Watch Review: The Seiko SKX013 Dive Watch

Seiko is a watch manufacturer that has earned a reputation for providing a broad range of choices in most categories of watch styles. They're a predominant contender in the affordable yet reliable segment of the sports watch industry. Known for their moderately priced dive watches, Seiko's SKX013 remains one of the most popular choices for the sports-minded. Looks and function are the key drawing elements that attract so many to the model. It deserves a closer look and honest review of the pros and cons, heavier we think on the former.

The Seiko SKX013 Dive Watch

According to Watch Review Blog, the Seiko SKX013 dive watch stands out for most who are looking for an affordable everyday watch that won't break the bank but offers at least a few years of reliable service. This timepiece has its place on the market with a following of fans who appreciate its sharp aesthetics and high level of functionality and practicality. These are a few of the reasons why the sales remain high among the general public. It's an exceptional value for the cost and the majority, these are the things that matter. However, once on the wrist, some other features begin to notice and appreciate. It's not a high-end luxury watch, nor was that ever the intent. Let's take a closer look at the finer details of the everyday midsize diver.

Specifications

The SKX013 is the smaller member of the SKX007 and its family of divers. It's suitable for smaller wrists or for anyone who prefers a smaller diameter watch. We begin with an examination of the case. It's made of durable stainless steel material with a diameter of 37 mm. The depth of the timepiece is 13 mm, ideal for a mid-size watch. The case is fairly thick for its size and it is fitted with a rotating bezel that turns counter-clockwise to use it for a timer. It's one of the smoother bezels when compared to some of the brand's other stiffer models. The crown is a screw-down type which gives this watch a higher level of water resistance up to two hundred meters,  according to The Modest Man. That's double the Seiko 5 Sports SRPD diver which bumps it out of the entry-level and into the intermediate in terms of quality and usefulness.

Dial and crystal

The SKX013 comes with a matte black dial that serves as an excellent background for making the applied silver with white lume markers easier to read. the contrast enhances legibility. The hands are made of the same material and are also treated with lume for great visibility in low light conditions. The crystal that is used for the lens is created as an in-house component at Seiko. It's called a Hardlex crystal, consisting of hardened mineral glass. It's more shatterproof than sapphire crystal, but not as scratch-resistant. Still, it adds to the overall value of the water resistance. When comparing the two lens types it appears to be a draw as each has its own inherent merits but in different ways. It's too bad that the scratch resistance is low for the Hardlex because overall, it's far more impact-resistant.

The movement

The Seiko SKX013 Dive watch is powered by an automatic caliber 7S26 movement. This is a non-hackable movement without the capacity for manual winding. It beats at 21,600 beats per hour. It keeps reasonably good time with a loss of about 5 seconds per day. The upside of this movement is that it is strong and durable and it's not uncommon for the model to hold up for a solid 20 years without the need for maintenance. The power reserve is 41 hours.

The strap

The Seiko SKX013 is available in your choice of two different bracelet/strap types. A black rubber strap which is standard for true divers, and a lovely Julilee bracelet for those who want to wear it for dressier purposes. Since the straps are interchangeable you could also attach a NATO strap to the watch.

Value for the price

The Seiko SKX013 dive watch sells for a price between $200 to $250. It's a good value for the price, which is one of the timepiece's best selling points to the general public. It's priced at an entry-level but other elements of this model move it into a different class within the Seiko line. It goes over and above regular watches in design features including the enhanced water resistance over the entry-level Seiko 5 model that will withstand just half the water pressure. It's an affordable watch that has multiple uses with its classic diver face and time-telling layout that is highly functional and tends to last forever.

Final thoughts

The Seiko SKX013 occupies an important position in the sports and diver segments of the watch industry. Is it a high-end watch with all the bells and whistles? No, not even close, but it sells more units than most of the more complicated watches. It has a workhorse of a movement that keeps it ticking for decades. The timekeeping is not the most precise, but it only loses a maximum of 5 seconds a day, which isn't bad for a $250 watch. Our review of the various elements of the timepiece has led us to the conclusion that it offers the most value to those who need the resilience of a divers watch for engagement in various types of water sports and some shallow diving excursions, but want a watch that is also suitable for everyday use in a mid-size for those who have smaller wrists. This model has a lot more to offer than its larger sibling. It's more comfortable on the wrist, has a bit more eye appeal and it offers all of the functions that practical sports-minded individuals could ever want or need. Its merit is confirmed by its popularity on the market today.