Monday, December 9, 2013

Seiko 5 Sports SKZ211J1 Atlas/Landshark - A Good Tool Watch, A Review

Nicknamed “Atlas” by a majority of watch enthusiasts, the black SKZ211K with yellow hands is another watch that calls to me. Also known as “Landshark”, this model is under the Seiko 5 brand. The Atlas is built tough. The polished case is die cast from a solid piece of stainless steel.

I was made to understand that this is Seiko's first 200 meter water resistant Seiko 5 Sports watch when it was launched back in 2005. Its dimensions are impressive. The diameter of the watch case is 42 mm without crown (46.5 mm with compass crown) with a lug-to-lug length of 48.5 mm and a thickness of 14 mm. Lug width is 22 mm and uses a bracelet with a width of 20 mm, tapering to 18mm at the clasp. The Oyster inspired bracelet links are solid with highly polished sides and matte brushed links with a dab of polished center link strips.


Like all Seiko 5s, the watch comes with a day and date window set at the 3 o'clock position. The model that I have is a JDM version (Japanese Domestic Model). The "Made In Japan" is prominently printed at the bottom of the dial.



This particular model comes with an external bezel as well as an internal bezel. The external bezel is of dark indigo blue to match the watch dial and is marked by 5-minute graduations (120 click graduations). Unfortunately, the bezel is not ISO 6425 certified i.e. there is no lumed pip at the 0/60 minute marker.

The internal bezel provides another interesting complication, the compass function. For more information about how to use the compass function visit this link [Click Here]. This particular bezel is adjusted via an external crown located at the 9 o'clock position. This particular crown has the Seiko 5 emblem on it. However, this crown is not lockable in anyway. The crown can rotate easily so you can’t prevent the compass ring from accidental turning.

Do note that the Atlas wasn’t meant to be a diver’s watch. It was designed as a sports watch. Despite the screw down crown at the 4 o'clock position as well as the 200 meter dive rating, it is not diver watch compliant.


The orange colored borders on the hands of the watch makes it easy to refer to the time. Although lumed, it is not as bright as the Seiko divers.

The dial is covered by Hardlex crystal, a proprietary glass created by Seiko. Although you may not be able to see it, the crystal is slightly below the crown. Meanwhile, the finely knurled uni-directional rotating bezel provides grip to help turn the bezel. The same design treatment was also given to the crown, as shown in the photo below.

I am actually surprised that the main crown is a much smaller than the compass crown. Sloped crown guards flank the smaller 4.5 mm diameter crown.


On the underside of the watch, the SKZ209K has highly polished caseback with a prominently engraved Seiko 5 logo as well as other information regarding the watch.

The watch is powered by an in-house Caliber 7S36A with 23 jewels. An automatic, non-hacking movement with a beat rate of 21,600 bph (6 beats/sec). The main springs have power reserve of 42 hours.


The clasp with the 'Seiko' brand stamped on it.


The watch is a good tool watch. Very hardy and is made to take knocks.

Photo Gallery




9 comments:

  1. Here you can easily see,howmto find south,north ,west and east with every watch and the compass in your Seiko helps with it http://www.survival.strefa.pl/strony_swiata.htm

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  2. I got my landshark 2 days ago..very happy with my purchase...muscularly built and looks very nice on my wrist..

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    Replies
    1. Double dome sapphire crystal will make it look super premium, believe me. Done to mine

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  3. I managed to modded it, ceramic lume insert and use a double dome sapphire glass. You will be surprise to see the result, look super premium

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    Replies
    1. What the size for the double dome sapphire glass, where I get it?

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  4. How to use a double dome sapphire glass? Any shop can do it?

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  5. got mine second hand.very happy and keeps time within specs.+30 seconds per day.

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  6. would like to mould mine as well

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  7. Where i can take a look and order,maybe,this Seiko Atlas? Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete

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