Best Watch Straps for the Seiko SKX007 and SKX009
By James Alderton . 8 min read . Updated June 2026
The Seiko SKX007 and SKX009 are the most popular entry dive watches in the world, and their 22mm lug width and curved lug profile make strap selection slightly more specific than a flat-lug sport watch. The stock rubber strap is functional but generic, and swapping it reveals how much character the SKX case has underneath it. This guide covers the best 22mm strap upgrades for the SKX, including the ZULUDIVER FKM Rubber Dive Strap for dive use, the ZULUDIVER Genuine G10 NATO Strap for casual wear, and the Barton Elite Silicone NATO Strap for active daily use.
The short answer
For active diving, the ZULUDIVER FKM Rubber Strap is the best SKX upgrade. For casual daily wear, the ZULUDIVER G10 NATO or BluShark AlphaShark in 22mm are the most period-appropriate choices. For metal wear, a 22mm Barton Milanese Loop transforms the SKX for office or dress use.
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Why the SKX lug profile matters for strap selection
The SKX has a thick, curved case with lugs that sweep downward. A strap with a curved or pre-formed end profile seats more cleanly against these lugs than a flat-end strap, reducing the visible gap between strap and case. This is primarily a cosmetic consideration, but it affects how finished the watch looks on the wrist.
The 22mm lug width is straightforward to find in most strap brands. Make sure any strap you order specifies 22mm, and confirm the end radius suits curved lugs if you are buying a fitted rubber or leather option.
Best dive strap for the SKX: ZULUDIVER FKM Rubber
The ZULUDIVER FKM Rubber Dive Strap is made specifically for dive watch lug profiles in 20mm and 22mm, with a curved end that fits the SKX cleanly. FKM fluoroelastomer is the correct material for a watch that actually gets wet: it resists salt water, chlorine, and UV in a way that standard silicone does not over the long term.
The ventilated design reduces suction during water entry and keeps the strap comfortable during extended underwater wear. The signed stainless tang buckle is more appropriate for a dive tool watch than a plain generic buckle.
Best NATO strap for the SKX: ZULUDIVER G10
A 22mm ZULUDIVER Genuine G10 NATO Strap in military olive or black is the most authentic casual pairing for the SKX. The G10 specification is the historically correct format for a dive-watch-inspired military tool watch, and the 22mm width matches the SKX lug exactly.
The BluShark AlphaShark Nylon NATO Strap in 22mm is the higher-quality weave option if you want more colorway choice and a slightly denser feel.
Best silicone NATO for daily wear: Barton Elite Silicone
The Barton Elite Silicone NATO Strap in 22mm is the most practical daily strap for an SKX in a hot climate or for anyone who does not want to think about strap care. Waterproof, odor-resistant, and ready for anything the day throws at a dive watch.
Pair with the brushed stainless hardware option for the cleanest match to the SKX case finish.
Transforming the SKX with a mesh bracelet
A 22mm Barton Milanese Loop Watch Bracelet does something unexpected to the SKX: it makes the diving tool watch look appropriate in an office. The mesh breathes better than a linked bracelet in warm weather, the magnetic clasp adjusts without tools, and the brushed steel finish complements the SKX case.
This pairing works because the SKX case is clean enough to carry off the dressy look of a mesh bracelet. It is a more unexpected transformation than a rubber or NATO swap and worth trying if you wear the same watch in different contexts.
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