Welcoming back an old friend
The timepiece that brought me into the world of mechanical watches was the humble Seiko SKX. It's what took me from simply wearing a watch, to appreciating a watch as more than an instrument to tell the time.
I sold that watch after the purchase of a fine Swiss watch over a decade ago thinking, at the time, "I'd never want this again." But as 2023 draws to a close, I've been look at my collection and thinking about how I'm going to curate a smaller, but more meaningful collection in 2024 and wishing I could have my old SKX back. That watch is long gone, but it's an SKX, right? Seiko made about a billion of these?
Lately, I've been thinking of acquiring another one, however; buying one in an all-original condition is incredibly overpriced for what's essentially an antiquated timepiece. So, I've been looking at building one from OEM Seiko parts. I looked into the local used market to buy an old broken down one on the cheap to strip for parts and use as a base for the build.
Through a series of fortunate accidents, a twist of fate, and a wonderful conversation over coffee with the previous owner, this one found its way to me in near perfect, all-original condition, and even having been recently serviced (by Seiko no less), for what can only be described as a steal of a deal...
As soon as strapped this one on, I immediately had that rare "welcome home" feeling. Needless to say I took the watch on the spot, am overjoyed to have this SKX back in my collection, and this timepiece will become my new daily diver for 2024 and beyond :-)
I feel that I have somewhat come full-circle as I head into 2024 where I plan to downsize to only a few select timepieces - this one certainly being one of those.
Thank you for reading my ramblings WC! Much love!
Not a collector; an enthusiast :-)
Patient zero for a lot of us 🙌🏼
Yup, this one is staying in my collection
I sold an SKX007K2 a few years ago and a year later I wanted it back. I ended up buying an SKX007J for less than I sold the SKX007K2. And the SKX007J was in better condition.
Great post and Congrats! That watch got me hooked as well 🌈
Haha we share a very similar story in this journey and coincidentally I’m wearing mine as I read your post 😎. Have a great 2024 ahead
Great post and congrats on getting the watch. I have a somewhat similar but ultimately different SKX story.
I sold my SKX007 & 009 after having them for a year or so. With hindsight, when I started getting into watches, I probably kind of got carried away with buying watches that I thought watch enthusiasts should want to own. I got the SKX’s new and probably paid over the top for them. I wore them and enjoyed them but over time became a bit dissatisfied with some aspects such as non hacking movement, mineral crystal and timekeeping.
I added other divers to my collection and the SKX’s got less and less wrist time so I decided to let them go. Unlike you I’ve not missed them but I don’t regret having owned them and experienced the SKX.
I've had an SKX007 for years. I tried out some other watches. But I always preferred the SKX, so I sold them. Who needs hacking and handwinding anyway?