Today we are going to examine and review a new acquisition of mine , the Seiko 5 SRPB27 automatic Semi super compressor watch from powerhouse japanese watchmaker Seiko. The seiko 5 line is a traditionally cheaper line of watches compared to the other Seiko lines such as the Prospex, Presage, and Professional series but the Seiko 5 line does offer a lot for your money. This is actually my second watch from the Seiko 5 line in my collection of affordable Seiko watches and it has been quite a delight test driving this one for the past couple of weeks prior to publishing this article. Let's get into it! Case The SRPB27 is housed in a 316L stainless steel case and has a diameter of 42MM and a width of 11MM. Some enthusiasts might see the 42MM case size and immediately say "too big" , but it sits rather nice on my 6.25 Inch wrist to be quite frank. The thickness at 11MM is just perfect for a slim diver of this style and I think it is okay in terms of thickness. This 42MM case has highly polished sides and brushed lug tops with a highly polished smooth bezel. One thing I did notice is the quality of finish when comparing this watch to something such as the seiko SARB033. The finishing is not as clean and definitely shows in the overall finish of the case. Please do keep in mind that I picked this watch up for $150 USD so I cannot really complain about small details like that. The lugs are rather blocky and I would of liked to see them taper a bit more which would of made the watch conform to the wrist a bit better like the Longines Vintage Compressors. The caseback is fully polished and screwed down as well with a mineral crystal displaying the automatic 4r36 caliber seiko in-house movement. This watch features two crowns which function with ease. The first crown over at 2:00 is used to function the bidirectional inner rotating bezel used to time 60 minutes or countdown 60 minutes which does work wonders. If you are wondering if it can be easily moved by a bump or a swift door knock the answer is no..you really have to rotate the crown with your hand to even move it. The other crown located at 3:00 which is a Pull/Push crown ( typical on seiko 5 models ) is used to set the day/date complication as well as the timeset. I would of liked to see 200M of water resistance instead of 100M of water resistance considering this is designed as a diving watch, but oh well. I mainly chose this watch due to the design and the aesthetic of the piece. I REALLY like super compressor watches but just did not feel like buying a vintage compressor which will have problems down the road. I also was considering a Longines Compressor diver but the lug to lug on that piece is way too big for my wrist. Movement Another big selling point was the actual movement inside of this watch. The 4R36 or the "NH35" movement is a reliable and trusted movement used across the board in modern watchmaking from micro brands all the way up to the Seiko Prospex lines in watches such as the Seiko Turtle SRP777 or even the Presage line in watches such as the SARY055 which cost upwards of $300 USD, so you see the value proposition here. This movement contains 24 Jewels , hacking , hand-wind, and a very consistent accuracy of 5-10 seconds gained or lost a day from my experiences with a few Seiko watches with the 4R36 caliber movement. Another good thing is that its completely produced by SEIKO and if it needs to be serviced 10 years down the road pretty much any watchmaker can do it. The power reserve is around 40 hours and is pretty consistent which is a big thing for me. For example, my seiko SKX009 power reserve is god awful. I will wear that watch all day and put it down to go to bed and by morning ( 8 hours later ) , the thing is dead. In conclusion, a big win for seiko for incorporating this movement in a $150 watch, it is well worth it just for the movement in my honest opinion. Dial The dial configuration I chose to go with was the black dial with the grayish accent on the inner rotating bezel. There are a few other alternatives as I believe they offer a "Pepsi" style bezel as well. Anywho the dial is covered with a mineral crystal and does have some depth to it as the rotating bezel sits above the actual dial. The dial has lumed markers ( lume shot below in pictures ) and markings for the 60 minutes of time. It is a pretty "boring" dial and very tooly looking in appearance, but sometimes simple is better. Also we do get a nice Seiko 5 applied logo which sits below the 12:00 position and is raised a bit. Hands The hands on this model are quite standard and go along with the watch aesthetic in my opinion. They do reach out to the beginning of the rotating inner bezel which is nice to see. There is also a generous amount of lume on the hour and minutes hand which glows in the dark to an extent. They are shaped like an odd rectangle and are circular towards the end of the hands. The seconds sweeping hand is rather thin and I would of liked for it to be a bit thicker as it is rather hard to see in low light conditions. Bracelet This watch is equipped with a pretty standard seiko oyster style bracelet using the pin system to adjust links. I did not have an issue adjusting the links on the bracelet and removed 4 