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.

King Seiko Collection SPB287J1 Red Dial (similar to SPB279J1, SPB281J1, SPB283J1 and SPB285J1) - Comfortable and Perfect, A Review (plus Video)

King Seiko is a sub-brand of Seiko that was famous in the 1960s and 1970s. Back than, it competed against its sister brand Grand Seiko. The group felt that some healthy competition between its sub-brands was a good motivator for innovation. Unfortunately, the quartz revolution in the 1970s forced Seiko to shelf the King Seiko and Grand Seiko sub-brands. After a couple of decades have passed, the group re-launched the Grand Seiko in 1998. Surprisingly, King Seiko was not revived as well.   

In 2000, a one-off release of a King Seiko was made. The SCVN001 was part of the Seiko Historical Collection of that year. However, after reviewing marketing data, it was decided not to continue with the King Seiko line but instead focus on developing the Grand Seiko line which was just re-launched in 1998. 

Twenty years later, on 8 December 2020, Seiko announced the second official recreation of the King Seiko line. This time, the SJE083J1 (please refer to this link to read the review) was released which I was lucky enough to get one. This particular model was a limited edition piece and does cost a lot.

In 2022, Seiko finally released a series of standard models under the King Seiko line that are more affordable. This series have five models to choose from and I decided to get the SPB287J1 for the collection.

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 Prospex Land Tortoise SRPG13K1 - The Right Size, A Review (plus Video)

For 2021, Seiko came out with a new sub-range of sport watches using the classic 'turtle' casing for land use. Although having the same overall water resistance to the dedicated diving models, this new set of watches have bi-directional bezel with compass bearing instead. To differentiate, this new sub-range has been give the nickname 'Land Tortoise'. There are current four models available: SRPG13K1, SRPG15K1, SRPG17K1 and SRPG18K1.

As a collector, it would be good to have at least one of the models. I had the opportunity to see all four at once and the most stunning to me is the SRPG13K1. It didn't take me long to decide that the SRPG13K1 will follow me home.

The Series

The new watches look like the Sea Turtle (generally they are known as 'Turtle' but since the new series were given the nickname 'Land Tortoise', I suppose 'Sea Turtle' would be more appropriate), only with different hands, dial and bezel designs. It also has been downsized from 45 mm to 42.3 mm which would be more wearable to a bigger group of fans. When my dealer informed me that he has the set in his shop and showed me some pictures, I was intrigued by one of the photos that showed the case-back. It was reminiscent of the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster SBDC011 and the Seiko Prospex Automatic Field Watch Green SRPD33K1 which have similar case-back graphics. 

The State of the Collection 2022 - Year of Gain and Loss

The year 2022 is bittersweet for me. This is the year that I lost 2 of my watches (due to theft). Nevertheless, I did add 12 watches into the collection.

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).

 

Seiko Prospex The 1959 Alpinist Re-creation SJE085J1 Limited Edition - Something Fundamental is Missing, A Review (plus Video)

The first Seiko Alpinist I bought was the SARB017 back in 2013 when I had the opportunity to visit Tokyo, Japan. The link to the review can be found here. Although the Alpinist line is synonymous with the forest green dial and internal map bezel, the genesis of the line - The 1959 Seiko Laurel Alpinist - is dissimilar. 
 
In early 2018, Seiko announced the end of the production for the SARB017. As a replacement, in late 2019, Seiko announced a new set of Alpinist with upgraded specifications slated for worldwide delivery starting January 2020. I then took delivery of the SPB117J1 (click here to read the review). By then, Seiko has been issuing a number of limited edition re-creations of their iconic models and I suspect the original Alpinist will be up for a relaunch in the very near future. I just need to wait patiently.

After 62 years, Seiko finally decided to re-introduced the original via The 1959 Alpinist Re-creation with reference number SJE085J1 but under the Prospex line. Seiko decided against resurrecting the original Laurel line. A pity actually especially after Seiko re-introduced the King Seiko line recently (see the review here).  

I was made to understand that my dealer only ordered one. Earlier, I have already instructed my dealer to immediately put in an order when the watch is available for sale. My dealer executed the order perfectly and he was able to immediately confirmed my booking. I waiting for four months before it finally came.

