I just received a EO2020-08E (the 36.5mm ProMaster Eco Drive) and WOW, what an amazing watch for the price. It is so comfortable and perfectly sized for my wirst, even the stock polyurethane strap is very good
I’ve bought vintage pieces I fell in love with but haven’t worn much because I think it’s too delicate to wear regularly. But my weirdest one is the Seiko Orange Monster. I bought the first gen when it was new from Reto Castellazzi for ~$150 in ~2002-3, loved how it looked, hated the weight and how it wore, and rarely wore it. It was stolen from my parents house in 2012. I remembered the styling fondly, thought it was still gorgeous, wanted another one… but didn’t like later generations, and the OG was more than I wanted to pay for one. Fast forward to Marc releasing the Islander monster in every color under the sun but orange, and I impulsively commented: make it in orange and I buy. Didn’t think he’d do it, but he did. I felt obligated to buy it, and he did specifically tell me it was just as heavy as the original. Definitely true. It’s beautiful, well made, everything the original was, including that I hate how it wears and NEVER wear it. Same as you say: you like the monster, buy it. Marc nailed it to the bloody wall. But not my thing.
I bought a used Tissot PRX Chronograph last year for a good price, but it really was too big for my 6.5 in wrist, no matter how hard I tried to tell myself otherwise, so I sold it again. I also wanted to buy a field watch and chose the Gruppo Gamma Venturo in black, which looked gorgeous for me online, but it just didn't click for me when I put it on my wrist, even though I think it is really well made and quite the bargain. So I needed to send it back immediately (without even peeling anything off), the guys from Watchbandit handled the exceptional return in a very friendly, professional manner.
The case thickness killed it. Why does a "mountaineers" watch need 200m water resistance ? After years of being an auto snob I've been wearing a cheap Citizen Eco Drive lately and loving how it hugs my wrist and doesn't weigh half a tonne
I went with the hype and bought an Orient Bambino. I have several other Orient and Orient Star, so thought the Bambino would be a good addition. However, what I failed to take into account was my fondness for busy, interesting dials. It was just just too plain for me. I tried changing the strap but ended up flipping it.
Was gonna comment I just sold my orient bambino 38mm I used as a dress watch. But it feels big and doesn’t look that interesting for the big size. Just got a timex Marlin champagne and I’m loving it. It catches the eyes, just caught someone today looking at the sunburst. Great fun!
I bought a black gold Duro that I fell out of love with very quickly - I held onto it for a while, changed the strap to a fitted rubber strap and I've fallen in love with it again in a way that I didn't in the beginning. Similar with my Lunar Pilot, I quickly was turned off with the size after a couple of wears, then it slowly and surely ended up growing on me, and I've fallen back in love with it
My wife bought me a Alpanist ‘rock face’ and the two straps supplied also did not work for me. I fitted a Strape Code jubilee and now it’s perfect . Love the watch now !
It's funny how much intangibles can make a difference. Automatic GMTs tend to be thick, and this one has 200m WR to boot! But if it just doesn't feel right to you on wrist, well, there it is. Maybe this would work for me - I have a tiny wrist so lots of "normal" watches sit "on" my wrist for me; maybe I'm more used to it? On the other hand, maybe it'll be SO tall it'll cross the line for me? Guess I've got to find one to try on!
Exactly he loves that it's automatic he loves that it's a gmt he loves that it's 200m wr yet tells us it's not a diver so why need to be so thick. Well like you said not a diver why you need 200m on a watch like this? And as you stated auto and gmt add thickness also. Seems to me everything he loves about it is not sinking in to what's making him not like it
@@reesebroekhoven3962 Seiko keeps using those thick case backs and that's adding significantly to the thickness problem. You can see it when you compare the SARB017 to later Alpinists. It's easy to address these bloated dimensions but frustratingly Seiko won't - they should just go back to the thinner solid casebacks.
From what I can see in this video, it's not obvious to me why Jody thinks that the watch is too thick for him, especially considering the usual hockey puck divers on this channel. To me, the height doesn't look remarkable at all on his wrist. Like so much with watches, it's all very subjective and personal preferences, I guess. I've got the more traditionally coloured green version of this new Alpinist (SBEJ005, for unknown reasons only sold in Japan), and I find that the shape of the case and the caseback really make all that on-paper height disappear visually, and it doesn't wobble on my wrist. Simply gorgeous, I think, and an improvement of many details I really didn't like with previous 2000's Alpinists like the now posthumously hyped SARB017. Seiko have indeed hiked up their prices across the board lately, but with the weak Yen and finding the right seller, I got this green beauty some $250 US cheaper than what Seiko wants for the globally available black/blue models.
@@Spurdospaerde692 Weight distribution. Divers usually come on a bracelet, which is heavier than a strap, or on a rubber strap, that hugs the wrist better than a siff leather strap. This particular strap, also, has a central nerve and a butterfly clasp that commands a very specific curve to the leather, and if your wrist is smaller than that curve, the watch will move around.
Yep, Longines spirit 39mm spent £2k on it , loved it when I bought it, however never wore it sat in my watch box for most of last year, eventually sold it for nothing like what I paid…..
Bulova Lunar Pilot Apollo 15 Edition. I knew going going in it was a large watch but expected the titanium case to help but it didn't. It was just too large and weighed too much. Just picked up a Casio Oceanus Cachalot and have no problems with it.
Thanks, you just saved me from myself. Been eyeballing this for some time, seems the best of the Seiko lineup (on paper)... Either its the weird hour hand or the red print/pointer thats putting me off.... Its a hard brand to click with..
Nothing like Seiko haters claiming year after year how much they hate Seiko, have sold all their Seiko, will never buy Seiko, etc. It's almost as if they are obsessed by Seiko, can't stop thinking about Seiko, can't live without Seiko. "I hate Seiko", they scream, "I tell people ten times a day not to buy Seiko! Don't buy Seiko!" Like the missionary who can't tear his eyes away from those saucy lithographs, still the "haters" (yeah right)! can't resist clicking on a Seiko video, watching a Seiko video, commenting on a Seiko video. Just face it. You love Seiko and you lie to yourself.
It's the weight that kills it for me. BTW, thank you for posting that. Gotten so bad that just an hour ago, ordered two digital scales (different sizes) and calibration weights online. Why? Looking for a 50th Year watch to commemorate my up-coming Birthday. I can't pull off a heavy watch. Not even a remotely heavy one on my wrist. But, a lot of watch companies for some bizarre reason refuse to post weights of their watches. Being in NYC, I can easily make it to Manhattan and try on various watches at various high-end shops with a short cab ride. I'm bringing those scales with me! If one malfunctions, I've got another one. I'm going to mostly test out a handful of watch models, nearly all of them Titanium until I find one that is ideal on my wrist.
@8:56 Excellent issue to highlight, Jody! Protruding caseback is a dead giveaway the watch may be uncomfortable to wear. Tip: *always look at the side view of a watch*
I had a green Alpinist. I loved how it looked, but like you, I never put it on, it always got passed over in favour of something else. Luckily, I bought well and actually made a small gain when I sold it!
