Blake Buettner is Director of Watches at StockX, a former watch journalist, and a life-long watch guy. Throughout 2018, in partnership with StockX, Blake will be sharing his thoughts, experiences, and unique takes on all things watches. This week, Blake shares the story of owning his Seiko 7002. To learn more about StockX or to shop their catalog of watches, including Seiko, check out StockX Watches.

I?ll never forget the first time I walked into a well known, high-end watch retailer in California. It was in the days leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours d?Elegance and I was wearing a Seiko 7002 from the mid ?90s with a beautifully faded pepsi bezel. An admittedly humble accessory for such a prestigious event. As I strolled into the dealer, eager to explore their selection of vintage Rolex, a salesman working the floor began to approach, with a keen look in his eye, that is until he took notice of the Seiko around my wrist. I didn?t make any purchases that day.
I still own that Seiko and that experience is a mere footnote in the many years the watch has been in my stewardship. It?s not the most expensive watch in my collection, and it doesn?t get the most wrist time, but it does represent what I love most about watches, and about being a watch enthusiast.
The Seiko 7002 is a predecessor to the modern day SKX and has all the charm we?ve all come to know and love about Seiko divers. This particular watch happens to be going on 20 years old, so it?s developed a unique ...