Farr + Swit SeaplanevsSeiko 5 Sports SKX series

Owners widely praise the Farr + Swit Seaplane for its exceptional lume, durable construction, and comfortable red rubber strap. Reviewers and owners alike highlight the textured dial, legible hands with red accents, and the ETA 2824-2 movement as strong points for the price. Some owners note a dislike for the deployment clasp on one of the included straps. Overall, owners rate the Farr + Swit Seaplane highly for its blend of classic dive and aviator design elements and impressive lume at its price point.

The Seiko 5 Sports SKX series is widely praised for its value, robust build, and powerful lume, with owners appreciating its comfortable bracelets and improved movement featuring hacking and hand-winding. Some owners find the original SKX models heavy and bulky, while others praise their ruggedness and iconic dive watch design. Reviewers note the 38mm models offer great value at around €350 and are exemplary gateway watches, though their 100m water resistance without a screw-down crown makes them unsuitable for diving. The Seiko 5 Sports SKX series is seen as a decent watch, especially under £200, but lacks the tool watch capabilities of the original SKX, missing a screw-down crown, bezel pip, and ISO rating. On balance, owners and reviewers rate the Seiko 5 Sports SKX series well for its blend of value, improved movement, and tool-watch aesthetic, despite some missing dive certifications.