I got the Hamilton Khaki Field Day Date (green dial w/ the camo strap), it arrived, tried it on and put it right back in the box and sent it back. I wasn’t crazy about a camo strap, no big deal, just change it out. But it was just too big at 42mm for the classic field watch I was looking for. I have the Seiko SRPG at 40mm, which looks great, but this Hamilton just didn’t work for me. I ended up getting the Pilot Day Date instead, also a 42mm, but as an aviator works at that size…not to mention how much cleaner a looker it is. Love your channel, thanks!
Had the same experience with a Seiko Presage small seconds, looked lovely but to thick on the wrist. Lucky it tried it on in a shop first, went for a used Oris instead!
I bought a Seiko SRQ059 recently and it was the most expensive watch I've ever bought. I wasn't keen when I put it on with the metal strap. When I I changed it to the black leather - all changed; I fell in love. That said, my go to watch is my Seiko Alpinist Thailand edition.
Yes, I have not gelled with watches that I hoped would be nice daily wearers. Wearability/comfort and practical functionality are the determining factors. Looks & tech/material specs just aren't enough to make a watch a go-to piece, that's for sure. Thanks for another great video, Jody!
Not as expensive as the Alpinist, but I had a similar experience with the Bulova Lunar Pilot. Love the watch but it just didn't work on my wrist. After trying several strap options, I finally sold it.
Two watches:- Citizen Eco Drive. Lovely looking watch etc. Gorgeous Dial. However the lumed hour plots don’t line up with minute markers. Citizen offered to replace the watch, but even their website shows misalignment on the same watch. The other A “Marine Chronometer Offshore Professional” mine is no 135 costing me £2000 back in 2018 Hardly worn.
Yep, once a watch gives you the ick, that’s it. Bought a Longines Hydroconquest in a rush for my Silver Wedding Anniversary. Always regretted it, it has the older alu bezel and it’s all just a bit busy. It didn’t help that within a couple of years they’d introduced the ceramic bezel version with a cleaner dial. And of course I’ve wanted one ever since. 😂
Try out the uncle seiko jubilee bracelet on this. You will thank me. So comfy, the depth is disappearing and can go with it for over a week. One of my most favorite (i got 36 mm explorer and i prefer this alpinist)
I was thinking the same. I think it's way too thick for a leather strap, but it might work better with a quality metal bracelet. I like the beads of rice from Uncle better, do you think it would wear as nicely as the jubilee? Thanks
I just bought an Orient Mako 40 in silver (white-ish) dial after seeing many reviews both video and with still photos in articles and thinking it could fulfill my desire for something that is not a black dial watch. Of course, I had to order it from Orient since no retailers carry that brand in my area. Basically, I was fooled by photography. All the review images use good oblique lighting that makes the dial look very legible. In the real world and with my old eyes, the hands are basically invisible in any low light situation, pretty much all indoors. It fits great. It runs very accurately. And it hits all the marks design-wise. I just can't r read it in 80% of environments. If I had the ability to look at it in real life, I'd have never bought one.
Got a Seiko Baby Alpinist and I absolutely love it. It's not thin with a 12.9 mm thickness and the strap being what it is didn't work for me so I switched it for a thick leather Colareb strap (the Roma blue, which looks absolutely stunning with the blue dial of the watch). Like that I cannot get it off my wrist. Also tried a bunch of nato's but meh, doesn't work, it's too thick
Great points, like you said at the end, really need to try it on. I think most watches are bought online now right? So not really an option. My Hamilton khaki king has been my problem child. The crown guards impact winding as it is a push-pull crown and not screw down. I have tried other straps, still giving it more time.
Orient Kamasu Green Dial. Green felt odd. Didn't like it at first. But gave it a chance. Kept wearing it. Changed straps. At first brown, then White. Wasn't a big fan. When tried teal, voilà! Like magic. Doesn't get off my wrist now.
And I was looking at this watch on EBAY last night. lol! I bought a Submariner 3 years ago for my retirement and rarely wear it. It’s a vintage one so I cringe at the crap bracelet wear it for a day and put it back in the box. My most worn watches are a Seiko Shogun on a strap and Tudor Pelagos also on a strap. Cheers from California!
For me, it was the SPB155-J1, or "Baby Alpinist". I've griped all over the internet about it's terrible accuracy, x but it seems to be a little tall for my slender 6.25" wrist. It's absolutely beautiful, and it's a Christmas present from my wife in 2022, so I don't feel right selling it. I've got four Hamilton Field variations that I'm much more comfortable wearing, for me.
The see-through casebacks on these make them too thick. The older SARB017 had a solid (and thinner) caseback. I wonder if you could source one of those or similar to use on yours.
I really like the sieko alpinist, yet I'm glad I haven't bought one yet. My reason is a WARNING for others as there are 1 to 1 ali express duplicates around so going for the second hand and grey market is a big no no for this none GMT version of this one (my pick), I will save up a little more and buy from an authorized dealer or the most likely option going for the more afordable ones on my bucket list.
Oh I had exactly the same experience with a beautiful Alpinist Ginza limited that I waited for for months with the AD. Fantastic watch, really. But it just sits weirdly on my wrist. Doesn’t feel right. I sold it, no regret.
I'm in this situation with a watch I purchased last year. My mother passed away last year from motor neuron disease and left me some money. So commemorate a wonderful human being i bought my 1st rolex form an ad. Because they didn't have stock to try on i expressed interest in the op41 after seeing it on wrists my size. 3 months later i get the call and collect the watch. After a longer wearing of it realised i hate the male end links as they ruin the way it wears. I'm now in limbo because of what it symbolises. I think my options are to try and get a jubilee bracelet for it or sell and try and get the 36mm. I worry that if the ad get wind of me selling it, I won't get another chance.
Actually, I had the same experience with my Alpinist too...the SARB017. It's lovely, it's green and gold, and like you, no real complaints. Unfortunately, I just don't love it on my wrist and emotionally, it leaves me flat. Close second is the Hamilton Khaki Navy GMT. Boss watch, but this distinctly un-boss wearer couldn't pull it off!
It does have dive watch thickness which kind of makes it a GMT Diver with 200m water resistance. I do have this watch now, also a Christmas gift, but with an 8.1" wrist I don't notice the thickness, however I can see it might be a problem for normal wrist sizes. The solution may have been for Seiko to make it a 100m watch and reduce the thickness to 11mm. A GMT doesn't need 200m water resistance, 100m is absolutely fine.
Ackshuyally, it's not 200 m. It's 20 bar (i.e. air pressure tested in lab conditions). Seiko, and perhaps others, specify water resistance of their diver watches in metres, while their watches not made for diving come marked in bars. Seiko explicitly state that their 10 and 20 bar watches are safe to wear only while swimming and skin diving in shallow waters. For real diving, they say you should should buy one of their watches marked with an actual water depth in metres. I don't know who came up with the "20 bar classification equals 200 m diver's watch" idea.
