Seiko Superior SSA005K1 Flight Computer CYCLOPS (similar to SSA001K1, SSA003K1 & SSA007K1) - Classy, A Review (plus Video)

The Seiko Superior Flight Computer CYCLOPS series were first launched in 2011. Back than I was relatively NOOB in the world of horology. I did come across the series in the course of researching watches but I did not make an effort to get one. Back then, there were other 'grail watches' higher up the list of wants.

Nine years later, when browsing in the watch section in a major departmental store in Kuala Lumpur I stumbled on a gaggle of watches deemed as 'old stocks' with a 40% discount. In the middle of the pile was a SSA005K1. I couldn't pass up such an opportunity and within a few minutes, it was mine (definitely impulse buying <LOL>).

The Superior line has an illustrious history. Back in the days of the quartz watch revolution in the 1970s, Seiko has always equate precision with this line of watches. Unfortunately, after a rationalisation exercise of Seiko's sub-lines a few years ago, the brand has decided not to continue with the Superior line.

The nickname CYCLOPS was given to the watch by fans as the 24-hour sub-dial looks like a single eye on a face. Officially, it is called the Flight Computer due to its ability to calculate relatively complex mathematics using the circular slide rules incorporated in the bi-directional bezel.




The Series

There are four members of the Seiko Superior Flight Computer CYCLOPS series. This series is one of the last series under the Superior line and it was launched in 2011. This is also the first series under this line that uses the 4R movement and also the first series using the SSA reference prefix.

SSA001K1	SSA003K1
SSA005K1	SSA007K1

The Buying Experience

I have never before this bought a watch from a department store. Generally, I would shun from buying watches from such establishments as the prices are fixed and non-negotiable. More importantly, it is difficult to build a lasting relationship with a particular salesperson as the sales staff are always rotated.

However, it so happened that the SOGO Department Store has a 'bargain bin' of old stocks of watches for quick sale. When I was there, the discount was 40%, well above what I could possibly get from my set of friendly dealers. I may visit it again soon as I spied a few other gems that I may want to grab as well.


The Watch

Like any modern pilot watch, the stainless steel SSA005K1 is crammed with information, scales and markers within a 44.5 mm wide casing. It has a lug width of 22 mm, a height of 13.5 mm and a lug-to-lug length of 50 mm. Weighing in at approximately 170 gm, this is a relatively large watch that may not be conducive to those with smaller wrists.



The main dial surface has a waffle-like texture painted black and has a number of interesting features.

Chapter ring: The sloping chapter ring is painted black with sub-minutes scale with white line markers.

Sub-dial: A hole on the dial has been cut to reveal the 24-hour sub-dial. The edge of the hole is polished and beveled. The sub-dial has a surface with fine concentric circles painted black which give a sunburst effect. There are 24 line markers with additional numbers added for every second marker on the scale. These are painted white. The sub-hand is a sharp triangle and painted red.

Applied hour markers: Rectangular applied hour markers in the shape of bullion are set at every hour apart from the 12 o'clock, 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock. Two shorten rectangular applied hour markers have been allocated for the 12 o'clock position. A single shorten rectangular applied hour marker has been allocated for the 3 o'clock position. For the 4 o'clock position, no marker was added as the space has been allocated for the date aperture. All applied hour markers have been painted with LumiBrite paint.

Text on the dial: Due to the sub-dial, the applied brand has been placed near the 3 o'clock position. On the center line at the bottom half of the dial, the words "AUTOMATIC" and "100M" have been printed in white. Right at the bottom of the dial in very small fonts are some manufacturing codes also printed in white.



Date aperture: A cut in the dial where the 4 o'clock hour marker was supposed to sit is the date window. A metal frame, beveled and polished, sits around the date window. Through the hole, the date wheel with white numbers over a black background can be seen. The choice of a black background is wise as it help maintain the colour symmetry of the dial.

The handset: Both the hours and minutes hands are sword-like and painted with LumiBrite paint. The seconds hand is arrow-like, painted black except for the tip where LumiBrite paint was added and surrounded by a red line border.



Protecting the dial is a dome Hardlex crystal. You can also see the bezel having a slight angle on its upper surface which transition in well with the angle of the dome crystal. The bezel has a coin-edge to facilitate grip. It is friction fitted to the watch casing and it turns bi-bidirectionally with a bit of tension.

