The Dive Watch Connection

I have wanted to add a watch that could be versatile on bracelet and nato straps, wore comfortably and looked unique. I flirted with acquiring a few other watches. Some of which I owned before and some of which I have not, but had pet peeves about. I had seen the Shogun but had originally balked at the hands at which I commented about recently. Looking past the hands this watch had a lot going for it. The size, verstatility and a proven movement which gives us what we cried about the most, hacking and hand winding. I like titanium watches for their comfort and was looking to try the diashield finish. After recently speaking to Matt after he tried on at a GTG and hearing his opinion on the fit and finish as compared to other watches we have both owned, I decided to take the plunge.

First impression is that the fit and finish is amazing. It has a nice blend of fine brushing and polished surfaces. The angular lines set it apart from many of the sub looking models but keep it close to the classic styling. It wears very comfortably on the bracelet and nato. Off the watch the bracelet is freakishly light. On the watch it balances nicely. I am not sure how to work the dive extension and whether I like it design of the clasp but it does not hurt the barcelet too much. Removing links from this bracelet is not for the faint of heart. I needed an extra pair of hands and broke out the Jewelers hammer for this one.

The hour hand I was worried about is not really a issue as suggested in response to my comment. I like the idea of the MM300 style hands but the fact that the lume won't match would probably bug me more. The polished surrounds on the indices are a nice touch which I loved on the MM300. The dial finish is great and the lume is Seiko lumibrite, enough said. I will give more long term thoughts after some time as it has only been here for a day.

Here are the dimensions taken with a caliper:
Bezel : 42mm
Lug size : 22mm
Lug to lug : 50.8mm
Case from : 10 to 4 : 44mm
Case width including crown : 46.7mm
Dial : 31mm
Crown : 6.9mm
Height : 13.3mm

Here are some pictures:
Excuse the fact that I did not wipe the watch off as good a I should as evidenced by the end links on the bracelt pics.

macro detail









Bracelet












Brown zulu







Bond





gray nato

Very nice! People on the fence should take a look at your post. You make it look awesome! I don't think anyone's captured the finish like you have, showcasing both the bushed and polished parts.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Wow that looks amazing in your pics.
I've always tried to talk people out of buying this compared to a sumo but I might be changing my mind....

Looks great Barry!

Love the zulu pairings.
Shogun really shines in these fab pics.

Really overlooked model, but damn fine diver.

Damn, Barry, I thought that was Paul's arm.


Anyway, congrats on the watch.

I was without a Seiko for a good while until I added a Sumo (again, for the 3rd time).

I forgot how much watch you get with Seiko for not "too much" money.


Titanium, 22mm lugs, sharp dial with a good movement...

you nailed it!

Congrats Barry. Definitely an underappreciated Seiko.

Dibs.

Sweet Seiko Barry!

I wore Ed's for quite awhile at lunch on Friday. I will be buying one eventually. Just got too many others in the pipeline right now.

Congrats, Barry!

Congrats on yours Barry!

I had one about a year ago and really liked it. I believe if it were a Swiss brand it would be easily over $2k, so with today's exchange rate this is a steal at under $1k delivered. I flipped mine, purchased another, flipped it too. I'm close to pulling the trigger on another one as they are apparently discontinued now and will become hard to find, especially since there aren't many in the wild (at least within the watch forum community).

Here are some shots of mine on NATO straps, just to add to the temptation.

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lorsban wrote:Very nice! People on the fence should take a look at your post. You make it look awesome! I don't think anyone's captured the finish like you have, showcasing both the bushed and polished parts.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks. I got lucky as it showed up on Saturday and I had an hour of uninterrupted time (very rare) to take tons of pictures and be able to get a few that showed the quality of this watch.

BBK357 wrote:Wow that looks amazing in your pics.
I've always tried to talk people out of buying this compared to a sumo but I might be changing my mind....

I was on the fence due to the difference in price but the Ti, pouring over pictures and Matt's opinion sealed the deal.

I am happy I made the choice.

sharkfin wrote:

Looks great Barry!

