Seiko Prospex Sea 1968 Heritage Diver's GMT Watch SPB519 (similar to SPB509, HBC001 & HBC002) - Fantastic Sweet Spot, Capturing the Luxury Presence and Technical Capability, A Review (plus Video)

It has been more than a year since the Seiko Prospex Sea 1968 Heritage Diver's GMT Watch SPB519 was launched. This particular model is the poster child for this series which currently consists of four models (more about this later in the review). I always wanted to get one but never had the opportunity until now.

To be honest, I do own a re-crafted 1968 diver by Seiko when I got the SLA025 back in 2018. Powered by the Hi-Beat 8L55 movement which operates at 36,000 BPH, that watch was at a price point three (3x) times that of the SPB519.  

The GMT complication and the fact that it comes with a ceramic insert for the bezel as well as 300 meter water rating caught my interest. Furthermore, the placement of the date aperture to a position without the need to replace an hour marker makes the dial look symmetrical which appeals to me. The final nail-in-the-coffin is the new bracelet design with the exceptionally modern clasp with a tool-free ratcheting extension. 

 

TUDOR Royal 41mm Steel Case Salmon Dial M28600-0009 - Sport‑Chic Identity, A Review (plus Video)

The Tudor Royal 41mm Salmon Dial M28600 has long stood out to me as one of the most eye‑catching and versatile watches in Tudor’s contemporary catalogue. With its distinctive integrated bracelet, sharply notched bezel, practical day‑date complication, and that unmistakable salmon dial, the Royal line strikes an impressive balance between refinement and sportiness. It’s the kind of watch that feels equally at home with a suit or a more casual outfit: something few watches in this price segment manage to pull off convincingly. As a result, the Royal has been on my radar for quite some time, quietly climbing higher on my personal wishlist.

Recently, I received an unexpected message from my dealer that immediately caught my attention. He mentioned that a Tudor outlet was offering a special deal as they were looking to clear out existing stock. Sensing an opportunity, I quickly gave him four different Tudor models I’d be interested in, asking him to check which, if any, were available under this promotion. Then came the waiting game.

About a day later, the news came back. Of the four options, only the Tudor Royal was available, and specifically in the salmon dial configuration. While my initial preference had been the blue dial variant, the moment I heard the details, any hesitation vanished. The pricing on offer was simply too good to ignore, especially for a watch that I had already admired for so long. In the end, the decision felt almost effortless. I jumped at the chance and placed the order immediately, confident that this was one of those rare moments where timing, opportunity, and enthusiasm align perfectly.

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Automatic Datsun 240Z Limited Edition SRQ057J1 (similar to the regular-production SRQ055J1) - Linking Two Giant Japanese Brands, A Review (plus Video)

Another Seiko Speedtimer has graced the collection. This time around, it is a collaboration between Seiko and the precursor of the Nissan Motor car company of Japan, Datsun. This collaboration has some meaning to me as the car my wife had when we first got married more that 30 years ago was a red Datsun 130Y.

 

I also bought this particular Speedtimer as its has a design feature that is actually quite contemporary to most brands but seldom seen on a Seiko automatic chronograph - a tachymeter scale set on the bezel instead of on the chapter ring. More about this later.

 

The colour combination, with black being the dominant colour and a touch of red, blue and polished steel gives the watch character that is not too blatant yet subtle. 

 

To be honest, I am kind of hooked into chronographs at the moment and when the SRQ057J1 was announced, I felt the need to get one.

King Seiko VANAC Limited Edition SLA089J1 (similar to SLA083J1, SLA085J1, SLA087J1 & SLA091J1) - A Captivating Retro-Modern Reinterpretation, Distinguished by its Exclusivity , A Review (plus Video)

My anticipation for the VANAC series re-crafted models has been steadily building since I first caught wind of their launch announcement several months ago. The promise of a modern reinterpretation of a classic design immediately captured my imagination. As subsequent details gradually emerged – glimpses of the dial, specifications, and craftsmanship – my initial excitement was tempered by a growing, almost instinctive suspicion. A quiet voice in the back of my mind whispered that such a significant revitalization, coupled with the brand's heritage, would inevitably command a premium. Unfortunately, that intuition proved accurate when the official pricing was revealed, placing the watches firmly in the five-figure territory. While the cost gave me undeniable pause, the sheer allure of the design proved irresistible. It wasn't just attractive; it felt genuinely refreshing – a harmonious blend of vintage inspiration and contemporary execution that stood apart. Ultimately, the aesthetic appeal and the emotional pull outweighed the financial hurdle, solidifying my decision to acquire one.

