I Thought It Was Too Big. I Was Wrong. Seiko 'Golden Tuna'
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
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I seriously avoided all mention of these Tunas for the last three years. But I should have known that Seiko would have worked their magic on them. They really are the masters at making a big watch wear like a small watch. If you get one at a good price, then this is a killer grab-and-go piece. If you can't then you should also consider the Citizen Promaster range for a similar overall effect. Cheers, Jody
Im starting to really like the reviews on this channel more and more. Jody goes over all the same things in each review in the same sequence so he never really skips a segment or leaves a feature out. I appreciate that. Plus I don’t really want to watch a 30 minute review video that just goes off an tangents. Just one more watch is just my style.
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The bezel and chapter ring are aligned. It's a fake.
DumbAzzz
Or a Chinese "homage" off Alliexpress! 😂
you probably dont give a damn but does someone know a tool to get back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot my password. I appreciate any tips you can offer me.
@@santinovihaan1258 Login and click forgot password?
😂
It's only in Seiko reviews that there is astonishment that everything lines up! And is another selling point to consider that śeiko range.
I know mate! And yet they still (kinda) get away with it. Cheers!
While the shrouds on the 1000m rated tunas are a ceramic composite, and the 300m tunas wear a stainless steel should, I’m nearly certain the 200m solar tunas are a plastic/composite shroud. Nothing wrong with that other than it will show some scratches more easily, but should be bomb proof as far as breakability.
I recently got this watch and it has exceeded my expectations. Also, at last a big watch that looks good even on my skinny 6.25" inch wrist. Wasn't sure about the gold but it is a pale gold and looks far better in real life than it does in photo's! Classy even.
I have two solar powered quartz watches, so I'm definitely a convert! My mother's Eco-Drive was buried in my closet for almost 10 years until I found it in December. Left it in the sun all day - back to life! And my Casio Oceanus is my favorite watch right now. I don't think I could pull off a Tuna, but I get their appeal! I'd get the rose gold.
I have it & I love it ! Quartz definitely has its place. I recommend the solar tuna also 🔥
Nice review. I got one of these a month or so ago for less than Han $300 AUD. I love it and agree it wears smaller than you would expect. The strap was comfortable but I found the metal keeper kept slipping and the excess strap flapped about. I agree, replacing it with a rubber non slip keeper would be worth considering if that is an issue. I replaced the plastic shroud and rubber strap with a solid bronze shroud and black PVD metal bracelet and the watch takes on a really solid tool watch feel and look. Not a Marine Master but who can argue at the price!
Have been a Seiko fan since my first 6309 back in the 1970s. I have this black/gold version, as well as the blue / red PADI version. Both are great time pieces. Thanks for the even handed review.
Thanks for another great review Jody. I grabbed one of these when they first came out and it is still running beautifully after how many years now. They are a very clever watch, i love the way it tells you " hey I need some love to get me going again!". Pop it in the sun or any light for a while and back she comes, ticking perfectly. I have several autos in my collection but I have to say I am not one of these who disregards Quartz or Solar watches. Yeah autos are great the way they work but let's face it a pain in the butt when you are in a hurry to get out the door. I have the sne498 and also a Citizen bn0151 eco drive that waits patiently for me when i'm in a rush. i think everyone should own a Quartz solar or an eco-drive in their collection. Cheers
I’m pretty rough with my skx and that hardlex is still as new... 3 years in, and it’s the watch I wear when doing more rough activities like kayaking, yard work, working on my car, etc..
Exactly. I've never scratched a hardlex in 16 years of watch collecting/wearing. I have no idea what these people are doing where they're scratching their crystals.
Love these tunas, I have the green street series and its my favourite easy wear! Definitely need wear it tight on wrist
Fantastic watch. Next time I find one on sale I'm buying it to replace my Seiko Sea Urchin as my daily. This watch is a fantastic example that lug to lug is more important that diameter. Great review. Keep up the good work.
Hey Jody! I’ve got this watch, as well as a ‘real’ 033 Tuna. I wear this Solar Tuna more, as it’s lighter, and a bit smaller. Day to day, an easier watch to live with, but the difference is quite apparent. None of the baby tunas compare to a real tuna, but I love wearing my SNE498. I’ve owned two SNEs, and sold the first due to misalignment.
Great quality. Great review. Cheers.