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.

King Seiko Travelling Pouch - Not Sold but Gifted

I recently bought the limited edition King Seiko KSK SJE083J1 and I was gifted a signed travelling pouch. Nothing spectacular about the material used (faux leather). Nevertheless, this item is not available for sale and hence having it is kind of unique. If you want to know more about the SJE083J1, please click here: https://easternwatch.blogspot.com/2021/04/king-seiko-ksk-sje083j1-limited-edition.html

Seiko Prospex King Turtle Diver SRPE03K1 (similar to SRPE05K1 & SRPE07K1) - An Upgrade, A Review (plus Video)

Currently in my collection there are three Seiko Turtles. The standard Turtle RP773K1 bought in January 2016, the Mini-Turtle SRPC37K1 bought in March 2018 and the re-crafted Captain Willard Turtle SLA033J1 bought in July 2019. All three are under the Seiko Prospex line.

The Seiko Turtle is a classic. When the first Turtle was introduced to the public back in 1970 with the launch of the now iconic Seiko 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), the watch buying public couldn't get enough of it.

The winning combination of technical capability and pricing put that Turtle and its progeny a 'must-have' in any self-respecting collection. Its simplicity, the wrist-hugging design and ruggedness give it an aura seldom seen in the watch world.

In early 2020, Seiko announced another series of Turtles for the market with a few major improvements or upgrades over the previous iterations. For the first time, sapphire crystal and ceramic inserts are now standard on the new models.

I was very surprised by the changes. The Prospex line is the professional tool watch line of Seiko and every material and design features are tailor-made to do a practical job and not for fashion-sake. Hence the continuous usage of Hardlex crystal (slightly less scratch resistance but better shatter proof and definitely cheaper than sapphire) and aluminum inserts for the bezel (not as scratch resistance but easier to manufacture and cheaper than ceramic). By replacing these traditional materials with sapphire and ceramic will undoubtedly affect the production cost and final pricing of the end product.

Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK Sports Style Blue Dial SSK003K1 (similar to SSK001K1 and SSK005K1) - Not a Progeny of the SKX, A Review (plus Video)

When news came out a few months ago about the possibility of Seiko introducing a new movement with a GMT complication for its entry level Seiko 5 Sports line, there was genuine excitement in the air. The concept of a GMT is not unique in the watch world but to have a new automatic GMT movement designed specifically for an affordable range series is unprecedented. Current GMT movements are in a price range generally higher than a typical Seiko 5 Sports. Ability to introduce a GMT complication in a cheaper movement opens a whole lot of possibilities.

Moreover, to make the deal even sweeter, Seiko decided to incorporate its famous SKX diver series (c. 1996 - 2019) design philosophy in the new SSK series. Due to Seiko's new product classification guide, the new SSK does not have some of the key specifications loved by SKX's legion of fans. This break away from the iconic SKX could influence your views regarding the SSK.

Of course I will have to acquire one for the collection. Of the three available, I decided to choose the blue dial version, the SSK003K1. I made my order through my trusted dealer and he delivered.

Seiko Prospex Green Sumo SPB103J1 (similar to SPB101J1) - Continuing the Tradition with Further Improvement Possible, A Review (plus Video)

The third generation of the Seiko Sumo divers were recently released during Baselworld2019. The latest iteration has the two biggest changes in the design specification. First was the introduction of the new 6R35 movement to replace the workhorse 6R15 used in the previous two iterations. Second was the use of sapphire crystal instead of Hardlex crystal also used in the previous two iterations.

Unfortunately, this fact was not lost to fans and the demand for the watch went ballistic. Shops practically sold out even before they got the chance to display on their shelves (the pre-order market was just incredible). I tried to get one but I was not high enough on the order list to get one from even the first, second or third batches to be delivered. Not many watches have such a high level of demand upon launching. This could be an indication how this piece be acknowledged 30 years from now.

Sometimes it is good to have relationship with a few authorised dealers instead of just one or two. In this case, the many relationship I made over the years with a few vendors proved invaluable. One of them came through and got an allocation which was quickly set aside for me. Debra of Style Watch, Mid Valley Megamall, a big thank you!!!

