Seiko SKX009, SKX175 – Iconic Dive Watches

September 2019

The Seiko SKX009, the iconic and popular dive watch has been discontinued this year. However, there is still plenty of inventory available for those who just want a dive watch at a good price.

To be clear, the SKX009 and the SKX175 are the same watches. The SKX009 was actually produced for the world market. Seiko produced the SKX175, for the United States. In contrast to the SKX009, the country of origin appears on the SKX175’s dial. Both of these watches are available on Amazon. So, it is fair to say that this review is for both watches.

The watches are iconic for the blue/red “Pepsi” Bezel.

• 

• 

This watch runs on a 7S26 movement and beats 21,600 beats for every one hour and provides complete day and date function. The watch’s dial color is dark blue while the minute and hands are luminous. A second hand is provided to improve timing precision.

Seiko’s SKX009 comes with a rubber watch band that gives the best water resistance characteristics. Depending on the buyer’s preference, a stainless steel jubilee bracelet model is also available. The watch casing is steel, the Lens is Hardlex, and the Lume is Lumibrite. The watch dimensions are as follows; 42.5 x 46mm, the thickness is 13.25mm, and the lug width is 22mm.

The Case and Bezel

The watch’s dial and the inner components are enclosed in a stainless steel case. This casing provides sufficient resistance against scratches and also provides unique shine appearance. A crown guard is now integrated seamlessly into the design platform that enhances the SKX model and gives its unique trademark appearance. The crown is screwed down and Seiko provides a tool for easy adjustments.

The case back has a Tsunami logo and it is screwed down on the stainless steel case just like other diver’s watches made by Seiko. For durability and extra strength, the blue and the red Pepsi bezel of the Seiko SKX009 is made from solid stainless steel.

For easy readability, the watch has Arabic numeral and indexes, and, therefore, this watch can be used to measure short time intervals without the urge for accuracy timing due to the unidirectional 120 click bezel. This is because, with each turn of the bezel, a ratchet-lick click is produced. Therefore, the time elapsed can be measured without even looking.

Dial and Window

The Seiko SKX009 dark blue dial appears legible with the hour white marker and the second hand. The watch is powered by a Seiko Lumibrite technology that gives a bright radiance and produces a bright Lume even inside a dark car. Once fully recharged, the Lume is capable of being visible for up to seven hours.

For convenience and instant readability, a day and date information are displayed at the exact 3’oclock position. The Hardlex mineral crystals of the Seiko SKX009 are tougher and offer enough resistance to breakage, therefore, make the watch a good choice for professional use.

The Bracelet

The Seiko SKX009 comes with all-new Z22 rubber straps that naturally repel water. This makes the watch ideal for use while performing any water activities such as surfing, diving, swimming, and snorkeling. The material that makes up the strap is also known to be stain-proof and also easy to clean. The strap is also durable. A buckle type clasp ensures that the watch is securely fitted to wrist especially when diving.

Alternatively, the watch is also provided with a stainless steel jubilee bracelet and this improves the appearance of the watch. Other bands can be purchased to fit this watch.

Movement

This watch runs on a 7S26 workhorse movement. The design is an automatic movement meaning that you must shake your wrist to get the watch working. Once it gets going, it’ll move 21,600 BPH, and there are 21 jewels in this model. This movement only requires service after some few years while the power lasts only for about a day.

What will replace the SKX009?

Seiko produced its first dive watch in the 1960s and continues perfecting its dive collection of timepieces. However, it appears that the new lineup of watches released September 10, 2019, will only have 100-meter water resistance making the new watches dive-like.

For a true dive watch, that meets ISO standards and is suitable for scuba diving at 200-meters please check out the Prospex line.