What has taken the place of the legendary SKX?
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Mike
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Mcallen TX
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looking at the size and specs i think it is orient kamasu (different brand but still on the seiko epson group) or mini turtle. its a shame mini turtle has been discontinued. regular turtle or samurai could be the closest skx replacement too despite their bigger size
The SKX place was taken over by microbrands and Chinese homage that offered similar or better specs for prices that Seiko could not complete with.
I’d take any Long Island Watch over an SKX.
In terms of what watches have that cult status or value for money, the orient Bambino is definitely up there.
Citizen NY series. Since I desk dive, I got myself a NY-0140. A wonderful watch.
I’d take any Long Island Watch over an SKX.
In terms of what watches have that cult status or value for money, the orient Bambino is definitely up there.
Idk for me I couldn't do long Island watch, mark just makes me cringe for some reason. But the watch alone does offer great vaule and specs. Just doesn't have the heritage that comes with seiko.
Citizen NY series. Since I desk dive, I got myself a NY-0140. A wonderful watch.
Post pic if you can!?!
The SKX place was taken over by microbrands and Chinese homage that offered similar or better specs for prices that Seiko could not complete with.
Any ones you would recommend. I'm not very familiar with many micro brands or Chinese companies.
Any ones you would recommend. I'm not very familiar with many micro brands or Chinese companies.
Long Island was already mentioned and TBH I was never interested in the SKX but if you are willing to invest your time I guess that browsing the videos on YT from JOMW or I love Watch will reveal more than a few candidates.
Elliott Brown make some great watches for all occasions,much prefer their divers over Seiko, only my opinion
I guess from value standpoint Orient Divers. There are some to choose from.
Post pic if you can!?!
Here it is!
Idk for me I couldn't do long Island watch, mark just makes me cringe for some reason. But the watch alone does offer great vaule and specs. Just doesn't have the heritage that comes with seiko.
Fair. Mark definitely gives off a casual, lives in a basement vibe. But personally, I think the concept of only people who wear suits know watches is flawed as well.
That being said, I think heritage is overrated these days. Companies like Farer, Christopher Ward and Formex are making watches that rival a lot of the big name brands. The fact that Seiko is famous for misaligned chapter rings should be evidence that heritage isn’t everything. Full disclosure: I own a Baby Alpinist and love it.
I agree with the Orient fanbase. Orient offers the Ray 2, Mako 2, Kamasu 1 and 2, M force, Triton/ Neptune and mini Neptune as well as several excellent Prient Star divers that really do cover all bases and effectively replace all the lower and mid tier seiko divers.
And I say this as a seiko fan.
Here it is!
That look great!!!
For the true SKX fan... "nothing" basically ... maybe buying parts and building your own SKX? at this point... The Citizen NY0040 / NY0100 ..etc lefty crown divers 200m citizens are I guess about as close as you can get..
But a lot of people just buying the new non-screwdown crown Seiko 5 ones or Steeldive..etc Chinese seiko clones.
But I think the 5kx is better looking and better sized than the Citizen. Even though it's a fake diver and even though I lost all confidence in Seiko quality when my FlightPooper destroyed itself within a couple months of purchase.
On the subject of ISO certification and Orients it is true that most of them do not carry that certificate as against the SKX and some Citizens but in the real world I don't think that is a flaw at all?
I was a PADI qualified open water diver and have dived in the Indian Ocean, Red Sea and around the UK coast. I never dived beyond 30 metres and that is common for most recreational divers. A 200m diver can cope with that , certified or not. IMO the certificate is just a bragging right for most people who buy dive watches but don't even wear then in the pool!
Totally agree but it was a credential that was often pointed to with the SKX and valid it not that certification sold watches :)
I guess from value standpoint Orient Divers. There are some to choose from.
The Orient Ray and Mako make pretty compelling cases for a budget diver. Available modding options are also pretty nice too.
Keep it all in the Family, as @vmiyanks04 mention above. the Seiko 5 sports and SKX GMT pretty much fill the void and carry the SKX Torch!
This watch does not scream SKX, but still a good replacement for it.
Pricing is affordable. Movement is hacking and hand winding. These are more matter to me (to me) than ISO case.
5KX. No it doesn’t have the same spec but in terms of carrying the same vibe there is nothing better.
From a strict value perspective I would say Microbrands have filled this space.
As for a watch most would agree is a good place to start: Tissot PRX Quartz, especially on sale. That’s the best bang for buck watch currently.
Fair. Mark definitely gives off a casual, lives in a basement vibe. But personally, I think the concept of only people who wear suits know watches is flawed as well.
