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I got into Dive watches through Seiko SKX007. Even since I've bought and sold tons of watches. But now i'm at a point where don't see myself moving along with Seiko. Let me explain. But before i move along i'd like to state my wrist size which is 6.75 inch.
IMO Skx007, 009, 011 size is perfect for my wrist and i'm comfortable with it's size appearance on my wrist. The skx013 is great too but the lug to lug distance is really long almost close it's big brother skx007 in lug to lug comparison. So it defeats the purpose of trying to wear it as a midsize watch. IMHO the citizen NY2300 is great example a truly mid size watch as it's lug to lug distance is really short and wear really well like a midsize watch was intended too. BTW the case size of Citizen NY2300 is 1mm larger than the SKX013 on paper.
As a watch collector, enthusiast and/or hobbyists you want to enjoy the journey of your watch experience as time goes on by moving up slowly to the higher tier of what the brand has to offer. So then comes the Seiko Monster. Sold my Monster Gen 1 coz i didn't really dig the yellow lume color and also the min markers on the dial. Beside that the movt also was non hacking and non hand winding. I still have my Orange Monster Gen 2 and i love it. Even though it's larger in specs on paper when comparing to the SKX007. It wears really well due to its short and small lug design. So i was able to pull it off comfortably. And I have no complaints on it. Beside the usual Seiko bezel misalignment and playback.
Moving along I got the Seiko SRPA21 the regular turtle. On paper the specs was big numbers when compared to the SKX. But with its cushion case. It gave it a low profile and So I was comfortable with its size even though I was really pushing it with my wrist size. I wish Seiko had kept the original specs and not make it larger. I sold the SRPA21 solely coz the dial wasn't that mesmerizing as it appeared on images. I felt more like cheated what the watch dial. The dial was like 2 to 5% close to what it appeared on the images. Coz it need bright light hitting it at certain angle at certain time of the day when the sun is really up. The thing was not realistic.
So i just got the Mini Turtle in Padi version 2 weeks ago. The size is great. I hate that weird nonsymmetric U shaped hour markers reminds me of the new Christopher Ward logo at 9'o clock. Then there there is this round cyclops which i cant stand. It's so off looking and I don't feel comfortable when looking at it. Its like again this new Christopher Ward logo at 9'o clock. I have nothing against cyclops. It has utility and it serves well at it but why not curved U shaped around cyclops like you find on most of the watches with cyclops. Like the cyclops on the Monster Gen 3. I would have been very happy with that cyclops.
I got the Seiko Samurai Save the Ocean. I love the Samurai case design and the Save the Ocean dial IMHO Hand down it's the best of Seiko dial so far. But I wish Seiko had kept the original size and not made it larger. Here is why coz Samurai case design makes it appear larger then it really is on the paper. As it specs is close to turtle but appears larger then turtle with its flat lugs before it falls sharp makes it appear larger. So I'm not comfortable wearing it even though the specs are similar to the regular turtle.
Now finally i moved along with Seiko Sumo with all its praises on its finishing. Those praises do hold true. But the lug to lug distance is so long. I'm just not comfortable wearing it at all.
It seems to me that Seiko watches just get bigger as i go up their tier. I love the Monster and i wanted to get Baby tuna but guess what Seiko decided to make it larger from 47mm to 51mm. After purchasing the Sumo I really want to purchase MM300 but its large too. Grand Seiko is even larger. Love the Tuna but MM Tuna is quartz plus i don't like the lollipop second hand and it doesn't have raised dial. I don't get Seiko larger and larger watch fad. But I'm just not riding it. Thus I felt that this relationship was great but I don't see myself going any further. So i felt the need to break up as i couldn't continue this path of unhealthy relationship. As it goes against my value and lifestyle. So I'm not riding this "Everything Big" movement/culture.
You may ask why am i being so hard on Seiko. Well i tried Casio MDV106 its quartz and wear really large. I prefer mechanical watches. I'm just not digging recent Citizen dive watches. And finally Orient watches are low profile dive watch with curved bezel and bezel inserts. It looks more casual dive watch. Not digging that look. So i sold by Orient Mako and gave away the Orient Ray. I thought i found the perfect watch brand when i came across Christopher Ward but that went out the window when they changed their logo from Chward to Christopher Ward at freaking 9'o clock position. Such a turn off. My eye hurts when i see their new logo in its new position. Then there are Steinhart and Squale which i consider more as Homage brand. So that's not happening. So my option is really down to nothing at this point.
So moving on i'd probably mod a Seiko Skx with the Save the Ocean Dial and Sumo Dial. Keep the Monster Gen 2 the way it is. If i decide to keep the Mini turtle I might replace its Second hand with the Monster Arrow Second Hand or better yet the Sumo Second Hand. Also might get rid of the cyclops. Then I will probably sell rest of the collection and put in some cash and get myself a luxury watch in the future. Like Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso in 38mm or below.
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Originally Posted by jimanchower