links in total to get a decent fit to my 6.25 inch wrist. This model does not have a divers extension on the bracelet but does feature 4 micro adjustments which are useful. The bracelet is completely brushed and polished on the sides. I did notice it is not as rounded off on the sides when compared to a bracelet provided on something from the Seiko Prospex line. The bracelet comes with a rather cheap fold over stamped polished clasp with a two button release system and a fold over Seiko buckle. The bracelet DOES fit comfortably though and I really do not have a problem with it. There are always alternatives such as a nice rubber strap or a NATO strap from your favorite supplier. Caseback The caseback on the SRPB27 is screwed down and completely polished with a "SEIKO" logo printed on the mineral crystal along with some other standard information. We do get a nice glimpse of the 4R36 movement at work which is nice to see, especially for new watch enthusiasts wanting to really see how a watch works from the inside. Conclusion Furthermore, for the price I honestly don't think you can go wrong with a super compressor styled Seiko 5 watch. In todays watch industry it is very hard to find an affordable super compressor style watch as most brands that produce new vintage re creation watches are very expensive such as the JLC Compressors or the Longines Compressors. The watch gives you more than what you pay for with a great 4R36 reliable and robust automatic in-house Seiko movement and 100M of true water resistance. I am not a professional diver but I do feel safe taking this swimming with me in a pool, beach,lake or elsewhere. I do not honestly think I will ever be going 200M deep in the ocean, so no need to worry about that. If you are looking for a super compressor style watch that does not break the bank and is under $200 USD I can recommend this watch to my readers/viewers. I have also left a link below where you can grab one. Thanks for reading please remember to leave a comment and check out the detailed pictures/specifications below. Official Specifications Seiko 5 Sports Automatic 24 Jewels SRPB27 SRPB27K1 SRPB27K Men's Watch Features: 316L Stainless Steel Case Stainless Steel Bracelet Automatic Movement Caliber: 4R36 24 Jewels Hardlex Crystal Black Dial Analog Display Luminous Hands And Indexes Day And Date Display See Through Case Back with Hardlex Deployment Clasp with signed safety 100M Water Resistance Lug Width: 22MM Approximate Case Diameter: 42mm Approximate Case Thickness: 11mm Where to buy ( Link Below for Lowest Price on AMAZON ) http://amzn.to/2CdlRzm 
8 Comments
 Today we are going to discuss a rather new addition to my collection of affordable dress/casual watches. The watch I chose to buy this week is fairly cheap and definitely super affordable to the masses. The Orient Classic Date automatic is certainly overlooked by watch enthusiasts I feel as most gravitate towards the traditional Orient Bambino series of watches produced by the Japanese watch manufacturer Orient. In my opinion I do feel this watch offers a bit more versatility in terms of wear as it appears to be a dress watch obviously but there is a certain field aesthetic to this watch I have noticed which is definitely useful in more casual dress settings and daily wear. The watch is under $200 and comes with a in house automatic movement....are there any downfalls? Case The Orient Classic comes standard in a 316L stainless steel 40MM by 12MM case with rather small stubby lugs which point downward towards the end which really does help it wear a bit smaller than its true dimension. The Polished smooth bezel definitely adds a touch of spark to a rather standard design and is definitely needed. In terms of lug width we do get that odd 19MM lug width which everyone truly despises in a way as most strap companies generally sell straps in 18MM, 20MM, 22MM and so on. I did find that a 18MM strap does fit almost perfect though which you will see pictured at the end of this article. The sides of the case are finely brushed and I must admit Orient did an excellent job with the finishing as it resembles a quality of finish seen in much more expensive watches. The caseback is screwed down and completely polished with an exhibition window which I am on the fence about as the movement is really nothing special to show off... Movement The Classic is equipped with an in-house manufactured F6222 automatic movement. This is truly a miracle to receive a watch with an in-house manufacture movement at this price but is not rare as Seiko does the same for all of their models. Inside this movement you will find 24 jewels and a slightly decorated rotor with the Orient logo inscribed which is visible through the exhibition caseback. A big plus is that we do get hand winding and hacking seconds which is a huge plus in my book! I do love to set my time precisely. The small sub seconds dial is located above the 6 o’clock position and slightly reminds me of the Patek Philippe Calatrava in a way which is nice to see. Included is a quickset date function for the date window over at 3 o’clock which clicks nicely and is definitely legible. The power reserve is around 40 hours and in terms of accuracy I have been getting