I've been wearing my SBCM023 for a full week now, so it's time to do a little review on how it compares to my other divers. Most of the other models are vintage, so just to be fair I've limited it to a head-to-head with my modified SKX007.
Let me begin by just listing the pro's and con's, I'll explain everything later on.
Pro’s:
- High accuracy Quartz
- Perpetual calendar
- Battery
- Drilled lugs
- Bezel action
Con’s:
- Bracelet uses solid links
- Pin and collar
- Quartz
- Lume
- date only
Don't care:
Let’s begin with the pro’s shall we?
The SBCM023 houses the 8F35 Quartz movement, a high accuracy movement rated at ± 20 seconds a year. This is achieved by using an oscillating frequency of 196 kHz instead of the more common 32 kHz. Probably the best feature of the movement, next to it's accuracy of course, is the perpetual calendar. Gone are the days of manually changing the date, it's set and forget.. and the Seiko engineers already set it for the customers. So it's basically a forget type of thing.
Last thing worth mentioning about the movement: It's powered by a lithium battery and so the battery change interval is rated at 8 years. Mine is due in the first half of 2018.
I'm sorry I haven’t got any pictures of the movement, I'm not ready to open her up yet 
As I look beyond the movement there is still so much to like about the watch. As it is basically a SKX diver that has been shrunken down a few millimeters, there are still obvious differences:
First of all the case has drilled lugs, this makes changing straps easier and you are less likely to damage the case as compared to non-drilled lugs.
Secondly, and this one is less obvious, the bezel action is super smooth! It's the typical 120 click uni-directional bezel as found on all the other Seiko divers but this one is so much smoother compared to the SKX.
Now let's head to the con's.
First off: the bracelet. It suits the watch from an optical view, but it's not quite as comfortable as the presidential bracelet I use on the SKX. The links are solid, whereas the presidential bracelet uses three separate links, the middle being hollow. It gives more flexibility to the bracelet as a whole. The bracelet on the SBCM023 is somewhat stiffer, yet without being uncomfortable.
Second thing worth mentioning about the bracelet is the use of the dreaded pin and collar system. It's quite a bit more difficult to size the bracelet without the right tools. And even if you have the right tools it takes quite a bit of tinkering and getting used to. I prefer the screw links in the super oyster (Wjean) or the simple push pin of the presidential bracelet. I think eventually I'll revert to a hammer by Noah, as the presidential is not available in 20 mm.
Next con is an obvious one. The SBCM023 uses a quartz movement.We all understand that the biggest pro's I summed up so far could not be achieved with a mechanical watch, but I still prefer mechanicals. As an electronics engineer I see the benefits of An electronic movement (whether it be quartz, kinetic or something other), it suits me. On the other hand, mechanicals dazzle me, quite possible because I don't really grasp the wonders of such fine craftsmanship. It's like many of you here already mentioned, mechanicals have a soul (well.. kind of).
Lume... we have to talk about lume on a diver style watch right? I find the lume on the SBCM023 to be adequate. It's easily readable all night long. And yet is not as bright as the SKX. The lume on the SBCM023 dims quick, much faster as the SKX. If I had to give a score, the SBCM023 scores a 8.5 compared to the baseline 10 of the SKX. Especially the hands are not as good as on the SKX. As I have no stock SKX it's not really a fair comparison, but my mod uses only genuine Seiko parts, so I guess it'll have to do.
Last of the con's would be that the SBCM023 is date only. I've grown accustomed to the day/date of the SKX (and older models). It's not a deal breaker, but I would like to see a day wheel on this watch, preferably a Kanji/English as it is a JDM watch.
And finally, to sum up the comparison there are two other points I would like to mention: The size of the SBCM023: it is smaller than the SKX models, I measured 38 mm as compared to 42 for the SKX. As I only have 6.5 inch wrists I can wear both models without looking funny.But I guess it could be a deal breaker if you have larger wrists.
Last is the price. I paid 220 Euros and was fined 26 euro in import duty here in The Netherlands (thanks to Katsu-San who listed the value as 100 USD). So total sum paid was 246 euro's (about 320 USD), about the same I have paid for the complete modification of my SKX. Please keep in mind your price may vary due to currency exchange and local import duties
Final verdict:
Which one is the best? Honestly, I can’t choose, there is too much to like about both watches.
My guess is the SBCM023 is going to be my daily grab-and-go watch and the SKX will remain my beater.
PS: Sorry for less than stellar photo quality. Battery of the SRL died on me, will try to take better pics later.