Faced with a compelling selection of five distinct models within the VANAC re-crafted line, the decision required careful consideration. Each piece offered its own unique character and appeal. However, my focus quickly narrowed to the limited edition SLA089J1. Its defining characteristic – a global production run restricted to a mere 700 pieces – imbued it with an undeniable sense of exclusivity and future collectibility. This inherent rarity was a powerful draw. The truly surprising factor, and the decisive one, was the revelation that this limited-edition gem carried the exact same price tag as its standard-production siblings within the series. This unexpected price parity transformed the SLA089J1 from a tempting option into the clear, value-driven choice. Acquiring a watch with such inherent scarcity without paying a premium felt like securing a unique opportunity, making the selection not just a matter of preference, but a remarkably logical decision.

Seiko 5 Sports SRPK17 55th Anniversary Limited Edition - The Evergreen, A Review (plus Video)

This is one watch that I nearly didn't get. The SRPK17 is part of the 55th anniversary celebration by Seiko to celebrate the launch of the iconic Seiko 5 Sports line back in 1968. Throughout 2023, there were a number of limited edition launched. Due to the frequency of releases under the 55th anniversary celebration, the SRPK17 slipped my radar screen for many months despite it being made available since July 2023.

In honesty, I wasn't paying much attention to any of the 55th Anniversary models by Seiko 5 Sports. Throughout 2023, I was focused on acquiring higher value timepieces such as from Tudor, Cartier, Rado and Omega. It was only at the end of 2023, after reading up on major news of year that I stumbled on the year-long celebration by Seiko 5 Sports. After going through the multiple releases, one model stood out, the SRPK17.

I went to one store which has the model in stock but no store discount was given. I turned to by trusty dealer and he got me one after sourcing from another branch with store discount too!

Citizen Series 8 880 Mechanical GMT NB6031-56E (Similar to NB6030-59L & NB6032-53P) - Has Wrist Presence, A Review (plus Video)

It was in June 2023 when Citizen announced a new series under the Series 8 line. This new sub-group is designated the '880'. I already have the NB6010-81E under the 831 sub-grouping. For this new sub-group, Citizen is introducing a new automatic movement, the Caliber 9054, that has a GMT complication. What is more importantly, the series is catered as a field watch instead of a dress watch of the previous Series 8 lines (831, 830 and 870).

The new design is very refreshing and incorporate a lot of key designs that helped the Promaster line (a range under Citizen) become famous. The addition of a timing bezel as well as a GMT complication increased the functionality immensely. 

Personally, I love the watch due to the integrated bracelet design. It looks elegant and sophisticated. Moreover, it is not often that Citizen comes out with an automatic watch powered with a new movement. In this case, the Caliber 9054 with the GMT function is new to the collection and I am quite excited to review this watch.

Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Diver Sunburst Lacquered Blue Dial R32144202 - A Universal Watch, A Review (plus Video)

To be honest, I have been brooding over this model for more than two years. When it first came out in 2021, I was so keen to immediately get it. However, I realised that I already got a Rado Captain Cook (please click here to go to that watch). Nevertheless, the draw of having a casing and bracelet of a watch made out of ceramic appeals to me immensely as it will be a first in the collection. I've decided to continue to the search to find one that has a different design than a Captain Cook.

Although Rado has a number dress watch designs using ceramic, they don't attract my interest. Finally, after some soul searching, I decided to get a Captain Cook ceramic version. However, the price quoted was too rich for me especially when I already have a Captain Cook in the collection.

