Re: My Watches
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2019 9:08 pm
The next acquisition was a rare-ish one for me- a watch purchased brand new at retail price from an authorized dealer. I did make the purchase all online, though, so I guess I missed out on the "AD experience" .
This watch caught my eye immediately when it came out in Baselworld 2019. I had it in the back of my mind for a while, and seeing a few here and there on Instagram, forums, etc., brought it back to the forefront. After a lot of thinking and research, I decided it was one I really needed to have, so I made the necessary sales to raise funds, and went ahead with the purchase!
Without further ado, the Seiko Samurai Save The Ocean Great White Shark Edition (whew), SRPD23:
Of course the big deal with this watch is that blue sunburst dial. It's as close to magical as I've ever seen on a watch. It's such a bright, multi-hued blue that it just brings a smile to my face, and I absolutely love the wave pattern and the shark fin at 8:00.
Interestingly the lume plots are just a shade creamy white, and they compliment the dial so well. I love the simple date-only display and the classic Samurai handset, especially that sword-like second hand!
The bezel on this watch is also an absolute delight. It's a fairly soft, but firm bezel, and the Samurai case shape, with the recessed areas at 12:00 and 6:00 give your fingers perfect grip on it to turn. It's definitely the best Seiko bezel I've ever experienced.
I'm also a big fan of the ridged circular pattern on the bezel, and that tasteful medium gray that compliments the blue like a stormy day at sea.
Alignment of chapter ring and bezel seems to be spot on. The bezel has a little play to it but nothing bothersome.
The Samurai case is a new one for me. I'd never even seen a Samurai in real life before I ordered this watch, so I took a bit of a gamble. The case shape is unique to be sure. It's very angular, and from the sides it almost looks like a regular, circular watch case welded to these slab-sided, sharp-angled lugs. I will say the case shape was not my favorite immediately. It gives the watch an almost square appearance from the top. Its uniqueness quickly grew on me, though, and while still not my favorite diver case, I do like it quite well and it lends some nice variety to a collection of otherwise pretty bog-standard dive watches.
Once concern I read online about the Samurai was the crystal being set in from the bezel, fairly significantly. This is true- it is set in more than any other diver I've handled. For me this doesn't matter in the slightest- in fact I am really tickled by it thanks to a very nice design tough- the vertical part of the bezel that rises above the crystal is anodized a deep brilliant blue, matching the dial spot on. From an angle you can see this, and it's such a neat design touch.
The stock bracelet on this watch is excellent; I love the feel and the lug geometry. The clasp is stamped and in that respect leaves a bit to be desired, but it latches firmly and I see no reason to be upset about it.
The drilled lugs make strap changes a breeze, but I'm still enjoying it too much on the bracelet to change it, for now!
I love the smooth knurling on the crown- just enough to give it good grip, but still very subtle and nicely textured.
The last thing I'll say about this watch is about the movement- it has a regular 4R37 movement, but by some miracle the one in my watch is performing with almost unbelievable accuracy. From tracking it for about a week it seems to have gained about 2 seconds during that entire time. This may be a function of wearing it all day, then laying it crown up all night, but I don't care- I'll take my miracle watch!
Overall this is one of the best watch purchases I've made, even at full price. Of course it's not impossible, but I very much doubt I'll ever cut this piece from the collection. If you're on the fence about this one, don't hesitate!
This watch caught my eye immediately when it came out in Baselworld 2019. I had it in the back of my mind for a while, and seeing a few here and there on Instagram, forums, etc., brought it back to the forefront. After a lot of thinking and research, I decided it was one I really needed to have, so I made the necessary sales to raise funds, and went ahead with the purchase!
Without further ado, the Seiko Samurai Save The Ocean Great White Shark Edition (whew), SRPD23:
Of course the big deal with this watch is that blue sunburst dial. It's as close to magical as I've ever seen on a watch. It's such a bright, multi-hued blue that it just brings a smile to my face, and I absolutely love the wave pattern and the shark fin at 8:00.
Interestingly the lume plots are just a shade creamy white, and they compliment the dial so well. I love the simple date-only display and the classic Samurai handset, especially that sword-like second hand!
The bezel on this watch is also an absolute delight. It's a fairly soft, but firm bezel, and the Samurai case shape, with the recessed areas at 12:00 and 6:00 give your fingers perfect grip on it to turn. It's definitely the best Seiko bezel I've ever experienced.
I'm also a big fan of the ridged circular pattern on the bezel, and that tasteful medium gray that compliments the blue like a stormy day at sea.
Alignment of chapter ring and bezel seems to be spot on. The bezel has a little play to it but nothing bothersome.
The Samurai case is a new one for me. I'd never even seen a Samurai in real life before I ordered this watch, so I took a bit of a gamble. The case shape is unique to be sure. It's very angular, and from the sides it almost looks like a regular, circular watch case welded to these slab-sided, sharp-angled lugs. I will say the case shape was not my favorite immediately. It gives the watch an almost square appearance from the top. Its uniqueness quickly grew on me, though, and while still not my favorite diver case, I do like it quite well and it lends some nice variety to a collection of otherwise pretty bog-standard dive watches.
Once concern I read online about the Samurai was the crystal being set in from the bezel, fairly significantly. This is true- it is set in more than any other diver I've handled. For me this doesn't matter in the slightest- in fact I am really tickled by it thanks to a very nice design tough- the vertical part of the bezel that rises above the crystal is anodized a deep brilliant blue, matching the dial spot on. From an angle you can see this, and it's such a neat design touch.
The stock bracelet on this watch is excellent; I love the feel and the lug geometry. The clasp is stamped and in that respect leaves a bit to be desired, but it latches firmly and I see no reason to be upset about it.
The drilled lugs make strap changes a breeze, but I'm still enjoying it too much on the bracelet to change it, for now!
I love the smooth knurling on the crown- just enough to give it good grip, but still very subtle and nicely textured.
The last thing I'll say about this watch is about the movement- it has a regular 4R37 movement, but by some miracle the one in my watch is performing with almost unbelievable accuracy. From tracking it for about a week it seems to have gained about 2 seconds during that entire time. This may be a function of wearing it all day, then laying it crown up all night, but I don't care- I'll take my miracle watch!
Overall this is one of the best watch purchases I've made, even at full price. Of course it's not impossible, but I very much doubt I'll ever cut this piece from the collection. If you're on the fence about this one, don't hesitate!