NWA - The Dread Seiko Cyclops
Having gotten into this - hobby? madness? - only last year and picked up three decent watches (and one sub-$20 beater) in that period, the prudent thing would be to ease off the purchases in 2024 and just admire safely from a distance. Which is what I was planning on. Really. But then I stumbled on a sale of the SPB121 and couldn't resist. (A brief tip of the cap to Ethan at Exquisite Timepieces in Naples, FL. I generally don't talk about stores/ reps, but Ethan was helpful, good salespeople should get recognition, and I think this was a great bargain.)
Random observations from the first 1.5 days:
Cons:
> As expected, the strap is... not great. In fact, it's so stiff that it basically lifts the caseback a couple mm clear above my wrist, acting like stilts straddling my wrist. So I ordered a new strap - can't come fast enough. And related to that, drilled lugs would have been nice.
> Seiko QC strikes again: The compass bezel N and S markers cannot be both aligned exactly with 12 and 6 at the same time; if one direction is lined up, the other is a bit off. But at least the bezel works smoothly and isn't loose (have seen a video where it has a lot of play, which put me off for a while).
> I actually kind of like the cyclops, but at some angles it does make it hard to see where the second hand meets the 14 and 16 markers on the chapter ring.
Pros:
> Strap aside, the watch dimensions are comfortable and don't feel as chunky as the numbers suggest.
> So far, deviation from perfect time is much, much better than quoted. Just based on casual observation, it seems to be running only -3 sec/day or so. I'd prefer it to run faster rather than slower, but when it's basically within COSC out of the box, can't really complain. Luck of the draw I guess.
> Sapphire! I think hesalite is actually nice, but Hardlex seems like the worst of both worlds. So I'm happy to get sapphire, especially at a discount (for Seiko).
> Compass bezel alignment notwithstanding, the finishing is just lovely. I think he was talking about the prior SARB, but Max's comment on the sunburst applies here, too. I love the applied indices, slight curve and polish of the mid-case, and the overall design.
Other stuff:
> This being only my second mechanical watch, the difference in winding action from the Miyota 9 series in my Lorier Neptune is interesting. There's more of a "crunchy" audible and tactile feedback with the Seiko, whereas the Miyota is basically smooth. I do like being able to see the gear move as I use the crown.
> The manual mentions the old 7 series movements and 4R and another series, but not the 6R. Maybe they didn't bother to update since they just issue manuals online.
> I don't know if this is a Seiko thing or just random, but the manual in particular had a kind of Pine-Sol odor. Not bad, just... unexpected.
Anyway, so I'm now part of the Seiko club I guess! May post more when I get the new strap. Have a great weekend!
Fell down the watch rabbit hole just recently - before, almost never thought about them, now can't go a day without reading or viewing something about watches.
A v nice watch and a good choice. I have the older one without the cyclops (strap also awful).
Can’t really see the alignment point from the posted pics but it sounds surprising as it suggests the compass bezel is itself misprinted? Still a small fraction won’t put you very far off course if you check your bearings a little more frequently.
I would like to see more makers using an internal cyclops (like Bulova do on the devil diver) as I don’t have a problem with the magnification but with the additional height and unevenness of the surface.
Enjoy
Max the founder of watchcrunch made a great video on how to remove the cyclops- in case it starts to annoy you. Its really easy, I removed it on a watch and I love the watch so much more now!
One thing you can count on with Seiko is you can't count on everything being right.. .But we still love em
Did you try leather conditioner on the strap? It might alter the color but should soften it up. I tend to give leather straps a month or so of wearing to break them in.
Max the founder of watchcrunch made a great video on how to remove the cyclops- in case it starts to annoy you. Its really easy, I removed it on a watch and I love the watch so much more now!
I’ll be checking this video out. The cyclops is something I personally dislike enough that I’ve not bought watches because of it. I just wonder it the removal technique might adversely affect the integrity of the seal used on the crystal? 🤔
A v nice watch and a good choice. I have the older one without the cyclops (strap also awful).