Although I was on the market for one, I was still looking at getting one at the best price possible. Recently, I was given a good offer of 30% off the MSRP for a new watch which I immediately took. The model on offer is the reference R32144202 which has the solid sunburst blue dial. A stroke of luck as this particular model has that blue dial that matches the smokey colour of the ceramic casing and bracelet which I believe to be the most eye-catching of all the solid dial versions of this series. 

Grand Seiko Sport Collection Automatic GMT SBGM247G (similar to SBGM245G) - The Right Size, A Review (plus Video)

I love GMT watches. The practicality of that specific complication is very useful to me especially when travelling (which I do a lot). At last count, I have 19 analogue GMT watches in the collection. Out of those, three are from Grand Seiko and all powered by Spring Drive movements (SBGC201, SBGE033 and SBGE001).  

When Grand Seiko announced a few months ago that they are planning to launch a GMT powered by a traditional automatic movement, I became interested. I was intrigue to know what kind of design philosophy that Grand Seiko will use as an inspiration for this new timepiece. Will it be similar to the previous Spring Drive models or will it be totally different?

Thankfully, the design for the SBGM247G (for ease of reference, in this review we shall just call this watch the SBGM247 minus the 'G') is different than what came previously. Surprisingly, the size is more representative of the Heritage Collection i.e. in the 40-ish mm width range instead of the typical 44-ish mm range of the Sport Collection. A lot of Grand Seiko owners have commented that the current batch of models under the Sport Collection is a tad to big. It is good to know that Grand Seiko took note of the comments and acted upon it.

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Blue Dial Reference T1374071104100 (Similar to T1374071105100, T1374072103100 & T9314074129100) - Value for Money Classic Design, A Review (plus Video)

For 2021, Tissot released two types of PRX, a quartz version first and a later, an automatic version. There are a number of examples in each of the two categories. I personally had my eyes on the automatic version but it took me a long time before I got my hands on one. Even when I did get one, there wasn't any discount given from the MSRP price.

There are four models to choose from. What I got was the blue dial version.

The retro styling of the watch and the integrated bracelet design caught my interest. The PRX is a watch inspired by the original model first launched in 1978. It features a tonneau-shaped case with an integrated bracelet that was the rage back then. It has a circular bezel mirror-polish to contrast against the brush finishing on the case itself. To me, visually, the PRX is a really interesting piece.

I am not the only one that thinks this watch is a keeper. For the Malaysian market, it was a sellout and I had to put in an order for the next batch earmarked for this region.

Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono H77906940 (similar to H77916920) - This Watch Does Have The Look, A Review (plus Video)

I have been eyeing the Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono ever since it first debut back in 2016. Granted the special complication that the watch was designed for would not be useful to me, I was taken more by the beauty of the design than anything else.

The number of pushers and crowns on the watch intrigues me. Having two inner bezels as well as an external bezel in a watch appears to be an overkill. Nevertheless, the watch has a few ingenious use of the moving parts of the watch to do rather complex computations. In reality, the Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind Auto Chrono (the X-Wind for short) is a mechanical computational device that is already obsolete when computers are already taking over the same job and more. 

Looking passed the question of efficiency, you start to appreciate the way form and function designed into the watch would be able to do such calculations. To me, what makes this watch desirable is the way a mechanical 'calculator' has been made to look like a brilliant piece of art. The X-Wind should be in the collection.

Seiko 5 Sports SRPG29K1 Military / Trench Watch (similar to SRPG27K1, SRPG31K1, SRPG33K1, SRPG35K1, SRPG37K1, SRPG39K1, SRPG41K1 & SRPG42K1) - Another Winner From Seiko, A Review (plus Video)

I have been collecting Seiko 5 series of military inspired watches for many years. These watches are basic, robust and practical. In fact, I would recommend these watches as a good starter watch for someone interested in the world of horology.

The genesis of the Seiko 5 military inspired watches is the iconic SNK805K2 (the link to the review is here). Nevertheless, the journey for me start with the next iteration of the genre, the SNZG09K1 which I reviewed in November 2013 (the link to the review is here). For me, that watch was a great value for money piece of machinery that can handle any situation. From then on, I start to collect the examples of the genre as new models were introduced.

