New Seiko Solar Divers - what do you think?

20974 Views 42 Replies 20 Participants Last post by jbdan, May 14, 2010

jason_recliner

Discussion Starter · May 13, 2010

5

I just posted this in the WUS DWF and so far reception has been tepid at best.

Just wondering what Seiko enthusiasts think...

These are the first dive watch bullseyes from Seiko in a long time, since, well... Since I have been interested in dive watches (a couple of years). The first great new watches since the Sumo IMO.

Features:

200 m diver
Solar Power
SEL bracelet
Timing bezel in polished relief (similar in style to Yachtmaster)
Date but no day (preferrable on a diver IMO)
39 mm diameter (excluding crown), 47 mm total (sounds wrong to me, need to confirm)
11.4 mm thick
20s / month accuracy
6 month battery life when fully charged
"Class 1" Anti magnetic (whatever that means)
approximately US$275-300

I woud prefer a bigger case (42 mm) but for those with smaller wrists this is not such a problem. I also think Seiko should finally ditch the Monster clasp and fit something which isn't garbage. And if I'm being really picky, a signed crown would be nice.

Seiko still has the SBCM023 for a serious quartz diver, but as a dressy quartz diver I think this is nearly spot on.

SBCB013

SBCB015

SBCB017

The best real world pics I could find are at this link, but I couldn't get them to appear here:

http://www.cody-jean.com/shop/shopde..._idx=1&next=ok

(and before I cop any grief, I have no doubt these are 100% China Made and at US$275 for a solar powered ISO Seiko diver with classic good looks I don't give two hoots!!!

)

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1 - 20 of 43 Posts

nhoj

· #2 · May 13, 2010

Everything but the bezel works for me. Maybe with some time I can warm up to it.

I agree with your comment about the clasp. Those forged clasps are becoming more common now making the stamped ones look like Member's Only jackets.

spring-diver

· #3 · May 13, 2010

They look nice, but ......way to small for my taste. IMO 44mm-46mm w/ 24mm lugs would make me consider buying one

minidriver

· #4 · May 13, 2010

When it comes to solar, Citizen's Eco-Drive movements deliver much better in every aspect.

jason_recliner

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 13, 2010

minidriver said:
When it comes to solar, Citizen's Eco-Drive movements deliver much better in every aspect.

How so?

Longer life?

More torque?

Better resistance to magnetism?

More jewels?

kohym

· #6 · May 13, 2010

jason_recliner said:
How so?

Longer life?

More torque?

Better resistance to magnetism?

More jewels?

correct me if i am wrong. but is it becos Citizen is the forerunner in solar tech with their ecodrive?

jbdan

· #7 · May 13, 2010

Hey I like these I think they look sharp. Someone here has one and after seeing his pic it made me like the look even more! I think we are so use to seeing black bezel dive watches this is kind of refreshing : )

minidriver

· #8 · May 13, 2010

jason_recliner said:
How so?

Longer life?

More torque?

Better resistance to magnetism?

More jewels?

Better power reserve. Citizen has Eco-Drive modules with power reserves from 6-9 months all the way up to 7 years.

Citizen has invested the better part of 30 years to perfecting and developing solar technology. Solar technology for Seiko has been treated as a "side dish" if you will and it still shows. They are still too married to the controversial Kinetic-quartz enchilada.

I have 2 JDM Citizen Attesas that have the Perfex Multi 3000 feature set. Among those, the watches are JS1 complaint for anti-magnetic performance to 4,800 a/m. The movements are capable of hand self checking and re-alignment after shock.

Jury is still out on the longer life claim, but Eco-Drive movements have been marketed since 1995. I do know I couple of people that still have perfectly functioning 15 year old Eco-Drives. Will they make it to 20-30 years? We don't know yet but looks promising.

My Calibre 2100 E210 movement has 11 jewels. Unusual amount of jewels on a quartz movement.

