This is the good thing, as new as you are to watches you're far on the way to becoming an expert. You've already sussed out the falsehood that is the SKX. Probably one of the biggest pieces of shjte out there. How that watch lasted 23 years is beyond me (not to mention the 7002 forerunner, and before that the 6309 and before that the 6105). So it seems that seiko just doesn't seem to understand consumers much less dive watch needs.
It's good that you come in to the seiko forum, all shiney new and madly educated on all things watchy. Sure some people will argue that the skx is just dam good at what it is, a robustly built, inexpensive, beater dive watch but those in the know understand that the skx is just a child's toy compared to the much better watches out there.
Granted the skx doesn't come with a sapphire crystal (I guess seiko felt a few scratches would give it character, as if, right?), doesn't hand wind or hack (which we all know is absolutely important in an entry level dive watch, one can't afford to miss that submarine rendezvous), fuggetabout those horrible, functional, accordion rubber straps, what a stupid idea that was) and of course what may be the most egregious mistake (or sin of omission) is no signed crown! How is anyone supposed to identify a watch if there is no 'signature' on the crown...sheesh, cheapo company.
Now here I am a bit confused. You've already clearly proved that glycine (an unessential amino acid btw) is far and away better than the skx but what is puzzling is that you would even consider yet another inferior seiko. Have you lost your mind man? Why throw good money after bad? What company in their right mind would refuse to put an altogether much better (read-more expensive) movement, with a sapphire crystal no less, into their cheapest (and likely soon to be discontinued) dive watch? It's just unimaginable, I mean, to quote the OP, "WTF is going on?
P.S. can't say for sure but you might very well be received and lauded as the new watch god over there in the glycine (an unessential amino acid btw) forum, given your amazing insights. If nothing else, thank you very much for even bothering to take the time to educate us slobs here in f21. ;-)