Head-To-Head: The Seiko Alpinists in the Collection - History & Capabilities

Today, we are conducting a head-to-head comparison of five distinct models within the Seiko Alpinist lineage, a "living icon" that traces its history back to 1959 with the Laurel Alpinist. Designed specifically for the Japanese mountain climbers known as "Yamaotoko," this series was Seiko's first attempt at a specialist sports watch.

The Face of the Series: SARB017

 

Head-To-Head: Grand Seiko's Chronograph Evolution - Spring Drive versus Mechanical Mastery; SBGC201G versus SLGC007G

Grand Seiko has established itself as a titan of watchmaking, renowned for its exceptional finishing, innovative technology, and deep connection to Japanese aesthetics. The two watches reviewed—the Spring Drive GMT Chronograph SBGC201G and the Evolution 9 Mechanical Chronograph Tentagraph SLGC007G—represent two distinct pinnacles of the brand's craft, separated by five years of evolution. One is a powerful, feature-packed hybrid sports watch, while the other is a refined, high-beat mechanical statement piece.

Head-To-Head: Tudor Black Bay Pro versus Rolex Explorer II

Tudor Black Bay Pro

Rolex Explorer II

 

After a detailed comparison of the Tudor Black Bay Pro and the Rolex Explorer II, here is a breakdown and a final recommendation. 

Head-To-Head: Seiko Alpinist SPB117J1 (6th Generation) versus Seiko Alpinist SARB017 (5th Generation)

The Alpinist is classic line of sports watches from Seiko. It is a series of watches designed in 1959 for mountain climbers. The first is the iconic Laurel Alpinist. The most famous of all the Alpinist and a cult classic, the SARB017 is the face of the series. This is the 5th generation Alpinist and it was launched in 2006. In 2020, Seiko launched the 6th generation Alpinist with updated movement. 

I have the SPB117J1 (below and left) and the SARB017 (below and right). In this short write-up, I will be comparing both watches.

Head-To-Head: Solar Technologies Employed by Four Major Brands; Tissot, Seiko, Citizen and Casio

In this particular article, I wanted to do a head-to-head comparison between the various solar technologies employed by four major brands: Tissot, Seiko, Citizen and Casio. The comparison will be based on the detailed reviews of four watches in the collection that are tabulated below: 

 

Tissot T‑Touch	Seiko Prospex Alpinist
Citizen Promaster Tough	Casio G‑Shock MOVE

 

Head-To-Head: The White Rolex Trio, Daytona, Explorer II and Sky-Dweller

Three Crowns, One Collector: Comparing My Rolex Sky-Dweller, Daytona, and Explorer II

Finding the “perfect” watch is a lifelong journey. For me, that quest has led to three very different Rolex crowns, each claiming a unique spot in my collection. After years of chasing, buying, and wearing them, I’m breaking down how the sophisticated Sky-Dweller, the iconic Daytona, and the rugged Explorer II compare in the real world.

Head-To-Head: Seiko Prospex Turtle Divers; the Mini-Turtle SRPC37K1, the Turtle SRP773K1 and the King Turtle SRPE03K1

Below is a comparative review of the three Seiko Prospex dive watches from your collection:
Turtle (SRP773) (left), Mini-Turtle (SRPC37K1) (middle),and King Turtle (SRPE03K1) (right).

 

Head-To-Head: Omega Speedmaster Mark II vs. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional

Omega Speedmaster Mark II

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional

The Omega Speedmaster Mark II and Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional are two watches represent two distinct philosophies within the Omega Speedmaster lineage: the Mark II is a bold, modern, and technically advanced reinterpretation of a 1969 design, while the Moonwatch Professional is the direct, historically faithful descendant of the watch that went to the moon.

Head-To-Head: Seiko 5 Sport Military 100M SNZG09K1 versus Hamilton Khaki Field King Automatic H64455133

In this article, I will conduct a simple head-to-head comparison between two iconic field watches from Seiko and Hamilton, the Seiko 5 Sport Military SNZG09K1 (left) and the Hamilton Khaki Field King H64455133 (right).

 

Both have the classic field watch dial arrangement with a main 12 hour scale and an inner 24 hour sub-scale. The day and date complication overrides the 3 o'clock markers for the Seiko whereas the same set of complications overrides the 12 o'clock marker for the Hamilton. Apart from this major visual difference, there are some size differences as well. Please refer to the comparison table provided below.

Head-To-Head: Hamilton khaki Field Officer Auto H70615733 versus Glycine Combat 6 Vintage Reference GL0122

Comparative Review: Hamilton Khaki Field Officer Auto H70615733 vs. Glycine Combat 6 Vintage GL0122

Left: Hamilton; Right: Glycine 

 

Head-To-Head: Bracelet Square G-Shocks - Composite (GW-M5610BC-1JF), Stainless Steel (GMW-B5000GD-1ER) and Titanium (GMW-B5000TCM-1JR)

In this short article, I will highlight the specifications of three square Casio G-Shocks made from three different materials. The watches are (from L to R): the Composite GW-M5610BC-1JF, the Stainless Steel GMW-B5000GD-1ER and the Titanium GMW-B5000TCM-1JR (click on the underlined to go to the full review of the specific watches). Although they look generally similar, there are a number of subtle differences.