The bezel is bi-directional with two parts. The outer part moves while the inner part is fixed in place. Both sections have multiple scales to enable pilots to make quick calculation without the need of electronic calculators. The scales on the outer part is painted in a golden tone whereas the inner part is painted in white. Both sections have black background. For more information on how to use the scales on the bezel, please refer to the write on this area in my review of the Seiko Prospex Sky Slide Rule Bezel SRPB61K1 Navitimer.

The lugs does curve inwards but it still flairs out somewhat. This makes the overall length of the watch reaching 50 mm. For those with smaller wrist, do expect to see a bit of wrist 'overhang' if you decide to wear this watch. I got a 6.75 inch wrist and a slight wrist 'overhand' is visible. 



In the photo above you can see the large black crown located at the 4 o'clock position. One side of the crown is protected by the bottom lug while the opposite side is protected by a thick shoulder originating from the casing. The 6.5 mm wide crown has a gear-tooth edge for grip. Around the gear-tooth edge is a thin trench filled with red paint. The crown is a standard push-in/pull-out system with three settings; fully pushed in (stage 1) - manually wind the movement; pull out to the first level (stage 2) - engage the date wheel, and; pull out to the second and final level (stage 3) - engage the main hands with seconds hand stop mechanism engaged.

 

The lugs does not come with drill-through lug holes. It support a 22 mm wide bracelet. On this series, the stainless steel bracelet has the reference numbers MOMT.Z.I and 227 found stamped on the inner side of the bracelet. The middle links have polished bits and more rounded. The bracelet bridge is stamped and the signed clasp is the typical push button style with safety latch. It comes with four micro-adjustment points for better resizing.



This watch comes with a display case-back. Via this large window, the 4R37A movement can be clearly seen. Based on information about this movement, the manufacturing facility is highly likely comes from Seiko's production facility here in Malaysia.

The serial number of the watch is 183494. Using the standard Seiko numbering methodological, this watch was made in 2011 in the month of August (the first digit is the end digit of the year of production, the second digit is the month of production while the rest of the four numbers designate it to be the 3,494th watch to be produced in that year and month).

As the watch was made in 2011 and only sold new to me from the authorised dealer in 2020, the ability of the watch to remain accurate after all these years kept at the store is questionable. I did a simple accuracy test using the Toolwatch mobile application and it reported an impressive -5.9 seconds per day, well within the stated accuracy band for this watch. I was impressed. Despite the age and without any service for the last 9 years, the movement operated flawlessly.

The illumination is acceptable in my view. A pity Seiko had to sacrificed the 4 o'clock hour marker for the date aperture. In the dark, the dial lack symmetry due to the unlighted area between the 3 o'clock and 5 o'clock markers.




The Wearing Experience

As expected, the watch is comfortable to wear. The dome Hardlex crystal makes for some interesting light play especially in sunlight.



In this day and age where everyone has a smart phone, the usability of the calculator bezel is non-existence. For me, it is more of the nostalgia of yesteryear. I doubt that manufacturers will seriously consider models with such bezel in the future. There may be a few but that's it. If you do find one, get one for the collection.




Specifications

Model: SSA005K1
Movement: Caliber 4R37 automatic movement, manual winding and hacking
Jewels: 24
Frequency: 21,600 BPH
Accuracy: -35 seconds per day to +45 seconds per day
Magnetic Resistance: 4,800 A/m (60 Gauss)
Power Reserve: 41 hours
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Dial Type: Analog
Dial Color: Black
Crystal: Hardlex crystal
Luminous Paint: LumiBrite
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Case Width: 44.5 mm
Case Thickness: 13.5 mm
Case Length: 50 mm
Lug Width: 22 mm
Weight: 170 gm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case-Back: Screw-down display case-back
Bezel: Bi-directional rotating flight calculation bezel
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Band Type: Bracelet
Clasp: Push-button lock with safety latch signed clasp
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Water Resistance: 100 meters
Calendar: Date display
Functions: Date, hour, minute, second, 24-hour sub-dial
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Released Year: 2011
MSRP: RM1,225
Purchase Date: 25 February 2020
Purchase Price: RM735
Dealer: Logo Department Store, Kuala Lumpur
Serial Number: 183494



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