olus 5 seconds each day. Dial A beautiful black dial with applied sharp polished indices and numerals definitely takes the cake for me. It almost appears Greyish in certain bright lighting conditions and a deeper black in low light conditions which is nice. We also do get 60 minute markings on the outer portion of the dial for a precise timeset. I think Orient did a superb job with the dial and it really appears to give off a much more luxurious look than the pricepoint suggests. Hands The Dauphine polished silver hands are definitely good in terms of size and length for this Orient dress watch and adds a bit of class to an already classy watch ;) Crystal The domed mineral crystal is a joy to view the time through and also adds a bit of vintage aesthetic to the timepiece and a spark of character. Although, I do prefer sapphire crystal I do understand it is a rather affordable watch at $140 USD and you cannot ask for everything. Caseback The polished steel caseback is screwed down and does have a mineral crystal with an exhibition caseback to get a glimpse of the orient in house manufactured F6222 movement. The Bi Directional winding rotor is also visible with the Orient traditional logo inscribed. Other than the rotor the movement is rather bland and lacks any finishing but once again this is a cheaper watch and you can’t expect the world at this price. It does state some information such as “Water Resistant” , “Epson” , Model #. ( If you are wondering where the stock black leather band that comes on this watch is I did remove it as it is rather uncomfortable out of the box and is not the highest of quality but definitely wearable.. ) Conclusion Furthermore, after wearing and examining this affordable offering from Orient I do not have that many bad things to say about it. One thing I would suggest is purchasing a 19MM band with the watch as you might find the stock strap to not look the part as the watch does. Some things that are amazing is that us the consumer can receive a reliable in house movement with hacking and hand winding below $150, a beautifully domed mineral crystal covering a black dial with applied markers, and a well placed sub seconds dial which gives off a luxurious vibe. The finishing is 9/10 I would say and really does mimic the finishing of higher end entry level luxury watches. In conclusion I think all around this is a great buy for the money and something that can fit into many situations whether paired with a suit or a Polo shirt and Khaki shorts with some boat shoes. I even added a green Nato strap which might seem odd but it works oh so well! Detailed Pictures Below and Specs Model # - RA-AP0005B10B Diameter - 40MM Width - 12MM Lug Width - 19MM Finish - Polish / Brushed Movement - Automatic F6222 Water Resistance - 30M Crystal - Mineral Front and Back Stock Strap - Genuine Leather embossed Black Crown - Pull/Push Functions - Analog Display , Date Display Price - $140 USD Where to buy http://amzn.to/2pb8ryk 12/19/2017 0 Comments Seiko SKX009 Automatic Dive Watch Today I want to talk about a great priced watch from a huge brand known worldwide. The Seiko SKX is a mens diving watch that is ISO rated and can go into depths of up to 200M. This watch comes in a few different color combinations and case sizes but the one being discussed is the Seiko SKX009 or the SEIKO SKX007 ( Black Dial ) This watch has been seen in hollywood in star films such as "All is Lost" starring Robert Redford where he sports the Seiko SKX while being lost at sea caught in a storm. It is also a great movie so I suggest you watch it. In a world where pricey dive watches such as the Rolex Submariner are not so accessible to every watch lover out there this is where the Seiko SKX comes in. My personal favorite is the Pepsi Dial version or the Seiko SKX009. It has this kind of retro look which works oh so well when dressed casual or just going to the beach for a jump in the ocean. It is a robust automatic watch sporting the oh so reliable in house seiko 7S26 movement. Some basic specifications for the Seiko SKX are listed below : Price Point : $200-$220 Diameter : 42.5MM Depth Rating : ISO RATED 200M Case Thickness : 13.25MM Lug Width : 22MM Bezel : Uni Directional Diving Bezel Crown : Screw Down Functions : DAY - DATE - DIVING BEZEL Lume : Lumibrite Crystal : Mineral Crystal Caseback : Screw Down with Tsunami Wave Bracelet : Seiko Jubilee Bracelet with Micro Adjustments on Clasp Link To Purchase on AMAZON : SKX009 amzn.to/2zyWLcx   Today we are going to talk about one of the most popular dive watches in the world. Do I even have to state the name of this watch? Well, for those of you who have not heard of this iconic timepiece it is indeed the Rolex Submariner. The Submariner dates back to 1954 at its debut ( Basel Watch Fair ) as one of the first true water resistant diving watches with a rotating bezel but there is a watch that did release a few months before which is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Some will say Rolex “Copied” or produced a homage of the Blancpain but there is little proof or evidence to the exact dates these watches started planning or production. I will let you be the judge of that. This watch was also made popular in movies