Head-To-Head: Citizen Promaster Tough BN0211-50E versus Citizen Promaster Tough Chronograph CA0720-54H

This is a head-to-head between the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough Black Dial Bracelet Watch BN0211-50E and the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch CA0720-54H. Both watches are part of the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster series that has the designation of "Tough".

Head-To-Head: Seiko Chronograph Historical Collection 2019 - Seiko Prospex SRQ029J1 & Seiko Presage SRQ031J1

The 1960s were exciting times for Seiko. That decade introduced the brand's first mechanical chronograph movement as well as the brand's first automatic chronograph movement in 1964 and 1969, respectively.

The first milestone is the 1964 Crown Chronograph (see below).

1964 Seiko Crown Chronograph 

Head-To-Head: Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 GMWB5000GD-1ER Black versus Casio G-Shock GWM5610BC-1JF JDM Multi Band 6 with Bracelet

The square Casio G-Shock series is an icon. Since 1983, this particular G-Shock series has become a cult classic, a must have piece for any serious collector. In my collection, I have the Casio G-Shock GW-M5610BC-1JF JDM Multi Band 6 with Bracelet (left in the photo below) and the Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 GMWB5000GD-1ER Black with Bracelet (right in the photo below).

Head-To-Head: Seiko Prospex Series SLA017J1 versus SLA025J1 versus SLA033J1 (otherwise SBDX019 versus SBEX007 versus SBDX031)

The trinity of Seiko's iconic watches albeit re-crafted from the original designs. From left to right; the SLA017J1 (for a full review click here), re-crafted from the legendary 1965 Seiko 62MAS (autoMAtic Selfdater) Ref. 6217-8000/1; the SLA025J1 (for a full review click here), re-crafted for the famous 1968 Seiko Hi-Beat Ref. 6159-7001; and the SLA033J1 (for a full review click here), re-crafted for the incredible 1970 Seiko Ref. 6105-811X.

Head-To-Head: Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" versus Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE SBDJ029 "Field Tuna"

For old companies designing consumer products, there will come a time when a fresh injection of ideas is required to revitalise the design philosophy and thinking. Take for example brands such as Samsung, Volvo and many others. In the last few years, exciting designs by these brands have caught market interest which have translated to increased sales. The same is not lost to Seiko.

SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" (L) and SBDJ029 "Field Tuna" (R)

Head-To-Head: Seiko SLA017, a HOMAGE to the 62MAS versus the Seiko SBDC053, a REMAKE to the 62MAS

If one is truly a hardcore Seiko fan, the 1965 Seiko 62MAS (autoMAtic Selfdater) Ref. 6217-8000/1 Diver is the Japanese dive watch to which all dive watches from Seiko (or even from other brands) owes their genesis to. The Seiko 62MAS is a collector’s timepiece that is very rare. If one does find a “Seiko 62MAS” out on sale with a ‘reasonable’ price, chances are it is not all original with newer movements, dials, bezels, crystals, hands, and even crowns.

Head-To-Head: Seiko Prospex SLA033J1 Limited Edition 1970 Diver versus 6105-811X Homage Athaya Vintage AV002 Lamafa Diver

The classic oyster case divers from Seiko have been fan favorites for decades. Since the original 6105-811X dive watch (either 6105-8110 or 6105-8119; both are exactly the same, the last digit in the reference number indicates in which market the watch was originally sold) was introduced to the market in 1970, the design has been extensively copied by many watch brands.

(L) Seiko SLA033J1, (R) Athaya Vintage AV002

Head-To-Head: Seiko Gundam 40th Anniversary Limited Editions Prospex 1000m Marinemaster Professional Zaku II SLA029J1/SBDX027 versus Seiko Marinemaster Professional 1000m Automatic Diver SBDX011

In my collection I have the Seiko Emperor Tuna SBDX011 and more recently, the Seiko Gundam Tuna Zaku II SBDX027 (or SLA029J1 to the global market). Both are similar in most areas but there are subtle differences. Apart from some cosmetic changes to represent the tie-in to the Gundam lore, the changes can be found mostly on the watch casing design itself.

Head-To-Head: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea M116660-0001 versus Omega Seamaster PloProf 1200M Omega Co-Axial 224.32.55.21.01.001

Two major Swiss brands, famous for their undersea timepieces now come head-to-head to grab the price of the King of the Swiss Deep.  In this posting, two famous dive watches from Switzerland, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Deepsea Sea-Dweller reference M116660-0001 (L of picture) and the Omega Seamaster PloProf reference 224.32.55.21.01.001 (R of picture) stands up to be judged.