Seiko SKX007 G-Shock
Last night I accidentally bounced a Casio G-Shock on the floor. I didn’t even think twice. Why? Because the rubber G-Shock watchband and bezel-cover absorbs blows that would scar an ordinary watch — even one tough as boots like Seiko Automatic Divers 200m SKX007 (above). I wear SKX007 all the time, including when I go fishing or work on the car, yet, so far, the bezel and crystal are perfect. What’s the secret? One word: rubberize.
One of the many good things about Seiko SKX007 is the variety of parts available for it. Every piece that makes up the watch, from bezel to dial to movement, is available from Wee Wah Lee at Chronograph.com as an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) part. And parts from variations of SKX007 — like models SKX009 and SKX011 — are interchangeable.
Some watches accessorize more easily than others. This watch is perhaps the easiest. Successful small businesses are built around customizing SKX007. This model is special.
An eBay seller called thewatchcollector offers a protective rubber bezel cover designed for Seiko SKX007 that fits it like a glove. When the weekend rolls around and you find me banging around in the workshop, I’ll be wearing either a Casio G-Shock, or my Seiko SKX007 with the rubber bezel guard.
Along with protecting the metal bezel from dings and scars, the rubber guard makes the glass crystal recess. Rubber rises a couple millimeters above the glass crystal protecting it from chips and scratches.
Although the underside of the rubber guard is inscribed “SEIKO” and “JAPAN,” it’s doubtful it’s an OEM part. But what’s the harm, at just $10, you could even consider that part of its charm.
The guard affixes as shown below. It’s ingenious. I know some won’t like the idea of covering up the countdown bezel and losing its functionality. But when you know you’ve got some roughhouse work ahead, better safe than sorry. Rock climbing on Sunday? Pleeze. Reach for the guard.
Besides, the guard gives SKX007 a whole new look. Combined with the stock Seiko Z 22 rubber strap, the black rubber guard transforms the Seiko into a G-Shock. And since it slips off just as easily as it slides on, when you’re tired of the look it’s a simple matter to remove the guard and reveal the beautiful bezel underneath.
For those who have an SKX007 divers watch and ride it hard at work or play, I recommend one of these useful rubber bezel guards. For those who have an SKX007 and are G-Shock fans, I recommend one for a little cheap fun. It transforms your analog divers watch into a Seiko G-Shock. So here’s piece of weekend advice. If you have a Seiko Automatic 200m SKX007 . . . for protection — wrap that rascal!
August 20th, 2007 at 7:03 am
I don’t get it. I you want a G-Shock, why not get a real one? The rubber cover might protect the bezel paint (as well as making the bezel useless as you point out) but I doubt it does wonders for the watch’s shock resistance. It’s probably not going to transform an export only 7S26 movement into something that syncs with Fukushima when you’re sleeping either.
August 20th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
Hi thorin,
Let me try and explain it to you this way. I have a Victorinox Swiss Army knife that was given to me as a gift 12 years ago. My friend brought it back with her as a souvenir from a trip to Switzerland. Here is a picture:
I carry this knife with me every day, along with my keys, wallet, coin case, and a handkerchief. Several years ago, I saw a little screwdriver for this knife that screws into the cork screw. I bought it to accessorize my beloved knife. I enjoyed buying this accessory made for this knife.
A few years later, I saw a Victorinox knife sharpener. Even though I have a Chicago Cutlery knife sharpener, I bought the Victorinox one because I like the fact that these are made specially for Victorinox knives.
In addition, I bought a Victorinox knife case for my knife. I don’t use it too often, because I usually carry my knife in my pants pocket, but do use the case sometimes.
You may be different, but for me, accessorizing the things I love with items specially made for them is fun and interesting. It’s the same with the SKX007 rubber bezel guard.
The main thing I use a watch for is to tell time. I sometimes use the countdown bezel on my SKX007, but I don’t use it that often. It’s the same with my G-Shocks. I sometimes use the countdown timer mode, but not daily. So covering up the countdown timing bezel on my SKX007 when I’m fishing, for instance, just isn’t an issue for me. Protecting the bezel, and crystal, is.
As for the 7S26 automatic caliber movement in SKX007 not synchronizing with Fukushima when I sleep, module 1289 in the DW-6900, and the module 2597 in the G-5700, the modules in watches pictured in my article, also don’t sync with atomic signals. I showcased those watches with the SKX007 for that reason — they are “basic” G-Shocks in the same way SKX007 is a “basic” Seiko divers watch.
For me it’s all about having fun and enjoying the things I have. I’m not interested in a debate about which is better, or tougher, SKX007 or a G-Shock. Both are cool and bring me pleasure — my Victorinox pocket knife as well.
Hope that cuts through the fog for you, and you now can see where I’m coming from.
Enjoy your watches too!
