SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" (L) and SBDJ029 "Field Tuna" (R) |
Enter the collaboration between Seiko and the with the Japanese design consultants LOWERCASE. Incorporating the basic design of its iconic Tuna casing, the collaboration has be able to bring something fresh and exciting to an otherwise sterile styling. Lead by Mr. Yuki Kajiwara, creative director of LOWERCASE, two basic design was introduced; the Digi Tuna series and the Field Tuna series. I was lucky enough to be able to acquire one from each series. In the collection I have the SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" and the SBDJ029 "Field Tuna".
As tabulated, below are some of the specifications of both watches.
Specifications | SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" | SBDJ029 "Field Tuna" |
Power/Module | Solar, S802 | Solar, V157 |
Display | Digital | Analogue |
Case Material | Stainless steel with plastic shroud | Stainless steel with plastic shroud |
Band Material | Seiko silicon diver strap | Seiko military green NATO strap |
Glass Material | Mineral glass | Curved Hardlex glass |
Bezel | Bi-directional friction control | Unidirectional 120 clicks full rotation |
Power Reserve | Approximately 5 months | Approximately 10 months |
Accuracy | ±20 seconds per month | ±15 seconds per month |
Water Resistance | 20 bar | 20 bar |
Size | H49.9mm x W49.5mm x D14.1mm | H44.2 mm x W44.5 mm x D12.1 mm |
Lug Width | 22 mm | 20 mm |
Weight | 80 gm | 69 gm |
Controls | Four pushers and one touch screen | Screw-down crown |
Case-back | Solid plate with four screws | Solid screw-down |
Illumination | LumiBrite bezel pip and back-light | LumiBrite painted hands and indexes |
MSRP | YEN28,000 | YEN42,000 |
Bracelet Parameter | Max. 210 mm | Max. 200 mm |
Functions |
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Production | JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) | JDM |
Although both watches came from the same base DNA of the Tuna, they are different like night-and-day. The SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" is a digital watch with a number of electronic complications programmed into a computer chip in its heart whereas the SBDJ029 "Field Tuna" is a quartz watch with basic analogue display.
In terms of dimensions, the SBEP001 is much bigger then the SBDJ029 in many ways. The size difference is visually striking.
Both watches offer differing functions and should not be compared against each other. In reality, the SBEP001 is a watch best suited for extreme users whereas the SBDJ029 is a watch best suited for typical adventurers. Below are some of my observations regarding these two watches.
SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" | SBDJ029 "Field Tuna" |
An issue I have is the bi-directional bezel. It is designed more like a Marinemaster instead of a Fieldmaster. A cursory look will cause anyone to come to the wrong conclusion that the watch is a diver when it is clearly not. As it is, this series has created some confusion with fans (myself included). | An issue I have is the location of the date aperture. The designers sacrificed the 4 o'clock as well as the 16-hour markers for the date window. This styling disrupt the symmetry of the dial unnecessarily. Why can't they just locate the date window where it does not need replacing anything else? |
Another issue I have with this watch is the strap provided. The standard accordion silicon strap of the SBEP001 is generally provided to dive watches which further confuses the true purpose of this watch. Moreover, the accordion section of the strap is too 'bunchy' for my taste. A simple strap would have been sufficient. | Another issue I have with this watch is the strap. Paired with the watch is an olive green nylon NATO strap which is too thin in my view. I believe it should be thicker. As it stands, the 'thinness' makes it feel sharp and it pinches the skin sometimes. |
As highlighted in the first table, both watches are JDM (Japanese Domestic Market) models. If you want to get one, you need to source from a Japanese merchant or an on-line merchant with links to Japanese suppliers. This is unfortunate. With internet, everyone can see such an offering by Seiko. Courier services have also reached a level of sophistication that anything can be sent anywhere on the world. Keeping it only to a specific jurisdiction would riled up a lot of people as it feels as it Seiko prefers to sell only to a specific group of people (can we define this as 'business racism' perhaps?).
Conclusion
A good start by Seiko to inject new blood into its design philosophy. Although it appears to stumble a bit in terms of some design elements and marketing strategy, it can be remedied without much effort by Seiko. Honestly, I can't wait for more collaboration going forward.
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