Seiko SKX vs. Citizen Automatic Diver Watches: Which One’s Best for Beginners?
When you’re just starting out with dive watches, it can be tricky to decide which brand or model to go for. After all, automatic dive watches are a pretty specialised field, and there are lots of factors to consider, like water resistance, movement, and of course, price. In this post, we’re going to take a good look at two popular brands – Seiko’s SKX series and Citizen’s automatic divers – and compare them to help you choose which is the best fit for beginners. Whether you're in the market for your first automatic dive watch or you're just looking to learn more about these two great options, we’ve got you covered.
What’s So Special About Automatic Dive Watches?
Before we dive into comparing Seiko and Citizen, let’s take a quick look at what makes automatic dive watches so special. These timepieces aren’t just about telling the time – they’re built for a specific purpose. They come with a few key features that make them ideal for underwater use:
Water Resistance: A minimum of 200 meters is typically needed to withstand the pressure when diving.
Rotating Bezel: A unidirectional bezel helps divers track the time spent underwater, which is vital for safety.
Screw-down Crown: This feature locks the crown tightly against the case, improving water resistance.
Luminosity: Dive watches need glowing markers and hands to ensure visibility in low-light or murky underwater conditions.
Now that we know what makes a good dive watch, let’s look at the two contenders: Seiko’s SKX series and Citizen’s automatic diver watches.
Seiko SKX Series
Even if you’re a little familiar with the world of watches, the name ‘Seiko’ must have come up a few times. Let’s see what the hype is all about.
Seiko’s History in Dive Watches
Seiko is one of the most trusted names in the watch industry, especially when it comes to dive watches. The SKX series, first released in the 1990s, quickly gained a loyal following for its robust design, reliability, and affordability. Even though the SKX series was discontinued not too long ago, it still holds a special place in the hearts of many watch lovers, especially beginners.
What makes Seiko’s SKX series stand out is the great value it offers. The watches are built with the features you’d expect in a more expensive diver’s watch, but at a much lower price point, which makes them a perfect choice for anyone new to diving watches.
Key Features of the Seiko SKX Series
The SKX series is all about simplicity and practicality. Here’s what you can expect:
Water Resistance
The SKX models come with a solid 200-meter water resistance, which is more than enough for recreational diving, swimming, and all sorts of water sports. The stainless steel case is durable and resistant to corrosion, making it suitable for both saltwater and freshwater environments.
Movement: Seiko Caliber 7S26
The SKX series uses Seiko’s own Caliber 7S26 movement. This is a reliable and tough movement that doesn’t require much maintenance. However, it doesn’t have hand-winding or hacking functions (the ability to stop the second hand for precise time-setting), which might be a downside for some users, especially those who want a bit more control over their watch.
Rotating Bezel
A unidirectional rotating bezel is included in the SKX models. This allows divers to track how much time has passed while underwater. It’s a crucial feature to ensure dive safety.
Luminosity
Seiko uses their LumiBrite technology for the hands and markers, ensuring they glow brightly in the dark, even in low-light conditions underwater.
Affordable Price
One of the most appealing things about the SKX series is how affordable it is. The models generally range from €100 to €300, making them an excellent choice for anyone on a budget.
Classic Aesthetics
The design of the SKX series is simple, with large markers and a clean dial. It has that classic diver’s watch look, which appeals to purists who want a straightforward, no-nonsense timepiece.
Why Choose Seiko’s SKX Series?
For beginners, the Seiko SKX series is a fantastic choice. It’s affordable, durable, and functional – everything you need to get started in the world of automatic dive watches. However, if you’re after more advanced features, like hand-winding or hacking, the SKX might not be for you. But if you want a reliable, solid dive watch that does the job well without fuss, the SKX series is definitely worth considering.
Citizen’s Automatic Diver Watches
The brand modern watch enthusiasts know as ‘Eco Drive Expert’ is thriving with its rich history and functional models.
Citizen’s Approach to Dive Watches
Citizen is another giant in the watchmaking world. Known for their innovation and quality, Citizen has a long history of producing excellent dive watches, including their highly regarded Promaster Diver series. Compared to Seiko’s SKX, Citizen tends to focus a bit more on modern design and advanced features, making their models popular with divers looking for something a little bit different.
Citizen’s automatic diver watches are perfect for those who want a dive watch that combines traditional functionality with a bit of modern flair.
Key Features of Citizen’s Automatic Diver Watches
Let’s take a closer look at what makes Citizen’s automatic dive watches stand out:
Superior Water Resistance
Like Seiko, Citizen’s dive watches offer water resistance ratings of at least 200 meters, making them ideal for both professional and recreational divers. The Promaster Diver series, in particular, is known for its tough case construction and resistance to corrosion, so it’s built to handle the pressures of deep-water exploration.
Movement: Citizen’s Caliber 8200 Series
Citizen’s automatic movements are highly regarded for their accuracy and durability. Many models feature the Caliber 8200 series, which includes both hand-winding and hacking functions. This makes Citizen’s movements a step up from Seiko’s SKX series, giving you more control over time-setting.
Eco-Drive Technology
Although Citizen’s automatic diver watches don’t feature their Eco-Drive solar technology, their automatic movements are known for being low-maintenance and long-lasting, making them ideal for beginners who don’t want to worry about winding the watch constantly.
Rotating Bezel
Like the Seiko models, Citizen’s dive watches come with a unidirectional rotating bezel for tracking time underwater. The bezel is also designed to be easy to grip, even when you’re wearing gloves.
Luminosity
Citizen’s dive watches also come with luminous hands and markers, ensuring that the watch remains readable in dark underwater environments.
Modern Aesthetics
Citizen’s dive watches often have a more modern and sleek design than Seiko’s SKX series. They feature larger case sizes and bolder designs, making them a great choice for those who want a more contemporary look in their dive watch.
Why Choose Citizen’s Automatic Diver Watches?
Citizen’s automatic diver watches are ideal for beginners who want a more modern design, additional features like hacking and hand-winding, and a more advanced movement. The only downside is that Citizen’s models tend to be priced a bit higher than Seiko’s SKX models, so they might not be as budget-friendly. But if you’re happy to spend a little more, you’re getting great value for your money.
Seiko SKX vs. Citizen Automatic Diver Watches: Which One is Better?
Now that we’ve looked at the key features of both Seiko’s SKX series and Citizen’s automatic diver watches, let’s break it down to help you decide which is the better option for you.
Price: Seiko’s SKX series is more affordable, usually ranging from €100 to €300. Citizen’s models tend to start at around €200 and can go up to €500 for more advanced models.
Movement: Seiko’s Caliber 7S26 is reliable but lacks hand-winding and hacking features. Citizen’s movements are more advanced, with hand-winding and hacking capabilities for greater precision.
Design: The SKX series offers a traditional, no-frills look, while Citizen’s models tend to be more modern and stylish, with larger case sizes.
Durability and Features: Both brands offer robust dive watches with 200-meter water resistance, but Citizen’s models may offer additional features like higher water resistance and more advanced movements.
Final Thoughts
Both Seiko and Citizen make fantastic dive watches, but the right choice for you depends on your preferences and budget. If you’re a beginner looking for a budget-friendly, reliable, and simple dive watch, Seiko’s SKX series is a great option. On the other hand, if you’re willing to spend a bit more for a more modern design, advanced features, and a refined movement, Citizen’s automatic diver watches are definitely worth considering.
In the end, both Seiko and Citizen offer excellent value for your money, so you can’t go wrong with either choice. It’s all about what suits your style and needs the best.
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