Review of a sleeper GADA

Now now... amongst the best kept secret in the industry maybe? Maybe because JDM but still, it's not like JDMs are not accessible. Maybe the lack of marketing and reviews on it keep it under the radar. But damn I'm I happy I got this puppy.

I love my watches (well everyone that's on a watch specific forum to be fair)... I love having a watch on me all the time. That means the rugged life of a house man, i.e. washing dishes (neat freak), being in the rain (tropical islander), being a father figure to my cats and dogs. I need a watch that I can put on when I get home, go out, to work, mild sports etc

I have a decent collection but some caveats...

-My Grand Seiko is my baby, and as such I baby it avoiding scratches like the plague. It is WR to 150m and screams GADA but I won't just keep it on.

- my 3 vintage watches are perfect to wear. Small, thin, elegant, amazing to look etc etc... but they are hardly life proof having a combined age of 150years

To remedy this, I bought an Alpinist. On paper a perfect GADA. 200m WR screwdown crown, amazing dial, strap monster...

BUT DAMNNNN SHE'S THICCC!!! and I hated that. Always felt like a drag to put on, and always close to banging on something. At the end of the day when I wore a 36mm, 9mm thick watch and you put on the alpinist, it feels like you loaded a brick, and at the time where you want to just relax and feel nothing on your wrist. At 13mm, you feel it and i decided to let her go.

There was a gap as the GS and vintages still couldn't handle my harsh urban life, so I got a place holder, a watch I dont mind wearing even to scoop dog poop.

So time to hunt for the perfect house watch (ostentatious I know and I apologise)... shortlist were the :

-khaki pilot pioneer at $600 with perfect 36mm, 18mm lugs (matches my vintage and got a lot of straps) and thin... hmmm was tempted

- farer 36mm.. omg is she a looker. Funky colors, 36mm, under 11mm BUT over a thousand bucks and not to be categorised as a house watch

- stowa flieger 36mm, but like above too expensive to justify bein a house watch.

- prx 35mm quartz (auto wasn't out yet), had everything on paper but the seconds hand not hitting the markers (and the auto not easily regulated) and the strap restriction...maybe I'll pass.

I saw the Citizen diver reissue fujitsubo and wanted that. Thin and sporty. Was a contender (tsuyosa also but the movt, size and bracelet were a turnoff). While watching reviews, I see the NB1050-59E.... I devoured ALL THE REVIEWS, checked ALL the subreddits... i was sold withing one evening... went on Sakura watches...$388... pinned in my credit card detaila straightaway...

So here we are with the review (sorry for the history of my addiction 😅😅🤣🤣):

She meets all my requirements:

- she's finished beautifully for a sub 400 watch. Like its hard to fault it (maybe crown not signed but honestly not an issue for me)

Nice contrast of brushing and polishing, markers play beautifully with the light.

Framed date window.

Really need to go macro level to spot issues (but who does that).

- The dial is clean, legible, functional. Inky black but shows some sunburst effect in direct sunlight with a nice coffee color.

- Sapphire crystal.

- love the chunky crown. So easy to wind (unnecessary but watch nerds need to fiddle).

-the size... mannn the size... 38mm with 10.5mm thickness. She dissapears on the wrist...

- also a shoutout to the duratect (whatever they call it) coating... not micro scratches anywhere within 3 weeks of use (not babied or anything)

Not a scratch from desk diving.

- strap monster. Lucky for me i have 19mm straps which i share with my GS.

- the very functional lume on a dress style watch and that 100m of WR.

Listen not gonna got swimming with it but im not afraid of water with it. 100m gives you that extra peace of mind

- The movement... ok its not AP or PP, but at less than 400 bucks... thats actually more than decent.

By a mile a definite stepup from the 6r35 on the alpinist.

And accuracy... i mean seriously miyota/ citizen... 4 secs a day in 2 weeks... bravo 👏 👏 👏

A little photo dump because I'm done writing (been only 3 weeks of ownership)...

- the cons, because nothing in life is perfect (even less when you're spending only 400 bucks)

1. The l2l could have been a bit shorter. Added to that, since its male end links, they extend a little bit more. I'm at the limit of what i would wear.

2. Unsigned crown for some (dont mind personally)

All in all, do not hesitate. This could seriously be a one watch collection. It's amazing at everything i want it to be.