You should take a look at the “urban safari” tunas SRPE29 and SRPE31. They are only 43.2mm in diameter and 44mm in diameter, and are automatic for about the same price. They definitely are a bit more “fashion forward” designs over the more tool look of the more classic tuna’s, but still worth considering
Nice looking watch and great review as ever. Wouldn't pay Seiko prices even with a decent discount. The nice people at San Martin do one on a rubber strap for $189 - not a golden one but decent looking all the same - sapphire glass, ceramic insert, Seiko solar movement etc. Might be tempted on that one. Regards to you Jody.
One must be a real nitpicker if a few millimeters will be bothersome. You get used to it very quickly. Great review again Jody
Millimeters mater
Been considering one of these myself , I think these look great on a black PVD'd engineer bracelet.
Yes! Straight cut end links tho. Black mesh?
I have had mine on one for a while . Such a good look
@@JustOneMoreWatch I've seen them on a chunky black 5 link PVD engineeer with straight end links and I think this really enhances the look.
I’ve got the SNE497. Absolutely love it. Took the bracelet off and paired it with an orange Barton rubber strap. The lugs effectively match the case diameter so it’s very wearable.
Just about to go out, I can wait another 12 mins! Hellllooooo!
Helloooooo to you too mate!
I decided to go down the homage route and get a Steeldive Tuna. 300m wr, domed sapphire and a bracelet with a spare rubber strap. 130 usd - bargain.
Me too, amazing what you get at a fraction of the price, almost 1 to 1 copies. The first one I had even had authentic misaligned hour markers. 😏
Love the Benny Hill reference. :)
Also, for $300+, you would think they'd spring for sapphire rather than hardlex.
sapphire is very scratch resistant, but more prone to shattering than Hardlex. perhaps a better choice for an actual dive watch?
@@glennm9090 I tend to think most people wear dive watches as desk divers rather than to do actual diving. :)
@@glennm9090 It's a Myth! I have never seen an example of this ever happening. Always choose Sapphire if the option is there!
Seiko won't give you sapphire out the box for under a grand.
Tuna finally comes with sapphire,if you're ok with a flat sapphire. And he's way over a grand.
Happy enough with the double dome hardlex on my SBBN023.
The hardlex is more shatter resistant at diving depths.
I'm no diver,btw.
@@LeeePowers I just bought a Seiko solar chrono with sapphire for $300!
Man I just got mine delivered today , wow it’s fkn amazing , looks as good or better to watches I have that are 10 times the price , thx Jody for your review would not of ever bought one , always thought they would be too big for my wrist , happy days
Bought one for my son FOR DIVING!! - he loves it....although has a computer on his other wrist!! Oh well at least there's a little bit of old school in him.
Always bough very expensive watches, looking at a sekio as the watch is less than the service price of my current watch. The Tuna's look great
Ive had mine for at least 6mo with almost zero wrist time. Havent been happy with any of the looks on Many diffrent strap combos, until now with an army green nato w/black hardware. The watch just came alive! Now its officially in the wrist time lineup! It really popz. Nice review bro
I have never tried on a Tuna, but I found that the mini Turtle wears great on my 7 inches wrist. Another one that really surprised me for its wearability is the 43.5 mm Oris Aquis. Big watches that wears pretty good also on smaller wrist.
I have the "silver" SNE497 on a shark-mesh bracelet, and I upgraded the shroud to brushed steel. It sits by a window as my grab-n-go. Super comfortable. There are after-market inserts and sapphire crystals, so when it finally takes a hit I'll mod it some more.
If the metal keepers don't suit (I'm not a fan) they are easy to remove by taking off the buckle, which is usually on a springbar. I use 20mm rubber o-rings instead.
Great video, you put out more videos, with great quality, than any other watch reviewer
Thanks William!
I have a 6 and 3/4 inch wrist and regularly wear my Bulova Lunar Pilot and a Citizen Promaster to name a few larger watches with no issues. you soon get used to the size and then other watches feel tiny in comparison. A nice treat for lunchtime in Wales thanks Jody!
I have a version by Steeldive from AliExpress 44mm diameter stainless steel,NH35 movement,C3 on the dial and BGW9 all over the ceramic bezel with of course a sapphire crystal all for about $170 US.A good chunky wearable watch with 300 meters water resistance.That's a hell of a lot of watch for little money,I feel like I stole it..................................
Russell Harris I’ve got a Heimdallr version with the same specs and I paid even less. Agreed that it feels like a steal.
GB1Channel - Where did you buy it from? I’ve just been on their website and they’re close to 200 bucks on there.
