SEIKO Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE SBEP001 "Digi Tuna" (similar to SBEP003, SBEP005, SBEP007 & SBEP009) - A Good Start by Seiko to Make a New Niche for Itself, A Review (plus Video)

Seiko is synonymous with the tuna-styled dive watches. It has become a genre on itself and a lot of people (especially professional divers) can vouch for their reliability and effectiveness to handle the extreme of situations. There have never been a fully digital Tuna before but this year, Seiko decided to spring five models under the new SBEP nomenclature.

Made in collaboration with the Japanese design consultants LOWERCASE, Seiko is able to bring something fresh and exciting to an otherwise  bland tuna styling that have not gone through much changes for decades. Lead by Mr. Yuki Kajiwara, creative director of LOWERCASE, the SBEP series amalgamate two important considerations by professional users - damage proof construction (the Tuna casing) and clear visual (digital display). This is not a breakthrough in concept though. There are other brands that already fulfilled this market space, for example Casio Protrek Frogman, but for Seikonstas, this is the first for Seiko.

The SBEP001 is also classified as a Fieldmaster. This nomenclature signifies the watch has been geared specifically for land explorers and adventurers. The ability to withstand 200 meters of water pressure also points to its flexibility to be used for recreational diving as well.

Since this is the first of the SBEP series, I decided to get the SBEP001 to grace the collection.

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)

Seiko Prospex Automatic Diver 200m ‘Baby Tuna’ 4R36 Blue Special Edition Ref SRP653K1- A Worthy Model to Celebrate 50 Years of Seiko Dive Watches, A Review

I just got my hands on the latest Seiko ‘Baby Tuna’ reference SRP653K1. Part of the Prospex (Professional Specification) series, this watch was designed and made to a higher standard than the normal Seiko manufacturing process which, in itself, is already of high quality.

By now, you would have known that I love dive watches. Seiko is one watch brand that amazes me with its design and innovation in dive watches. Since its first dive watch released to the world in 1965 - the famous 6217 diver automatic 150m watch - Seiko was able to build on this momentum, year after year. In my collection of Seiko watches, I have 10 with depth rating of 200m or more. Although some of them are not strictly designed as divers, the ability to withstand such depths is testament to the design specification that Seiko insist they have. Looking at my own collection, I have the entry level Pepsi SKX009 and Monster SKX779 as well as the professional dive watches such as the Sumo SBDC003 and VaTT SUN019P1; right up to the high-end Emperor Tuna SBDX011 and Marinemaster SBDX001. This latest acquisition would nicely complement this group.

Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT Reference SUN019P1 - The 'Vader-Tuna-Turtle' or "VaTT" for short is a runaway winner with a lot of possibilties, A Review

With the globalization on the Prospex series by Seiko earlier this year, a number of new releases were made. One of the most anticipated is the release of the diver model, the Kinetic GMT.

This model (the one I got is also referred to as the SUN019P1) was launched on March 27, 2014. It uses the same double case system as the renowned 1975 model. It is also available with a silicon strap and more colorful hands and markers (SUN021P1) or all black piece with a silicon strap and colorful hands and markers (SUN023P1).

This time, instead of getting it from the internet, I've decided to visit an Authorized Dealer of Seiko that I know. Within a short space of time, I got the watch, sized the bracelet and packed to bring back home.

As this model is under Seiko's professional watch series, the box that came with the watch is not the standard that one gets. I actually expected to get a box that is typical of the Prospex series i.e. in yellow. Instead, I got a big white box with the "SEIKO" brand printed in silver that is more towards the Ananta class.

Seiko Gundam 40th Anniversary Limited Editions Prospex 1000m Marinemaster Professional Zaku II SLA029J1/SBDX027 (similar to SLA031J1/SBDX029) - Gundam Tuna, A Review (plus Video)

I have to be honest, I am not an anime fan. Although The Mobile Suit Gundam television series was launched when I was a kid (I was a nine year old then), it wasn't a series that local television companies in Malaysia (RTM and TV3) broadcast. As such, it was more than a decade later that the series was broadcasted in Malaysia hence the fan base is more junior in age compared to me. When it was announced that Seiko will be doing a collaboration with Gundam for its 40th Anniversary celebration, I wasn't that impressed.

As you know, I do have the SBDX011. When I compared the original Emperor Tuna against the collaborative Gundam Tuna, I started to get interested. There are a number of tweaks in the new Gundam Tuna that I recommended Seiko to consider changing when I first reviewed the SBDX011 years ago. Anyway, I am a sucker for unique stuff from Seiko and after considering the merit of getting it for the collection, I pulled the trigger.

