SARB043

In my early 20’s, long before I was bitten by the watch bug, Roman dial was my favorite dial. I remember I had a Guess watch with Roman dial at that time. It lasted a couple of years before the quartz movement conked off. Since then, I haven’t had a watch with Roman dial. I mean full Roman dial and not the ones with 6,9 and 12 o’clock markers in Roman numerals.

In October, when I saw the new SARB043 in Seiko’s catalog, I happily told the my regular watch supplier, Big Time that I’ll take one. Watch was released on 5th December 2008 and I received mine a couple of days later.

Click on the image to see full size picture

Below is a comparison shot of the popular SARB031 and the SARB043. The SARB031 is one of my favorite 6R15 watch and I am happy to have a Roman dialed version in the same minimalist watch case. Besides the Roman numerals, I also like the applied chrome dots behind each hour marker.

SARB031 and SARB043

Although both watches use the same watch case, they are installed with different straps. The strap on the SARB043 is thicker than that on the SARB031.

Straps: top SARB043, bottom SARB031

Well, it seems like I am collecting these SARB dress watches in pairs now. Here’s another pair that I enjoy.

SCVS001 and SARB035

Watch handling: Orient WR100m

Orient has a couple of 100m and 200m (non-ISO) diver style watches in the market. Besides the Mako and Submariner style model, here’s another one that I handled recently at Big Time.

This watch is probably the 100m version of the Mako. Both watches have dial layout. The 3,6 and 9 o’clock hour markers are in Arabic. Some inscriptions are in cursive font and both have red tipped second hands. The 100m model is date only and hence does not come with day pusher. It has a curved crystal while the Mako has a flat one.

Another 4R15 in the market

Saw a new Seiko 4R15 watch at a watch shop today. I have seen the 2008 catalog (vol 2) and know it is powered by the 4R15 movement. I didn’t get to try it but from what I saw, the diameter is around 42 to 44mm. The crown guards are made out of plastic like those in the 200m diver.

Available at all good watch shops.

Year end gifts

Received desk and pocket calendars printed by Seiko Distributor, Thong Sia group. The desk calendar will replace the one I received last year and will be placed on my table. 

I won’t be putting the pocket calendar in my wallet but will definitely paste it somewhere in the house where I can look at. Perhaps in the wash room.
 

Desk calendar
 

Pocket calendar

This year, I also received calendars printed by Orient.
 

Some Interesting Comparison Shots

The Orient Star 300m diver meets the vintage King Diver.

Sport 5 SNZF17 meets the classic SKX007. The Sports 5 is bigger than the SKX007. 
 

 

The Sumo is bigger than the Sports 5. They don’t call it Sumo for nothing. 

A trip to Big Time

Made a trip to Big Time today to have a look at the new Japan domestic Seiko’s and at the same time collect my last watch for the year.

Included in the shipment is the new DiaShield Ti diver, the SBDC007. The presentation box of this watch the same as that of the Marinemaster. Like the MM, the new Ti diver also comes with an extra rubber strap.

SBDC007

Next is this pair of 6R15’s from the Mechanical line. They are basically new dial variants of the popular SARB031 series.

SARB044 and SARB043

I brought home the SARB043 which is my last watch for the year. Will post a proper picture of this watch later.

SARB043

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Watches seen at:

483 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387555
Tel:  6273 3355   Fax:  6278 8929
bigtime@singnet.com.sg
www.chang.com.sg

A trip to K2

Made a trip to K2 recently and saw some interesting watches.

Here’s a quick rundown:

First up, a pair of vintage Orient watches. The first one is marked "King Diver" while second one is marked "Crystal" on the dial. Both are said to be NOS.

 

 

Next, a nice and simple vintage Citizen dress watch.

Next watch I saw is this modified Seiko diver. It is basically a SKX007 with SKX171 dial and Samurai hands. Not sure if crystal is sapphire but it has a layer of anti-reflective coating.
 

Talking about modified diver, here’s a 6309 that Mr. Goh helped to fix up for a customer. Nice plongeur hand.
 

 

There are a few 6309 and 7002 divers lying around but in the watch safe are these precious 6105 divers.

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Watches is seen at:
 

K2 Watch Co.

Watch Handling – Seiko 5 SNZF11J

This time, I had the opportunity to handle this Seiko 5 Sports. This model has a classic design compared to the other Sports 5 models. It measures 44mm across (including crown) and comes with 22mm lug width. The Sports 5’s are definitely catching up with the SKX007 in terms of size.

There are several dial colors available but I chose to handle this one with white dial and black bezel. Besides black, blue and orange dial, white dial with black bezel is also a color combo that I like. Unfortunately, Seiko seldom make automatic 200m divers with white dial. Black, blue and orange colors are most frequently used.

The Seiko 100m Sports 5 models on the other hand come with more color options.

SNZF11J

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Watch is provided by:
 

483 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387555
Tel:  6273 3355   Fax:  6278 8929
bigtime@singnet.com.sg
www.chang.com.sg

Additional Pictures – Orient Lady’s Automatic

I did a short review of the Tonneau shape Orient Lady’s automatic watch, Model# CDBAB005W0 some time ago and today, I would like to add a picture of the round shape version, model# CDB01005W0 and it presentation box.

Christmas is around the corner and this watch is a possible Christmas gift that you may want to consider.
 

Model# CDB01005W0 or WV0061DB (in Japan market)
Click on the image to see full size picture
 

 

Here’s the said review:

http://yeomanseiko.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!3318BA07329CD633!1910.entry

Model# CDBAB005W0 or WV0011DB (in Japan market)
Click on the image to see full size picture

   

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Watch is provided by:
 

483 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387555
Tel:  6273 3355   Fax:  6278 8929
bigtime@singnet.com.sg
www.chang.com.sg

Monsterlite – SNZF47J

Bought this Seiko 5 Sports 100m watch recently for my sports activities such as jogging, sprinting and of course, pumping iron. In fact, I wore it to the weight room last Sunday and my friends were going "wow, this is one solid watch".

I used to have a Ti Citizen 200m diver for these activities but sold it a while ago due to its lack of heft. This Seiko is a much needed replacement.

Most of my watches are maintained in good condition. Even the Citizen was in pristine condition when I sold it. This time, I decided to get a watch and use it till it reaches 70% condition or below. This Seiko was chosen because it has a solid stainless steel bezel that will hold up to scratches better than the aluminium ones. 100m water resistant is sufficient for me since I am not a diver. I like to rinse the watch under the tap after use and so far no water has gotten into it.    

Click on the image to see full size picture

Watch measures 44mm across including crown and lug width is 22mm. The bracelet fits directly into the lug without the use of end pieces. The shape of the lug is designed such that there is no gap between the bracelet and the watch as you can see in the picture. Because of this design, I was unable to put the watch on a Z22 strap because there isn’t enough room to accommodate the strap. In fact, the gap between the spring bar and the watch is so thin that it can’t accommodate a Zulu strap. I guess the only strap options available to this watch are the thin NATO and the standard leather straps. I ended up using the metal bracelet.

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Purchased at:

483 Sims Avenue, Singapore 387555
Tel:  6273 3355   Fax:  6278 8929
bigtime@singnet.com.sg
www.chang.com.sg