The Seiko SKX line comes from an impressive lineage all the way back the the legendary 62MAS from the 1960s (Google that watch. It’s awesome.) A (re)introduction in 1996, the SKX007J has been the standard of budget divers. Not much has changed in 20 years and it still has the non-hacking 21 jewels 7S26 automatic movement. It still is ISO certified for diving. The watch face is pretty large, spec-ed out at 42mm. That might be big for some wrists, but it actually wears smaller than a lot of watches that are Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Bathyscaphe “inspired.”
Since the SKX series is non-Prospex labelled, it is still relatively cheap, like less than $200 used. Being at that price point, it allows for silly things like modifications. Before I bought this watch I had no idea that a subculture existed of modding SKXs. The amount of parts for this watch is nutty, and I decided to give it a go.
Parts I changed for the SKX009J are the bezel, bezel insert, added sapphire crystal and oyster “inspired” solid link bracelet.
Parts I changed for the SKX007J are the bezel, bezel insert, added sapphire crystal, “Milgauss” second hand, black date wheels and jubilee “inspired” solid link bracelet. Also I exchanged the movement to the hacking NH36A movement, found on eBay for $20. All work was done by Northeast Watch Works, which I recommend.
— My Denim Life