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 Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE Special Edition Reference SBDJ029 (similar to SBDJ027 & SBDJ028) - The Perfect Tuna for the Masses, A Review (plus Video)

Seiko’s Prospex watches is subdivided into Sea, Land, Sky and Run. Although most would be familiar with the dive watches from the Sea collection, the Land collection is also interesting. In my collection is the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster SBDC011 (click here for more). It has been given the nickname "Field Tuna" by Seiko fans. It is an automatic watch that features a compass bezel and a shroud similar to that on Seiko's Tuna divers.

Since the introduction of the SBDC011 under the Fieldmaster sub-line in 2010, nothing else of substance was launched by Seiko to carry on the namesake. In 2017, Seiko surprised us with new Prospex Fieldmaster LOWERCASE watches which is similar to past models yet different at the same time.

Made in collaboration with the Japanese design consultants LOWERCASE, Seiko is able to bring something fresh and exciting to its design styling. Lead by Mr. Yuki Kajiwara, creative director of LOWERCASE, the Fieldmaster has been given a radical change in the design department.

Seiko Prospex 200m Diver SRP637 (or SRP637K or SRP637K1) Shrouded Black Monster (a.k.a. Monster Tuna) - A modern transformation of the original Monster to something bigger and stylish, A Review

I just love the metallic shrouds on high end Seiko dive watches. I have collected three shrouded diver examples from Seiko over the years; the SBDX011 ‘Emperor Tuna’, the SRP653 ‘Baby Tuna’ and the SUN019P1 'Vader-Tuna-Turtle' (although I got another shrouded watch from Seiko, the SBDC011 Fieldmaster is not a diver hence the reason I excluded it from the list). A few years ago, Seiko incorporated the shrouded concept to the Monster series with the launch of the SRP233, SRP234 and SRP236. However, what put me off from looking into that series further was the fact that the shroud was made out of plastic. Nevertheless, the price point and size were just nice to be able to be an affordable and wearable wristwatch to many people.


This year, Seiko answered the request by its legion of fans to come out with a new series of shrouded Monsters by introducing the SRP637, SRP639 and SRP641 series. This time around the shroud is made out of metal! What makes it even more special is that it has been upgraded to be under the Prospex series of professional tool watches.

I immediately made the necessary inquiries to get the best price possible from some of my trusted suppliers. However, the demand was so great that the initial consignment for Malaysia was sold out in a matter of weeks. As it was also the same time since the introduction of GST into the country, I was not willing to get a unit from my overseas suppliers as I was not comfortable yet with the new custom rules and procedures for imports. So, I waited for the supply to catch up with demand.

After a few months I finally got my hands on the Seiko SRP637. The watch is sizable. It comes with a diameter of 47.5 mm (excluding crown) and a lug-to-lug distance of 50 mm. Coupled with a thickness of 14 mm, the watch makes it presence obvious on one’s wrist.

Seiko Marine Master Professional 1000m Automatic Diver SBDX011 - The Best Of Japan, A Review

Seiko has a number of notable offerings, Their professional watch series is one of the, if not the best, in the world. Under the Prospex sub-brand, these are purpose built tool watches.

In the last few days of 2013, I finally achieved one of my grails, the Seiko Marine Master Professional 1000m Automatic Diver SBDX011. Commonly known as the Tuna or Emperor Tuna or Darth Tuna or Hockey Puck, this is the flagship of the entire Seiko automatic divers' line.

Unfortunately, this watch is only available in Japan. But not to worry, my good supplier, Mr Katsu-san of www.higuchi-inc.com is ever ready to deliver. After just a few days, the familiar looking EMS box from Japan Post was on my desk.

Not a lot has been written about the SBDX011 even though it was released way back in April 2009. The reason is that it was destined only for the Japanese domestic market. Although Japanese horologists would provide the necessary write-up on this model, language barrier as well as the unavailability of the watch to be reviewed in depth outside Japan exacerbates the poor coverage on this model.

The Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017J1 or SBDX019 (homage to the 1965 Seiko 62MAS Ref. 6217-8000/1 Diver) – A Legend and an Excellent Get-And-Go Watch for any Occasions, A Review (plus Video)

I must say the Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017J1 has been one of the most, if not the most exciting release from Seiko in my opinion. As an ardent Seiko fan, the 1965 Seiko 62MAS (autoMAtic Selfdater) Ref. 6217-8000/1 Diver was the definitive Japanese dive watch to which all dive watches from Seiko (or even from other brands) owes their genesis to. To date, the Seiko 62MAS is a collector’s timepiece that has the least likelihood of being traded away once it is in a collection. As such, this vintage is very rare in the wild for collectors to hunt down. Those available are generally not in mint condition and have a lifetime of abuse heaped on them. Despite needing a lot of restoration work (a major headache not many collectors are willing to stomach), the prices of the ‘relics’ are still pretty high.

