Seiko Prospex “Mini-Turtle” SRPC37K1 (Similar with SRPC35K1, SRPC39K1 and SRPC41K1) – A Winning Design, A Review (plus Video)

Seiko ended 2017 with another take of the iconic 6309 diver of yesteryear. When the brand launched the Turtle re-craft edition back in 2016 under series reference SRP77x (I got the SRP773 in the collection. See the review here: http://easternwatch.blogspot.my/2016/01/seiko-prospex-srp773-turtle-diver.html), the Seikonistas went wild with excitement. Seiko quietly listened to feedback given and decided that some of the suggestions were valid. I guess the most grouse received must have been the size issue of the SRP77x series. A good proportion of the fan base found the Turtle too big for their wrist.

To address this problem, near the end of 2017, Seiko quietly launched another interpretation of the 6309. This new series is similar in capabilities to the 2016 series apart from its dimensions and a couple of small changes. Nicknamed “Mini-Turtle”, a lot of people gave positive reviews of this new iteration. This new series is not just a scaled down model but a new version of the 6309 icon. The series comprises of four models:

Seiko Recraft Neo Sports UFO SRPC13K1 Limited Edition (similar to SRPC15K1 & SRPC16K1) - The brand scores again, A Review (plus Video)

Seiko came out with another re-craft series. This time it is the re-interpretation of the famous UFO model of 1969; the 6106-6430. Unlike the other re-craft models, this new series uses the newer 4R36 automatic movement instead of the 7S26 and is a limited edition timepiece of just 1,969 examples per model. There are three different models to choose from. My favorite is the SRPC13K1 because of the green dial.

The "Seikomatic 5" 6100 series was a family of mechanical watch movements from Seiko in the 1960's and 1970's. Produced from 1967 through 1974, the 6100 family was used in many high-end Seiko watches. It was available in both regular 21,600 bph and high-beat 36,000 bph versions with both manual winding and automatic systems.

Below are two examples of the 6106-6430 watches which the new re-crafted series get its inspiration. Since the original model was first introduced in 1969, Seiko has decided to limit the production to just 1,969 examples (for each model under the series - more about the various model later in the review).

Seiko Presage Automatic Blue "Tuxedo" Ref. SARX045 - An Elegant Gentleman's Watch, A Review (plus Video)

I am really into dress watches now. Having tasted the quality and beauty of Seiko's classy dress watches from the Grand Seiko line right down to the level entry Seiko 5 line, my hunger for more is insatiable. While researching the Japanese Seiko website, I came across the SARX045, a watch under the Presage line. This particular model is a JDM hence information can only be found on the Japanese website, not on the global website.

Not a lot has been written and commented on the SARX045. As part of the Presage line under the Prestige sub-category, the SARX045 has a MSRP of YEN70,000 and has a contemporary dress watch design. Made out of stainless steel, the dial is protected by a flat sapphire crystal with inner AR coating. It has a screw-down display case-back with Hardly crystal. It's width is 39.5 mm (excluding the crown), lug width is 20.0 mm, lug-to-lug length is 48.0 mm and a height of 11.3 mm. Although the crown utilises a push-in style system, the watch is still water rated to 10 ATM or 100 meters. Powered by a Seiko automatic 6R15D movement with manual wind and seconds hand stop capabilities, the watch has a power reserve of approximately 50 hours.

Seiko 5 Sports Stainless Steel Green Dial 'Turtle' SRPB13K1 - Clean Dial Without Clutter, A Review (plus Video)

I saw this interesting deal from Amazon the other day. For just USD144.99 or RM614.22, I could get my hands on the Seiko 5 SRPB13K1. Adding the courier and taxes changer totalling USD39.84 or RM168.77, the SRPB13K1 would be on my desk within 5 days.

In Kuala Lumpur, the MSRP is RM1,166.00 (including GST). The best price I've seen is RM935.00 although I suspect I would be able to get one for RM816.20 (30% discount). Compared to Amazon all in price of RM782.99, I've decided to get one.

The watch is part of the reissue or reinterpretation programme by Seiko on their classic watch models. The 'turtle' frame is a famous series of watches that have a strong following and the SRPB13K1 is specifically made to piggyback on that interest. Other similar reissue or reinterpretation under the 'turtle' series that I currently have are: (1) Open Heart SSA327K1, (2) Green Carbon LE SRPA89K1, (3) Sports Helmet SSA283K1.

Seiko SKX007KD (similar to SKX007K2) Professional Diver 200M with Jubilee Bracelet - Feel and Look more Valuable, A Review (with Video)

After all the years collecting iconic watches, I finally got myself the famous SKX007 with the Jubilee bracelet. Although I have the SKX009 with rubber strap (the strap disintegrated on me recently in November 2017), I always harbour the interest of one on a Jubilee bracelet.  Saw one on Amazon with a good price and I ordered it.

The specifications of the watch is similar to that of the SKX009 apart from a single colour bezel and Jubilee bracelet. If if you want to know details, do visit the review on the SKX009. The link is here:

Seiko SKX009K1 Automatic Professional Diver 200M - A Good Cheap Watch, A Review.

After going through the original review of the watch I bought in 2011 (review was written in 2014), I realised that the review didn't do justice to the watch. As such, I will attempt to provide more information on this iconic timepiece.

