Instead of making nine separate posts with all the SKX007's I have owned I figured I'd
bunch them up all together in one presentation to speed things up but also because I don't
want to make you bored.
Why does one purchase nine watches of the same model?
Well, the SKX007 is quite an extraordinary watch. It costs close to nothing
compared to what you get. A used one is easily found for a $100 and for that you
will get a watch with an automatic movement (a true work horse), that has a screw
down crown, incredible lume and that is water resistant to 200m. Apart
from that it has a unique look with its crown positioned at 4 o'clock and an overall cool divers look to it. There
are not many watches that can compare to the SKX007 in this price range and I
know I’m not alone with that statement.
 |
| Product image of the Seiko SKX007. |
After lurking around on different watch forums I quickly realized that
this watch was something everyone either owned or had owned. Very few made any
negative comments, it was rather the opposite and people wrote mainly
good things about it. I bought my first one in May 2009 on the Swedish eBay
called Tradera.
 |
| #4. My first SKX007. Bought in May 2009. Crappy flash picture. |
 |
| #18. My second one bought in December 2009. |
 |
| #35. The third one. Bought in April 2010. Here on a president bracelet. |
Also, what makes the SKX007 so unique is the vast range of interchangeable parts
available to modify your watch. There are a lot of parts for Seikos in general
but the assortment for the SKX-series is probably the largest.
 |
| #101. A vintage modified SKX007 with faded insert and soy sauce hands on a fully brushed jubilee bracelet. This was the fourth one bought in October 2011. |
 |
| #102. Also from October 2011 and yet another vintage mod. This time performed on a SKX007J (Japanese version). Insert and hands were taken from a SKX011J. Insert was faded and the hands and dial went a round with the old soy sauce. All geared up for fishing with a flask, a SOG knife and a Lucky 13 wobbler! Number five was a badass and is today owned by XLNTS which he still uses frequently. |
There have been a lot of late nights modifying SKX’s. It seems like I
can never get tired of it. So many variations to be made! Unfortunately I haven’t
really learned how to do it myself and I’ve almost always have had help from my
good friend Magnus who isn’t a trained watchmaker but he is a true engineer. If
there is a problem he finds a solution. While I’ve been a little reluctant when
it comes to picking things apart which I know nothing about, in this case
movements, he pick stuff apart and at the same time he is learning how all the
parts are working together. I've always felt safe handing over my watches in the hands of Magnus.
 |
| #159. January 2013. It began with just an easy fade of the insert on number six. |
 |
| Then the dial, hands and chapter ring were replaced. Got too messy with the Type 2 dial. Didn’t work very well together. Lack of balance. |
 |
| We finally came up with this one in March the same year. The blue dial was taken from a SKX009, the original chapter ring was put back, the 6105 hands were kept and we added a brushed steel insert. I think this mod is probably one of the best we ever made. It actually does look like a real Seiko that could have been produced and not a modified one. |
 |
| I brought this version of the watch to Rome, Italy, in June 2013 on my honeymoon (among other watches of course!). Here seen in the roof top lounge at Hotel Boscolo Exedra. |
The SKX’s comes in some different variations which all look pretty much
the same except for color deviations. But there are the J-versions, e.g. the SKX007J, where the J stands for Japan, which usually are a little more expensive and has an extra line on
the dial that says 21 jewels. The
movement, the 7S26, is the same in all the SKX divers I think
except for that they have been assembled in different factories.
 |
| #184. The seventh one was a quick catch and release of a SKX007J in July 2013. |
When it comes to purchasing parts I’ve mostly ordered from 10watches (now called Dagaz) and Yobokies. Some parts have also been acquired from different eBay sellers but eBay can
be really difficult sometimes. There is so much shit circulating out there. When
purchasing so called aftermarket
parts you have to watch out. If something is called aftermarket and has the
Seiko logo on it, that is the same thing as fake.
 |
| #198. Bought in November 2013. A SKX007 on an oyster bracelet that was modified with the hands and dial from an Orange Monster. Also the insert was changed to a brushed steel insert and fitted into a Murphy bezel. Here tested for water resistance in the bath tub. |
 |
| Later turned it into a Snowflake mod… |
 |
| …and then quickly changed it into a new outfit before it was forgotten for some time... |
 |
| ...until July 2014 when Magnus picked it up for a little facelift. |
 |
| It was fitted with an aftermarket (fake) 6105 dial that Magnus re-lumed. I think it looked kind of cool with its retro look. Something for Seiko to pick up for an upcoming vintage series? |
 |
| The re-lumed dial glowed strong, nice and blue! |
My ninth one was a Japanese version on a flat vent Z22 rubber. Good stuff! A classic look.
 |
| #243 - A day at the office in January 2015. |
To sum it all up I must say that the SKX007 is probably the perfect
entry level watch for all rookies. There's really no reason not to own one. It will always come to use sooner or later. But beware! This one will get everyone hooked and lead
you right down into the watch addiction swamp until you’re neck deep and it's too late to get out.
© All
pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.
