Seiko SKX versus SRPD dive watch: The game of 7 differences
Joshua GrilletA legendary 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 on the forums?
Both are huge commercial successes but which one will capture your heart? The version born in 1996 or the one born in 2019?
Here they are, presented by Oyster the LumeVille 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 other than 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 is no real difference in luminescent performance between the two watches.
2. The movement
The SRPD is powered by a Seiko 4R36 movement which is an evolution of the SKX caliber 7S26.
It adds manual winding of the barrel spring as well as the stop seconds. And that’s another very good point for the 5KX.
But from now on, this one is going to have a hard time!
Let's move on to examining their cases.
3. The bezel
The SKX is resolutely a diving watch while the SRPD is more fashionable/urban.
The addition of 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. The bottom
A full background and a pretty drawing reminiscent of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by the Japanese painter Hokusai against a transparent background.
6. Spring bars
There is nothing really original about this comparison, but this element is never provided. Goodbye "Fat bars", here are pumps without notches to better fit the case with pierced lugs.
7. The bracelet
Jubilee against Oyster, the big debate even among the brand with the crown!
Personally I prefer the finesse of the jubilee although the oyster is more qualitative.
Are these bracelets 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 are unfortunate enough to put the SRPD bars on the SKX you will no longer be able to take them out because they do not have notches to accommodate a tool and the SKX does not have pierced horns.
The best alternative remains the LumeVille 316L stainless steel spring bars which you can find here, tested 100% functional:
Conclusion
I can already hear the ultras saying "They have degraded the SKX, it's a shame", "Reducing the water resistance from 200m to only 100m is prohibitive for me" or even "it's a cheap version of a legendary watch ".
My opinion: The SRPD offers nice aesthetic improvements but with less waterproofing, of course. Despite everything, it remains a great evolution of the SKX.
I have been practicing scuba diving in a club for almost 4 years and after almost 80 dives I will tell you a secret: divers use dive computers, not watches. This is not really of interest. On the diving boats we don't come across SKXs, nor even Rolex Submariners, Omega Seamasters or Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. If you ever see a diving watch on a diver's wrist I can tell you that he is one of us, a true watchmaking geek with whom you will enjoy having a drink.
(This statement is not entirely true but is far from false)
And you ? Are you more on the side of the ultras or the progressives?
You can find the other blog articles here: Blog
You can also find a selection of vintage watches and accessories here: Vintage Watches & Accessories
Joshua Grillet
Founder of LumeVille, watchmaker and vintage watch lover
3 comments
Merci pour ce sympathique comparatif sans parti pris, qui éclaire un peu plus le néophyte que je suis.
Mais reste l’épineuse question qui a de quoi fâcher : est-il encore intéressant (et possible) de réparer une skx ?
Salut, je me sens un peu visé agréablement par le fait que oui je fais partie des rares plongeurs qui plongent avec leur montre (et la regarde en plongée). Mes SEIKO pour le moment tiennent bien le coup à 30/40 m et j’ai testé ma dernière SEIKO PROSPEX PADI à 58m … cet été à Bormes les Mimosa sur l’épave du TOGO sans soucis!
Enfin quelqu’un d’objectif et, qui plus est, crédible, au vu de ton activité nautique, sur ce(s) modèle(s) mythique(s).
Tu as bien raison de préciser que les montres de plongées ne sont plus utilisées pour ce qu’elles sont conçues, mais elles ont un tel look de sportive masculine, que le style est indémodable.