Timex Weekender 40 Chronograph

Timex Weekender Chronograph Review

The Timex Weekender series is a minimalist exercise in affordable timekeeping. This Chronograph (model: TW2P62300) is another great example of the things that make a Weekender great: simplicity, ease of use, and timeless style. I really love that you can get a great watch for well under $75.

Timex Weekender 40 Dial

Timex Weekender 40 Review

The Timex Weekender series are my favorite watches for their price points. I don’t believe you can get a better value or a better looking watch for the same money. The Weekender 40 (model: T2P4959J) comes with no complications and it doesn’t need any- it’s already the best bang for your buck out there.

Citizen BM8475-26E

Citizen BM8475-26E Review

I really like this Citizen. The orange and black color scheme is a great combination. At night, the lume is so bright that you will have no problems easily telling time. The Eco-Drive movement inside is rock solid. This watch is a great buy, especially if you can find it for anything under $175. The BM8475-26E is a regular part of my watch rotation.

Seiko Kinetic SKA553

Seiko Kinetic SKA553 Review

This is a watch that combines some of the best elements of an automatic movement with the timekeeping accuracy and reliability of a quartz movement. Once charged, the SKA553’s kinetic movement keeps a six month power reserve. If this watch will be a daily wearer, I recommend it wholeheartedly; if this watch will be part of a larger collection, perhaps consider whether or not you want a kinetic movement at all…

Cookoo Smartwatch

Cookoo Smartwatch Review

The Cookoo is far from the smartest smartwatch you can buy. Offerings from Apple, Samsung, LG, Pebble, and a host of competing brands keep the smartwatch market fresh. But, they are all much more expensive and much more elaborate than the Cookoo. Ultimately, the value of the Cookoo depends on how much you value quick connectivity to your social circle. If you’re in love with Facebook and the like, the Cookoo will be a good fit for you.

Cadence Buccaneer

Cadence Buccaneer Review

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in my opinion the Buccaneer really doesn’t deliver on that. Where it does do well is function, rated for 500m of depth (with the screw-down crown secured). If you want an inexpensive and capable dive watch, the Buccaneer is a pretty good choice.

Cadence Winston

Cadence Winston Review

The Winston is a completely adequate watch for its $40 price tag. Powered by a Miyota quartz movement, the Winston is a simple and minimalist timepiece. The stainless steel case/bracelet are ultra-lightweight.

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph

Victorinox Infantry Vintage Chronograph Review

The Infantry Vintage Chronograph is designed to do its job and do it well. Excellent visibility – day or night – and solid build means that you can confidently wear this watch almost anywhere. This is an excellent watch for someone that wants a chronograph and wants something that will work and look like new for many years.

Citizen CA0427-08E

Citizen CA0427-08E Review

My experience with the Citizen CA0427-08E is mixed. I’m not a big fan of how it looks overall- they tried a little too hard to be techno-sporty. With an MSRP of $295, they are also on the expensive side of entry-level quartz chronograph, and the fact is that I’m not sure I’d spend $300 on this watch. Technically it’s a good watch, and if you like how it looks, I suppose that’s all that matters.

Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2

Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2 Review

If you want a low-cost sport watch that comes with all the functions you need (chrono, alarm, timer, etc) the Cadence Wrist Rocket WT2 is a solid choice. We picked this one up for less than $20 and have nothing but good things to say about the watch and Cadence’s customer service.

Tissot T-Touch Classic

Tissot T-Touch Classic Review

There are just a few small quibbles that kept the T-Touch Classic from scoring perfect. It’s the quartz watch that can be dressed up or down easily, looks great with just about anything, and has great functionality built in. I refer to it as the Grown Up’s Timex because it packs a ton of great features (and backlighting) into an attractive and distinctly adult timepiece.

Seiko SSB039

Seiko SSB039 Review

About Seiko

Seiko was founded in 1881 and produced its first watch in 1924. It is one of the largest watch manufacturers on the planet and is the parent company of many sub-brands, the most popular being Grand Seiko, Pulsar, and Orient.

It is our opinion that Seiko is a reputable manufacturer and we generally have high-praise for their watches.

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HOW WE REVIEW WATCHES

Our reviews are based on our first-hand experience with the watch. All photos and media are created by us (unless otherwise credited). Learn more about how we review watches and check here to see real customer reviews, specs and prices on Amazon.

Review Summary

Seiko is known for producing watches with a lot of value built in, and in that way the SSB039 is true to form. It’s a fairly attractive watch as the vibrancy of the blue face is quite eye catching. It’s let down by the bracelet, which feels flimsy and cheap. Despite that, I wear it often because it pairs well with a variety of styles and is inexpensive enough that it’s not upsetting when it shows the signs of wear.