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water70proof

· #9 · May 13, 2010

But how? Is the power reserve of the Citizens longer? Are they more accurate? Citizen has certainly been a pioneer in solar-powered watches, but I'd have to see specs on the Seiko to be able to say they weren't as good as a Citizen. These watches look solid, but there's nothing ground-breaking going on here (which is exactly the combination you need to sell a watch to most buyers).

kohym said:
correct me if i am wrong. but is it becos Citizen is the forerunner in solar tech with their ecodrive?

minidriver

· #10 · May 13, 2010

water70proof said:
But how? Is the power reserve of the Citizens longer? Are they more accurate? Citizen has certainly been a pioneer in solar-powered watches, but I'd have to see specs on the Seiko to be able to say they weren't as good as a Citizen. These watches look solid, but there's nothing ground-breaking going on here (which is exactly the combination you need to sell a watch to most buyers).

Honestly, I have never owned a Solar quartz Seiko. The very few that would interest me, from the JDM Brightz line, are too expensive and pale in comparison to similar and lower priced JDM Citizen Eco-Drives. Seiko has this wacky idea that by adding solar plus radio controlled technology to a watch they can charge upwards USD $1,500 for one. The Citizens offer a more refined technology for less money. Look no further to my JDM Citizen Attesas (ATV53-3022 & ATD53-3011).

jason_recliner

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 13, 2010

No argument from me regarding Attesa. The Attesas are among my favourite non-dress watches (I'm going through a bit of a quartz thing right now). They are pure quality, packed with features, and still nice enough to wear with a suit.

But it's a little unfair to compare those badboys with a US$300 (street price?) diver.

I'm not sure why these diversonly have a 6 month power reserve when Ciizen are getting 7 years. I don't believe it is becasue Seiko doesn't have access to top shelf tech. Perhaps this is a high torque movement?

Iwonder if JS1 anti-magnetic is the same as the 'class 1' resistance quoted for these. Seems likely.

Still early stages for this range. I don't know much abotu them, especially the movement, but I am very keen to learn more about these.

It's funny. Most people are expressing a dislike for the bling bezel. This is one of my favourite features, I stilllike my serious divers but this would be great to mix things up. I bet the solar dial and bling-tastic bezel will light up when they catch the blazing Aussie sun.

minidriver said:
Better power reserve. Citizen has Eco-Drive modules with power reserves from 6-9 months all the way up to 7 years.

Citizen has invested the better part of 30 years to perfecting and developing solar technology. Solar technology for Seiko has been treated as a "side dish" if you will and it still shows. They are still too married to the controversial Kinetic-quartz enchilada.

I have 2 JDM Citizen Attesas that have the Perfex Multi 3000 feature set. Among those, the watches are JS1 complaint for anti-magnetic performance to 4,800 a/m. The movements are capable of hand self checking and re-alignment after shock.

Jury is still out on the longer life claim, but Eco-Drive movements have been marketed since 1995. I do know I couple of people that still have perfectly functioning 15 year old Eco-Drives. Will they make it to 20-30 years? We don't know yet but looks promising.

My Calibre 2100 E210 movement has 11 jewels. Unusual amount of jewels on a quartz movement.

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minidriver

· #12 · May 13, 2010

Jason.let me put it to you this way. I'll take a Seiko solar watch over a comparable quartz Kinetic anyday of the week. So if Seiko is quietly abandoning Kinetic technology, more power to them! They have lost quite a bit of ground to Citizen (Here in the US Citizen killed Seiko in the $100-$500 market segment thanks to Eco-Drive) and if the could not rock their world with Kinetic technology, better join them at their game with Solar-quartz movements.

Seiko has some nice Solar-Radio Controlled watches in their JDM Brightz line, but I refuse to pay their inflated sticker prices. Again, the JDM Attesas come out ahead and beat the Solar Brightz watches in every respect, including price.

But a JDM Seiko solar for $300 is a very promising start.

jason_recliner

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 13, 2010

BTW sorry to everybody - I did not realise there are already TWO existing threads about these.

D'OH!

(I just really like them - a definite future maybe!)

minidriver

· #14 · May 13, 2010

jason_recliner said:
BTW sorry to everybody - I did not realise there are already TWO existing threads about these.

D'OH!

(I just really like them - a definite future maybe!)

What other quartz is tickling your fancy now? Is it me, or quartz is enjoying more recognition than it did just a year ago?

jason_recliner

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 13, 2010

minidriver said:
What other quartz is tickling your fancy now? Is it me, or quartz is enjoying more recognition than it did just a year ago?