Trying a watch first, if possible, is great advice regardless. I was very taken with the photos of the Zenith Defy Revival, but was quite disappointed with it 'in the flesh', as the dial was much more subdued, and the watch felt light and flimsy. Jody, so do you not have any watches which you regularly swap straps on?
I worked at an AD, so I was lucky to spend time with everything, I cant explain though why I still didn't gel with what I thought were perfect watches. Good advice though to try before you buy.
Tried it on for a week and returned it to the AD. Pretty much the same reasons as explained. This piece 'sits' on top of the wrist rather than 'settles' due to the case thickness. What's puzzling is the same 6R54 gmt movement is in the spb381/383 divers and that case is 12.9mm (0.8mm difference). You can't tell me a display caseback and rotating compass chapter ring makes that big of a difference vs a rotating bezel. I'd rather Seiko lose the caseback/gmt and put in a 6L37 and shave 1~2mm off and call it a day because it's such a nice looking Alpinist dial.
I coveted a Tag Heuer Monaco forever. Went through all the processes of lusting. I was finally going to bite the bullet and treat myself to one, went to the AD, full of anticipation, dealer puts the gloves on, gives it a wee polish, I put it on my wrist, and I absolutely hated it. It just didn’t sit well on my wrist and felt uncomfortable. I was gutted.
Exactly the same thing for the SNXS79. Floated. Replaced the exhibition case back with a vintage one but it still didn't sit nice. Shame. Best looking watch out there from some angles.
Interesting topic, I had similar issues with my new Tissot Couturier Big date, I loved how it looked and the specs were good for a budget dress watch but once I got it I was not "thrilled", I'm not sure if is the hands that are throwing it off or the supplied strap, might be the full combination of things, but I'm having to make myself like it, but I'm not convinced yet. I'm going to keep it and wear it from time to time but is not a watch that ignites that feeling of joy you get from some watches when you wear it.
I was the same with the green Alpanist. Had it for a few months but just couldn't gel with it and sold it. Too small and the standard strap was shocking. Hated the reverse clasp
I had the same feeling with the Citizen Tsuyosa. I was convinced I would love it but sold it within 2 weeks. I knew I’d sell it on the second I put it on my wrist.
Great review Jody since height profile is I think something that many of us watch nerds don't consider. How do you generally sell your watches? I think it's a major stumbling block for a lot of collectors...
Yes. Ive bought a watch and not fallen in love with it. I bought an omega speedmaster. The novelty worn off very quickly and i sold it a few months later at a loss - used the proceeds to buy a car 😂
Same thing actually happened to me with the Alpinist SARB017. I had loved the looks of it, the dimensions all fit within my sweet spot, love the green color…got it had it for about a week and didn’t love it. Wasn’t sure why exactly but something just wasn’t right, it didn’t “speak to me” as I like to say. So I get it…and I get selling it at a loss and moving on.
I was considering making myself the very same gift but I eventually went for SPB155J1 which is way cheaper. And actually this green baby alpinist - looks just right on my wrist - I didn't wear anything else since getting it 😅
you'll find a lot of presage dress watches are also unsually thick... and further they dont even have the complications as a reason for that thickness... one of my favorite watches is the old Orient Polaris GMT... and it even has a power reserve meter and it ends up being 12mm thick... but 42mm
I owned the standard green one, the leather strap has a neoprene centre and is really stiff and doesn’t wear in over time. I just couldn’t get on with it and I thought it looks to small on my 17cm wrist, it’s to thick as well and bobbles around on my wrist, I sold it after about 8 months
Great video as always. Luckily for me it doesn't feel that chunky and i LOVE this watch (or maybe it does but i just like it that way). But i have to admit i did paid an embarrassing amount for the white dial limited edition. As a punishment i will stop myself from buying another watch... for a whole year... maybe
It's me as well. I remember the first time I saw this, its more than the sum of its parts. There is the leather strap (never leather for me) the bezel, the date widow (date is essential for me but not like this) the partial skeletonised hands and it's just not going to get worn.
Sorry to hear, looked stunning too. I had a seiko presage SSA347J1. It was thicker than Lord of the Rings. Is there a point to a dress watch that cannot go under a cuff?
Tissot Seastar 2000. Never liked the 1000 as the buckle was just a bit cheap looking. Saw the 2000 with milled clasp and a really nice blue dial. But the strap was still a let down. Sold it for the same as I got it for and replaced with a Seiko 62mas 65 recreation.
Buyers regret? Bought a Lorrier GMT. Great watch, well finished with good Myota movement. Advertised at 41mm but wears nearer 38/39mm. Just wore too small for me, so had to sell after only 3/4 wears. Shame as it was a nice watch.
I've owned 2 Oris watches , divers 65 bronze bezel and a reno 57. Both looked great on paper but i cant find out why on the wrist I got bored of them and flipped them after a very short time. Don't have the same problem with other makes.....funny that.
For me it is the Orient Kamasu. It is great for what it is (an entry level automatic diver) but the sapphire is so dull and milky. I sold mine in 2023.
I've put mine on a leather strap to refresh it a little bit after a couple of years. And I still love it's dark green/teal color, I haven't seen that tone on any other dial.
HOW thick Jody?!? The original was 12mm, but then they added almost 1mm with the prospex exhibition caseback cyclops version, then added a chunky GMT movement and up went the thickness again. I wear a SARB017 Alpinist & that's chunky enough and bobbles around on most straps or bracelets anyway (on my wrist shape) unless tourniquet tight. My solution was a Bonklip bracelet like on that Mercure ...it's awesomely comfortable and fits the tool/dress vibes of the original perfectly. Worth a crack on your chunkmonster GMT @JustOneMoreWatch ?
I bought a lot of Seikos early days. At one point, I think I had half a dozen, and I'd managed to avoid the QC issues. And then..... I picked up a Sumo. The chapter ring and the indices were way out. Horrendously so. From then on I seemed to have a bit of a run with Seikos having QC issues. Some I could live with, getting them fir a good price, but some were just not acceptable. There's a lot to like about Seikos. Lume, designs, dials, price point (generally). But then again, there's things that aren't great. QC issues including the aforementioned, and the bracelets. The bracelets and clasps at the price point are well below par. So much so, I factor in the cost of a Strapcode bracelet into things when I do purchase a Seiko. I still have a few Seikos. I do like them. I may get other Seikos in the future. But in reality, there's much better value to be had at the price point with heaps of microbrands out there, as well as Orients (aside from their bracelets too!).
I received one of these yesterday. I opened the box, took one look at the watch, and put it back. I called the jeweler and it’s on its way home. The proportions of this watch are that of a hamburger-nearly as tall as it is wide. With the GMT function, Compass Bezel, and 24-Hour Outer Bezel, Seiko should have gone for a 40 or 41mm watch to give it a little breathing room and also make the case a little more proportionate. I know they were trying to stay true to the original Seiko, but I think they missed the mark here in a big big way.
