Seiko & Citizen Watch Forum Message Archive

Me and my Seiko Divers.....(long with many scans...)

Author: petew

Date: 2002-07-29 18:08:00

ID: 1027991292 | thread

Here's an article I put together for the forum. Just a brief synopsis of my divers. Measurements are approximate, and while I didn't comment on luminosity, I will say that the luminosity on all my new Seiko's is outstanding and lasts all night long.......
Seiko SKX031K2 (7S26-0040)
Dimensions - 40mm case, 43.5mm with crown, 10mm thick
Movement - 7S26 - Does not hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Bi-directional with one minute clicks.
I'd been collecting watches for a few years and had decided it was time for a beater. I'd always read that the Seiko Diver's were well suited for this purpose, so I started shopping on Wayne Lee's site.
Although it's usually the SKX007 that everybody starts with, this is the one that caught my eye. I wanted a bracelet, and aren't too fond of the jubilee style found on the 007's. Also, I really like the way the markers are outlined with silver on this one. It's a nice touch and really makes the dial stand out.
Needless to say, I really fell in love with this watch. I bought it in June of 2001, and no kidding, I think I had this on at some point everyday for the rest of that year. My current collecting focus on Seiko is entirely due to this particular model.
Seiko 6105-8000
Dimensions - 41mm case, 45mm with crown, 12mm thick.
Movement - 6105 - Does not hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Bi-directional with no clicks
Maybe a month after I purchased my SKX031K2 I was out on a boat with some friends. "Hey, let me see that watch", Carl, the boat owner said. I had my diver on. "I've got Seiko Dive watch too. Only mine doesn't need batteries, it winds like a Rolex." "So does this one.", I proudly replied. So we got to talking and he tells me he's had it forever, and while he hasn't worn it in years, he knows where it is at home, and he'll show me when we get back. "Even though I haven't worn it in a long time, I bet as soon as I pick it up and shake it, it'll start right up." he said.
Turns out it was a 6105-8000 and sure enough, it started right up. It was pretty beat up though. I told him he should get it fixed up, and even offered to buy it off him, but he didn't seem too interested. It was my first exposure to a vintage Seiko Diver and I was hooked. Like my SKX031, the markers were outlined in silver, but the really cool thing about the 6105 markers is that they're square. Together with the squared hands and that oh-to-cool minute hand with the red tip, it's a great watch.
This one is in practically perfect shape. It does run slow though and one of these days I'm going to get it overhauled. Funny thing about the 6105-8000. Although the dimensions are fairly large, it really seems to wear small on my wrist. Oh yeah this is the only Seiko I own, and really probably one of the only ones out there with the exception of some of the higher end Grand Seiko's and Credors where the crown is actually signed. Boy do I wish Seiko would do this on all their watches.
Seiko 6105-8110
Dimensions - 45mm case, 47mm with crown, 12mm thick
Movement - 6105 - Does hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Bi-directional with one minute clicks
Okay, by the time I had found my 6105-8000, I had also discovered the SCWF. Holy cow, there was another watch like my 6105 only bigger! I had to have one. Purchased this one of a forum member and let me tell you it's big. It's got everything that the smaller 8000 has, just more case. It also has a hackable movement and that curious little Seiko crown with the locking action.
The real strong point of this watch is the bezel. It just operates so tight and precisely. With the exception of my Prospex 300m, I don't own a watch that "feels" tougher. This one is in fabulous shape with the exception of some slight deterioration on the hands. When I can part with it, I'm gonna get those fixed.
Only thing I can criticize on my 6105's is that as much as I like them, they sort of have an unfinished quality to them. It's hard to explain, but there is an inherent clumsiness (especially in the 8110) about them.
Oh yeah, both the 6105's have a slightly domed crystal. Makes the dial look really cool. Everyone should own at least one 6105.
Seiko SKX40? (7S26-0160)
Dimensions - 42mm case, 44mm with crown, 13mm thick
Movement - 7S26 - Does not hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Uni-directional with 30second clicks.
Well my SKX031 was not really seeing any time as a beater. I just liked it too much and didn't want to mess it up. I saw this one on the Skywatches site, and was smitten. Again, it was those markers outlined in silver that did it for me. I bought this one on a rubber strap and promised myself I wouldn't baby it. I haven't, and while I haven't abused it by any means, it's spent tons of time at the beach and the pool, and amazingly enough, it still looks brand new. Not a scratch to be found. While there's alot to like about this watch; the dial, the very precise bezel, the really cool hands, I also have some criticisms on this one too.
Under a loupe, this is the only one of my Seikos that shows some sloppiness on the dial. The writing just isn't as crisp as it is on my other Seikos. Also, the crown has a really strange feeling to it. While it unscrews and screws quite smoothly, it does have some play to it, and it feels kind of plasticky. I'm not sure if it's titanium or not, but it really does just feel weird. Although it's 42mm, it really wears like a 38mm watch, and because of the titanium, it's really light. There's a champagne colored dial of this one available. I've been fighting the urge to buy it for quite some time, but I'm not sure how much longer that's going to last.
