Sbbn015 One watch that I need to wear more!
As members may have spotted, I recently posted some questions in the GS New Releases thread, as I've been contemplating purchasing a quartz GS. Many thanks to those who replied and PM’ed me.
Since then I’ve been wandering through many a Seiko reseller’s website. Given my questions, the cost of a new GS and that this would be my first dressy watch, I decided to go down the try before you buy route.
I spotted a classic “Poor man’s Grand Seiko” in the shape of this little beauty, the SUR311P1, which shares a large number of my candidate GS model, the SBGP011.
This is a £160 basic quartz, from Seiko’s Conceptual Mens Watch range. It has a 6N52 movement, 3 year battery life, ±15 seconds per month, with these slim dimensions: thickness:8.4mm, diameter:40.2mm, Lug-to-lug:47.0mm. The unusual thing about a watch at this price, is that it comes with a sapphire crystal. It's been referred to as a quartz SARB033
There’s some lume on the hands and at the markers but the plots are small and so it’s not especially long lasting. The 20 mm bracelet is at best okay, with hollow end links, and the typical jangly, rattly clasp. It uses a new pin and spring system, which is actually very easy to adjust. Annoyingly there are only two adjustment points on the clasp. The watch should dress up nicely with a leather strap.
The date is slow to change over. But, and I am fussy, the seconds hand hits most of the markers, most of the time. It does seem to phase in and out. But at this price point, I can forgive it.
Clearly it’s nowhere near GS levels of refinement or finishing, but I am impressed with what it offers for the price. I’ll be giving it plenty of wrist time to see whether I need a GS. I clearly want one, but do I now need one? ☺
I like that dkpw. I've always regretted not picking up a sarb033 before they were discontinued and prices went crazy.
This model keeps catching my eye - it's got to be one of Seiko's most balanced diver designs - the bezel proportions work really well with the no-nonsense dial. Really like that
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Saw the pic, then saw the price, thought for a moment a 4th digit was missing. Genuinely impressive.
Been wearing this one at work this week. It has received a couple of positive comments from visiting customers.
I used to own an SPB105, which is the green/gilt version of that one.
It wore extremely well for a 44mm watch but ultimately it was still a bit too much of a chunk for me, so I moved it on.
I now have an SPB207 (green mm200 reduced) in my sights. I’m very excited for it!
King Samurai Save the Ocean. Proper beast.
Weekend purchase for the boy. Looks amazing, wears wonderfully.
It has to be one of the best watches pound for pound that you can buy, full stop.
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Last edited by notenoughwrists; 10th October 2022 at 22:37.
That 019 absolutely nails it for me
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The allmighty skx ... light mod with original seconds hand from padi model... me like it
Is there a thread for discussing new Seiko releases? My searches turned up nothing.
I ask because they’ve launched some eye-catching US exclusives: https://www.ablogtowatch.com/seiko-d...y-cave-diving/
Shogun case, titanium, cyclops, and three beautiful dials inspired by cave diving. It’s on the large side for me on paper, and I’ve never tried a Shogun, but those dials look amazing.
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SRP775
White Knight
Best Regards - Peter
I'd hate to be with you when you're on your own.
My first (brand new) Seiko - the SRPH97K1 Prospex Black Series Night Vision King Samurai. Still firmly strapped to my wrist after two weeks
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Last edited by Seal-Dweller; 14th October 2022 at 12:23.
My first automatic watch and my first Seiko!
Potted history of this; I found it in the street when I was about six years old. We took it to the police station and after six weeks (or so) it remained unclaimed it became mine. According to retroseiko.co.uk the serial number and movement dates it to November 1976, so it would have been pretty new when it was originally lost.
I found the watch again during a clear-out of my childhood home having forgotten about it for what must have been at least thirty-five years. The broken remnants of the original bracelet were removed and the watch put onto a fabric strap and given a quick buff-up.
I know that I do need to put it onto a better strap, but I don’t want to have its beaten-up history polished away. Either way, I’m pretty happy with it!
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Last edited by Seal-Dweller; 14th October 2022 at 12:29.
Lost my Prospex "Twilight Blue" on holiday earlier this year. Left it in a hotel room in France when I checked out.
Hotel said they would keep it for me, but it has never been seen again.
So today got round to replacing it with the lovely Prospex "Great Blue Hole"
Blue Monday! Just arrived in the post, from a postie!
Edit - set time but not date. D’oh!
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Last edited by notenoughwrists; 17th October 2022 at 12:03.
Trying to take a bit of weight off the new MM300!!!
Crafter Blue strap seems a decent fit and finish.
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A mixture of 7548’s and 7C43’s.
Cheers
Neil
The Ginza Alpinist.
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^ is that the SPB259J1?
The prices that people are asking for these on Chronos24 etc are just ridiculous. £1,800 for a watch that retailed at £670. I doubt there's that much demand for them at that price.
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Last edited by sish101; 21st October 2022 at 10:43.
It is indeed, I also picked one up last year, it did take a lot of calling around to find one at retail.
I don't think it's worth the asking price at grey, but that's what I think of most trinkets selling over list. If I didn't get mine at retail, I wouldn't have bought it.
Was it worth the retail price is a different question, and I would say yes but only just, the bumps in price generally for Seiko are pushing them out of the value proposition range imo.Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using TZ-UK mobile app
Not even close to the other photos, but I don't regret paying list for it.
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I've been very pleased with the SUR311P and have been wearing it since I posted above two weeks ago. The 6N52 movement is running very well, and has lost just a couple of seconds in that time, so well within the stated +/- 15s per month. As it's coming up to the end of summer time, I may well set it and see how it runs for until we return to BST.
Bit of 70s vintage this week in the shape of this Seiko 6138.
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