Been honest I could name 2 or 3. Will probably be in the same ‘thickness’ boat with you, as I have my name down on the list for a Helm Komodo but it will be worn on the rubber isofrane so will hopefully wear better. Fat chance I have of trying one of those on anytime soon which I Always recommend. The Vanuatu was a mistake until the ti bracelet saved it! 😅
This is the exact same watch where i had the same experience. On paper the perfect travel watch, in hand it just.... didnt click. In my opinion, its down to the hand stack. With the gmt movement, the watch looks like it has a lot of air space vertically in the dial area and it looks very disproportionate. The GMT MM200 seems to hide the thickness better
I had the green Alpinist twice... I don't know what had me thinking by ending fliping it, maybe it is the same with you. I think the problem is the thickness.
In my youth I bought a Nixon "Rotolog" on the Internet. And it was immediately obvious that it was way too big, and heavy for my small wrist. Never sold it cause the loss would/will be tremendous
I bought the blue version and put a red tropic strap on it. It wears great and looks fantasticly sporty. I love it. Sorry it did not work for you. The strap it came with came off within 5 mins of arrival and went straight into the box. The strap is your issue. The height of it has not bothered me once. I am a big guy though
Bought the blue one for 630 quid new. Seiko pricing on new watches (it was nearly a grand just 2 weeks ago) is just daft. Yup it's tall on wrist. It feels better on a nato strap or an elastic strap that pulls it closer. It's just a cheap watch at the end of the day. At least it's it's own thing, like my willard, tuna, flightmaster etc. Makes you feel a bit classy, unlike San Martins etc... Want to get it on a bracelet to give it more heft and balance the head out a bit.
Great to see that happens to us all, even those that are way further down the collecting line than others. For me it's the Aquasaphe and my Grand Seiko. I keep trying, keep swapping the straps but don't quite gel.....yet my cheap Pagani Design World Timer hugs the wrist perfectly. Check out their field watch....perfect case shape
I like large watches and I bought a 46mm Citizen and even though its beautiful I wish it was lager.. I guess that from now on I will only buy a 48 to 50mm watch. Would you ever review an Aragon watch they make a beautiful to me 50mm dive watch for a very reasonable price I just heard of the brand and I am questioning the quality and accuracy (before I get swamped with responses I know that you get what you pay for)
I bought a Tag Heuer Aquaracer, never wear it. One of the few times I did wear it was on my wedding day which makes it tricky to sell. It’s very nice but tbh I don’t love it on the wrist. 99% of the time I wear a custom Sellita SW200 build or an NH35 Seiko mod. The other 1% I wear my super old but much loved quartz Tag Heuer Professional 2000 or my Dad’s old Bvlgari Diagono. The Aquaracer just sits forever in my watch box , sigh.
My sympathies. I have looked at Alpinists for a few decades, here (where they are scarce) & in Japan. Despite the fan base, great reviews & quality of the watches I've never thought of buying one. It's one of those "sure if I was creating a Seiko museum" watches, but I'm not. It's just not a watch I want to wear. Hence my surprise when you gave yourself one for Xmas. I wear a Chronomaster maybe as much as you do, so it was one of those each to their own moments. But maybe not. Hopefully it sells well.
I really love this range...that being said...I just couldn't justify the price of this one. I don't see the value in it and that something that I need when I'm enjoying a watch
Bulova lunar pilot special edition. Bought it new a year ago, and it has about 10 hours wrist time. It's just not a go-to watch in my case. I'm a little shocked, to be honest. It's a great watch. The depth to the dial is very sandwich like, yet not......Anyway, Lunar Pilot Special Edition for sale! Mint/as new condition. $450 cdn. Cheers! 😊
I'm confused is the GMT hand just purely to tell you if it's day or night or can you set it for a separate time zone? Also what does the other crown button do Thanks
Same problem with the same watch over Christmas. Research and wanted to purchase this watch over Christmas during a family trip to Taiwan. Managed to find a Seiko dealer with this exact model; put the watch on my wrist and my shoulder dropped by 3 inches. All the ingredients are there on paper, but I suspect the design & execution of the details aren’t there. Not for USD1000. Walked away😔
I had exactly the same issue some years ago with another Seiko, a Cocktail with power reserve. Awesome dial but much too thick, this combined with the ugly strap was unfortunately a bad wearing experience. I didn't keep it. 😕
I love Citizen, unfortunately I don't find many people appreciating the brand as much as it deserves. It is great value for money.
I love citizen watches! Usually they are more interesting, better quality and for less money than Seikos 😊
My late model Citizen Promaster NY0040-17L bests any Seiko diver
If and when I get something solar or titanium, (possibly both in one), it's gonna be a Citizen. And I'm a die hard Casio fan.
I just received a EO2020-08E (the 36.5mm ProMaster Eco Drive) and WOW, what an amazing watch for the price. It is so comfortable and perfectly sized for my wirst, even the stock polyurethane strap is very good
Keep it that way. Maybe it’ll stay affordable a little longer.
Yes. Slimness is one factor I decide on a watch purchase.
I’ve bought vintage pieces I fell in love with but haven’t worn much because I think it’s too delicate to wear regularly. But my weirdest one is the Seiko Orange Monster. I bought the first gen when it was new from Reto Castellazzi for ~$150 in ~2002-3, loved how it looked, hated the weight and how it wore, and rarely wore it. It was stolen from my parents house in 2012. I remembered the styling fondly, thought it was still gorgeous, wanted another one… but didn’t like later generations, and the OG was more than I wanted to pay for one.
Fast forward to Marc releasing the Islander monster in every color under the sun but orange, and I impulsively commented: make it in orange and I buy. Didn’t think he’d do it, but he did. I felt obligated to buy it, and he did specifically tell me it was just as heavy as the original. Definitely true. It’s beautiful, well made, everything the original was, including that I hate how it wears and NEVER wear it. Same as you say: you like the monster, buy it. Marc nailed it to the bloody wall. But not my thing.
I bought a used Tissot PRX Chronograph last year for a good price, but it really was too big for my 6.5 in wrist, no matter how hard I tried to tell myself otherwise, so I sold it again. I also wanted to buy a field watch and chose the Gruppo Gamma Venturo in black, which looked gorgeous for me online, but it just didn't click for me when I put it on my wrist, even though I think it is really well made and quite the bargain. So I needed to send it back immediately (without even peeling anything off), the guys from Watchbandit handled the exceptional return in a very friendly, professional manner.
The case thickness killed it. Why does a "mountaineers" watch need 200m water resistance ?
After years of being an auto snob I've been wearing a cheap Citizen Eco Drive lately and loving how it hugs my wrist and doesn't weigh half a tonne
I went with the hype and bought an Orient Bambino. I have several other Orient and Orient Star, so thought the Bambino would be a good addition. However, what I failed to take into account was my fondness for busy, interesting dials. It was just just too plain for me. I tried changing the strap but ended up flipping it.