Regards,
Bryan
August 21st, 2007 at 8:57 am
Hi Brian…your response to “thorin” is a very interesting and entertaining. First you come out with an article, talking about a great design, the “Double Oh Seven”. This makes me and others
go out and buy a “must have”. Then you write about how Seiko should multiply the colors to sell to a bigger crowd. This part I am not sure about. Somehow a lavender dive Seiko is something I
still have to think about. But, Seiko should pay attention to at least some of the other
colors. Dark blue, dark brown and other “masculine” colors. And now, an article about taking care
of the “Double Oh Seven”.
You are really right about the scratched crystal problem. Nothing ruins a good looking
watch, more than a scratched crystal. I have tried using diamond dust polishing compound, which does OK for smaller scratches. But it is never like a flawless crystal. But the real answer is in preventing the scratches to begin with.
I am going to have to rethink my idea of a “daily beater”, a watch I would use daily for the
rest of my life. I was planning to use the “Double Oh seven” for this. The whole concept
has been redefined by your article. Now, before I work on my car, or chop wood, I am either
going to take the watch off and leave it on the kitchen counter, or use the interesting rubber
bezel you mentioned.
By the way, is there more to to this concept of “getting more” out of the things we like.
I think it is a wonderful idea that you have thought up. I think that this is one reason that
the article on the Alessi watch, and the evolution of the SKX007 are so meaningful to me.
Somehow, knowing the background of some design really enhances the design. I mean, even
pictures of Higuchi’s shop, and notes from Seiya’s wife on his ad site, when he was sick, for me,
enhances the experience of this watch. You and the other writers of this forum have done
a great job in this regard.
So now, tell me of the other gazillion “ipod” like paraphenalia out there!
Paul
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:01 am
Hi Bryan,
Like you, I enjoy buying accessories for the things I like.
I do not modify my Seiko divers and that leaves me with only the strap to play with. I am constantly looking out for alternative straps for my divers particularly straps that are made by Seiko. For example, I bought some Z-22 straps that came with stainless steel keepers recently. They look similar to the standard ones that come with rubber keeper but I still get some fun out of the hunting/purchasing process and I enjoy using them too. I think I am collecting accessories for the things I collect.
Btw, the rubber protector is a great accessory for the SKX divers.
Regards,
Thomas
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Great Post, and thanks for the pictures.
I have to admit the Gshocks do take a beating, but they are often too big or too oversized.. and prone to more damage.
I have one, and wear it too work, its smaller than my other Seiko’s which are bigger than the skx007.
I will also admitt to breaking two gshock.s
Two.
and probably a few seiko’s as well.
kmc
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 pm
Nice knife but I’m afraid this post still doesn’t jive with reality. You start with “Last night I accidentally bounced a Casio G-Shock on the floor.” This is what happened when some guy did the same thing with a 007 yesterday:
[url]http://www.network54.com/Forum/78440/message/1187658595/Dropped+my+007+and+have+a+question[/url]
You also didn’t address what I said about the movement being export only. I’d personally rather read about watches that I can actually buy in GMT+9 here, no offense.
Thorin
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:23 am
Hi Thorin,
From your comments above, I believe I now understand your confusion.
When I entitled this piece “Seiko G-Shock SKX007,” I did not literally mean that SKX007 actually transforms into a G-Shock by some sort of Potteresque spell; that using the rubber watch guard magically turns a Seiko into a Casio. My point was using the rubber bezel guard affords some protection against scratches to the bezel and crystal of the watch.
In writing the lead to this article, I used a literary device known as figurative language. Figurative language is: use of language where the intended meaning differs from the actual literal meaning of the words themselves. Writers employ all sorts of literary devices — from creative license to hyperbole — that they hope will make text interesting for readers. It doesn’t mean they are being dishonest, but rather that the text is working on different levels of meaning.
I wrote that Seiko SKX007 is “tough as boots.” That phrase is a locution, another literary device writers like to use. I didn’t literally mean that SKX007 is as rugged as an actual pair of leather boots. The usual expression of locution with “tough as” is “nails.” By coining an original locution, “tough as boots,” my hope as the writer was to surprise you, delight you, and get the synapses in in your frontal lobe firing.
Regards,
Bryan
August 27th, 2007 at 4:58 am
I’m not at all confused. I just think this rubber thing doesn’t warrant a post here. It’s like you’re getting paid by the word lately.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Hey Thorin, I actually got a kick out of the Rubber Protector article. In fact, after I read it, I went out and bought one. It’s a fun cheap acccessory for a Seiko diver.
What sort of articles are you interested in reading about?
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Bryan,
Your writing is insanely good. I have to think all if not most of us got the point and enjoyed the post. I learned something, and damn if I didn’t really enjoy the article.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:52 pm
Thanks Jim!
Regards,
Bryan