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State of the watch collection 2019 roundup

Collection tour

State of the watch collection 2019 roundup

8 watches · 13:06 · 2023-02-17 · 535 views

The 2019 Seiko Bonanza Extravaganza: a box of sub-GBP 500 Seikos, from a forgotten Black Bullet to my favourite, the Blumo

It's the 14th of June 2019 and tonight we have a Seiko Bonanza Extravaganza, starting, of course, with a lume shot. Respect to my big homie Christoph, who's lent me his Seikos to sit alongside mine.

That makes eleven of the finest sub-GBP 500 Seikos. Are you wasting your money? Should you just save it? I don't know. I run through them one by one: specs if I can be bothered, opinions whether you like it or not.

The verdict

My favourite in the box is the Blumo, while the Samurai is not my favourite and the Helmet leaves me cold. The SKX007 is the one everybody needs: it never stops, it keeps exceptional time and it worries the bigger boys with their expensive movements.

The line-up

1

Seiko SKX 'Black Bullet'

8/10 · For the beeeech

An overlooked, discontinued rarity from the SKX family, forgotten by many but not by me; good luck trying to buy one, and love it while you can, even with that irritating non-hacking 7S26.

▶ Play from 01:48 Full listing →
2

Seiko 5 Sports 'Helmet'

5/10 · It wants to be good

I don't know about this one: a reissue of a 1970s classic for about GBP 210, with a pointless 24-hour sub-dial (I prefer to look out of the window) and a stamped bracelet.

▶ Play from 04:13 Full listing →
3

Seiko Presage SRPB46 'Manhattan' Cocktail Time

8/10 · For the beeeech

Designed by a renowned mixologist, with a dial that's not for the faint of heart and a soft, supple strap; I don't know why you wouldn't want one, but the crown is too big and has a gap that annoys me daily.

▶ Play from 05:59 Full listing →
4

Seiko SRPC61K1 'Bottle Cap'

7/10 · For the beeeech

An affordable Seiko 5 Sports that looks a bit like a Tuna but isn't one, so don't go diving with it; it looks like a bottle cap and maximum respect is paid in spades.

▶ Play from 08:47 Full listing →
5

Seiko SKX007

9/10 · Beyond thunderdome · Gethin's own

It speaks for itself: on a Miltat Super Oyster, everyone needs one, it never stops, keeps exceptional time and worries the bigger boys; I've had it for several years and it still doesn't miss a beat.

▶ Play from 09:51 Full listing →
6

Seiko SRPC23J1 Turtle

Write-up coming

A rare J1 version of the Turtle in black anthracite: rhino thick and protected, an exceptional handset and a crap bracelet, as you'll find on every other sub-GBP 500 Seiko.

▶ Play from 11:06 Full listing →
7

Seiko Samurai

5/10 · It wants to be good

Not my favourite watch, though people love it and buy it; I don't know why they designed that funny little gap and strange bezel, but the waffle dial is quite acceptable.

▶ Play from 11:55 Full listing →
8

Seiko SBDC033 'Blumo' Gen 2 Sumo

9/10 · Beyond thunderdome

My favourite watch in the lineup.

▶ Play from 12:42 Full listing →

In his words

"Which allows you to see whether it's day or night. I prefer to look out of the window."

▶ Play from 05:08

"It spins like a top, it never stops."

▶ Play from 10:22

"It worries the bigger boys with the expensive movements."

▶ Play from 10:30

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