Was gonna comment I just sold my orient bambino 38mm I used as a dress watch. But it feels big and doesn’t look that interesting for the big size. Just got a timex Marlin champagne and I’m loving it.
It catches the eyes, just caught someone today looking at the sunburst. Great fun!
I bought a black gold Duro that I fell out of love with very quickly - I held onto it for a while, changed the strap to a fitted rubber strap and I've fallen in love with it again in a way that I didn't in the beginning.
Similar with my Lunar Pilot, I quickly was turned off with the size after a couple of wears, then it slowly and surely ended up growing on me, and I've fallen back in love with it
My wife bought me a Alpanist ‘rock face’ and the two straps supplied also did not work for me. I fitted a Strape Code jubilee and now it’s perfect . Love the watch now !
Strap code elevates the Seiko.
It's funny how much intangibles can make a difference. Automatic GMTs tend to be thick, and this one has 200m WR to boot! But if it just doesn't feel right to you on wrist, well, there it is. Maybe this would work for me - I have a tiny wrist so lots of "normal" watches sit "on" my wrist for me; maybe I'm more used to it? On the other hand, maybe it'll be SO tall it'll cross the line for me? Guess I've got to find one to try on!
Exactly he loves that it's automatic he loves that it's a gmt he loves that it's 200m wr yet tells us it's not a diver so why need to be so thick. Well like you said not a diver why you need 200m on a watch like this? And as you stated auto and gmt add thickness also. Seems to me everything he loves about it is not sinking in to what's making him not like it
@@reesebroekhoven3962 Seiko keeps using those thick case backs and that's adding significantly to the thickness problem. You can see it when you compare the SARB017 to later Alpinists. It's easy to address these bloated dimensions but frustratingly Seiko won't - they should just go back to the thinner solid casebacks.
I'm not at all clear why one would need to know what time it is in Paris whilst 200 meters underwater.
From what I can see in this video, it's not obvious to me why Jody thinks that the watch is too thick for him, especially considering the usual hockey puck divers on this channel. To me, the height doesn't look remarkable at all on his wrist. Like so much with watches, it's all very subjective and personal preferences, I guess.
I've got the more traditionally coloured green version of this new Alpinist (SBEJ005, for unknown reasons only sold in Japan), and I find that the shape of the case and the caseback really make all that on-paper height disappear visually, and it doesn't wobble on my wrist. Simply gorgeous, I think, and an improvement of many details I really didn't like with previous 2000's Alpinists like the now posthumously hyped SARB017. Seiko have indeed hiked up their prices across the board lately, but with the weak Yen and finding the right seller, I got this green beauty some $250 US cheaper than what Seiko wants for the globally available black/blue models.
@@Spurdospaerde692 Weight distribution. Divers usually come on a bracelet, which is heavier than a strap, or on a rubber strap, that hugs the wrist better than a siff leather strap. This particular strap, also, has a central nerve and a butterfly clasp that commands a very specific curve to the leather, and if your wrist is smaller than that curve, the watch will move around.
Yep, Longines spirit 39mm spent £2k on it , loved it when I bought it, however never wore it sat in my watch box for most of last year, eventually sold it for nothing like what I paid…..
Completely agree with your assessment. I went to buy it but after seeing it could not pull the trigger based on the price. Excellent video!
Bulova Lunar Pilot Apollo 15 Edition. I knew going going in it was a large watch but expected the titanium case to help but it didn't. It was just too large and weighed too much. Just picked up a Casio Oceanus Cachalot and have no problems with it.
When a £400 seiko turtle has exactly the same QC and accuracy as a £1200 seiko Willard you know the company takes us Gaijin all for mugs
Sadly my willard is more inaccurate than my king samurai
Thanks, you just saved me from myself. Been eyeballing this for some time, seems the best of the Seiko lineup (on paper)...
Either its the weird hour hand or the red print/pointer thats putting me off.... Its a hard brand to click with..
Nothing like Seiko haters claiming year after year how much they hate Seiko, have sold all their Seiko, will never buy Seiko, etc. It's almost as if they are obsessed by Seiko, can't stop thinking about Seiko, can't live without Seiko. "I hate Seiko", they scream, "I tell people ten times a day not to buy Seiko! Don't buy Seiko!" Like the missionary who can't tear his eyes away from those saucy lithographs, still the "haters" (yeah right)! can't resist clicking on a Seiko video, watching a Seiko video, commenting on a Seiko video.
Just face it. You love Seiko and you lie to yourself.
Yep !
I’m guilty,
Said I would never buy another seiko ,
And I just bought the,
SEIKO 5 SBSC009 Field Sports GMT Mechanical Automatic Watch .
Nah dog. I love to hate on Seiko cause how much I liked them when I didn't know better.
Sounds a lot like people who don’t own Rolexes.
It's the weight that kills it for me. BTW, thank you for posting that.
Gotten so bad that just an hour ago, ordered two digital scales (different sizes) and calibration weights online. Why? Looking for a 50th Year watch to commemorate my up-coming Birthday. I can't pull off a heavy watch. Not even a remotely heavy one on my wrist. But, a lot of watch companies for some bizarre reason refuse to post weights of their watches. Being in NYC, I can easily make it to Manhattan and try on various watches at various high-end shops with a short cab ride. I'm bringing those scales with me! If one malfunctions, I've got another one. I'm going to mostly test out a handful of watch models, nearly all of them Titanium until I find one that is ideal on my wrist.
@8:56 Excellent issue to highlight, Jody! Protruding caseback is a dead giveaway the watch may be uncomfortable to wear. Tip: *always look at the side view of a watch*
I had a green Alpinist. I loved how it looked, but like you, I never put it on, it always got passed over in favour of something else. Luckily, I bought well and actually made a small gain when I sold it!
I’ve got the same problem with my sarb017. I never wear it and have never bonded with it on my wrist. It’s the most accurate Seiko that I’ve ever had.
I got the Hamilton Khaki Field Day Date (green dial w/ the camo strap), it arrived, tried it on and put it right back in the box and sent it back. I wasn’t crazy about a camo strap, no big deal, just change it out. But it was just too big at 42mm for the classic field watch I was looking for. I have the Seiko SRPG at 40mm, which looks great, but this Hamilton just didn’t work for me. I ended up getting the Pilot Day Date instead, also a 42mm, but as an aviator works at that size…not to mention how much cleaner a looker it is. Love your channel, thanks!
Love the blue one
Had the same experience with a Seiko Presage small seconds, looked lovely but to thick on the wrist. Lucky it tried it on in a shop first, went for a used Oris instead!
Fell in love. Bought it. Sold it. Wears small, the floppy internal bezel crown ( no resistance or ratchet), terrible clasp on the bracelet. 🙃
I bought a Seiko SRQ059 recently and it was the most expensive watch I've ever bought. I wasn't keen when I put it on with the metal strap. When I I changed it to the black leather - all changed; I fell in love. That said, my go to watch is my Seiko Alpinist Thailand edition.
