Yes, as of 2019 the Seiko SKX 007 has been discontinued.
First launched in 1996, the Seiko SKX is one of the most popular dive watches ever made. It has a cult following.
The Seiko SKX came in a variety of models from ones with black, blue, yellow and orange dials. It even came in different sizes. I believe the most common of the later models are the SKX 007, the SKX 009, and the SKX 013. The 007 is the most iconic, but there are plenty of aficionados of all models.
It had a lot of things going for it. Just to name a few:
- It is ISO 6425 rated to 200 meters of water resistance.
- It has a great looking case.
- It has a bulletproof automatic movement.
- It used to be very affordable.
- There are a ton of aftermarket products for it.
- There are infinite ways to modify it.
So why did Seiko discontinue it?
That’s a great question. In the watch community no one really knows. There are probably several reasons.
They are pushing a more expensive line of dive watches, as of this writing the cheapest automatic Seiko dive watch on the market is around $300, considerably more than the SKX went for a year ago.
The Seiko SKX had been around for 23 years, and they thought it was time for an upgrade.
The movement doesn’t have hacking or hand winding.
Maybe their profit margin wasn’t that much on that model. Seiko is after all in business to make money.
Since the word got out about the SKX being discontinued prices have gone up around 30%. You can still buy them new. It will probably be another year before all of the new inventory is gone.
But for more than $300 I’m not sure it’s worth it. There are some nice dive watches you can get for $300.
If you are really interested in the Seiko SKX, read my full review.