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A mythical watch against a new contender for this title?
Ah the Seiko SKX… A watch loved by a large majority of collectors!
How many terabytes of SKX wristshots are there on Instagram, Facebook or forums?
Both are huge commercial successes, but which one will win your heart? The version born in 1996 or the one born in 2019?
Here they are, presented by Oyster the Swiss Made Watch mascot:
During the entire photo comparison, the SKX009 will be on the left or above and the SRPD53 on the right or below.
Overview of their 7 differences, starting with the dial.
1. The dial
The SKX009 offers a matte dial with no real relief except for the application of LumiBrite, a luminescent paint from Seiko.
The dial of the SRPD53 is much deeper with its sunburst finish and circled indexes. A good point for the 5KX!
A “lumeshot” reveals that there isn’t really a difference in luminescent performance between the two watches.
2. Movement
The SRPD is powered by a Seiko 4R36 movement which is an evolution of the SKX caliber 7S26.
It adds the manual winding of the barrel spring as well as the stop second. And that is still a very good point for the 5KX.
But from now on, this one will have a hard life!
Let’s take a look at their cases.
3. The bezel
The SKX is resolutely a diver’s watch, while the SRPD is more fashionable/urban.
Adding a LumiBrite bead to the SKX bezel makes it fully functional. The SRPD does not have it and its graduation is also lighter.
4. The Crown
The diver offers a screw down crown versus a simple crown for the SRPD.
5. Background
A solid background and a pretty drawing reminiscent of “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by the Japanese painter Hokusai against a transparent background.
6. Spring bars
This comparison has nothing really original but this element is never filled in. Farewell to the “Fat bars”, here are the pumps without notches in order to better marry the case with pierced lugs.
7. The Wristband
Jubilee against Oyster, the great debate even at the brand with the crown!
Personally I prefer the finesse of the jubilee although the oyster is more qualitative.
Are these straps interchangeable? Yes, but only by replacing the spring bars with more versatile versions.
The “Fat Bars” do not fit in the case nor in the end pieces of the SRPD bracelet and if you have the misfortune to put the bars of the SRPD on the SKX you will not be able to take them out because they do not have notches to accommodate a tool and the SKX has no drilled lugs.
The best alternative is the Swiss Made Watch 316L stainless steel spring bars that you can find here, tested 100% functional:
Conclusion
I can already hear the ultras saying “They degraded the SKX, it’s a shame”, “Going from 200m water resistance to only 100m is unacceptable for me” or even “it’s a cheap version of a legendary watch “.
My opinion: The SRPD offers beautiful aesthetic improvements but with less sealing, of course. Despite everything it remains a beautiful evolution of the SKX.
I have been practicing scuba diving in a club for almost 4 years and after nearly 80 dives I will tell you a secret: divers use dive computers, not watches. It doesn’t really matter. On the dive boats we do not come across SKXs, nor even Rolex Submariners, Omega Seamasters or Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. If you ever see a diver’s watch on a diver’s wrist, I can tell you that he is one of us, a real watch geek with whom you will enjoy having a drink.
(This statement is not completely true but is far from false)
And you ? Are you more on the side of the ultras or the progressives?