Recently, the brand, under Seiko 5 Sports, launched the latest series of military style watches. There are a number of models to choose from. Although I would usually go for a green dial version, unfortunately, none came with a bracelet. Instead I chose a blue dial version, the SRPG29K1 to take home with me.

King Seiko KSK SJE083J1 Limited Edition (or SDKA001) - First Class and Carries itself Well Beyond its Price Point, A Review (plus Video)

A century is a long time. In 2021, Seiko will be celebrating its 140th years in operations since it was first established in 1881. To mark this momentous occasion, Seiko has in store a number of new and exiting models. One of the most anticipated release is a revival of one of its famous sub-brand and model, the 1965 King Seiko KSK.

The last time Seiko recreated a model under the old King Seiko sub-brand was in the year 2000 with the launched of the SCVN001 as part of the Seiko Historical Collection of that year. Twenty years later, on 8 December 2020, Seiko announced the second official recreation of the King Seiko line.

This second recreation is designated the SJE083J1 (in Japan the reference is SDKA001). Called the King Seiko KSK, it is based on the 1965 model of the same name. KSK is an abbreviation of the name “King Seiko Kisei-Tsuki”. This special limited edition watch revives the 1965 Reference 44-9990, or the “44KS”. I was fortunate to get my hands on one via my good friend at AWG in Mid Valley.

WATCHPOD-Style Single Watch Travel Case by AWG - Fits even oversized watches, A Review

I was given this Watchpod-style single watch travel case by AWG when I visited the store recently. This is part of the company's 60 anniversary commemorative gift to their loyal customers. I don't believe it will be for sale.

Rado Captain Cook 42 mm Automatic Green with Bracelet Reference R32505313 - Green Goodness, A Review (plus Video)

Rado started as The Schlup & Co. in Lengnau, Switzerland. It was founded by the brothers Fritz, Ernst and Werner in 1917. The company began selling watches under the Rado brand name in the 1950s. After coming out with a number of iconic series such as the Golden Horse collection (1957) and the Green Horse collection (1958), the company came out with its first proper dive watch collection, the Captain Cook series. From 1962 to 1968 Rado produced the Captain Cook series with a patented case capable of 200 meters of water resistance.

Rado reintroduced their iconic Captain Cook line in 2017 with an reproduction. That model was very close to the original in terms of size (37 mm wide), material (steel) as well as the small touches like the red numerals on the date wheel and spinning anchor in the logo present at 12 o'clock. The watch also came with Old Radium SuperLuminova paint to complete the vintage look. Nevertheless, Rado did distinguish the new from the old with "HYPERCHROME" added to the name.  At the same time, a bigger brother, 45 mm wide and made out of titanium was also offered.

Casio G-Shock Square Titanium Camouflage GMW-B5000TCM-1JR - The Ultimate Practical G-Shock Square, A Review (plus Video)

I have in my collection two Casio G-Shock squares. The all resin GWM5610BC-1JF and the all stainless steel GMWB5000GD-1ER. You can read a review I wrote on a head-to-head comparison between the two here. It was a long wait for me before I got the metal G-Shock due to the overwhelming demand.

While waiting, in February 2019, Casio announced the ultimate G-Shock Square, the 18 Karat Limited Edition Gold G-Shock 'Pure Gold' G-D5000-9JR. Only 35 pieces will be made and this has an MSRP of YEN7,700,000 or USD70,000. I was definitely interested but the pricing definitely it out of contention.

Around the same time news came out that Casio will also be coming out with a titanium model. What got everyone talking was the expected price point of the new model which has been estimated to be three (3) times more than the standard stainless steel unit. Immediately, a lot of not-so-nice comments were made on social media platforms complaining about this (no one commented much about the price on the Pure Gold version though). Since the pricing is not too exorbitant, I decided to hunt for this as well.

Seiko Presage Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ031J1 (or SARK015 in Japan) - Nostalgia of the Swinging Sixties, A Review (plus Video)

In 1964, Seiko created another historical milestone for the brand when it launched a mechanical chronograph which also happens to be the first for Japan. The watch in question was created to be in time for the 1964 Summer Olympics which happens to be in Tokyo, Japan (more about this later). This year, Seiko decided to commemorate that occasion with the launch of the Seiko Presage Chronograph 55th Anniversary Limited Edition SRQ031J1 (or SARK015 if you are in Japan).

