Seiko’s Crowning Achievement?
Seiko 6R15 Prospex Automatic Scuba 200m (above, left) has created a buzz on worldwide Internet watch forums. Many are ready to proclaim it the new king of Seiko divers watches. Moderately priced at around $450 US, shipped from Japan, with a 23-jewel automatic/handwinding/hacking watch movement, and large bodied at 44mm across, how could it fail to steal the crown of the more expensive Marinemaster 300m Automatic 8L35 with 27 jewels (above, right)? To be honest, I’m not sure.
So far, we only have two images of Seiko SBDC001. Both are catalog shots. The watch is scheduled for an April release. Observe the crown (below) on the 6R15 divers watch on the left, with the crown on the Marinemaster on the right. Of the two, which appears more noble and dignified?
The real question is not about looks, for appearances can be deceiving. The real question is will the crown on the 6R15 divers watch be “slippery when wet”? How about when dry, will it be difficult to grip, to handwind, to thread? These are surely important qualifications when proclaiming a sovereign. Look at the crown on the princely Seiko Automatic Diver’s 200m 7S26 caliber watch (below). It is, of course, a descendant of royal bloodlines from Seiko Automatic 7002s and 6309s.
Similar questions can be posed about the 6R15’s bezel. In the two catalog images we have, it doesn’t seem to have the steely pointed bite of blue bloods. Will it be easy to grasp? While clearly no commoner, it’s an interesting creature, with its Alpinist-like crown and semi-shrouded bezel. And thus, I’ll end this cautionary tale about proclaiming the king dead before his time. The king is dead! Long live the king!!
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April 6th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Great little article. I look forward to you re-visiting this in a part II after you have a 6R15 diver to review.
April 17th, 2007 at 5:53 pm
Would a Marathon SAR fit in this picture? Interestingly, I have a Seiko pocket watch with the same 6R15 movement and I like its reliability there, so am expecting the same from the 6R15 wrist watch. I’m not worried about the crown on the cameltoe/sumo because I don’t dive and don’t even sit behind a desk. I like the fact that you can wind this one and its power reserve then is 50 hours. This corrects what I don’t like about the 7S26 and 7S36 movements; they can’t be manually wound. So, all in all, I prefer not to let the crown be the tag that wags the dog.
April 18th, 2007 at 8:26 am
Hi DavisMort,
You have a pocket watch with a 6R15 movement? I’d be very interested in the model number, if you happen to know it. I like pocket watches very much.
I recently traded a 6R15 dress watch for one with a 7S26 caliber movement (plus a bit of cash). Yes, you are certainly right, the 6R15 caliber movement is better than the 7S26/36 in many ways. Along with the two you mentioned, two more are the 6R15 hacks, and the mainspring is anti-magnetic.
Thanks for your comments!
Regards,
Bryan
April 18th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Hi Zoodles,
Thanks for your comments! Sorry about my delay in responding. Hope you’re enjoying your Seiko 300m Pro Quartz. That is one of Seiko’s best current production models, in my opinion.
Regards,
Bryan
May 10th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
[…] At 36mm in width, with a quartz movement, I know this watch will not be appreciated by many Japanese watch fans. Fans of the so-called Seiko Sumo diver’s watch (Seiko model SBDC001) probably won’t get it. Perhaps they can’t see, or appreciate, the design, the spirit, that went into this watch. I’ve owned this watch for two years. Although I have watches that cost many times more, I have none I enjoy wearing as much. Only a true master could design a watch with so much quality in every regard, and only a company like ALBA could sell it for so little. […]
November 11th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
[…] Looks like this watch will gonna work with long-sleeved shirts. It sort of reminds me of the “Sumo” from the side. Like the low profile (above, left). […]