@@AtheistOrphan Albai watchstore,not the cheapest but I go for stores with a good record of a year or more.They may well be more expensive now,but keep an eye on them.Prices do fluctuate....................
Jody, glad to hear you seem to be coming round to the advanteges of "solar" watches - a brilliant compromise, I have Seiko (1) Pulsar (3) and Citizen (4) in my collection ... however I have just bought and AUTOMATIC Steeldive Tuna on Ali (in green) - what outstanding value!! BTW it is more accurate to say that "solar" watches are powered by "light" as in fact you can charge them up in ANY light (although sunlight is the quickest).
Thanks for the review. I think the watch is okay but for hardlex crystal and quartz movement, $500 US price tag is overpriced.
I feel if you are in the military quartz and digital are both very welcome for clear visibility and accuracy. That is why I still have my Seiko "Arnie", and wear it everyday.
Just took delivery of the full size tuna homage, its by Steeldive, I think its a great piece and wears well but I do have an 8" wrist. I shall try one of these as love the review.
Gary Steven how are you finding that Gary? Have been tempted on a number of occasions in Ali Express.
Shroud is plastic resin on these solar quartz tunas. The $1,000 Tuna models have a ceramic shroud.
The 50th anniversary mini-tunas (SRP653 +655) also used ceramic shrouds. Those are tough to find now though.
I bought this model 3 months ago and it has lost 1 second in that time.......I paid au$299.........I am pretty pleased.
Glad they went sapphire on the solar divers. Love mine as its the most comfortable and functional watch I own. But if it had been hardlex I'd never bought it.
I always wear my watches sized properly, above the ulna on my wrist. Never below it, because that restricts wrist movement. As a 16.5cm-wristed person, the Solar Tuna even works for me!
Another great video brother! Seiko lume is top notch in the industry, and you’re 100% about their watches wearing extremely well even when the sizing would say otherwise! Take care man.
Miguel
I've got 6.25" wrists depending on the time of day, and my Golden Solar Tuna wears perfectly on me. It's my favourite "big" watch.
Just put an order in for one of these. 450NZD 👍🏻. Had previously tried one on and couldn’t shake the “need” to buy it. 😁 Like my SKX009, it’s a big watch that wears nice and compact. Lug to lug is everything for a relatively small circumference (but flat across the top) wrist like mine. Looking forward to taking this one diving in the Poor Knights!
I have a Chinese Steeldive Tuna homage. Was hesitating to buy it coz I have a small wrist, but it turned out great. BTW it has NH35a and a sapphire crystal on top+300M WR
Was that from Ali express? You got a link to share?
@@ashleykilgour1903 hello. Yes, I bought them on Ali at a flash sale, so they are no longer available on this offer. If you want one, just go to Ali and type 'Steeldive Tuna' - the best price right now is 130$, but there is a sale tomorrow so you can get it cheaper. For example a.aliexpress.com/_BSv0Kt
Yep ordered one a bout 3 weeks ago still waiting for it to arrive
@@garyherbert8242 it usually takes over a month, but with the corona who knows how long it can take
Кирило Ігошев got a message from Ali to say its landed in the country :-)
I wanted this one so bad but at the time I couldn't find someone to ship it to Ecuador. But then I got a Citizen Ecodrive Titanium. It's great to have a solar in the collection! These are a watch snob test, not many collectors appreciate this type of movement.
Agree on your point about solar.no fuss, very accurate.
Intro made me smile. You're a joy Jody, keep it up.
That is quite a buy for the watch that it is! I love the black and gold motif! Great review as always Jody!!!
Now that you’re on the tuna band wagon ...how about reviewing San Martins tuna homage line. Better value ...I bought one last year and it’s superb . AR coated sapphire, ceramic bezel, Seiko solar movement for less than 300
Where did you find the ceramic bezel one? The only solar on their official store has an alluminium bezel.
HI Jody, I have to admit I love dive watches, especially my Seiko Sun021. The phrase "only 200 meters" is a oddity. Jump on to Google Earth and find a nice and straight road near you. Now measure a 200 meter line, now imagine that line going down hill. I am no diver but I have seen videos of professional North Sea Oil Rig divers going down to 195 meters, at that depth you are taking highly skilled people, with special breathing kit.
Indeed, but 200m doesn't really mean 200m. Check one of the WR graphics and you'll see what I mean. More than enough for most though, I agree. Cheers!
