucks and the rest in my bank account.
Thank you very much, Ariel. I agree; Amphibia is a great choice. Surprised at myself for forgetting that one; I've been wearing the Amphibia Scuba Dude all summer. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment.
The Mini Turtle has a slightly better movement. The SKX has the benefit of being ISO certified, which means more for the "cool points" for most people, like myself, who don't actually use their watches for diving. I don't think you can go wrong with either.
The truth is that the SKX is really rubbish now. Of course, this does not stop it remaining a cult watch, probably because there are many romantics in this world. Good for you if you still love it.
I have an skx009 and although it is not worn every day, it has a place in my collection. It is simple, comfortable to wear and very rugged, therefore, I love taking it on trips since I never have to take it off. I can shower, wear it to the pool, out to dinner, and it is accurate enough that I am never late for a reservation or a meeting. Also, it does not make me look like a pretentious rich snob or put a target on my back like wearing my Rolex Submariner does. To me, it is one of the most versatile watches ever made and if they release it again in the future I would certainly buy the skx007 as another watch in my box to go along with my 009. I cannot see the sport 5 budget watch version that is so similar to the skx007 replacing this one in regards to versatility, reliability, and overall ruggedness and I certainly am not buying that watch.
Don’t you consider its inaccuracy a flaw? A watch is supposed to tell the right time, so a 15-45 second per day inaccuracy is a pretty major flaw, don’t you think?
I have an 009. Got it before SKX were discontinued. I will probably pick up an 007 if they ever drop below $300 again. Orient Ray 2 is an awesome watch too.
Great to see you back on the tubes Anthony! Totally agree SKXs range $230-250 now while some of the new monster are just $270-290 brand new on Ebay. No one denies the Heritage of the SKX, you can see that on their new Seiko 5 line all over it but nowdays it may not be the smartest buy with all you can find on the same price range.
Thank you very much for the warm welcome, Cesar. I'll be sticking to a weekly schedule from now on. Will most likely be a new video every Thursday. The Monster is a good call and actually one of the few Seiko models that have seemed to completely die down in hype and price. Just 3-4 years ago, they were one of THE Seiko divers to have. Haven't heard too much buzz about them recently. Probably contributing to the price drop. Thanks for taking the time to watch + comment. 👍
you can find a bulova devil diver for the same price as an skx now and it has more features like handwinding and a sapphire crystal and its also iso 6425
I've had an 007 on a jubilee for years and love it and just bought a 009 on the secondary. It's got a sapphire crystal and nh36a movement. I'm gonna slap an endmill on it
I bought a skx a few months ago. A pimped one (movement, crystal, bezel, crown, bracelet). No chance to convince me not to buy it. Please dont say Orient. Good but never iconic.
And what would be a fairly affordable diver ($ 300) to use on a day-to-day basis? Or to put it another way, what would be the "replacement" for the SKX? It would be a very interesting video !! Feet on the Citizen Promaster, Orient Kamasu, Seiko 5 new ...
You nailed it. I think the Kamasu and Promaster are two of the best similarly priced alternatives. Orient also has a newer slightly more premium diver, the Neptune, I believe, that also has a power reserve, sapphire crystal, etc. But I'll compile a list of a few more alternatives and perhaps dedicate a video. Thanks!
I know that this is more than $300, but the Victorinox Swiss Army Men's I.N.O.X. Pro Diver Watch is one of the next watches I am targeting. I love the fact that it is anti-magnetic too. Nothing is harder on a watch than a magnet, and we have so many magnets around us every day that having a watch that is antimagnetic is becoming more important than ever for mechanical watches.
Iv never heard of someone rejecting a sapphire crystal in the fear that it could shatter and cut them...dude are kidding me? Thats the most illogical thing iv heard on the internet today. Congratulations...all credibility out the window.
I have a love/hate thing going on with my SKX009. I wear mine on a navy blue NATO and I love love love the way it wears and looks, but the movement is crap. After wearing it all day, sometimes, the next day the watch is stopped, like it didn't hold its power reserve. It's also not very accurate, mine loses time, bad enough where i haven't bothered to even see how much. But looks wise, the SKX is nearly perfect, I love the printed indices, and crown position, Hardlex.. If they could make a 40mm version and scale the thickness down to match 400mm proportions, and make it a 20mm lug width, and add a more robust hacking/hand winding movement, this would be THE perfect dive watch, even over the Rolex Sub in my opinion (based on looks).