Do note that quite a number of “Seiko 62MAS” out on sale with ‘reasonable’ prices are not originals but Frankenstein models with newer movements, dials, bezels, crystals, hands, and even crowns.

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Automatic Chronograph Limited Edition SRQ035J1 (or SBEC007 and similar to SRQ037J1 or SBEC009) - The Leather Strap Combo is Best, A Review (plus Video)

On 29 September 2021, Seiko issued a press release introducing the Speedtimer Series consisting of six models. A limited edition automatic, a standard automatic and four solar quartz timepieces. I was most interested in the limited edition automatic as it has my favorite dial colour, white.

As usual, my trusty vendor at the Seiko Boutique in Mid Valley messaged me that a few units have been made available at the shop. After making the necessary booking, it took me another week before I can picked it up from the store. As I imagined, the watch was impressive in the flesh. It has the heft and looks imposing without much effort.

The SRQ035J1 is a limited edition timepiece. Only 1,000 units will be produced. Although it come standard with a bracelet, the watch box also included an additional leather strap. 

The Speedtimer series was created in honour of the innovations Seiko did back in 1969 when the first Speedtimer was released. Strictly speaking, it is not a homage to a vintage design as the genesis of this new edition was in fact a stopwatch. 

Seiko Perspex Marinemaster 1000m Hi-Beat SBEX001G Titanium Limited Edition (or SBEX001) - A true showcase of Seiko’s 50th year in the dive watch field, A Review

When Seiko introduced the Seiko Perspex Marinemaster 1000m Hi-Beat SBEX001G Titanium Limited Edition piece in March 2015 during Baselworld2015, I was mesmerized. A lot of innovative features were incorporated into this watch. Although its dimensions appear very formidable, I immediately got the 'have-to-have-it' feeling.


Key specifications of the watch are as follows: The watch face has a diameter measuring 48.2 mm (excluding crown). The watch case has a thickness of 19.7 mm. Made out from a single piece of titanium block, access to the internals only via the front of the watch. The machinery is the top-of-the-line Hi-Beat movement from Seiko. Water rating at 1,000 meters without the need of a helium escape valve mechanism. More details about all these later.

Since its introduction back in March 2015, I have been patiently waiting for Seiko to commence delivery. The watch is finally available for purchase. Unfortunately, there is a catch to this watch. For all its infinite wisdom, Seiko decided to make it a limited edition piece with a production run of just 700 specimens. This means the price would be a premium and very scarce to find.

OMG Moment: Seiko Prospex Emperor Tuna SBDX011 Catastrophic Rubber Strap Disintegration Incident – Strap Replacement / Alternatives

On Sunday, I took out my Seiko Prospex Emperor Tuna SBDX011 (http://easternwatch.blogspot.com/2013/12/seiko-marine-master-professional-1000m.html) from storage to wear it. I wanted to take it out for a hike at a park in Putrajaya. I got this watch directly from Japan in December of 2013.


As usual, I would take some customary wrist shots as a memento of the occasion. Suddenly, I felt the watch going limp on my wrist. It was a good thing that my other hand was free and I quickly, without thinking, caught the watch. It dawned on me that the strap has failed and the watch was just about to take a one meter fall straight down to my car park’s concrete floor. A definite #OMG moment for me and I broke into a cold sweat.

Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster SBDC011 - An Attention Grabber and Gives you Confidence to Seize the Day, A Review

Seiko Prospex is one of the many themes in my collection.With the Marinemaster and Landmaster already part of the collection, my focus was concentrated to acquire the Fieldmaster. In this case it is the Seiko SBDC011.

The Fieldmaster SBDC011 is one beautiful watch in my opinion. Designed with the Seiko Tuna Can body as inspiration, this watch has all the right balance.

After making the order via my favorite Japanese dealer, Mr Katsu-san of Higuchi-Inc.com, it arrived promptly.

After taking the watch box from the airfreight container, you would immediately notice that the box is different from the typical yellow colour display box common under the Perspex series of watches from Seiko. Instead of a square box, it is rectangle.

Comparison between various Seiko Prospex divers - Thickness, wearing comfort, etc.

I have decided to see which one of my Seiko Prospex automatic divers would win the best wearable watch for a typical gentleman, subject to certain constraints. The rules are: Each watch will be compared against a stated requirement and a score will be given. No watch shall share the same score in each section. The watch that collates the highest score wins.

The reference factors that a typical gentleman possesses are as follows:

1. A good proportion of the time of a day is spent in the office, in a formal environment;
2. The only common sporting activity would be some time on a treadmill or jogging;
3. The common social event will be meeting up with friends in restaurants, parties, movie theaters and clubs; and
4. Typical wrist circumference of 7 inches.  

The sections that we will compare the watches will be: (1) weight, (2) bulkiness, (3) comfortableness, and (4) wrist presence.

