If you are looking for a watch with modification capabilities, it's not enough just to find a good watch. This doesn't mean there aren't good watches that can be modified - I'm about to tell you about some of them - but it means that not all good watches can be modified.
For example, I spend a lot of time on microbrands and Kickstarter-funded startups. While these companies produce fantastic watches at very reasonable prices, they generally do not lend themselves to modification. And why should they? The brands are simply too small to justify a wide range of options.
For a watch to be easily modifiable, there must be widely available aftermarket parts. It also helps if the watch belongs to a series of similar watches, as you can often mix and match bezels, dials, and other elements if the case and movement are the same. Thus, Seiko is a great brand for modders. Today, I will review five of the best watches that can be modified to give you a better understanding of what is available.
Seiko SKX007
Designed as an advanced, upgraded version of the classic Seiko 5 diver's watches from the 1960s, Seiko released the SKX007 model in 1996. Although the watch was discontinued for several years in the 2000s, it has been back in production since 2011.
With such a pedigree, the SKX007 is one of the most recognizable diver's watches on the market unless you confuse it with other similar watches based on the Seiko 5 model. They are reasonably priced for the quality, as expected from Seiko.
These watches have few frills, but the dial is still beautiful and complete, with large dots marking the 5-minute marks and smaller outer scales. The 6 and 9 o'clock positions are marked with longer ovals, and the date and day window is conveniently located at the 3 o'clock position. 12 o'clock is marked by an inverted triangle. Both hands are thick, although the minute hand is significantly longer, with an arrow at the end. Overall, the watch is excellent for high visibility, with all necessary surfaces covered in a bright luminous coating.
The case is made of stainless steel, with a width of 42.5 mm and a lug-to-lug length of 46 mm. This makes it large, though not too large for most people. At 13.25 mm thick, the case is quite thick, which is typical for Seiko cases. I was pleasantly surprised that the watch weighs just under 10 ounces, ensured by the minimalist 7S26 movement.
The SKX007 case has a slight bevel between the case and the bezel, with the bezel extending beyond the lugs, maximizing the visible dial size and minimizing the overall profile. On the bezel itself, you will find a full 60-minute scale, with a large triangle further emphasizing the 12 o'clock position. The crystal is made of Seiko Hardlex mineral glass, which is very hard to break.
Seiko SKX009
The SKX009 model is a variation of the SKX007 model we just reviewed. These are almost identical watches, also based on the 5 series from the 1960s. They were also released in 1996, with only one significant difference. The bezel is done in Seiko's famous "Pepsi style": dark blue from 4 o'clock to 12 and red from noon to 4 o'clock.
Instead of listing all the other characteristics - the 009 is indeed almost identical to the 007 - I decided to give a brief explanation of what makes a good diving watch. You will often see watches advertising 200-meter water resistance, but not all of them have the ISO 6425 rating for diving.
These watches, and all Seiko watches on our list, meet this standard, so it's important to understand what you are acquiring. Besides water resistance of at least 150 meters, ISO-rated diving watches must meet several other minimum standards. These include:
- A unidirectional bezel with markings at least every 5 minutes and at least one pre-selection marker. Such a design makes it easy to track time underwater, and the unidirectional bezel ensures that if it accidentally turns, you'll return to the surface sooner rather than later.
- Visibility at a distance of 25 cm in complete darkness, ensuring that you can indeed read the watch underwater.
- A luminous second hand or any other feature that allows you to see at a glance if the watch has stopped.
- Resistance to magnetism. Even after exposure to intense magnetic fields, the watch should maintain accuracy within 30 seconds of what was measured before testing. This is an important feature, given that many diving and marine equipment items are magnetized. There are also a number of other requirements, including special tests for shock resistance, corrosion resistance, and a minimum breaking force of 45 foot-pounds on both the strap and attachment points. As you can see, an ISO rating for divers is much more than just water resistance.
Seiko SKX011
The SKX011 model was initially released in 1996, alongside the 007 and 009 models. These watches were released in two versions: the SKX011J, which was manufactured in Japan, and the SKX011K, a specialized Korean version. The K model has not been produced for several years, so I will focus on the J model.
These watches use the same 7S26 movement as the SKX007 and SKX009 models. It is a workhorse movement, offering fairly modest accuracy of +20/-40 seconds per day, without hacking or hand-winding. Needless to say, it is not going to win awards, but it is a commonly used movement that is easy to replace, and its accuracy is more than sufficient for the needs of the vast majority of people. Additionally, the power reserve is 42 hours, which is more than enough to leave them in a drawer for a day or two.
The SKX011 case diameter is 42 mm, with a lug-to-lug length of 45.5 mm. It is slightly thinner than the 007 and 009 models, with a thickness of only 12.7 mm. They are significantly lighter, weighing just 3.68 ounces, making them an excellent choice if you prefer lighter watches. The watch still meets the ISO standard for diving and features a screw-down crown at the 4 o'clock position.
The dial is very attractive, with a pumpkin orange dial and large white dots at the 5-minute marks. The hands are as muscular as the rest of the SKX series models, and the needle-like second hand has a bright dot at the back end for better visibility. At the 3 o'clock position is the date and day window, as in other watches in the SKX series.
Seiko 5 SNK809
The Seiko 5 SNK809 is not just a tribute to the original Seiko 5 model; it is the latest version, as these watches have been continuously produced with minor changes since the 1960s. The original design was developed in accordance with five criteria: automatic movement, good water resistance, date and day window, crown at 4 o'clock, and robust construction. All these characteristics are found in modern Seiko 5 watches.
The main difference between the SNK809 and the SKX series is in the dial. Instead of the bold SKX dial, the SNK809 has a more elegant dial. The inner ring has restrained Arabic numerals at the hour positions, the outer ring has a 60-minute scale and 5-minute indications. The hands are shaped like elongated diamonds with a bright luminescent coating that is well visible in the dark. The hands and numbers are also illuminated, and they are surprisingly easy to see given their small size. The second hand is also highly visible, with its red tip easily traceable across the dial. Completing the picture is the date and day window at the 3 o'clock position.
Like other watches with the 7S26 movement, this model features a crown at the 4 o'clock position. Some may find this confusing, but I like it. It doesn't dig into the wrist when bending the arm, as a crown located at 3 o'clock does.
Seiko 5 SNZF15
Seiko 5 SNZF15 is another variant of the traditional Seiko 5 model, but it uses an upgraded 7S36 movement instead of the original 7S26. This is a traditional movement with a crown at 3 o'clock, rated at +40/-20 seconds per day. However, it is a bit finicky and may initially deviate by more than a minute per day. Seiko recommends wearing the watch for a few days and then leaving it until the 40-hour battery is fully discharged. When you wind the watch again, it should work fine. Speaking of winding: this movement is very easy to wind; it features a "magic lever" allowing the crown to be wound in any direction.
The watch dial itself is very similar to the SKX009 we reviewed, with a "Pepsi style" bezel that is not only attractive but also makes it easy to set a 20-minute timer. While the unidirectional bezel is a great feature for a diving watch, be careful: the SNZF15 model is not intended for diving like other Seiko models I've discussed today. They are rated only for 100 meters, so this is not the best choice for diving. Nevertheless, the watch features large, highly visible dots at 5-minute marks, as well as wide, easily traceable minute and hour hands.
The 42 mm diameter case and 13 mm thickness are equipped with Hardlex mineral crystal, which is resistant to scratches and chipping.