Seiko SSB039

Seiko SSB039 Technical Specifications

  • Model Number: SSB039
  • MSRP: $250
  • Case Diameter: 41mm
  • Alternate Models: Seiko makes lots of chronographs.
  • Movement: Quartz
  • Complications: Chronograph, date display
  • Battery Life: Approximately 3 years
  • Water Resistance: 100m/330ft
  • Crystal Material: Hardlex

Seiko SSB039

Setting the Time

Setting the time and date display is done via the crown. The chronograph is operated using the two buttons above/below the crown. The button above the crown starts the chronograph when pressed. If pressed again, it will pause the chronograph. The button below the crown resets the chronograph.

How To set the time:

  • Pull crown to the furthest position (position 3). Turn the crown clockwise to set the time. Note that the date display will roll over at midnight, indicating AM time.

How To set the Date:

  • Pull crown to the middle position (position 2). Turn the crown clockwise to set the date.

seiko-ssb039-face_734x979

Seiko SSB039 Aesthetics & Design

Seiko has made some really excellent looking watches, but the really good looking ones tend to cost a few bucks. In the lower end of the spectrum the designs tend to be subdued. The SSB039 is one of those subdued designs.

Lacking any texture, the hour markers and hands practically jump off of the dial. The effect is compounded by the tachymeter ring circling the dial like stadium seating overlooking the show floor.  It’s a nice effect and helps define the simple but attractive look.

The polished steel bezel gives off a nice shine and dominates the exterior. You don’t really notice the rest of the dull case, or even the bracelet for that matter. The bracelet has polished sections on the middle link, but at casual glance they blend into the rest of the strap and become invisible.

The chrome hands and hour markers don’t have anything in the way of lume, so as soon as the light’s out the SSB039 becomes pretty useless.

Seiko SSB039

Seiko SSB039 Build Quality

The SSB039 is lightweight, though it suffers for it. There’s a distinct cheapness to how it feels when worn. It doesn’t give the impression of sturdiness, despite being made of stainless steel.

Crystal, Case, and Dial

Hardlex is Seiko’s version of a beefed up mineral crystal. In my experience, Hardlex is a little more resilient to daily wear compared to a mineral crystal. Case and point, the SSB039’s crystal looks new despite being worn pretty regularly for months.

The dial also looks good, with everything lining up the way it should. If you look at it under zoom you won’t find any imperfections in any of the hands or markers, and everything is aligned properly too.

The finish on the case has held up well to daily wear. It shows some wear, though it’s mostly on the polished bezel.

Seiko SSB039

Bracelet and Clasp

Seiko has used a stainless steel bracelet instead of a nato or rubber. At this price point I think you’d be better served by either of the other options, as the steel bracelet is flimsy.

It wobbles and sways freely. Unless you wear it uncomfortably tightly, the watch always wants to slide around your wrist. The bracelet is very loose between links, resulting in almost no rigidity. The result is that I’m always fidgeting with the watch, moving it back to a comfortable position.

The deployment clasp is also lightweight, though it doesn’t suffer from the same feeling of cheapness extended to the rest of the bracelet. It snaps closed and stays snug.

Seiko SSB039

More About the Seiko SSB039

Movement

It’s hard to find information on which quartz chronograph movement Seiko has used in the SSB039. This watch is listed as a “special value chronograph” on Amazon and doesn’t seem to be part of any collection on the Seiko website.

It’s been accurate to within a few seconds per week for the majority of the time I’ve owned it (update January 2016: 3 years now).

Value for Money

The SSB039 does offer a good amount of value, though you do pay for it in some areas. The chronograph is useful, accurate, and quiet.

Seiko wisely chose to keep the styling of the SSB039 fairly universal. This watch looks good with most outfits, though I don’t think I’d recommend it for formal settings. As a daily wearer, it will serve you well.

If you’re looking for something a bit more special, for just a little more you can get yourself into an Orient Bambino automatic- it may not have the chronograph, but it’s a real gem of a watch and it’s price almost the same.

Photo Gallery

Citizen Drive AW1151-04E

Citizen AW1151-04E Review

Of the three Citizens I own, this one is my favorite. It’s got a sleek, sporty look that appears futuristic without being overdone. It’s comfortable to wear and feels secure when worn. It is accurate, and the utility of never having to charge it, change a battery, or worry about it going dead is very appealing. This is a great watch.

Pebble Smartwatch

Pebble Smartwatch Review

Despite its plastic construction, the Pebble is an excellent smartwatch in both build and function. It’s a fine example of what can happen when Kickstarter campaigns go according to plan. As a companion to your iOS or Android device, the Pebble integrates and enhances seamlessly. Recent price drops have made it a great value.