The watches competing for this title are:

Head-To-Head: Seiko Perspex Marinemaster 1000m Hi-Beat SBEX001 versus Seiko Perspex Marinemaster Professional 1000m Automatic Diver SBDX011

Technology in mechanical watches interest me immensely. One area that I follow closely is on dive watches, specifically extreme dive watches. Seiko has a number of watches that represent the best in technology. I am blessed to be able to own two of them, the 1000 meter SBEX001 (on the left of the photo below) as well as the iconic SBDX011 Emperor Tuna (on the right of the photo below).

Putting on the Replacement Strap for my Seiko Prospex Emperor Tuna SBDX011

Since my unfortunate rubber strap malfunction on my Seiko Prospex Emperor Tuna SBDX011 last year (see: http://easternwatch.blogspot.my/2016/09/omg-moment-seiko-prospex-emperor-tuna.html), I finally got the opportunity to put on the replacement strap that I ordered from Seiko. This particular strap (Reference R01X011M9) is usually paired with the latest iteration of the Emperor Tuna, the SBDX013. Instead of rubber, it is made out of silicone. Read my previous posting on this strap: http://easternwatch.blogspot.my/2017/04/replacement-strap-for-my-seiko-prospex.html.




Replacing the strap to the watch was easy due to the pass-through lug holes.

Seiko 5 Sports "Bottlecap" SRPC61 (similar to SRPC63, SRPC65 & SRPC67) - A Refreshing Design, A Review (plus Videos)

I can't remember whether I have said this thing before but I am annoyed with Seiko's public relation strategy on the Seiko 5 range, specifically the lack of a define promotional plan for all the new offerings. Followers are forced to actively look at watch forums or third party blog postings to get a whiff of new stuff coming out of Seiko's factories.

This is one instance that I was caught off-guard. I caught a glimpse of the watch in a shop display stand and I was immediately smitten by it. I didn't even know Seiko has such a model ready for shipment and yet it is already delivered to its dealers (in Malaysia definitely, can't say for sure other parts of the world though).

Anyway, Seiko, if you are reading this, please come out with a formal process of announcing to your legion of fans new offerings with all the necessary information package like stock photos, specification sheets and product description at the very least. If you can do it for your Prospex and Presage, you can do it for your Seiko 5.

Seiko Prospex Titanium 200M Air Diver SBDC029 “Shogun” – A Balanced Design, A Review (plus video)

As you all know I am an active collector of the Prospex series of watch by Seiko. Tool watches built not for style but for professional tradesman to be used and abused. The genre within this series that I am follow closely is the mechanical diving watches (I do have some Spring Drive powered watches but I tend to lump these as being mechanical as well. I guess sooner or later I will have to look at solar powered as Seiko seems to be making a push towards building this technology into more of their newer offerings).

Strictly looking at Prospex watches in my collection with movements of 6R and above, I have the 300m Marinemaster SBDX001, the Spring Drive GMT SBDB011, the Transocean Chronograph SBEC001, the Transocean SBDC039, the 1000m Titanium Hi-Beat SBEX001, the 1000m Emperor Tuna SBDX011 and the Scuba Sumo SBDC003. The Shogun is a gap that has been missing in the collection for some time now.

Seiko Prospex Automatic Field Watch Green SRPD33K1 (similar to SRPD31K1 & SRPD35K1) - A Refreshing Adventure Watch, A Review (plus Video)

The first time I visited Tokyo years ago, I bought myself the Seiko SARB017 Alpinist, a very refined gentleman’s classic sports watch. Over the years, Seiko has come out with modern interpretations of the Alpinist with contemporary hands and markers. Everything else, such as the location of the crowns (the primary time adjustment and winding crown and the internal bezel controller crown) remains the same at 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock, respectively. Last year, Seiko stopped the production of the SARB017 Alpinist.

I also got in the collection the Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster SBDC011, another sports watch with a Tuna casing and compass complication. For this model, the bezel is external but it has some interesting graphics on its case-back. This has some bearing to the watch I will be reviewing in this posting.

For Baselworld 2019, Seiko launched a new series of land-base sports watches under the Prospex line. The SRPD31K1, SRPD33K1 and SRPD35K1 series is a refreshed evolution of the Alpinist. Although Seiko does not accord the Alpinist nickname to this new series, the resemblance is obvious. Moreover, there are some elements of the Fieldmaster incorporated as well. Out of the three models, I chose the SRPD33K1for the collection. More about the rest of the models at the end of the review.

The series is definitely targeted to the global mass market. It does not have a "J" suffix which would indicate the manufacturing was done in Japan. Instead, this series is manufactured in the many Seiko manufacturing facilities all over the world, apart from Japan. Hence the suffix "K".