I like you have had more than one SKX the reasons i would not buy one in 2020 is the price point, the outdated movement, and i have never owned one that been anywhere near accurate over a days wear etc and none hacking and none winding ? So out of touch are Seiko with these and to continue to make aesthetically similar models but with only 100m water resistance what the heck , i suppose they are going on their Seiko 5 nostalgia trip with it ? Still at least they have got the alignment issues sorted with them now ! What a pity they didn't just re vamp the SKX and watch the sales poor in ?
Yup. Despite all of the "flaws" I just stated, I do love the heck out of my SKX. It will never leave my collection (for a second time...😂). It definitely has a unique charm to it.
I thought they looked and sounded thin and cheap too. At least I did until I started wearing them. I’d originally fitted a Strap Co super oyster band to it and it looked awesome but is, to this day, the least comfortable watch strap I’ve ever used. Was also a major PITA to remove as well. Switched back to the unused Seiko jubilee that was still in the box and never looked back! Super comfortable and, while you’re wearing it, the band doesn’t make any sound worthy of note. It’s just a comfortable watch band that also looks better than I thought it was going to.
Im looking for divers in the second hand market for around 100-150, It's hard to find the newer watches for that price sometimes. No idea where to look.
Hey there! You should check out Orient's offerings, specifically the Orient Kamasu. It's a newer watch with specs that surpass the SKX (as the Kamasu features sapphire crystal, hacking/handwinding movement) and comes in a variety of colors. It's also readily available for under $200. Check out my review of it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-3vIfL8rXKsE.html Let me know if you have any questions.
You recommend a 10k watch on a videos talking about a watch which costs a few hundred pounds?? I'm of the mind that anyone can afford anything as long as they have a job and can save up but people watching videos of £2/300 watches aren't going to care about 10 grand watches. If they did, they are not watching these videos
@@nathancortes3722 I searched it up and thought I was being trolled so that's why I was so worked up, like browsing cars in the ford fiesta range and someone recommending a mercedes to unsuspecting punters. Fair enough if you were just trolling though, you got me
SKX with a suit? Who the hell is diving with a tuxedo (except James Bond) ? It is something like complaining that your t-shirt doesn`t look good wit a tie... :D
Why doesn't any of these guys talk about the real reasons this watch is a bad joke?! I actually bought the watch partly based on the BS you get from guys like this one. And thus I found out what's really wrong with it. After a few years (in my case only two years) the watch starts to go really slow - it is it's way of telling you there's high time that you service it. And thus you realize that the service costs about 50% of the price of the watch!!!
A pitiful shadow of it's grandfather the 7548. Same looks but woeful in performance by comparison. Equivalent of Porsche making a reissue 928 or 944 but with a 1.6 diesel engine.
Good info, and realistic pro’s and con’s, but dude, you’ve gotta quit smacking your hands together when you talk. I’m sure it’s just a habit that in face to face interactions is fine, but with headphones on in was like a gun shot in my ears each time.
You are completely right, Flip. From a viewer's perspective, it's such an earsore. I think it's no surprise that I'm new to being behind a camera, but definitely something I'll be much more mindful of in the future. Really appreciate your feedback.
The SKX is trash. I seriously don't understand why the SKX is popular. Bulky, thick, oversized and over-priced. It has the dictionary meaning of tinny garbage bracelet... and to top it off, the brilliant 7s26 NON-hacking and handwindable movement 🤢🤮
@@ChronometerCheck Let me make it simple for you. The Rolex Submariner is unquestionably THE watch for anyone who has any money and wants classic design (It is the epitome of classic design) reliability and a name brand. To purchase something that looks EXACTLY like a copy is merely stating, "I cannot afford the real thing." That is what I mean and I know that I am correct. James bond says so and so does the Royal Family.
you sound like a 16 year old child who doesn’t know anything about timepieces... the skx is an original design. the rolex submariner is a classic but not everyone can wear a huge maxi case or spend 2 grand plus. also, if you are buying a watch for the name, you should probably consider a new hobby :(