That being said, I think heritage is overrated these days. Companies like Farer, Christopher Ward and Formex are making watches that rival a lot of the big name brands. The fact that Seiko is famous for misaligned chapter rings should be evidence that heritage isn’t everything. Full disclosure: I own a Baby Alpinist and love it.
Seiko is ”famous” for the misaligned chapter rings because ppl HAD to find a reason to pick at the company. The only real gripe ppl can bring against seiko is their movements dont come with super great accuracy out of the box but even that is for a reason. Their movements are very easy to tune up, and improve. If im not mistaken even the SKX movement can be tuned to within a couple of seconds a day and stays like that for a very long time.
If the misaligned chapter ring are really a problem then why isnt Omegas issues like the seamaster clasps getting stuck a point of discussion when omega is discussed? What about Omegas problems with their movements like the 3313a and 3313b in the older model seamasters? These problems are never discussed when omega is the topic but how come the chapter rings is brought up when seiko comes up?
It seems to me that ppl are nit picking on some very small issues with a handful of models within seiko but are very permissive when other swiss companies have pretty serious issues.
Edit: and seiko is famous for a slew of good things like being among the first companies to release an automatic chronograph, and incredible practices and products such as zaratsu polishing, the development of the spring drive movement, making unique and aesthetic dials, high quality lume, and producing low cost high value pieces like the SKX and now the new SKX GMT’s, and lastly, seiko is responsible for the swiss shutting down their watch competition bc they couldn't compete with the Japanese watch company. In fact, seikos still has modern entries winning swiss/european awards just look at the seiko LX snr0xx diver that won the sports category a few years ago.
so to sum up.. the chapter ring thing is really just nonsensical when it comes down to it.
Idk for me I couldn't do long Island watch, mark just makes me cringe for some reason. But the watch alone does offer great vaule and specs. Just doesn't have the heritage that comes with seiko.
Horses for courses. Marc comes across as a genuine watch enthusiast to me.
Idk something about him just seems off to me and I'm pretty much on board with every youtuber in that watch space.
Seiko is ”famous” for the misaligned chapter rings because ppl HAD to find a reason to pick at the company. The only real gripe ppl can bring against seiko is their movements dont come with super great accuracy out of the box but even that is for a reason. Their movements are very easy to tune up, and improve. If im not mistaken even the SKX movement can be tuned to within a couple of seconds a day and stays like that for a very long time.
If the misaligned chapter ring are really a problem then why isnt Omegas issues like the seamaster clasps getting stuck a point of discussion when omega is discussed? What about Omegas problems with their movements like the 3313a and 3313b in the older model seamasters? These problems are never discussed when omega is the topic but how come the chapter rings is brought up when seiko comes up?
It seems to me that ppl are nit picking on some very small issues with a handful of models within seiko but are very permissive when other swiss companies have pretty serious issues.
Edit: and seiko is famous for a slew of good things like being among the first companies to release an automatic chronograph, and incredible practices and products such as zaratsu polishing, the development of the spring drive movement, making unique and aesthetic dials, high quality lume, and producing low cost high value pieces like the SKX and now the new SKX GMT’s, and lastly, seiko is responsible for the swiss shutting down their watch competition bc they couldn't compete with the Japanese watch company. In fact, seikos still has modern entries winning swiss/european awards just look at the seiko LX snr0xx diver that won the sports category a few years ago.
so to sum up.. the chapter ring thing is really just nonsensical when it comes down to it.
Preach!
5KX. No it doesn’t have the same spec but in terms of carrying the same vibe there is nothing better.
From a strict value perspective I would say Microbrands have filled this space.
As for a watch most would agree is a good place to start: Tissot PRX Quartz, especially on sale. That’s the best bang for buck watch currently.
I hadn't thought of the PRX but I do see it as a watch that gives way more that what you pay. Also comes with history. Good pick
Heimdallr makes some nice skx
I've been dabbling with Chinese brands, so I can say this with confidence. San Martin is the top quality and value. That's backed up numerous other reviews. They also have a choice of movements. Of course the workout nh35. And also the pt5000 (ETA 2824 clone) and sellita sw200.
I bought an original design grade 5 titanium watch, and the finishing is great!
Agree, unless you spend a fortune on a Seiko, San Martin are far superior.
Orient for sure! 200 meters, in house movement- a solid work horse tool watch. Cheap price, great value. Mods for days-just get rid of the cheap bracelet and cheesy bezels!
Citizen NY series. Since I desk dive, I got myself a NY-0140. A wonderful watch.
A NY-0108 I have. Limited Italian. 997/1000