Seiko SKX007K2 vs the Rolex Submariner
November 19, 2018
The Seiko SKX007K2 has made a real name for itself, as one of the best priced dive watches on the market. If you look at it you will find that it even looks like a Rolex Submariner Date. There are some differences, but at first glance you might not even notice the differences since the look, feel and even the design of the case pays close homage to the well recognized Rolex Submariner. At just over $200 the Seiko seems like a bargain compared to the nearly $8,000 Rolex Sub. However, there is a reason the Rolex goes for a much higher amount.
Below is the Rolex Submariner. Both have the black dial and 60 minute bezel. Both use luminescent coloring for the hour markers. The hour markers on the Seiko are a bit larger. They use curved edges on the 9 o'clock and 6 o'clock markers rather than a rectangle hour marker.
The date window for the Rolex uses the Cyclops lens. The Seiko has both the day and day next to each other. I do love this feature, but the Rolex has a much larger Date window and is much more legible. However, the Seiko does provide a luminescent dot next to the date to indicate the 3 o'clock position. However, it is oddly placed above the date and seems out of place. Rolex opted to leave that hour marker hidden since the date window would not allow a symmetrical marker. For purists, Rolex does offer a no-date Submariner option as well.
The seconds markers on the Submariner only appear between the 0 and 15 minute marks as opposed to the entire bezel of the timepiece on the Seiko. Both timepieces use black for the bezel and dial.
The Rolex has some exceptional features that separate it from the Seiko. First of all, the scratch resistant Sapphire crystal is a huge difference. Over time, the Seiko will show some wear and tear. The band is a 3 link band as opposed to the Seiko 5 link. Many Seiko owners swap the band with other 22 mm bands. Or, for those with a smaller wrist, the Seiko SKX013k2 is a 38 mm (as opposed to 42 mm for the 007) watch. The 013 uses a 20 mm band.
The Rolex also uses 904L steel. The band seems more solid with less gaps in between. Yet, the 904L steel is far stronger and resistant than the standard steel used in the Seiko. The Seiko supports a 200 meter dive depth, but the Rolex is far more robust at 300 meters. The winding crown on the rolex is supported by thick protectors as opposed to the more narrow protectors on the Seiko. The winding crown for the Seiko is also off center which may be an oddity for some standard timepiece owners.
The most important feature that Rolex brings to the table is an in-house caliber that is officially certified. Certainly there is no question that the Seiko is a quality entry into the dive watch arena and would make a good first watch if you can't spring for the Submariner just yet. However, the wear and tear on the Seiko will not leave much in terms of longevity for the timepiece. It is less likely to become an heirloom that one could hand down through the generations. It is a great looking tool watch and can fit anyone's budget. However, the Rolex would be the greater long-term investment.
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