King Manta-Ray Samurai: a stunning behemoth, ruined only by that bracelet and a bloody cyclops
Fully galvanized, no notes
Welcome back. I've written no notes and I'm doing this completely glabbed, bros. Homage first to the Vulcan, Mr Jun, who had one of these years ago, and thanks to Seiko Steve for lending me this clock and about 55 million others.
This is the King Manta, the Save the Ocean Samurai, the SRPE33K1. The Samurai is based on a Japanese medieval feudal warlord, and the fanboys say it looks like battle armour or a helmet. I think it looks awesome. It's always been one of my favourite Seiko cases. I've never owned one. It is a behemoth, and I really like it.
Look at the state of that dial
It is unreal. The dial is beautiful. Look at those manta rays. Stunning. Seiko says it represents the ocean from the view of a manta ray. Yeah, of course they do. I'm not so sure, but you can almost see it. These cost £560 at list, around £429 now, and £330 to £350 used on eBay. Seiko donates some of the proceeds to sea conservation, which is very commendable.
What's under the hood
A 4R35: hacking, hand-winding, 41 hours, plus 45 to minus 35, 24 jewels, 21,600 vibrations an hour. 200 metres ISO certified, with a screw-down crown and caseback. The early Samurais had a crown that sat a bit low and pissed me off. This one seems quite good, and the huge crown guards protect it.
The finishing is spectacular. Vertical brushing on the flanks, super angular brushed lugs, no polished top. An upgraded Samurai, with a ceramic gloss black bezel and a loom pip. It stinks of quality. The only thing that has always confused me is the little nibbler, a high-polished segment on the flank. I don't hate it, but I'd prefer the quadrants continued.
The things Seiko had to get wrong
First, the crown is grindy. It's the worst thing about the twerp, apart from something else. Second, a sapphire crystal with a hideous cyclops date magnifier. Totally unnecessary. Get rid of it. I hate them on every watch. At least they put it on straight.
And the bracelet. It downgrades the quality of the watch. A fold-over, stamped-out twin-trigger deploy with four micros. You can buy one from Strapcode if you wish, but why should you have to? The head is wonderfully done. The bracelet is garbage.
Verdict
I'm not hating on the twerp. I love the Samurai. I really do. It would look unreal on some rubber straps. It's a heavy beast: about 193 g, probably 200 with links out, so lightweights need not apply. But it wears very, very comfortably. And the loom? Excellent Seiko loom. He does glow, and he'll glow all night.
A state of him for the absolute beach. I would wear this with pride. His little brother, the Shogurai, is coming soon. Never give up.
