For many years, the Seiko SKX range represented the affordable, mechanical dive watch of a generation.

The descendant of a long and storied line of divers that began in 1965 with the 62MAS, the SKX series offered chunky, highly water-resistant cases, automatic movements, good looks, and, most crucially, affordability. The ubiquity of these watches at the ~$200 price point was taken for granted until, sometime in the late 2010s, they were discontinued, to be replaced shortly thereafter by the revamped Seiko 5 Sports series.

However, the SKX line, with its 200m of water resistance and infinite mod-ability, remains a fan favorite even after its demise. This model, an SKX173, is a particularly good-looking member of the family, offering a slightly different look than the famed, probably most well-known, Reference SKX007.

This particular example dated to circa 2015 and features 42mm stainless steel case with a 'hardlex' crystal, an screw-down crown, and a unidirectional dive timing bezel with a black insert, and a luminous matte black dial with rectangular indices (as opposed to the more commonly seen round plots) with a matching SKX handset.

Powered by the hardy, automatic Seiko Caliber 7S26 movement and paired to a black silicone dive strap with a steel pin buckle, this is a watch that’s ready for years more action — preferably beneath the waves. In fact, it's even ISO compliant.

Once you strap this one on, we're confident you’ll see the ‘SKX’ light… just like us!