Ode to my Seiko Landmaster GMT SBDB015
I think I have reached peak watch with the acquisition of my Seiko Landmaster SBDB015.
As a fan of quirky industrial design, this to me is the pinnacle of modern tool watch design & engineering. IMO the SBDB015 is the finest & most original watch release from arguably the world’s most important and influential watchmaker.
Almost every design choice on the Landmaster SBDB015 in isolation is absurd, yet in combination creates a jarring, but striking harmony. The 🦄 crown is polarizing, but also functional, as it limits case width and makes the crown less likely to get caught on fabric. A high-polish case finish sounds like a strange choice for a field watch, but it enhances the curves of the case, and due to the use of Ti + diashield, it is still far more scratch resistant than brushed or bead blasted stainless steel. The dial is extremely legible, sits under an invisible flat sapphire crystal and has multiple layers of depth, from a sunken inner section to a gentle curve around the outer edge. A pair of mismatched lugs (straight across horizontally on top & curved on the bottom) both bend elegantly downward to hug the contours of your wrist, and though the dimensions suggest a behemoth of a watch (47mm width, 14mm height, 50mm lug-to-lug, 24mm lug width), it doesn’t look out of place on my modest 6.75” wrist, thanks to Seiko magic 🪄.
The Landmaster is a spec beast. Despite its size, it feels feather-light on wrist due to the choice of case material, while the high polish surfaces give the illusion of a heavy stainless steel watch. The flyer GMT feature allows for an independently adjustable hour hand ideal for frequent fliers ✈️. The 72hr power reserve is almost double the capacity of my 3-hand ETA & Selita watches, and the fuel gauge display eases my anxiety about charge. I’ve owned several Seikos with Lumibrite, and while all have excelled in brightness & longevity, nothing compares to the nuclear ☢️ level lume achieved by the SBDB015 (improved from its SBDB005 predecessor). I can confirm that the dial is legible from bedtime to morning. Finally, this watch is powered by a technical marvel. The 5R66 Seiko movement features the smooth, tickless sweep and 1/2 sec/day accuracy that draws all of us to spring drives. This is a watch any watch nerd can get lost in, and should be my last. We’ll see…
Serial watch flipper in Los Angeles. Want list: Dodane Type 23 Quartz Anadigi
Like your pist!
Love that watch! Last watch and will see hmmmmm yeah lol
Enjoy that watch!
Cheers!
Always cool to see somebody share pics of one of these beasts. Definitely one of the more eye catching Seiko spring drive watches and such a rare movement to see outside of Grand Seiko too, making them even more special. I kinda regret not buying a Landmaster before they got discontinued.
For a long time I was torn between getting one of these or a Spring Drive Tuna as my first Seiko with a 5R movement. I ultimately decided against both because I concluded they were just too big for me.
... And then last year I got a Seiko LX diver which is roughly the same size if not larger, lol. Funny how tastes change.
Always cool to see somebody share pics of one of these beasts. Definitely one of the more eye catching Seiko spring drive watches and such a rare movement to see outside of Grand Seiko too, making them even more special. I kinda regret not buying a Landmaster before they got discontinued.
For a long time I was torn between getting one of these or a Spring Drive Tuna as my first Seiko with a 5R movement. I ultimately decided against both because I concluded they were just too big for me.
... And then last year I got a Seiko LX diver which is roughly the same size if not larger, lol. Funny how tastes change.
Wow that one is equally if not more beastly. Seiko has a way of making huge watches work for almost every wrist though. I will say the one thing that gives me pause about owning watch is maintenance of the spring drive movement. I haven’t been able to get a clear answer anywhere about how much it costs, if there are any reliable watchmakers in the US that can service AND have access to parts. I’ve only heard terrible things about the Seiko USA facility in New Jersey, so I don’t want to use them. I also prefer not having to ship my watch overseas if possible.
Very unique. Very cool.
Wow that one is equally if not more beastly. Seiko has a way of making huge watches work for almost every wrist though. I will say the one thing that gives me pause about owning watch is maintenance of the spring drive movement. I haven’t been able to get a clear answer anywhere about how much it costs, if there are any reliable watchmakers in the US that can service AND have access to parts. I’ve only heard terrible things about the Seiko USA facility in New Jersey, so I don’t want to use them. I also prefer not having to ship my watch overseas if possible.
Yeah, I've had similar concerns, but I figure I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. On the bright side, from what I gather there's a lot less internal friction on the movement due to the fact that spring drives don't have a traditional escapement mechanism. It's basically just a free spinning wheel regulated by a quartz circuit that's powered by a mainspring.
All mechanical watches need to be serviced eventually and I doubt spring drive is an exception, but I'm optimistic that it'll experience a lot less wear and tear over time and won't need to be sent to a service center any time soon.
I think of my MM300 as a quirky industrial design as well. You have a very cool Seiko!
Thank you for the post. This is why I love Seiko. When they make quirky designs that shouldn't work but it results in something like this it's just magical.
Seikosha ichiban! 🍻💪❤️
You'd think more people would design a case to actually fit a wrist! I also applaud the proper GMT hand that is not more noticeable than the regular hour hand. This gets done wrong way too often.
😙👌
Would give a pinky toe for one of these. Gorgeous!
I totally agree with you. This SBDB015 is a stunner! First of all it ressembles nothing else. Everything in its design has a purpose. It’s titanium because of its size. It’s asymmetrical for good reasons. It’s at the top of technology because of the material and the way it is manufactured and designed. It relies on Springdrive which to me is the ultimate in mechanical watches.
It is definitely comfortable to wear (I have a 6.5in wrist) in spite of its size.
What I really appreciate is that it’s a concentrate of technology, outstanding features and craftsmanship and in the meantime so underrated and easy to wear. My only concern is about maintenance…
Will it have to be sent to Japan? An alpinist hiding its name…