Seiko 6309-7049 & 6306-7001
Dimensions - 44mm case, 48mm with crown, 13mm thick
Movements - 6309 - does not hack - 6306 - does hack, both can't be manually wound.
Bezel - Bi-directional with one minute clicks
I grouped these together because besides the movements, (hacking and non hacking) they appear to me to be the same watch. Many would say this is the most popular collectible Seiko Dive watch. One thing is for sure, they're a great way to get started, and they really are a continuation or refinement of the 6105. Here, Seiko retained the cushion case, seemed to tidy it up a bit and also added the Day feature. Although not as nice as the 6105-8110, the bezel does operate very solidly on both models and the watch certainly feels like a tank. If only Seiko had retained those square markers and domed crystal.......anyway. 6309's are great watches, I could sell all my other divers and be really happy with either of these two.
Seiko SKX021K (7S26-0050)
Dimensions 37mm case, 40mm with crown, 12mm thick
Movement - 7S26 - Does not hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Bi-directional with one minute clicks
This is the only Seiko diver that I really don't wear. I bought it because it seemed so unique with the white face and gold markers. It's a neat watch, but to be truthful, compared to my others, it just feels kind of cheap. The bezel feels a bit "plasticky", and the size is a bit wimpy. Heck even the hands are kind of small. That said, it's still pretty cool, and while I certainly am not one to collect watches as an investment, I wouldn't be surprised if the uniqueness and rarity of this one makes this a future collectible.
Seiko SKX 779
Dimensions 42mm case, 45mm with crown, 13mm thick
Movement - 7S26 - Does not hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Uni-directional with 30second clicks.
This is the only Seiko diver I sold. I really tried to like this one, but it was just a bit too funky for me. Don't get me wrong, it's a great watch. The dial is awesome, the hands are cool, and the bezel operates just so smoothly, but that case just drove me nuts. That said, I'll probably break down one day and buy another one.
Seiko 7025-8099
Dimensions 40mm case, 40.5mm with crown, 10mm thick
Movement 7025 - Does not hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Bi-directional with no clicks
I really, really want a 6017. Jetan has one that's just beautiful and I lust after it every time I see it. While I look for them all the time, I haven't come across a nice enough one yet. For now, this will be my substitute. I don't know much about this particular model, and if someone does, please fill me in. I do like the dial, and the little paddle second hand is really cool too. It also is a bit unique in that the crown is almost entirely recessed and the case is almost square. I doubt even when new, this thing really was a diver's watch, but it is fun to wear while I continue my search for a 6017.
Seiko SBN007 (7C46-7011) Prospex 300M
Dimensions - 45mm case, 50mm with crown, 14mm thick
Movement 7C46 -Does hack
Bezel - Uni-Directional with 30 second clicks.
I'm not going to say alot about this one since so much has been written. I will say that even though this thing is quartz, and I'm a mechanical guy in a big way, I just can't help but love this thing. In my opinion, Seiko hit a grand slam with this one. This is the watch that I've worn and probably will wear the most in 2002.
Seiko SKXA35 (7S26 0029)
Dimensions - 42mm case, 45mm with crown, 13mm thick
Movement - 7S26 - Does not hack, can't be manually wound
Bezel - Uni-directional with 30 second clicks
Okay, I've got a confession to make. I don't really like the standard Seiko diver. It just doesn't do anything for me compared to some of the others. I can't explain why. They're built like tanks, the bezels and crowns operate really well, and the finishing is nice enough too. But, when they came out with the yellow version, my mood changed. This is a neat watch, I bought it right before I spent a week at the Bahama's last month. Wore it the whole time and it performed flawlessly. First time I used something other than my Titanium Diver for water duty. Fun watch, and you just can't help but smile when you see that bright yellow dial.
Seiko 4205-0144 (Ladies)
Dimensions - 33mm case, 37mm with crown, 13mm thick
Movement - 4205 - Does not hack, can be manually wound.
Bezel - Uni-directional with one minute clicks.
This one really isn't mine. I bought it for my girlfriend, but haven't given it to her yet. She takes a slight interest in my watch collecting and even wears a SUS kinetic on a bracelet that I gave her earlier this year. "Find me a neat little one with an orange or a red face, and I'll wear it." She said. Ahh, the fun of the hunt. Picked this one recently on the Bay with a great BIN price. It's a really neat little watch. Slightly domed crystal, and feels super tough. Essentially NOS. I like the ability to manually wind the movement too.
I think I'll give it to her for Christmas, but hey, if things don't work out, I don't think I'll mind keeping this one for myself!
So what's next? As I said, I'm always looking for a nice 6217, and I do have a 4205 mens size coming from Jetan this week. Hope you enjoyed the article as much as I did creating it....next up, when I get some time, maybe I'll do my chrono's.

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