Seiko actually launched two limited edition watches to commemorate its milestones in mechanical chronograph movements. Apart from the SRQ031J1, Seiko also launched the SRQ029J1. While the SRQ031J1 honoured the 1964 milestone, the SRQ029J1 honoured the 1969 milestone instead. The 1964 milestone is Seiko's first manual winding chronograph while the 1969 milestone is Seiko's first automatic chronograph, the 6189.

I already have the SRQ029J1 in the collection (please click here to go the full review) and the acquisition of the SRQ031J1 completes the collection.

Seiko Prospex Sky Slide Rule Bezel SRPB61K1 Navitimer (similar to SRPB57 and SRPB59) - A Manual Computer with Limited Use, A Review (plus Video)

During Baselworld 2017 in March 2017, Seiko launched a number of new series. However, the focus of watch lovers was squarely on the SLA017J1, a reissue of the famous 62MAS dive watch. This was unfortunate as there are a number of gems launched by Seiko during that time that should have been given the light of day. The Seiko Prospex Sky Slide Rule Bezel Navitimer series is one of them.

It was only two years later that I was able to revisit this series in depth. Originally I was to get the bracelet version but unfortunately none of the merchants I am comfortable with have one in stock. Instead, I opted for the black dial with leather strap, the SRP61K1. I found it in one of my favourite watch shop in Mid Valley Megamall, AWG.

This watch has one unique complication, the bi-directional slide rule bezel. For those of you that like maths, this complication is so cool (I am one of them!).

Seiko Prospex Ana-Digi Solar Dive Watch SNJ025 or SBEQ001 "Arnie" (similar to SNJ027 or SBEQ003) - I'm Back, A Review (plus Video)

In the long annals of Seiko, there are a number of its watch designs that have reached cult status. Generally from the professional series, these watches acquired fame through their capabilities and endorsement by famous adventurers and sportsperson. However, there is one model that has been made famous by an actor, Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 1985, he wore the Seiko H558-5009 in the movie Commando.

The Seiko H558-5009 was launched in 1982 and is the first Ana-Digi dive watch that has a digital alarm chronograph with an analog time display.

I idolised Arnold Schwarzenegger when I first saw him act in the first Terminator movie in 1984. When he acted in Commando, I went to see it at the theater. Then, I wasn't a WIS but I could appreciate the 'macho' H558-5009 as the watch of choice for a commando. Forward 35 years since its launch, Seiko has reintroduce the old Ana-digi (with some modern features) into the SNJ025 (or SBEQ001).

When launched, the Seiko H558-5009 recorded a number of firsts. Through the power of the cinema and Hollywood, it created the genre of the professional "action" watches. The new "Arnie" SNJ025 is a fairly close remake of the iconic H558-5009.

Seiko 5 Sports Automatic Blue Reference SRPB85K1 (similar to SRPB79K1, SRPB81K1, SRPB83K1) - A Great Starter Watch for a New Collector, A Review (plus Video)

The SRPB85K1 was launched in 2018 without much fanfare. Not surprising as Seiko tends to keep Seiko 5 product launches extremely low-key. Although there were a number of such releases last year, most were generally cosmetic changes to a basic design - last year, the bulk appears to be dive watch related.

One that caught my eye was the SRPB79 - 86 Series (please refer to a short introduction to the series as the end of the review), specifically the SRPB85K1.

The SRPB85K1 comes with a countdown timer. As the name suggest, the scale provided allows one to set a target time (within 60 minutes) and set the bezel so that when the minutes hand reaches "0", target time has been reached.

The countdown timer bezel is seldom seen on a Seiko sports watch. Most of the new Seiko 5 Sports launches throughout 2018 came with a movable bezel, either a dive timer bezel, a compass bezel or a 24-hour bezel.

Unfortunately, it is not as flexible as a dive timer. A dive timer can be used to track not only the amount of time spent doing something (like diving) but also be used to track a secondary timezone. It is because of this flexibility that watch makers tend to produce more dive timer equip watches.