SRP527J1: definitely not for the beach, a dress watch, and Gethin salutes it
Not our normal kind of twerp
I wasn't intending to review this watch. I was going to give it back to Steve. But then I thought, if I don't review it, it'll be a missed opportunity. This isn't our normal kind of twerp. Is it for the beach? Definitely not. It's a dress watch.
It's the Seiko SRP527J1, the international reference. The JDM version has a Kanji date wheel and a brushed centre link instead of this rather silly polished one, which I think would be preferable. This one is already covered in scratches. It cost £279 new in 2014, back when you could still get Seikos at great prices. It looks almost identical to a watch I used to own, the SBO35, only a lot bigger with a slightly different dial.
Forty-two mil of formal time lord
It says 41 mm. I measured 42. That's about the limit for a dress watch. 48.7 mm lug to lug, 11.7 thick, large 22 mm lugs that could have been 20, tapering to 18 at the clasp. 157 g with all links. It's a big 42 mm bruiser, so if you have a small wrist, think about a SARB035 or something in the 38 mm range.
Quintessentially Seiko design: a polished and brushed case with lovely facets all around. Exceptional case finishing. Very, very handsome. Flat sapphire with AR on the front, a Hardlex display back on a screw-down caseback, 100 metres, 41 hours. Push-pull crown, hacks and winds.
The dial is the best thing about it
A beautiful creamy metallic sunburst, white dial, applied logo, multifaceted trapezoidal applied indices. Quite a regal look. No loom. It's a dresser. Dark blue Dauphine-style hands add lovely contrast, there's a blue minute track, and a lovely framed date window at three. The alignment looked spot on, then I noticed it isn't. Don't worry about that. You haven't seen that.
Bracelet and the gold rotor
Solid end links, pin and collar, and that polished centre link with brushed shoulders and polished flanks. I'm not a fan. The clasp is the stamped swing arm, two micros, twin trigger. Perfectly adequate. Does the business. We're not going to the beach with it, just to the office.
But the 4R movement has a lovely gold-plated rotor that adds visual interest to an otherwise extremely dull and boring movement. A great workhorse, rugged and accurate, and it'll run for years without servicing.
Verdict
Not my kind of watch, but we all need at least one dress watch in the watch box for formal occasions. We all have to go to the odd wedding or funeral. I have a cocktail time which I never wear, but I have it. £279 back in the day was a great value. They don't make these anymore, and you can find them used under £200.
I think it's a smart watch. Gethin salutes this twerp. Thank you, Steve. Hats off to you. Never give up.