Instructions by Seiko on how to Resize the Brand's various Bracelet Designs

Below is the instructions provided by Seiko in their 2017 Catalogue. I realised that a number of their bracelet designs I have yet to encounter. 

====================================

Seiko bracelets are designed to be elegant and durable, as well as easy to adjust.
PRO TIPS
• Before “sizing,” estimate the number of links you’ll want to remove, and remove sections, rather than individual links, when you can.
• If you are only making a small adjustment, check to see if it can be made by adjusting the clasp mechanism before you start removing links.
• Save the removed links.
• Work on a flat surface so the links stay aligned.
• On expansion bracelets, remove links from near the center of the watchband.
• On clasp bracelets, remove an equal number of links from the bracelet on each side of the clasp.

Seiko Spirit Chronograph Giugiaro Design 'Ripley Aliens' Limited Edition SCED041 - Cute and Quirky Timepiece that Speaks Volume, A Review (plus Video)

Designed by the Italian designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Seiko Giugiaro 7A28-7000 is an asymmetric chronograph first seen in the movie Aliens. In fact, this watch was one of the first of the collaboration between the two powerhouses using the 7A28 movement. This caliber is famous as being the first analogue quartz chronograph movement in the world. The year was 1983. It was only in 1986 with the release of the movie 'Aliens' did the watch became insanely famous.

When it was announced in 2016 of the reissue, I was initially interested. However, the urge waned as I was more interested in mechanical watches (On hindsight, I didn't realised that I was turning into a typical 'mechanical watch snob' - everything not mechanical considered trash. Fortunately, I saw the light to the correct path for a horologist). 

The Seiko Giugiaro 'Ripley Aliens' reissues are all limited edition pieces. Due to the indecisiveness, I missed out a lot of the models on sale. I thought I would never get the chance to get one until I saw an offer by SeiyaJapan. The model reference was SCED041 and I quickly made the order. This is the second Giugiaro designed watch in the collection.

Evant Tropic Diver Bronze Finale Limited Edition 100 – The Simplicity of Design, Use of Exotic Material and Rich Colours are Potent Combination that Increases the Perceived Value, A Review (plus Video)

This is the second time this year that I decided to get another watch from Evant Timepieces. This time, the clincher is the material used - marine grade bronze, CuSn8. This bronze alloy is regarded as the industry standard as it can be used in salt water with virtually no signs of corrosion. Moreover, the CuSn8 alloy is the most expensive bronze material due to the high copper content of 92% while the rest is tin. This combination gives the bronze alloy a warm rose gold-like colour. Over time, the watch will start to show signs of patina.

The Evant Tropic Diver Bronze Finale is very much similar to the Evant Tropic Diver Fume Blue (see: http://easternwatch.blogspot.my/2017/08/evant-tropic-diver-fume-blue-limited.html) which I got earlier this year. The only thing differences are the material used for the watch casing, the dial colour and the additional leather straps provided. As such, in this review, I will only cover what is different and the wearing experience. Below is a snapshot of the watch specifications.

Seiko PROSPEX Diver Scuba GIUGIARO DESIGN Limited Edition SBEE001 (Similar to SBEE002) – A Good Conversational Starter, A Review (plus Video)

I have been eyeing a GIUGIARO DESIGN watch from Seiko for a long time. The first that caught my eyes was the timepieces from the Alien movie remake; the Seiko chronographs “RIPLEY” and "BISHOP" models. Both are sold under Seiko’s SPIRIT product line. The next collaboration that was offered came under the form of the 'Motorcycle' series, also under the same product line. In recent years, GIUGIARO DESIGN has started to make models under the ASTRON and PROSPEX product lines as well.

The Seiko PROSPEX GIUGIARO DESIGN Limited Edition Diver SBEE001 is the first by the design house that has come into the collection. I got it via Gnomon Watches (Singapore) for a price of USD349.00 (MYR1,479.87). The listed price in Japan is YEN43,200 (including taxes).

The sister to the SBEE001 is the SBEE002 which has gold-toned steel with gold dial. This particular model retails at YEN48,600 (including taxes). Apart from the colour, both models are similar in design and specifications. I personally prefer the SBEE001 over the SBEE002.

SEIKO Automatic PRESAGE SARX055 Titanium - All the bits and pieces to make it feel special yet at a price point that does not break the bank, A Review (plus Video)

The Seiko Presage SARX055 Titanium is the latest model by Seiko to come out from the Presage line. A dress watch design, the SARX055 has some of the qualities that mirror the more refined Grand Seiko line of watches. I was very intrigued by the white paper-like dial surface which has some semblance to the famous Grand Seiko 'Snowflake'.

I desired to get the watch through SeiyaJapan.com when I saw it being listed (I was lucky as a few days after the listing, the website announced that the stocks had sold out). The listed price was YEN140,400 (including tax) or USD1,248.16 (based on the the exchange rate on 21 November 2017) but the merchant sold it at USD1,058 or MYR4,623.97. Adding the import tax of a further MYR296.50, total cost came out to MYR4,920.47.

The watch is made out of titanium with the super-hard proprietary surface coating by Seiko called DiaShield. It has been said that it has the hardness of 2 to 3 times stronger than stainless steel. This provides the necessary hardness to the titanium surface to protect it from scratches from normal wear. Meanwhile, the dial is protected by sapphire crystal with super-clear coating surface for anti-reflective and anti-smudging qualities. The display case-back is also protected with the same crystal material.