Seiko

Seiko SARB065 Cocktail Time

Seiko SARB065 Cocktail Time Review

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In 2010, Seiko released the SARB065 Cocktail Time. A classic watch, and one that will enjoy decades of relevance, is a hard design to pen. Of course, the Cocktail Time is among those that get it right.

In my hands, I have the SARB065, aka the “Cocktail Time Cool”. Before I move on to the updated Presage Cocktail Time next month, I wanted to get hands-on with the aging SARB065 so that I had an accurate basis for comparison when I get hands-on with the new one.

Seiko Prospex Solar World Time SSC509

Seiko Prospex Solar SSC509 World Time Review

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If your New Year’s resolution involves travel plans, you’re going to want a watch to come along for the ride. Frequent fliers will especially appreciate this Seiko Prospex World Time, both for its functionality (more on that below) and its build quality. Currently listed for just under $300 on Certified Watch Store ($278 actually), the Prospex Solar World Time is price competitive with most Citizens (in fact, it’s priced much better than most Citizen world time’s) and offers its wearer an assortment of functions/complications (including an alarm and chronograph function).

Best Mechanical Watches for Men

Best Mechanical Watches For Men Priced Under $1,500

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A common question we get on our Facebook and YouTube channels is “what are the best mechanical/automatic watches under $X”. The $X changes, but the sentiment in the question does not. It’s a good question, too, as there’s never been a broader selection of mechanically-powered watches than what’s available today.

In this list, I’ve called out my favorite automatic or mechanical watches priced under $1,500. A notable caveat: if the watch is an automatic, the movement must be able to be hand-wound like a non-automatic mechanical movement.

Seiko Flightmaster Pilot SND255P1

Seiko Flightmaster Pilot SND255P1 Review

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The Seiko Flightmaster is a genuinely useful watch. The chronograph and date display are standard complications, but the integration of a slide-rule is what gives the Flightmaster its utility. It’s made well and looks good (in my opinion). There isn’t anything I dislike: the Flightmaster is a good watch overall.

Seiko Recraft SNKM97

Relooking at the Recraft: the Seiko SNKM97

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I’m currently sitting in my hotel room at the Linq Hotel in Las Vegas, and the SNKM97 is the perfect companion. It looks totally at home on the strip, and its green and gold color scheme practically screams “high roller”. While this budget timepiece may not really be a high roller, it looks the part and feels great on the wrist. Check it out!

Seiko 5 SNK809 Lugs & Strap

Revisiting the Seiko SNK809

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As of today WYCA has over 70 reviews on it, with all but two being penned by myself. With more experience in the world of watches, and with considerably more experience with watch photography, I decided to rebuy the SNK809 and reassess my review.

Seiko SARB017 Alpinist Automatic

Seiko Alpinist SARB017 Review

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The Alpinist came as a true shock: a great looking, well-spec’d automatic from a world-class manufacturer. It’s comfortable to wear, durable, reliable, and accurate. In the USA and Canada, it’s also an uncommon watch to find. The best part of all of this is its price, coming in well under $400. Great work, Seiko.

Seiko Kinetic SKA553

Seiko Kinetic SKA553 Review

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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…

Seiko 5 SNK809 Automatic

Seiko 5 SNK809 Automatic Review

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It’s hard not to appreciate what Seiko offers in the 5 series. The SNK809 is a good looking, basic automatic watch that offers little frills… and has a diminutive price point to match. Whenever anyone starts getting into watches, the most popular recommendation for a first automatic is – by far – a Seiko 5. Buy a couple of complimentary straps and you can wear it just about anywhere, anytime. This is such a great watch.

Seiko SSB039

Seiko SSB039 Review

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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.

View Price on Amazon.

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.

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