There are many vintage Seiko divers popular with collectors, and the legendary 7S26 – like the near new-old stock 2016 Seiko SKXA35 here, with OEM bracelet, boxes, and papers – is one of these.
With good reason, the SKX continues to have a tremendous cult following - and appear in films, such as on the wrist of Robert Redford in the 2013 sailing movie "All is Lost" - despite Seiko's rather odd decision to discontinue these legendary divers in 2018.
The design of this 7S26 is classic and simple, with immediate evidence of those that came before it, namely the instantly recognizable Seiko 7002 automatic, 7548 quartz, and even the famous 6309 diver. During its heyday, it was also popular with various armed forces for this same reason, despite the widely held (false) assumption that military personnel only wear military watches issued to them.
Seiko’s 7S26 is a logical step in its mechanical movement line, which debuted in 1996 to replace the 7002 in Seiko’s popular dive watch line. This 7S26 incorporates quickset day and date displays, and automatic bi-directional winding via Seiko’s patented Magic Lever system. The 7S26 automatic movement is a reliable workhorse, and runs at 21,600 beats per hour.
This Seiko diver comes with the correct Seiko OEM stainless-steel bracelet, nylon strap, hard plastic travel case, and springbar tool.
Near NOS 2016 Seiko SKXA35 (7S26-0020) Automatic, Full Set
DIAL: Brilliant dark blue dial, with vibrant red font and no lume patina. Spanish/English variants for day and date - naturally, the lume shines rather brightly, to say the least. The "Diver's 200m" nomenclature retains its vibrant lettering, and carries the "Malaysia" lettering at the bottom of the dial, as it should. Dial is unblemished (sans dust on close-ups)
BEZEL: An umblemished and vibrant black bezel insert, which ratchets counterclockwise with click as designed.
CASE: Stainless-steel case measures 42.5mm (w/o crown, 44.5mm with) x 45mm in great condition - sharp caselines and brushed case top remains intact. Caseback retains its original blue Seiko sticker.
CRYSTAL: Flawless hardlex crystal, scratch-free.
BAND: This SKXA35 comes with on an original stainless-steel bracelet, which can accomadate up to an approx. 8.5 inch wrist. This diver also comes with a "El Muerte" nylon strap.
MOVEMENT: Seiko 7S26C automatic mechanical movement, manufactured in August 2016.
CROWN: Unsigned stainless-steel screwed-down crown.
Of note, this SKXA35 comes with Seiko OEM inner/outer Seiko boxes, instruction manual, and warranty paperwork.