@@JustOneMoreWatch Jody, but this one has an iso diver's certification which basically makes it good to up to 100m of real dive depth. I think it's more than enough for us couch divers😉
If you ever get the chance you should try the Citizen BJ8050-08E, similar in style to the Tuna and 300m WR.I went with the aftermarket lug adapters and it really is a nice watch for around $200.
Great piece... I've got the black and silver on a black pvd engineer. Rugged watch, survives regular gym use. . Enjoy her mate ⌚
Diameter is the least important dimension when it comes to wearability. Lug to lug and especially thickness are way more important. A large diameter watch with a properly scaled lug to lug and thickness will fit very well.
LOVED THE INTRO. Cheers to Benny. I like the watch too... and the Tee Shirt... Thanks!!!
Yep those dimensions would of put me off as well Jody. However have to agree with you on all points, don’t think the gold & black is for me but I would not hesitate to pick of one pre-owned now. 😃
I have a San Martin Tuna homage (automatic and sapphire with AR) which I was worried would be a bit big, but it looks good on my 7" wrist.
Any chance you can do a video showing what it looks like without the shroud?
@@christophernutting1754 Yeah I could do that.
Nice watch. Hardlex is a no go. I will never buy a modern watch without a sapphire crystal. I have a couple of quartz watches and don’t see the big deal. They keep good time.
Bought one of these recently. Absolutely love it, it's become my go to watch. Got a Strapcode DLC endmill bracelet and it's perfect!. Thanks for the review
Great review as always, I think it's fair to say you give the best reviews on TH-cam bar none.
Thanks Anthony! Much appreciated mate.
I really enjoy the look of this watch a lot more than the Citizen Promaster line. But when Citizen can make their list price $260 and you can find it for even cheaper it's hard to justify the purchase of the Tuna just for looks. Thanks for the review!
I think they have this tuna style case in an even smaller (43mm) size in the "urban safari" line and it's an automatic...
Taking off the Shroud makes it even more wearable & transforms it as well .
Great review! The shroud is plastic. The ceramic shroud is on some Marinemaster tunas.
Great video Benny 🙂and great watch, second hand hits all the markers nice, but I do not understand why Seiko does not use the TMI nh31 movement, it tics 4 times a second ( looks like an automatic but it is Quartz) and is a Seiko in-house movement
peter spaepen I would love to see more use of “high beat” quartz. I’m quite pleased with the movement in my Pagani Design
Brian Smith I’m also pleased with the movement in my pagani design Yachtmaster hommage it is an automatic nh35 Seiko movement so I was only pointing out that there are other options for a single tic quartz
Benny Hill music stuck in my head now
I’d jump for a new Arnie if its second hand hit the indices as consistently as this one’s does. And, yes, I would wear it snugly. Thanks mate!
Lug to lug and weight of the watch head on the Solar Tuna and SKX013 are pretty much the same (SKX013 is just slightly heavier and more top heavy). Great for small wrists too.
the 2 firsts numerals of the SN are year and month of the manufacturing , yours has been manufactured in March 2019
Hi Jody, great video as always but it was like watching Euro Trash on Chanel 4 in the 90s the whole time I was watching I was thinking “when are they going to take it off?” No without shroud shot? Lucky I bought myself one after watching the unboxing vid so I just need to find the right screw driver :-)
Antoine de Caunes! Legend.
Personally, even though I think the Tuna is a great watch with great history, I prefer the Seiko 5 "Bottlecap", which looks as if you took the plastic guards off of the Tuna. It has a day/date, Hacking automatic movement, and a variety of options for style. It can be easily bought for around 200 US dollars, but can be bought for around 160 if you look around a bit. It also wears smaller than the Tuna, so if you have smaller wrists, the Bottlecap may be for you (or if you just want to save 400 bucks).
I just got a seiko sne535. The “street tuna” i guess. I love it. I like the hand set better. Still a prospex diver, but doesn’t look like a tool that isn’t being used properly.
I recently got the Blue / Red Padi version, and it is superb. Great Review as always.
Great review! I love automatic watches! But I also love quartz! no ‚seiko shuffle‘ needed 😄😄
A really great watch ♥️ check out the Steeldive Homage with...you guess nh35a 😅
Hey Jody, pretty sure the insert is some type of polymer. I have the SNE499 PADI version and I was skeptical too but I bought one on sale from an AD for US$225. I really love mine, much more than I thought I would and it fits my 6-1/2” wrist just perfectly. Put mine on a Strapcode straight end link oyster style bracelet for another US$55 and I’m happy as a clam. Also wears great on a Marine Nationale paratrooper style strap of your choice. And the lume is really impressive, and this is coming from a guy who owns quite a few Seiko’s including a Samurai and a custom build with an OEM Sumo dial and handset. The Solar Tuna is a no brainer if you can get one at the right price.