Yes, I have not gelled with watches that I hoped would be nice daily wearers. Wearability/comfort and practical functionality are the determining factors. Looks & tech/material specs just aren't enough to make a watch a go-to piece, that's for sure. Thanks for another great video, Jody!
Not as expensive as the Alpinist, but I had a similar experience with the Bulova Lunar Pilot. Love the watch but it just didn't work on my wrist. After trying several strap options, I finally sold it.
The case back is the thing I was worried about. I appreciate your thoughts on this watch.
Two watches:-
Citizen Eco Drive. Lovely looking watch etc. Gorgeous Dial. However the lumed hour plots don’t line up with minute markers. Citizen offered to replace the watch, but even their website shows misalignment on the same watch.
The other
A “Marine Chronometer Offshore Professional” mine is no 135 costing me £2000 back in 2018
Hardly worn.
Yep, once a watch gives you the ick, that’s it. Bought a Longines Hydroconquest in a rush for my Silver Wedding Anniversary. Always regretted it, it has the older alu bezel and it’s all just a bit busy. It didn’t help that within a couple of years they’d introduced the ceramic bezel version with a cleaner dial. And of course I’ve wanted one ever since. 😂
This is true. I didn't gel with the Willard. Found the Samurai better for my wrist. Good video. Cheers.
Its gorgeous, its deserves a chance on a bracelet. Go on Jody throw another ton at it.
I have a Lunar Pilot I just cannot seem to gel with.
Try out the uncle seiko jubilee bracelet on this. You will thank me.
So comfy, the depth is disappearing and can go with it for over a week.
One of my most favorite (i got 36 mm explorer and i prefer this alpinist)
I will try that out. I bought it 2 days ago and I feel I regret it 😢 I hope the jubilee bracelet works…
Great suggestion 👌
I was thinking the same. I think it's way too thick for a leather strap, but it might work better with a quality metal bracelet. I like the beads of rice from Uncle better, do you think it would wear as nicely as the jubilee? Thanks
I just bought an Orient Mako 40 in silver (white-ish) dial after seeing many reviews both video and with still photos in articles and thinking it could fulfill my desire for something that is not a black dial watch. Of course, I had to order it from Orient since no retailers carry that brand in my area.
Basically, I was fooled by photography. All the review images use good oblique lighting that makes the dial look very legible. In the real world and with my old eyes, the hands are basically invisible in any low light situation, pretty much all indoors.
It fits great. It runs very accurately. And it hits all the marks design-wise. I just can't r read it in 80% of environments.
If I had the ability to look at it in real life, I'd have never bought one.
Got a Seiko Baby Alpinist and I absolutely love it. It's not thin with a 12.9 mm thickness and the strap being what it is didn't work for me so I switched it for a thick leather Colareb strap (the Roma blue, which looks absolutely stunning with the blue dial of the watch). Like that I cannot get it off my wrist.
Also tried a bunch of nato's but meh, doesn't work, it's too thick
Dear love the personal thoughts about the watch really amazing~
Great points, like you said at the end, really need to try it on. I think most watches are bought online now right? So not really an option. My Hamilton khaki king has been my problem child. The crown guards impact winding as it is a push-pull crown and not screw down. I have tried other straps, still giving it more time.
It's tricky. Best prices online, but best experiences come from trying on in store. I guess it depends how much one is spending. Cheers!
Orient Kamasu Green Dial.
Green felt odd. Didn't like it at first. But gave it a chance. Kept wearing it. Changed straps. At first brown, then White. Wasn't a big fan. When tried teal, voilà! Like magic. Doesn't get off my wrist now.
Thanks after seeing it on your wrist I’m no longer fretting over this thanks for saving me $$
And I was looking at this watch on EBAY last night. lol! I bought a Submariner 3 years ago for my retirement and rarely wear it. It’s a vintage one so I cringe at the crap bracelet wear it for a day and put it back in the box. My most worn watches are a Seiko Shogun on a strap and Tudor Pelagos also on a strap. Cheers from California!
For me, it was the SPB155-J1, or "Baby Alpinist". I've griped all over the internet about it's terrible accuracy, x but it seems to be a little tall for my slender 6.25" wrist. It's absolutely beautiful, and it's a Christmas present from my wife in 2022, so I don't feel right selling it. I've got four Hamilton Field variations that I'm much more comfortable wearing, for me.
The see-through casebacks on these make them too thick. The older SARB017 had a solid (and thinner) caseback. I wonder if you could source one of those or similar to use on yours.
I really like the sieko alpinist, yet I'm glad I haven't bought one yet.
My reason is a WARNING for others as there are 1 to 1 ali express duplicates around so going for the second hand and grey market is a big no no for this none GMT version of this one (my pick), I will save up a little more and buy from an authorized dealer or the most likely option going for the more afordable ones on my bucket list.
Oh I had exactly the same experience with a beautiful Alpinist Ginza limited that I waited for for months with the AD. Fantastic watch, really. But it just sits weirdly on my wrist. Doesn’t feel right. I sold it, no regret.
I'm in this situation with a watch I purchased last year. My mother passed away last year from motor neuron disease and left me some money. So commemorate a wonderful human being i bought my 1st rolex form an ad. Because they didn't have stock to try on i expressed interest in the op41 after seeing it on wrists my size. 3 months later i get the call and collect the watch. After a longer wearing of it realised i hate the male end links as they ruin the way it wears. I'm now in limbo because of what it symbolises. I think my options are to try and get a jubilee bracelet for it or sell and try and get the 36mm. I worry that if the ad get wind of me selling it, I won't get another chance.
Dude! You are excellent storyteller ❤
Actually, I had the same experience with my Alpinist too...the SARB017. It's lovely, it's green and gold, and like you, no real complaints. Unfortunately, I just don't love it on my wrist and emotionally, it leaves me flat. Close second is the Hamilton Khaki Navy GMT. Boss watch, but this distinctly un-boss wearer couldn't pull it off!
It does have dive watch thickness which kind of makes it a GMT Diver with 200m water resistance. I do have this watch now, also a Christmas gift, but with an 8.1" wrist I don't notice the thickness, however I can see it might be a problem for normal wrist sizes. The solution may have been for Seiko to make it a 100m watch and reduce the thickness to 11mm. A GMT doesn't need 200m water resistance, 100m is absolutely fine.
If seiko manages to make a future iteration at around 11m it's an instant buy for me
Very true! I’d give up 200mWR to lose a couple of mm of thickness every day of the week - 100m is perfect for the Alpinist!!
Ackshuyally, it's not 200 m. It's 20 bar (i.e. air pressure tested in lab conditions). Seiko, and perhaps others, specify water resistance of their diver watches in metres, while their watches not made for diving come marked in bars. Seiko explicitly state that their 10 and 20 bar watches are safe to wear only while swimming and skin diving in shallow waters. For real diving, they say you should should buy one of their watches marked with an actual water depth in metres.
