I discovered the reasonably-priced Seiko automatics a few years ago (after a brief flirtation with the even cheaper Vostok Amphibians) and I've worn a Sea Urchin for about 5 years now. It's a nice Rolex Submariner homage with classic good looks, but the more authentic (properly dive certified as opposed to diver-style) SKX007 was calling out to me... so I got one. I bought the rubber strap version with the intention of getting a good Oyster bracelet for it. However, I fancied trying a NATO strap, with a holiday in a hot country coming up (steel bracelets react with suncream and irritate my skin), so I got a Bond-style NATO. It makes the whole thing feel much lighter on the wrist, and my fears about excess strap length (I have little girly wrists) were unfounded. Classic styling. Count me in as an SKX007 fanboi.
Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be James Bond.
https://i.imgur.com/LEHiBU0.jpg
Comments
One great thing about this is the bezel rotates much easier than the Sea Urchin. The Sea Urchin is extremely stiff, and I mentioned it when I sent it off to Seiko for a service, but it came back as stiff as ever. So I never used it, which is a shame as I find them very useful as a timer when cooking pasta, rice etc!
What I like about these are they are as accurate and as waterproof as a Rolex or Omega, but are about 8% of the price.
Utterly reliable, tough & keep better time than some of my more 'boutique' divers.
The Seiko original stainless bracelet is awesome quality too.
I prefer the 'proper' NATO 'Bond' but I love the black/grey too
The 7S26 is not the most accurate mechanical movement but is tough and long lasting without interference.
One thing I would say, if you are on holiday don't leave one in very sun - the plastic chapter ring can shrivel up.
Don't ask how I know!
Strongly considering a Seiko automatic / nato combo at the minute. How deep do you find it? I wear a formal shirt most week days and it's not always easy to get a watch under the cuffs.
As appealing as the SKX013 and SKX007 are I've always been more drawn to aviator style watches y'see...
Love Seiko!
I'm a fan of the Kinetic watches, I have collected three over the years.
I've been looking at these...
https://avi-8.co.uk/collections/all/m-automatic?sort_by=title-ascending
I'd never heard of the brand before but they kept on popping up on my Instagram feed. I quite like some of them, although no idea how reliable they are.
I can't help about the shape I'm in, I can't sing I ain't pretty and my legs are thin
But don't ask me what I think of you, I might not give the answer that you want me to