Seiko SZSB011 Review

The SZSB011 (along with its variants) doesn't get a lot of love from what I can tell. I think that is primarily due to the fact that it essentially replaced the legendary SARB033/035, but was a step down on paper. They increased the size to 40mm, threw in a 4r movement and substituted the sapphire crystal for a hardlex one (and took away that gorgeous needle eye seconds hand). Big fails, right? Well, I would agree, BUT judging the watch on its own, I think it's KILLER for the price (under 300 USD). Take the beautiful hands from the Grand Seiko SBGW231 and the dial from Grand Seiko SBGR261, lighten it up a little, and you have the SZSB011. Having worn the former and owned the latter, the SZSB011 gives me about 90% of that same feeling when on wrist! The dial is SO well executed in design and finishing that it feels almost like a Grand Seiko on the wrist, but for under $300! Take the "10 Bar" off the dial, and it's 100% perfect. The hands are probably my favorite part of the dial. They look like razors and play with the light in a way that is so incredibly gorgeous. 

The 40mm size is probably my biggest complaint with it. While it works well on my wrist, 38mm would have been perfect for this style of watch (that's a big reason the SARB033 is so loved). Despite not having a sapphire crystal, the hardlex is domed and has a beautiful distortion to it. As for the movement, I never wear this watch longer than one day at a time and by the time I go to wear it again a week later, I have to set the time again, so I really have no idea how accurate or well the movement is performing. Suffice it to say, that it performs well enough the the 8 to 10 hours a week I wear it. Haha.

I like to pair it with this brown leather strap and I think it looks fantastic on it! As I no longer  have my Grand Seiko SBGR261, this fills that gap for the rare time I want to wear this style of watch (I'm a diver fanatic, what can I say?). Overall, I think it's a beautiful watch and for the price, you can't go wrong!