New Day, New Watch! Seiko SPB239
This JUST arrived this afternoon and I couldn’t be happier with the look and feel of this watch. It’s toolie. It’s a little blingie. And it’s a great fit. This is the one that came with the 2 funky braided NATO straps from Seiko.
While the straps are beautifully made and high quality, I think they’re a bit too thick and the extra flap adds too much height to the watch on my wrist. This Crown and Buckle premium NATO is much more comfortable and lets the Watch hug my wrist better.
I considered cutting off the extra piece on the Seiko NATOs but that could hurt resale should I ever consider selling. Thoughts?
Ever since my parents gave me a "gold" Bulova Digital watch with glowing red numerals when I was in elementary school, there has ALWAYS been a watch on my wrist! I just feel naked without one.
If you're going to resell it just include a cheaper new NATO with it. But if you want to cut it you should cut it
If you're going to resell it just include a cheaper new NATO with it. But if you want to cut it you should cut it
I may just do that! Or, but couple more Crown and Buckles. They make super nice ones and are fairly priced.
I haven't used the beige nato yet that came with my 239. Its still in the cover and kept away with the box. I pretty much wear it on the bracelet and use the brown nato in rotation. I don't mind the thickness but if you do plan to resell, I would suggest not to tamper with the nato. The nato alone you can sell for $200-300 depending on the colour if do plan on selling. There is also another way to tuck the second layer along the side ways to use the nato as single pass.
https://youtu.be/8VxB4AXzy5k
@boozedancing you should try PhenomeNATO, they're basically Omega quality NATOs (handmade in Europe) for a airly good price
I haven't used the beige nato yet that came with my 239. Its still in the cover and kept away with the box. I pretty much wear it on the bracelet and use the brown nato in rotation. I don't mind the thickness but if you do plan to resell, I would suggest not to tamper with the nato. The nato alone you can sell for $200-300 depending on the colour if do plan on selling. There is also another way to tuck the second layer along the side ways to use the nato as single pass.
https://youtu.be/8VxB4AXzy5k
Thanks for the advice!
$200 to $300 for those straps??? That’s madness! But at that price, I’d definitely consider selling them. That will bring the price of the Watch down quite a bit and find many straps.
@boozedancing you should try PhenomeNATO, they're basically Omega quality NATOs (handmade in Europe) for a airly good price
I had them before a few years ago. Didn’t love them. Almost too soft.
Thanks for the advice!
$200 to $300 for those straps??? That’s madness! But at that price, I’d definitely consider selling them. That will bring the price of the Watch down quite a bit and find many straps.
Those straps are $175-200 retail if you end up ordering one from Seiko through your AD and they are not that easy to get, it takes quite a bit of time to receive. On eBay they usually sell between $200-300 depending on the colour and variant (there are some limited edition colours like blue and other variants which are even on the more expensive side).
The straps are really high quality, better than what you get in even the luxury brands in terms of quality and strength so the straps do hold a good value. I find these straps very comfortable apart from the thickness, suits my larger wrist.
Those straps are $175-200 retail if you end up ordering one from Seiko through your AD and they are not that easy to get, it takes quite a bit of time to receive. On eBay they usually sell between $200-300 depending on the colour and variant (there are some limited edition colours like blue and other variants which are even on the more expensive side).
The straps are really high quality, better than what you get in even the luxury brands in terms of quality and strength so the straps do hold a good value. I find these straps very comfortable apart from the thickness, suits my larger wrist.
Definitely well made. No denying that! The price is bananas though.
Definitely well made. No denying that! The price is bananas though.
The straps are specifically made for Seiko and all are produced in Japan through some traditional factory. Plus all are produced in very limited numbers for only specific models through the production period so the costs add up.
The comparable nato you can buy at the same price is from Omega for $200, but those don't feel anywhere close to good as the Seichu ones that Seiko sells. When it was first introduced with the SLA057 and SLA055, it was around $400 on the grey market but the prices have come down over the last year for these straps.
The straps are specifically made for Seiko and all are produced in Japan through some traditional factory. Plus all are produced in very limited numbers for only specific models through the production period so the costs add up.
The comparable nato you can buy at the same price is from Omega for $200, but those don't feel anywhere close to good as the Seichu ones that Seiko sells. When it was first introduced with the SLA057 and SLA055, it was around $400 on the grey market but the prices have come down over the last year for these straps.
Fascinating! That’s going the extra mile on Seiko’s part.
I cut all my NATOs and make them single pass 😅. It looks less bulky and allows the watch to sit lower especially on these Seikos where the Tsunami logo protrudes out slightly to add more height to the watch.
I cut all my NATOs and make them single pass 😅. It looks less bulky and allows the watch to sit lower especially on these Seikos where the Tsunami logo protrudes out slightly to add more height to the watch.
I do the same or just buy single pass NATOS. Given the value of these, I don’t have the heart to do it. I just may resell them. And buy another watch with the proceeds! 😈
I do the same or just buy single pass NATOS. Given the value of these, I don’t have the heart to do it. I just may resell them. And buy another watch with the proceeds! 😈
Haha true. But they would still be good ‘single pass straps’ once you’ve cut it 😅. But only if the don’t have in in single pass style. All the best 👍
I really like this Seiko, and I dig the funky strap too!
New Seiko day is always a good day, congrats!
I really like this Seiko, and I dig the funky strap too!
New Seiko day is always a good day, congrats!
Thanks! Really liking it so far. Switched to an FKM tropic strap. Works really well. And re: the movement, I think I lucked out. So far it’s been pretty much at 0 to +1 seconds over the past 6 days.