I don't know who came up with the "20 bar classification equals 200 m diver's watch" idea.
Just picked up an 850 Alpinist from the 1960s. It’s probably 8mm thick (manual wind).
Trying a watch first, if possible, is great advice regardless.
I was very taken with the photos of the Zenith Defy Revival, but was quite disappointed with it 'in the flesh', as the dial was much more subdued, and the watch felt light and flimsy.
Jody, so do you not have any watches which you regularly swap straps on?
I worked at an AD, so I was lucky to spend time with everything, I cant explain though why I still didn't gel with what I thought were perfect watches. Good advice though to try before you buy.
Tried it on for a week and returned it to the AD. Pretty much the same reasons as explained. This piece 'sits' on top of the wrist rather than 'settles' due to the case thickness. What's puzzling is the same 6R54 gmt movement is in the spb381/383 divers and that case is 12.9mm (0.8mm difference). You can't tell me a display caseback and rotating compass chapter ring makes that big of a difference vs a rotating bezel. I'd rather Seiko lose the caseback/gmt and put in a 6L37 and shave 1~2mm off and call it a day because it's such a nice looking Alpinist dial.
I coveted a Tag Heuer Monaco forever. Went through all the processes of lusting. I was finally going to bite the bullet and treat myself to one, went to the AD, full of anticipation, dealer puts the gloves on, gives it a wee polish, I put it on my wrist, and I absolutely hated it. It just didn’t sit well on my wrist and felt uncomfortable. I was gutted.
Exactly the same thing for the SNXS79. Floated. Replaced the exhibition case back with a vintage one but it still didn't sit nice. Shame. Best looking watch out there from some angles.
Interesting topic, I had similar issues with my new Tissot Couturier Big date, I loved how it looked and the specs were good for a budget dress watch but once I got it I was not "thrilled", I'm not sure if is the hands that are throwing it off or the supplied strap, might be the full combination of things, but I'm having to make myself like it, but I'm not convinced yet. I'm going to keep it and wear it from time to time but is not a watch that ignites that feeling of joy you get from some watches when you wear it.
I was the same with the green Alpanist. Had it for a few months but just couldn't gel with it and sold it. Too small and the standard strap was shocking. Hated the reverse clasp
I had the same feeling with the Citizen Tsuyosa. I was convinced I would love it but sold it within 2 weeks. I knew I’d sell it on the second I put it on my wrist.
Great review Jody since height profile is I think something that many of us watch nerds don't consider. How do you generally sell your watches? I think it's a major stumbling block for a lot of collectors...
So "Just One Less Watch"? 🙃
Yes. Ive bought a watch and not fallen in love with it. I bought an omega speedmaster. The novelty worn off very quickly and i sold it a few months later at a loss - used the proceeds to buy a car 😂
Well good... is that OXO tee shirt have you ever worn a tie
Same thing actually happened to me with the Alpinist SARB017. I had loved the looks of it, the dimensions all fit within my sweet spot, love the green color…got it had it for about a week and didn’t love it. Wasn’t sure why exactly but something just wasn’t right, it didn’t “speak to me” as I like to say. So I get it…and I get selling it at a loss and moving on.
Same here, but I put it on a beautiful lizard strap and have never looked back!👌
@@hootonhoot It's all about getting rid of the terrible factory strap. I've got mine on a more rugged looking leather nato and it looks great.
@@Mythicregard 💯%
I was considering making myself the very same gift but I eventually went for SPB155J1 which is way cheaper. And actually this green baby alpinist - looks just right on my wrist - I didn't wear anything else since getting it 😅
you'll find a lot of presage dress watches are also unsually thick... and further they dont even have the complications as a reason for that thickness... one of my favorite watches is the old Orient Polaris GMT... and it even has a power reserve meter and it ends up being 12mm thick... but 42mm
I owned the standard green one, the leather strap has a neoprene centre and is really stiff and doesn’t wear in over time. I just couldn’t get on with it and I thought it looks to small on my 17cm wrist, it’s to thick as well and bobbles around on my wrist, I sold it after about 8 months
Great video as always. Luckily for me it doesn't feel that chunky and i LOVE this watch (or maybe it does but i just like it that way). But i have to admit i did paid an embarrassing amount for the white dial limited edition. As a punishment i will stop myself from buying another watch... for a whole year... maybe
The white one comes on a metal bracelet and from what I can see from other users, it somehow makes the thickness issue less of a problem.
It's me as well. I remember the first time I saw this, its more than the sum of its parts. There is the leather strap (never leather for me) the bezel, the date widow (date is essential for me but not like this) the partial skeletonised hands and it's just not going to get worn.
My first reaction was exactly the same with the SPB121
Sorry to hear, looked stunning too. I had a seiko presage SSA347J1. It was thicker than Lord of the Rings. Is there a point to a dress watch that cannot go under a cuff?
Tissot Seastar 2000. Never liked the 1000 as the buckle was just a bit cheap looking. Saw the 2000 with milled clasp and a really nice blue dial. But the strap was still a let down. Sold it for the same as I got it for and replaced with a Seiko 62mas 65 recreation.
Buyers regret? Bought a Lorrier GMT. Great watch, well finished with good Myota movement. Advertised at 41mm but wears nearer 38/39mm. Just wore too small for me, so had to sell after only 3/4 wears. Shame as it was a nice watch.
I've owned 2 Oris watches , divers 65 bronze bezel and a reno 57. Both looked great on paper but i cant find out why on the wrist I got bored of them and flipped them after a very short time. Don't have the same problem with other makes.....funny that.
For me it is the Orient Kamasu. It is great for what it is (an entry level automatic diver) but the sapphire is so dull and milky. I sold mine in 2023.
I've put mine on a leather strap to refresh it a little bit after a couple of years. And I still love it's dark green/teal color, I haven't seen that tone on any other dial.
HOW thick Jody?!?
The original was 12mm, but then they added almost 1mm with the prospex exhibition caseback cyclops version, then added a chunky GMT movement and up went the thickness again.
I wear a SARB017 Alpinist & that's chunky enough and bobbles around on most straps or bracelets anyway (on my wrist shape) unless tourniquet tight.
My solution was a Bonklip bracelet like on that Mercure ...it's awesomely comfortable and fits the tool/dress vibes of the original perfectly.
Worth a crack on your chunkmonster GMT @JustOneMoreWatch ?
P.S. I wear a Lunar Pilot (the bigger one) and an Arnie often, so not afraid of "chunk" when it's appropriate 😁
The original was 11 mm thick (including domed acrylic), on the other hand it was only 35 mm wide.
that's why its best to try it out in a store
Where?
its nice watch i like it but ive never owned one.... so till u try it on u never know.... cheers
I bought a lot of Seikos early days. At one point, I think I had half a dozen, and I'd managed to avoid the QC issues. And then..... I picked up a Sumo. The chapter ring and the indices were way out. Horrendously so. From then on I seemed to have a bit of a run with Seikos having QC issues. Some I could live with, getting them fir a good price, but some were just not acceptable.