Orient Sports SK Legendary Diver Retro 70's Automatic RA-AA0B03L (similar to RA-AA0B01G and RA-AA0B02R) - Affordable Modern Vintage Inspired Wrist Candy, A Review (plus Video)

Nothing much was expected under the Orient brand for 2019. However, out of the blue, the brand presented a re-crafted model of their famous SK diver of 1970s. The SK design in question is the Super King series (a lot of people mistaken the SK to stand for Sea King). When I saw it, I was intrigue and I immediately got one for the collection. The one I chose was the dark navy blue version, the RA-AA0B03L.

I was made to understand that this will be a limited run series. Production started from June 2019 and is expected to end by March 2020.

It would appear that Orient is adopting Seiko's 're-craft' strategy. Identify older iconic design and re-issue them using the latest technology. This strategy is dicey and requires careful planning. Milking the historical interest of yesteryear's design can only go so far. You can already see the danger in this strategy the way Seiko has been treating its iconic 'turtle' and 'tuna' divers. They have totally flooded the market with numerous iterations and fans are getting uncomfortable with the current development. Orient should stick to the strategy adopted under Seiko's 'Recraft' series instead - short and sweet production run with limited iterations.

Orient Automatic King Master Reissue WV0021AA JDM (similar to WV0011AA and WV0031AA) - JDM Classic, A Review (plus Video)

In 2015 Orient created a re-issue of its iconic Three Star King Master watch of the 1960s. There were three models in the series but all have been classified as JDMs. As such, you are only able to source it from Japan. Official information on the series is only via Orient's Japanese website.

I have been eyeing the watch for a number of years now. I happen to find one listed on Amazon via one of its affiliate merchant for a reasonable price. Given the choice, I would have picked the blue dial version but the black with gold trimming does hold its own appeal. After a few key strokes, the WV00021AA was on its way from Japan to Malaysia.

Since it was first launched until the date of this review, there was not much written about this series. The lack of access was one of the contributing factor to the minimum coverage. I do believe reviews have been written in Japanese but since I and a lot of other people don't read the language, information remains sparse.

Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO 1000m Automatic H78585333 - One of the Most Comfortable Deep Divers Around, A Review (plus Video)

In 2015, Hamilton launched the Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO 1000m Automatic H78585333 to be featured in the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Martian on the wrist of the hero, Mark Watney played by Matt Damon. The BeLOWZERO has a futuristic feel to the design which fits in nicely with the movie tie-in. It has the typical black-out military styling with the casing, dial, Arabic numerals, hands, bezel and everything else except the numerals on the date wheel either in black or in various shades of grey. Although paired with a rubber strap straight from the box, the watch does come with a stainless steel bracelet that you can replace by using a strap replacement tool provided as well.

Although I took note of its existence, I did not put in on my priority list then. However, much later I started to see that the specifications of the watch does not correspond to the price demanded. In fact, the watch was underpriced in my opinion. Think about it: dive watch with 1,000 meter water rating; automatic HEV system; sapphire crystal; PVD case surface; a strap and a bracelets as options; Swiss made; ETA 2826 Caliber; and a strap replacement tool - all for just RM6,080.00 MSRP in Malaysia.

Steinhart Ocean One Black 3D Ceramic Bezel Gnomon Exclusive - Candidate for a Beater Watch, A Review (plus Video)

The Ocean One series by Steinhart Watches is basically a homage to the iconic Rolex Submariner. All this while, I have refrained myself from getting them as I had a goal of getting a Submariner one day. However, I realised that goal would remain a dream as the current supply and demand situation for the Rolex Submariner remains unabated from historical highs. As such, I decided to look at homages.

Steinhart Watches has one of the most comprehensive set of models as homage to Rolex sports watches including the Submariner. The Ocean One series is the line that caters predominantly to the Submariner genre. After looking at the offering via Gnomon Watch Company out of Singapore, I decided to get the Ocean One Black 3D Ceramic Bezel Gnomon Exclusive model. It is a typical three-hand automatic analogue watch with a date complication but with a rather unique unidirectional bezel.