Posted by: b_andersen
Seiko SARB031 is a popular watch among Seiko fans and has been since its release in late 2007. It features conservative styling that’s a hallmark of Japan’s No. 1 watchmaker. In fact, it’s reminiscent of watches Seiko sold during its Golden Age in the mid-to-late 1960s. In many ways it reminds me of a Lord Matic.
The watch makes many nods to the past. Kohei Saito (GMT+9 interview here), moderator of the Seiko forum on Timezone, notes (here) the word “Automatic” on the dial above 6 o’clock uses a font taken from a model released in the late 1950s. The signed “S” mark on the crown also uses a font from Eisenhower-era Seiko models.
I’ve read a lot about this watch over the last three years. I’ve read about how the watch wears big on the wrist, and it does. I’ve read about the domed Hardlex crystal that is so hard to photograph, and it is. I’ve read about how the big hands are always easy to read, even in dim light, and they are.
One thing I haven’t seen anyone comment on is the cat-whisker-thin second hand. It provides a delicate contrast to the bold hour and minute hands, and compliments the word Automatic written in cursive text.
I purchased my watch from my friend Seiya (here) at SeiyaJapan.com (GMT+9 interview with Seiya here). Seiko SARB031 has a perfect 5-star rating on Seiya’s site. And that’s with 23 people reviewing the watch. It’s unusual for so many to be so completely satisfied with any watch, at any price. [Edit: Seiya says this watch reminds him of the original King Seiko.]
One blog I read said Seiko SARB031 should have been powered by a handwinding-only movement. I disagree. In the instruction booklet, Seiko calls this watch an “Automatic Mechanical.” That means it’s an auto, but also handwinds. Best of both worlds with the 6R15 caliber movement, released in 2005. The hacking second hand and 50-hour power reserve are pluses. And you gotta love those “Tokyo stripes.” [Edit: other pluses include the +25/-15 seconds per day factory adjusted specs, and the relatively rare 50m water resistant rating.]
If the mid-to-late 1960s was the first Golden Age of Seiko automatic and mechanical watches, then the mid-to-late 2000s, continuing to the present, is the second. All eras come to an end, so let’s appreciate this one today while it’s still ticking along.
###
The buy best Watches Replica Watches
Rolex watches – http://www.watchessuk.com/
Watches Brand: Replica Tudor,
The Same Blog Website:
Que opinan?
