Being rated that deep doesn't mean you can actually take it to that depth. Typically I think of it like this.

There is no real difference between the J and K version of the skx007 aside from styling.

50m - handwashing ok, light dunks in water.
100m - swimming will be fine.
200m - diving

Ah I see, thanks for clarifying that for me.

I prefer the cleaner dial on the K anyway. I can get it for £111/$175, and would probably put this on it, as pictured:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HIRSCH-Liber.../dp/B002ZJIVPU

Wasn't a massive fan of either SKZ325K1 or srp043k1, the faces are a bit "busier".

skx007K for $175 is a really good deal especially if its the bracelet version.

Meant SKF033 and SNF are more Sub like in their case/basel, the 00's being a tiny bit more chunky and a little different.

The 009s come in blue dial/blue red bezels apparently not the 007s.

If you're loving the blue red look and prefer the more sub like case design I think Orient has a few options but not sure and not sure if you're really set on Seiko.

No unfortunately it's on the rubber strap. I kind of wrote this off as I wanted to put it on leather anyway, but I do appreciate the value in being able to purchase the bracelet with the watch.

I'm actually leaning towards the black bezel/dial now, haha. I should check out Orient too, I'm not sold on Seiki I just see them to be a pretty solid start wrt buying an auto watch.

Nice, like it on the brown leather too.

SKX031 and 033 are discontinued and hard to find because they're super popular as mod bases (due to the sub-look), but mods are starting to use the SNZH something something more and more now due to availablility.

Note that both SNZH and SKX031/33 are NOT ISO-rated divers.

I have a SNZF17K1 and really like it. You can get these on the forums, mine was under $100 on WUS a year or so ago. Very comfortable bracelet.

I don't take it around water though (or my OM). I swim with either a Vostok Amphibia or G-Shock.

A quick reference is if the dial sports a '5' symbol it's not a rated diver and won't have a screw-down crown.

That's a good rule of thumb but there are exceptions.

The SKX031/33 are the only pieces in the SKX series that I can think of that are not dive-rated.

The various "Frankenmonster" Seiko 5s ARE dive rated.

Seiko makes it pretty easy to tell, if it says "Diver's" or "scuba" on the dial, it's ISO rated.

Thanks, I appreciate the advice/knowledge. I think I'm pretty set on the SKX007 now.

I'm not sure if any local jewelers will stock it, or a similar model, so I'm probably going to have to buy it initially for sizing. That said, my wrist is 50mm across and afaik it measures 45/46mm lug-to-lug so should that be okay?

Go to a store and try on another watch that size, 50mm across is kinda an odd way to measure your wrist (inches around more typical), but it may look enormous on you.

Edit: Just realized from amoeba's comment below that you wrote lug-to-lug. Prob fine then =P.

You should be fine if your wrist is bigger than the lug to lug size.

If my wrist was only 50mm/2 inches around, I think buying a watch would be the least of my worries :P

It just measured (very roughly) at about 6.75 inches around.

That's pretty much what I figured amoeba, thanks. Ideally I will go and try something of a similar size/style on anyway - just because - but I'm okay with ordering it only to return it if necessary.

I'm not really sure what people's thoughts itt about divers on leather straps are but I also quite like..
http://www.flickr.com/photos/effae/5327113953/lightbox/
..which doesn't seem like it's a very thick strap and still looks quite nice.

Complete watch noob looking to get into light collecting. This would be my very first "lux" watch. What do you guys think for my first pickup? I know this might be a big jump but I wouldn't mind having a Movado PVD (I myself like the Museum dial) and let's face it, the FC is just effing cool. I think both would look great as a daily and dressing up, so I'm kind of split.

Frederique Constant Persuasion Heart Beat



Movado PVD Esperanza or Safiro (pretty sure ya'll know the Safiro so here's the Esperanza)



Any other suggestions I should look at before I decide? I love simple faces as you can see and not really into too many complications; dislike chronos/divers and prefer fixed bezels and bracelets. Not too picky on the movement but in order of preference: auto → quartz → manual

you may want to look at christopher ward

http://www.christopherward-usa.com/men/dress.html

Thanks. For some reason I thought they were a lot more expensive than they actually are...really liking this one:



Maybe I'll just pick up all 3...

That Ward is way better. The first looks like a cheap fake, the second is kind of cool but I'm too snob for Movado and a PVD(DLC?) watch isn't exactly dressy.


The C Ward is great. Reminds me of a Portofino. Not my thing, but it does *that* very well.

The FC might look like crap because the picture blows but I'm pretty set on eventually getting it sometime down the line. Probably just a difference in taste?

On the Movado, I really like the bracelet design and like I said have an affinity for the dial. Don't think it would kill me to have one function > form watch but the snobs might kill me On the dressing up I didn't mean like, tux or suit or anything...more going out on a Saturday night. I think for going all out I'd need to pick up a special piece.

I do like the Ward and would be nice to have a strap or two as opposed to bracelet.

Honestly the two you posted are pretty terrible, I'd hold off for a while and keep following this thread and other watch forums and your tastes will soon improve.

terrible in what respect? appearance? quality/craftsmanship?

any suggestions that can point me in the right direction?

Just curious, does anyone here wear a Citizen eco drive as an everyday work watch? I was wondering if they are a respectable/solid brand for people looking for a non-pricey watch. And it's powered by the sun, bro!

DJ,

I would recommend the Stowa Antea on bracelet



or the Mido Baroncelli on bracelet (the one on the left in the following pic is a power reserve version)

Shipit,

You could do a lot worse. Citizen is totally fine in their price range, solid everyday watch. There were some problems with early rechargeable designs (Cf. kinetic) but those seem to be mostly worked out.

I keep an eco drive and I think as a dependable everyday watch, eco drive is a great option as you really don't need to do battery changes and a walk in sunlight charges it for a long time and just keeping it under artificial lighting will keep it charged.

Both appearance and quality.

You need to give a price range and what style/features you are looking for but initially I'd say look at Tissot, Hamilton and Seiko.