I actually posted a thread asking that same question recently at WUS.

I think quartz is becoming more popluar amongst enthusiasts for a few reasons:

1. Price: feature for feature, quartz is obviously a small fraction of mechanical $.

2. Education: Typically more old school WIS (I don't like the term WIS, I consider myslef a Watch Enthusiast, and I am using it here on purpose) disparage quartz movements as $2 Chinese junk. With information increasingly avalable, it has become clear that better quartz movements cost more than $2. Conversely, people are realising that basic ETA and Seiko and Miyota and especially Sea-Gull movements are not actually that expensive.

3. 'Soul': This is closely coupled to education and price. It's obvious that your 7s26 or 2824, one of 1,000,000 made last year, was not pieced together artfully by a wisened old watchmaker at the peak of his craft. This removes a little of the 'soul' many enthusiasts talk about. Not all, mind, as it is still a more retro and historic way of measuring time.

4. Style: Many quartz watches just look cool. The explosion in the popularity of G-Shock has something to do with this. Also the myriad fashion brands that non-enthusiasts often prefer to the generally more conservative styles of the manufacturers. May people want digital now too. Even Tag is getting in on the game, with the Micro Timer (my favourite Tag aside from the 18k 360). And then there is the Daddy, the Breitling Emergency. Who in there right mind wouldn't want one?

I still love my mechanicals, and I still see the appeal of little springs and gubbins whirring around on my wrist. But analog quartz has gears and gubbins too. And to me qartz actually has more mystique, because I can't see or understand the electronics that make it work. And although I love dress watches, my lifestyle (age, income, hobbies, social life) lends itself more to tough and / or funky watches than small discrete classically styled pieces. So 95% of the time I want a G or a diver on my wrist.

Sorry for the long-winded round-about answer...'

What quartz in my sights?

Citizen Promaster SST (Australian market model with sapphire)
Citizen Eco-Zilla (S/S)
G-Shock Mudman
G-Shock 5600 Carbon Fibre or GW-5000
New Seiko Solar Pimp Diver

If I get a pay rise...

Breitling Emergency
Breitling B1

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sharkfinDave

· #16 · May 13, 2010

I'm sorta liking the blue one. It reminds me of the Orient Revolver. And people didn't dig that bezel either. ???
Its a mix bag here on this one. Time will tell if this will become popular with the kids here.

Dave.

uspopo

· #17 · May 13, 2010

Obviously this wouldn't be a serious dive watch as the yachtmaster type bezel is probably next to useless underwater for the lack of contrast to identify the markers. I do applaud Seiko for taking an interest in solar technology as my EDC watch is a Citizen Ti Ecozilla.

time

· #18 · May 13, 2010

minidriver said:
When it comes to solar, Citizen's Eco-Drive movements deliver much better in every aspect.

Have you compared the 2 ???

Most Eco-divers have 6 months reserve as well.

As for these watches, they look good to me.
I wish we can find out the exact size without the crown.
They look great, with the only exception (a minor personal one), I don't like the way 'SOLAR' is printed on the dial.
Either don't put anything, or use smaller fonts, or a cooler name. But again, its a minor point.

swing---kid

· #19 · May 13, 2010

Petew posted this a few days ago, maybe he can answer the question about the diameter. I read it's 40mm w/o crown on another forum.

petew said:
SSP Diver:

[/font][/font][/quote][font=arial]

I don't think it looks bad, but it would look better if the "solar" was written in a nicer font. I can't imagine that there's a big difference between solar powered Seikos and Citizens in this price range. Of course Citizen offers amazing power saving options in some of their more expensive watches.
I wonder if this new one replaces the SBDB007, which looks nicer (my opinion).
[img]
(Higuchi's photo)

[/font]

petew

· #20 · May 13, 2010

As far as the argument of Citizen vs. Seiko in Solar Diver quality. This watch lists for 63,000 yen:

This newest Seiko with bracelet lists for 36,750 yen.

[img]http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z284/wpetew/seikosolar2.jpg

Taking away the titanium and the Duratect on the Citizen, I'd like to think that the prices would then be similar, and if that was the case, I can guarantee you that the Citizen has absolutely no advantage whatsoever over the Seiko in overall quality or movement specifications.

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