There's a lot to like about Seikos. Lume, designs, dials, price point (generally). But then again, there's things that aren't great. QC issues including the aforementioned, and the bracelets. The bracelets and clasps at the price point are well below par. So much so, I factor in the cost of a Strapcode bracelet into things when I do purchase a Seiko.
I still have a few Seikos. I do like them. I may get other Seikos in the future. But in reality, there's much better value to be had at the price point with heaps of microbrands out there, as well as Orients (aside from their bracelets too!).
I received one of these yesterday. I opened the box, took one look at the watch, and put it back. I called the jeweler and it’s on its way home. The proportions of this watch are that of a hamburger-nearly as tall as it is wide. With the GMT function, Compass Bezel, and 24-Hour Outer Bezel, Seiko should have gone for a 40 or 41mm watch to give it a little breathing room and also make the case a little more proportionate. I know they were trying to stay true to the original Seiko, but I think they missed the mark here in a big big way.
Been honest I could name 2 or 3. Will probably be in the same ‘thickness’ boat with you, as I have my name down on the list for a Helm Komodo but it will be worn on the rubber isofrane so will hopefully wear better. Fat chance I have of trying one of those on anytime soon which I Always recommend. The Vanuatu was a mistake until the ti bracelet saved it! 😅
How to tell when a channel is good: Your format, content and even your terms are being unabashedly copied by others. You win.
This is the exact same watch where i had the same experience. On paper the perfect travel watch, in hand it just.... didnt click. In my opinion, its down to the hand stack. With the gmt movement, the watch looks like it has a lot of air space vertically in the dial area and it looks very disproportionate. The GMT MM200 seems to hide the thickness better
I had the green Alpinist twice... I don't know what had me thinking by ending fliping it, maybe it is the same with you. I think the problem is the thickness.
Which green Alpinist? There's been a few in over 6 decades, and there's a whole bunch of them being made and sold today.
These watches need a solid case-back with some nice engraving and shortens the height. Why the display case-backs on non-decorated movements?
In my youth I bought a Nixon "Rotolog" on the Internet. And it was immediately obvious that it was way too big, and heavy for my small wrist. Never sold it cause the loss would/will be tremendous
I love these, I'll take it. How much?
I bought the blue version and put a red tropic strap on it. It wears great and looks fantasticly sporty. I love it. Sorry it did not work for you. The strap it came with came off within 5 mins of arrival and went straight into the box. The strap is your issue. The height of it has not bothered me once. I am a big guy though
Bought the blue one for 630 quid new. Seiko pricing on new watches (it was nearly a grand just 2 weeks ago) is just daft. Yup it's tall on wrist. It feels better on a nato strap or an elastic strap that pulls it closer. It's just a cheap watch at the end of the day. At least it's it's own thing, like my willard, tuna, flightmaster etc. Makes you feel a bit classy, unlike San Martins etc... Want to get it on a bracelet to give it more heft and balance the head out a bit.
Great to see that happens to us all, even those that are way further down the collecting line than others. For me it's the Aquasaphe and my Grand Seiko. I keep trying, keep swapping the straps but don't quite gel.....yet my cheap Pagani Design World Timer hugs the wrist perfectly. Check out their field watch....perfect case shape
I have a Sarb017 and can’t stand it on the stock leather strap. Feels like a sports watch that’s trying to be dressy. Love it on an oyster though.
I like large watches and I bought a 46mm Citizen and even though its beautiful I wish it was lager.. I guess that from now on I will only buy a 48 to 50mm watch.
Would you ever review an Aragon watch they make a beautiful to me 50mm dive watch for a very reasonable price I just heard of the brand and I am questioning the quality and accuracy (before I get swamped with responses I know that you get what you pay for)
I don't own an Aragon diver but I like the look of them
Aragon make some great watches , i have a diver and i rate it highly .
I agree beautiful watch Great price but never heard of them
I wd take the non gmt alpinist over the gmt even if they were the same price. The gmt bezel on that case is just odd.
I bought a Tag Heuer Aquaracer, never wear it. One of the few times I did wear it was on my wedding day which makes it tricky to sell. It’s very nice but tbh I don’t love it on the wrist. 99% of the time I wear a custom Sellita SW200 build or an NH35 Seiko mod. The other 1% I wear my super old but much loved quartz Tag Heuer Professional 2000 or my Dad’s old Bvlgari Diagono. The Aquaracer just sits forever in my watch box , sigh.
Ahh yes, the Wedding Watch cannot be sold. Until after the divorce. 🤣
My sympathies. I have looked at Alpinists for a few decades, here (where they are scarce) & in Japan. Despite the fan base, great reviews & quality of the watches I've never thought of buying one. It's one of those "sure if I was creating a Seiko museum" watches, but I'm not. It's just not a watch I want to wear. Hence my surprise when you gave yourself one for Xmas. I wear a Chronomaster maybe as much as you do, so it was one of those each to their own moments. But maybe not. Hopefully it sells well.
I really love this range...that being said...I just couldn't justify the price of this one. I don't see the value in it and that something that I need when I'm enjoying a watch
I have a Fears Brunswick Salmon dial i can't get down with. It's sitting in my drawer. I need to flip it gets no love even aftee almost 2 years
I can’t gel with Zelos watches … tried twice, swordfish Ti, and Spearfish GMT. I have no good reason … just not for me 🤷🏻♂️
Bulova lunar pilot special edition. Bought it new a year ago, and it has about 10 hours wrist time. It's just not a go-to watch in my case. I'm a little shocked, to be honest. It's a great watch. The depth to the dial is very sandwich like, yet not......Anyway, Lunar Pilot Special Edition for sale! Mint/as new condition. $450 cdn. Cheers! 😊
Me too. I bought the same piece and sent it straight back! Just not for me!
I'm confused is the GMT hand just purely to tell you if it's day or night or can you set it for a separate time zone? Also what does the other crown button do Thanks
It happened me with the Orient Kanno.
First 8 minutes is like a sales pitch but then pum, down to hell
Same problem with the same watch over Christmas.
Research and wanted to purchase this watch over Christmas during a family trip to Taiwan.
Managed to find a Seiko dealer with this exact model; put the watch on my wrist and my shoulder dropped by 3 inches.
All the ingredients are there on paper, but I suspect the design & execution of the details aren’t there. Not for USD1000.
Walked away😔
Yes totally, Waited 2yrs on AD waiting list to get It Explorer ll, But after 6months couldn't bond with it & have subsequently sold it..!!
I had exactly the same issue some years ago with another Seiko, a Cocktail with power reserve. Awesome dial but much too thick, this combined with the ugly strap was unfortunately a bad wearing experience. I didn't keep it. 😕