such as James Bond and is still seen here and there in movies. For example, Nicolas Cage wore a Submariner Pre-Ceramic date in “Lord of War” in a scene. ( Love that Movie ) Before we get way off topic the Submariner pictured and talked about below is the 114060, the Non-Date version of the most current Ceramic Bezel Submariner. It is my daily wear everyday watch that fits into literally every situation and dress code. Lets Dive into it, Shall we? Case The 114060 is housed in a 904L stainless steel 40MM Oyster case which is really proportioned quite nicely with its thickness of 12.5MM and 48MM Lug to Lug measurement. The case features 300M of true water resistance and has a sterile screw down caseback. Dial The black dial is almost a deep black and a lighter black depending on the lighting condition and is super legibile and certainly a watch that is easy to read at a glance. The applied circular markers surrounded by 18K white gold are beautifully placed creating a true symmetrical dial and one that is also great for consumers who want a clean no nonsense watch face ready to tell time at a glance. Bezel The Ceramic corrosion resistant Unidirectional 120 click rotating bezel is the best all around diving bezel in the watch industry in my humble opinion. Having operated numerous bezels from other luxury watch manufacturers I can surely say the buttery smooth precise clicks are to die for! Let’s not forget you can also time up to 60 Minutes with the dive bezel. Bracelet The 20MM Oyster bracelet comprised of 904L stainless steel is completely brushed besides the inner clasp and sides of the bracelet. Polished screws help insure quick adjustment/resizing as well. This new style bracelet featured on the 114060 does have the Oysterglide adjustment clasp allowing the user to quickly adjust the watch in MM incriments on the fly. It is really quite useful and functional and definitely is one of the most comfortable bracelets I have seen on a modern diver. The clasp contains a safety with the Rolex crown logo which is raised. Lume The bluish color lume on the 114060 is “Chromalight”. This lume is definitely super strong and does last quite some time. I think the last time I actually used the lume in a practical situation is when I was in the movie theatre watching Dunkirk and needed to know the time. Crystal The 114060 is equipped with a Sapphire crystal without Anti-Reflective coating. I would like to see Rolex use AR coating at some point in the future but this might be asking too much... Finish The finishing is 10/10 as you would expect from a Luxury brand such as Rolex. The polished sides of the case are precise and sharp. The brushing is superb as well on top of the lugs and the entire bracelet. You will not find a mistake in the finishing on a modern Rolex timepiece. Water Resistance The water resistance on this Professional diving watch is 300 meters. This is suitable for diving and is thoroughly tested before being shipped out from the Rolex factory located in Switzerland. To ensure water resistance the Submariner is equipped with a Trip-Lock screw down crown and a screwed down caseback. Although many consumers of the Submariner are not professional divers or even take part in recreational diving, it still is useful for water sports or general showering, swimming, snorkeling ect. Movement Entirely Developed and Assembled by Rolex The movement inside of the 114060 is no other than the classic 3130 COSC Chronometer certified automatic movement. This movement is used in a wide array of other non date rolex models and is one to trust. The 3130 contains 31 Jewels and beats at 28,800 VPH ( Vibrations Per Hour ). In terms of accuracy expect around plus 2-3 seconds a day which is superb for a mechanical timepiece in todays times at this pricepoint. The stated power reserve is 48 hours which is definitely accurate having owned and worn this model for over 2 years now. Another nice feature is the Parachrom hairspring which helps with shock resistance and temperature variation. Conclusion The Rolex Submariner is an all around well built, finished, and iconic watch. I do prefer the Ceramic versions over the previous Non-Ceramic versions due to the newer bracelets and the chunkier case though. They do feel a bit more luxurious than its predecessors. It contains a trusted and tried reliable accurate movement which will last you atleast 5+ years before you will need to service it which is great compared to ETA movements which generally need to be lubed and serviced every 2-3 years. Some will see this watch as a “Status Symbol” which is quite odd. I myself see the No Date 114060 as a true purists watch looking for a well made reliable diver with rich history and holds value. The symmetrical dial down to the classic Mercedes hands and the buttery smooth bezel action is also a plus in my book. The 114060 retails at $7500 USD from an Authorized Dealer and usually sells Pre Owned at around $6500+. I will let you be the judge of the value proposition.. Check out the full video review on my YouTube channel of the 114060 linked below as well as some detailed photos. Here are 5 Affordable Alternative to the Rolex Submariner which I have Worn and Reviewed * Buttons Below Are Clickable * |