I'll take your word for it Steven! Yes, definitely candidates for a MN or a single pass. Cheers mate!
@@JustOneMoreWatch oh, and not sure who suggested the shroud is ceramic, but it isn't. It's definitely also just some form of plastic.
Had the 'save the ocean' for a couple of days and with a lot of regret it went back as I couldn't live with the seconds hand missing the markings by some margin. Usually I have been luckier I with online ADs and grey market sellers. So sad as I too had negotiated a really good price £190. I was even impressed by the buckle in stainless steel having varied brushing, really nicely finished, if only on assembly a few more seconds was taken to get that ticker lined up :(
I know we all have different tastes, but a gold finish on a Sport/Dive watch looks odd. For the price, how come Seiko leave out the Sapphire and Ceramic bezel. The Chinese manufacturers seem to have this option covered for a fraction of the price...come on Seiko. Nice review Jody.
Where can you buy the seiko mini turtle?? Love your videos!!
I have the model on the steel bracelet and its as tough as nails and has kept time within 3 seconds for over a year of everyday use.
Great watch for the great outdoors. Nice review and loved the intro!
EDIT: Just replayed intro at 1.5x speed. Even funnier!
Black no sugar ta very much ☕
I don't doubt it's a good watch, but not my cup of coffee... Aesthetically doesn't float my boat & just can't take to quartz (although I've tried many times!) Cheers mate 👍🏻
I got myself one of these about 1-2 years ago. Great watch and just a great performer. And you're right fits very nice for a big watch.
I was never sure about these until I saw the SteelDive version going for just over 100 quid they wear very well indeed, I am now looking at getting the Arnie version
The Arnie was another push to buy one of these. It just doesn't wear like the dimensions suggest. Go for it!
I think that other than longer lug to lug distance on the Arnie ,is almost no difference in size
I think the shroud is made of plastic. So is mine anyways.
They sure feel like it. I took mine off and put a stainless one on my SNE541P. Also, the watch looks surprisingly good without the shroud. You could probably wear it that way and have a much smaller watch if you wanted.
@@Smokey_A I always wondered, does it look like a Seiko Bottle cap if you remove the shroud?
@@rag_man673 I found this: th-cam.com/video/84OkZWpdNgw/w-d-xo.html
@@Smokey_A that awesome thanks.
@@KellyDbugdog yes , i like mine the way it is also
Just picked one of these up for £151 and couldn't be happier
Love the Tuna. Love your shirt.
And everyone bangs on about TGVs intros!
Now that your not scared of Tuna’s, maybe look at a Bronze San Martin Tuna down the track. I’ve been keen on them for a while as my first ‘bronze’. I would like to get your thoughts on them.
I've been happy with my black Seiko solar Prospex SNE551P1, which is similar to the one you reviewed, but without the shroud.
That article about Seiko was an interesting read!
Best intro yet. Back in Blighty, H.Samuel were punting these out at half price last month, thought about a Tuna, but I've got plenty of divers at the moment.
Ref quartz - my Bulova Lunar Pilot has gained 2 seconds since April.
I've moved on all my eco-drives except an old Red Arrows Atomic Time one... that stays as my method of syncing the automatics when they come out the box
From some story i heard, some group of saturation divers requested to have tuna not using auto, but quartz, for precision and reliability...maybe that's why most of tuna diver using quartz...
I came back to have a look at this as these were still a touch too big but there's an even smaller Tuna available now! I have my eye on that new "Antarctica" STO version!
The new safari models are also awesome ! and they smaller in the size 44mm ....
My main complaint would be the hardlex crystal. Other that that, I have no problem with solar.
Excellent review, thanks! There is definitely room for both solar and mechanical in my collection.
My Seiko Tuna is my summer watch... takes one hell of a beating.
just picked one up. it's amazing! love it
Finally!!! Someone with Benny Hill music!!!
I have a 6-1/4 inch wrist and I used to have the1970s version of the golden tuna, which had a much thicker case. It looked ridiculous on me and the straps were too long. But this one just might work.
Really looking forward to checking one of these out soon.