No 31, 141 & 361 – Seiko SKX009

What? Only two SKX009’s? Something must be wrong! I actually thought I had had more than two 009’s but the one I had the longest, watch number 159, was actually a SKX007 that was modified with the dial from a 009 so it didn’t qualify as a pure 009 (read more about watch 159 here). For you who doesn't know the difference between the 007 and 009 it is only the color of the dial, chapter ring and bezel insert that separates them.

The first one I bought was in mid February 2010. It came on the jubilee bracelet which I switched out for an olive nato strap. Today the jubilee is my absolute favorite Seiko bracelet. You just have to give it an all brushed finish first to get rid of the bling and bring out the tooliness. Sold it two weeks later because there was a want to buy-add out looking for one. Time to sell!

#31 – On the jubilee.

On the nato.

My second one got to stay a little longer. Looks like I had it during the whole month of August in 2012. Got this one on the president bracelet. My second favorite of the Seiko bracelets. As you already know it’s a perfect summer beater and this one got to go on several fishing trips. Luckily it managed to get caught on some pictures while being out in the archipelago hunting for predators.

#141 – On the president.

Thai dinner on the balcony.

Drinking Asbach. The best.

Took its bezel insert for a round with the chlorine.

Pike fishing in early August.

The same goes for the SKX009 as for the 007 of course. Perhaps the best entry level watch for a becoming watch maniac. One should always be in your collection.



UPDATE - September 27th 2017.

I love the Seiko serial numbers and hunting for watches that are manufactured a certain year and month is something I always do. So when my second son was born I figured I was going to be a little more prepared. I mean, why not buy the watch new directly in the store when I had the chance? Of course it had to be much easier to find a watch with a serial number that matched the year and month he was born if I started to keep an eye open for when the watches manufactured in February 2017 was going to hit the stores, instead of years later trying to find a watch with the serial number I wanted. And was I right or what? I actually had plenty of models to choose from but quickly realized I wanted something classic. So the choice was made to buy a SKX009. I bought one on a jubilee bracelet but took it for a spin on a Seiko president. Love that combo! Anyhow, just like the CWC for my son, this watch will also be used every now and then until one day when he will receive it.

#361 - The third 009. Purchased for my second son.

On a DAL1BP rubber.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 4, 18, 35, 101, 102, 159, 184, 198 & 243 - Seiko SKX007

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.