True to reputation, you can practically read a book on a moonless light with the lume it visibly glows in the shade on a sunny day.īut before you complain, pause and consider whether you think of the new 5KX line as a replacement for the SKX, or, as a fashion watch. The 42mm case is the same as the old SKX, but this time around, the finish absolutely pops. Some of the other colorways are really aesthetically aggressive with blacked out dials and PVD coated cases and they look great. On the two watches I ordered, the hour markers are outlined in silver, which is a subtle move that has a huge effect in upping the quality feel of the watch face. The flat, printed Seiko logo is now in elegant raised metallic letters, while the utilitarian red dive 200M dive rating is gone from the dial. Its all very sharp and stylized, but also signals that aesthetics are going to rule the day now. This type of upgrade was a super-common after-market modification for SKXs, and addresses a big knock on the 7S26 the lack of hand-winding and hacking.īut in the process of going from Carhartts to a tux, they get noticeably softer and a bit less capable. The simple but reliable 7S26 movement from the SKX and many Seiko 5s is out and has been replaced with the Seiko 4R36. Identified by the SRPD internal code but already nicknamed the 5KX the line has been broken up into five categories of colorways and finishes: Sports, Suits, Specialist, Street, and Sense. Instead of 2 lines in a variety of configurations, capabilities, and cases, the Seiko 5 Sports lineup will consist of 27 different watches, sharing a common movement (4R36) and case (the old SKX case) but with diverse and different combinations of case finishes, dials, and straps. Just as the SKX was a gateway to dive watches, the Seiko 5 watches played the same role of introducing quality, reliable automatic sport and dress watches to the market.īright colorways and aggressive styling appealed especially to the younger buyer. The lineup has been on an horology death watch for the past half-decade or so, as its technical specs and market position made less and less sense in Seikos modern lineup.īut you dont get rid of a winner, and production chugged along as demand for the iconic diver stayed strong.Īll are bound by five defining principles: an automatic movement, daydate in a single window, significant water resistance, a crown at 4 oclock ( with some exceptions for the 5 line ), and durable case and bracelet. Introduced 23 years ago, the SKX007 009 and their brethren are legendary beater dive watches with a cult following and a cottage industry supporting aftermarket modifications. How do they do Well, the nature of your relationship with the lines predecessors will likely have a huge impact on your opinion.
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