 "Got it, like it, keeps time" | 2009-11-11 |
| - Reviewed By User: AABNT7QPCG6JO |
| For me, a watch is a simple thing. It must keep accurate time. This one does. It must be weather, water, and dirt resistant. This one is. I must be able to see it at night. I can. It must suit my taste. It does. Bonus round: I've gotten a few compliments and my more expensive ones rarely get those comments. |
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 "Not what they used to be...." | 2009-10-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: APBY7DOIUDXOD |
I recently ordered and received the #SKXA35, cal. 7S26-0028 yellow-faced divers watch from Amazon. It came with the Seiko warranty card and arrived in new condition. Unfortunately, the watch is gaining two hours per day. This has not changed in the few days I've had it.
I've had the black-faced version of this same watch for about a year and have been quite happy with it. The black faced watch gains or loses about 45 seconds per day (usually gains), depending on my wear and activity pattern. Not great, but adequate for a mechanical automatic. It's been reliable in normal wear and in diving, though tight time regulation has never been its strong point. Both watches have the Malaysia movement and are identical, except for face color and serial number. Black watch serial number is 6006xx and the yellow faced version is 8N05xx. The yellow faced watch runs so fast that, when placed side by side, the second hand of the yellow faced watch will visibly race past the second hand of the black faced version in under a minute. I've had quite a number of mechanical watches and KNOW this is NOT NORMAL - this condition is a manufacturing defect and not a condition that will correct itself with wear. I doubt it can be even adjusted. Its just junk. In fact, it speaks of incredibly poor quality control by Seiko, normally a rock solid watch producer. Not any more, apparently.
Needless to say its going back to Amazon for a refund. Buyer beware, on this watch, and perhaps any other using this movement by Seiko.
My brother had a 1970's version of this watch (red & blue "Pepsi" style with stainless band) that he wore through his career as a Navy SEAL. He dropped it out of a plane during a parachute jump (clasp released as he pulled the chute cord) and he later found it on the ground, intact and running. The crystal was later replaced several times due to deep gouging during training and missions. Yet the watch kept time well until the late 1990's when it simply wore out. He still has it as a memento of those days. The indestructible Seiko. Clearly the new Seikos are not of the same ... caliber? |
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 "Bad experience with two SKXA35's" | 2009-09-21 |
| - Reviewed By User: A356JZ8JXYH7DW |
I bought my first SKXA35 from amazon in December 2008. At the beginning of March 2009 the watch suddenly started running several hours per day fast. Up until that time it had been keeping very good time. I sat the watch down, flat on it's back for a couple of days and let it run down. When I put it on again it started running extremely fast again.
I contacted amazon and they said they would send a replacement watch along with a return lable for the malfunctioning watch. I thought that was great customer service. Six months later, in September, the replacement watch also started running several hours per day fast. I again took it off and let it run down, setting flat on it's back. When I started to wear it again it would run very, very fast again, stop, run fast, then stop completely. I contacted amazon and they said that it would be a warranty issue with Seiko this time. I just shipped the watch to Seiko for repair.
Two identical watches, and neither one ran for more than a matter of months before a serious malfunction, well outside of the limits of movement calibration. I am retired and very, very easy on the watch, and don't work around anything magnetic. Maybe it was a bad batch, but I think that quality control has really slipped at Seiko. When the watch comes back from Seiko I'll probably sell it on Ebay and replace it with something else. I have a several year old Seiko Kinetic that has never let me down. |
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 "Very Tough & Gets Lot Of Remarks" | 2009-09-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: A169DNROT1Y5V5 |
I purchased this watch from Amazon 3 years ago. I was in the Army at that time and needed a watch that would hold up to desert conditions. It stood the environment well. It is still functioning well.
You should know that this watch requires you to wear it so it keeps time. I sometimes don't feel like wearing a watch, and it if sits more than a day you will have to reset the time, day of month and day of week which takes maybe 15 seconds.
Also, the rubber band is quite tough and heavy. In the summer, any sweat may cause minor irritation.
This watch is quite heavy, but I have been impressed with its toughness.
You will probably get at least one compliment a day when wearing it too.
Highly recommended. |
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| "Jewelry not a watch" | 2009-03-18 |
| - Reviewed By User: A19DWV1VH7M4ER |
I love the look of the watch and it does catch attention.
I work in an office, but get around and do some
minimal physical work also.
Nonetheless, my watch is typically losing
approx 5 min/day.
In addition, it periodically stops (especially
when I take it off for the night). It should
not need to be worn 24/7.
I've had other selfwinding (automatic) watches in the
past and never had this trouble.
I will be trying to find out how to have it serviced.
At the moment, a watch you can not trust is simply a
piece of jewelry. |
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| "Classic Seiko Diver with a Twist!!" | 2009-03-04 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3L601WAYEKBV2 |
This is one of Seiko's classic watches. The SKX series of divers include the SKX173, SKX007, Both have a black dial and bezel, The SKX009 and SKX175 have the pepsi bezel and dark blue dial. The SKXA35 and SKX011J are the only two models with bold colored dials. The SKX011j has an orange dial and gold tone hands with a black and gold tone bezel and the SKXA35 with yellow dial as shown above.
These watches range widely in street price but Seiko's retail is around $350 which is rather inflated for the features of the watch. That being said, if you can get one for $200 or less with a stainless steel band then you got a pretty good deal and a hard watch to beat at any cost.
The major drawbacks of the watch are the hardlex crystal not being sapphire and the depending on your viewpoint the movement is either a plus or a drawback. Beyond that, the watch is in a class by itself as far as build quality and design.
Seiko uses the venerable 7s26 which beats at 21,600 beat movement which is not as high as the swiss eta 2824-2. It does not hack and can't be wound. You simply set it and forget it. The movement in my experience is just as accurate as the swiss 2824-2 in most cases maybe a few seconds less accurate a day than the swiss. The difference between the two when properly regulated is slight. The main difference will be maintenance. The 2824-2 will need a service at least every 5-7 years or so while the 7s26 can go probably 15-20 years without need for a service. It is the lower beat rate that helps its longevity. I think of it as a utilitarian movement. It does what it is designed to do in the most refined and simplistic way with the lowest chance of failure just because it won't wind or hack. As compensation for this the Seiko Magic Lever gives greater efficiency in bi-directional winding.
The yellow dial is amazing in real life. It truly pops and is about my favorite shade of yellow. The bezel contrasts nicely and I love the classic hands!! The surface area of dial is also a plus. A lot of dive watches are mostly bezel and a small hard to read dial while the Seiko give a lot of real estate to big markers and large hands and a very easy and clearly read dial. I love it!
The cushion case is well finished and hefty. It sits high on the wrist while still being manageable. Seiko's finishing on these watches rivals brands costing much more and is better than many swiss watches costing more than the retail on these!!
I do not understand why the SKX173 and SKXA35 are not available with a steel band from the factory?? A big added expense but the unique dial layout and color make up for that.
If you want something that is a true classic, well built, and will be with you for many years to come than the Seiko is made just for you!!
Robzilla |
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