The SKX031 returns and this time a "J" variant

I once had the SKX031K on folded oyster bracelet but sold her after a while as I could not accept the bi-directional bezel and without the lume at 12 o'clock.

As I streamline my collection towards Seiko divers, this classic "Submariner" homage cannot be missed. When I chanced upon the rare "J" version, I pulled the trigger without hesitation.

The SKX031J came on a flat vent Seiko rubber strap and this time, I left her on as it is. In fact, this type of strap is more comfortable than the vented rubber strap found on most SKX 200m Divers.

Secret Message in President Abraham Lincoln's watch

An article seen in today's MyPaper. To read more, click on the above scan.

I Finally Found the "Bullet" & Bit the "Bullet"

SEIKO SKXA53 Diver's 200m "Black Bullet"
Caliber 7S26-02K0 Twenty-one jewels

This is one of my early "first love" into the Seiko brand. Somehow this "love" was shelved at the back of my head for years until recently I decided to embark on the search for her.

Skywatches has no stock of the Bullet, Chronograph.com is too expensive for my pocket, Mustafa ran out of stock many months ago and no brick-and-motar watch shop (as far as my search covers) in Singapore carries it. Disappointed I am but I did not give up.

One evening I had an impromptu thought of searching People's Park area in Chinatown. Pleasantly surprised, I discovered the Bullet in a relatively unknown electrical appliances shop (not a watch shop). This shop happens to be selling some loose pieces of NOS Seiko, Alba and Citizen watches! As I did not have my loupe with me (better not take chances as this is afterall not a watch shop!), I returned the next day to score on this Bullet on rubber strap.

The friendly shop owner knew I had kept my word to come back again to purchase, she gave me two of her Seiko display stands for my collection needs. Thank you very much Mdm Tseng!



I quickly sold the Seiko rubber straps as my small wrist simply make wearing the long strap looks silly. This fire-engine red leather strap brings out the FUN element of this diver; perfect for Fridays and weekends.



Note the wordings found on the Bullet caseback to be "ST. STEEL"; which differs from the wordings "STAINLESS STEEL" found on most SKX series Divers.

Another strap option will be the Seiko President stainless steel bracelet. Maybe I should get the Orange Bullet to make this series complete...

Another of Seiko's Unconventional Diver's

SEIKO SKX171 200m Diver's
Caliber 7S26-7020 Twenty-one jewels

This is a discontinued Seiko Diver's although it is still readily available in the grey market (without warranty).

The "gear-like" bezel is the deal breaker here - either you love it or hate it.

However, I feel the bezel adds to the tool watch level of this diver. Being a tad thinner than the conventional SKX diver's bezel, the 171's bezel makes the watch look an overall larger than her SKX cousins. A nice elegant touch is the chrome lined hands and indices that match the black dial black day-date wheel perfectly!

Knight In Armour

SEIKO White Knight 200m Diver's
Caliber 7S26-01X0 Twenty-one jewels

Similar to what I have gone through before finally pulling the trigger on the Black Monster, the White Knight is no less another dilemma. The mental challenge to overcome is the unconventional lugs of this diver. Unless you purchase the original Seiko stainless steel bracelet or the stock rubber, there is no way an off-market leather or rubber strap will fit those lugs.

What could not be resisted in the beautiful silvery-white textured inner dial with red-tip second hand and red wordings "DIVER'S 200m". The steel bezel with black numberings adds a neat dressy touch to the rugged diver. And did I mention the crystal is dome-shaped?

This is a "business suit" diver with the polished middle bracelet links. Pair her with the rubber strap (easily purchased from Seiko service centre) and it is your casual "Saturday" diver.


"SCUBA DIVER'S 200m" - The ISO marking for true Diver's watch, do not Dive without it!