Love the zulu pairings.
Shogun really shines in these fab pics.

Really overlooked model, but damn fine diver.

Thanks

fastward wrote:Congrats Barry. Definitely an underappreciated Seiko.

Thanks

mattcantwin wrote:Damn, Barry, I thought that was Paul's arm.

mattcantwin wrote: Anyway, congrats on the watch.

I forgot how much watch you get with Seiko for not "too much" money.

Titanium, 22mm lugs, sharp dial with a good movement...

you nailed it!

Thanks I agree about the value to costs ratio on Seiko's. As I am making a decision to change my spending habits to concentrate on other things this was a great find.

CGSshorty wrote:Dibs.

I'll take it that you approve. Thank you

matt.wu wrote:I wore Ed's for quite awhile at lunch on Friday. I will be buying one eventually. Just got too many others in the pipeline right now.

Congrats, Barry!

Thanks Matt. You pushed the decision over the edge.

hoppyjr wrote:Congrats on yours Barry!

I had one about a year ago and really liked it. I believe if it were a Swiss brand it would be easily over $2k, so with today's exchange rate this is a steal at under $1k delivered. I flipped mine, purchased another, flipped it too. I'm close to pulling the trigger on another one as they are apparently discontinued now and will become hard to find, especially since there aren't many in the wild (at least within the watch forum community).

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Thanks. Your pictures and thoughts in my research helped as well. The fact that they are hard to find and I bought this for just over what people are selling this used told me it was time. All the dealers seem to be out. This was supposed to be the last one where I bought it.
BTW: I need a green nato after seeing your pictures, what shade of green is that?

aboen wrote:I Love it. Got a hand full of Seiko to acquire, and this one is on my list.

Congrats, Barry

Thanks Drew. Funny how the list of Seiko's is growing for me as well. The MM300 is always a favorite (though I have owned two), I would love an Emperor, trying a Grand Seiko and the Astron models look better every day.

The dealer sent a catalog (in Japanese ) but the pictures are outstanding and for people that ask me what watch they should buy as the only watch, unless they can go the sub price route, I should just hand them this catalog.

cali kid wrote:Sweet Seiko Barry!

Thanks Trevor

Wow -Really nice piece I hadn't considered before. I like a lot of things about it including the 22 mm lugs - rare for a Seiko. Great pics as usual!

Great mini review. It looks commanding on the gray-striped NATO.

Looks great, Barry. Killer pics, too

giosdad wrote:

hoppyjr wrote:Congrats on yours Barry!

I had one about a year ago and really liked it. I believe if it were a Swiss brand it would be easily over $2k, so with today's exchange rate this is a steal at under $1k delivered. I flipped mine, purchased another, flipped it too. I'm close to pulling the trigger on another one as they are apparently discontinued now and will become hard to find, especially since there aren't many in the wild (at least within the watch forum community).

Sent using Tapatalk

Thanks. Your pictures and thoughts in my research helped as well. The fact that they are hard to find and I bought this for just over what people are selling this used told me it was time. All the dealers seem to be out. This was supposed to be the last one where I bought it.
BTW: I need a green nato after seeing your pictures, what shade of green is that?

The green NATO is the standard OD Green Maratac NATO, from County Comm

Did you go Higuchi or Seiya?

Very nice Barry...

Love it on the grey Zulu...

Mike

Very solid piece Barry and I agree with you on the divers extension. Never been a fan of Seiko's design there. The extra clasp always digs into my wrist. They should have put a ratcheting clasp on this one like the Tuna and MM300.

I dig that Barry, congrats!

perfect watch for NATO/ZULU rigging. well done, sir

Great looking watch, Barry.

Congrats Barry, looks great!

Yep, I'd like to get one someday, as well.

Great watch! I've had one for a while now... It was always a keeper for me. I've never worn it on anything but the bracelet. Might have to give a nato a try. Yours looks great!

Love the pics Barry. There are so few good pics of the watch out there, and none that I've seen give a better idea of how the watch looks on the wrist than yours.

Why was the bracelet so hard to size? Is it a standard pin and collar system?