Can’t really see the alignment point from the posted pics but it sounds surprising as it suggests the compass bezel is itself misprinted? Still a small fraction won’t put you very far off course if you check your bearings a little more frequently.
I would like to see more makers using an internal cyclops (like Bulova do on the devil diver) as I don’t have a problem with the magnification but with the additional height and unevenness of the surface.
Enjoy
So it was tricky trying to get an in focus shot without too much glare, but maybe you can see the misalignment here:
It's just very mildly annoying to me, and especially given the discount I got I'm not going to complain - not about to go hunting for the one perfectly QC'd Seiko out there!
Max the founder of watchcrunch made a great video on how to remove the cyclops- in case it starts to annoy you. Its really easy, I removed it on a watch and I love the watch so much more now!
I actually like the cyclops - a bit old fashioned and funky, and I want variety in my admittedly small and embryonic collection. But if I get tired of it, I know what to do now. Thanks for the tip!
Nice pick! I’ll share that I had good experience with Exquisite Timepieces, too. Found my first nice watch, Seiko SSK003, on sale there about a year ago. 👍🏻
So it was tricky trying to get an in focus shot without too much glare, but maybe you can see the misalignment here:
It's just very mildly annoying to me, and especially given the discount I got I'm not going to complain - not about to go hunting for the one perfectly QC'd Seiko out there!
Thank you - I can see it but it is very slight. Still pretty inexcusable given Seiko are pitching this in their Prospex line as a tool watch. I’m going to have a quick look at a few other images to see if it’s obvious in others.
I could certainly live with it. The compass bezel on mine is forever moving as that crown is so sensitive so it’s never aligned anyway.
Thank you - I can see it but it is very slight. Still pretty inexcusable given Seiko are pitching this in their Prospex line as a tool watch. I’m going to have a quick look at a few other images to see if it’s obvious in others.
I could certainly live with it. The compass bezel on mine is forever moving as that crown is so sensitive so it’s never aligned anyway.
Looked at a few on Chrono24, many are fine and many use the stock images which are fine but there are quite a few that are similarly slightly off (see pic below).
So I guess you can either console yourself that it’s not just yours or beat yourself as it’s not a rarity?
Glad you got a good deal at least.
Now I have to go and check my own one too!
Max the founder of watchcrunch made a great video on how to remove the cyclops- in case it starts to annoy you. Its really easy, I removed it on a watch and I love the watch so much more now!
Do you have a link for this?
Do you have a link for this?
I’ll be checking this video out. The cyclops is something I personally dislike enough that I’ve not bought watches because of it. I just wonder it the removal technique might adversely affect the integrity of the seal used on the crystal? 🤔
Try slapping a bracelet on! Gives it a great explorer type vibe.
I've had several and I believe this is more down to the way the bezel is seated and not the QC / printing. Try turning S to 12 o clock to see if it's still misaligned.
Did you try leather conditioner on the strap? It might alter the color but should soften it up. I tend to give leather straps a month or so of wearing to break them in.
Wasn't aware of that - don't have any conditioner handy but may look into it. Thanks!
Wasn't aware of that - don't have any conditioner handy but may look into it. Thanks!
Baseball gloves and good leather boots are notoriously stiff before breaking in.
Try slapping a bracelet on! Gives it a great explorer type vibe.
Interesting idea. Is this going to be a third party situation for the end links? I've seen Uncle straps mentioned in that respect.
Baseball gloves and good leather boots are notoriously stiff before breaking in.
I've only had one softball glove in my life which seemed to be supple enough... and never had leather boots, much less good ones lol. Learn something new!
Interesting idea. Is this going to be a third party situation for the end links? I've seen Uncle straps mentioned in that respect.
Yes, oem Alpinist bracelets aren’t doable to find sadly
Thank you!