The
Sea King (SK for short) is one of Orient's most popular vintage dive watches.
The SK dynasty has been running since the late 70s and well into the new
millennium. While it has changed its shape a number of times, the SK retained a
number of key features.
First
of all, SKs use the Orient Caliber 469, usually the 21 jewel version. The 469
is super reliable, robust and shock-proof. A proper workhorse for watches built
to last decades. While far from offering chronometer specifications, it can
nonetheless retain reasonable accuracy for many, many years before requiring
service.
Sea
Kings typically feature two crowns and a push button. The push button would be
for changing the weekday; the main crown at 3 would be adjusting the time and
date (the cal. 469 does not hand-wind).
The
crown at 4 would be for rotating the inner bezel. On some SK versions this
would be a divers' bezel, often in very colorful form. Other SKs feature a GMT
bezel. Some of the later models featured a navigation bezel.
All
Sea Kings were made in sizable cases, generally measuring between 40-42 mm in
diameter excluding the crowns, and with thick lugs, ensuring a good heft and
wrist presence. Available in a variety of colors, it is very easy to find one
that suits your mood.
The
particular SK at hand appears to date back to the late eighties. While I do
like the many colorful versions of the SK, I actually find this specimen to be
a very cool piece despite – or possibly, because of – its mostly black dial.
The
combination of the solid dial and smooth (i.e. not coined) bezel, makes this a
very versatile daily wear. All this, in a generously sized case and packing the
robust cal. 469, are making this Sea King much more wearable than most
inexpensive vintage watches.
The
watch you're seeing here in the photos is actually for sale, so if interested –
get in touch, preferably via a message on the blog's facebook page.
Asking price is a modest 180 USD, including standard international shipping and
eBay fee. It also includes both the original bracelet and the great Martu Leather
"Drakko" strap shown in the photos – which is thick, soft, uniquely
textured, and fits the watch dial perfectly.
As
you would expect from a well-kept Sea King, this specimen looks good, works
well and does not look outdated at all. It appears that it was not worn many
times, and probably spent most of its life at rest. Case size is 41mm width
without the crown, 49mm lug to lug, and 20mm lug width.
So,
there you have it – another fine Orient classic, this time with an opportunity
to own it!
I want 1of this Link to Facebook not work
ReplyDeleteHi Vlad! Just sent you a message via FB.
DeleteThe King Diver (KD) was contemporary with the SK. If you check all the SK/KD versions listed on Ebay you will see numerous varients in color, inner bezel, outer bezel, different date/day locations, long & short indicies and many different hand types. Some versions appear like "Franken-Orients" made up of older faces, hands etc. Still cool looking watches.
ReplyDeleteThat's right - it is sometime difficult to tell the original color combos apart from the mixed-up ones. Still, considering the low price most of these sell at, I think even if you get an SK or KD where someone used a bezel from another model, that's not too horrible. Just stay away from the utterly fake ones, typically with lower-quality paint that fades quickly.
DeleteI have this piece by now. But i couldn't tell this is the original model since i couldn't get any information that this piece could exist, since the SK world time that we commonly know have a numbered outer dial with 1-24 indicating from decided UTC town in inner bezel. Could you give me an explanation for this watch?
ReplyDeleteBest regard
Do you mean you have a watch exactly like the one in my photos? Well, it exists... There were quite a few variations of the SK.
Delete