This is a discontinued model but I am taking the opportunity to document it here on this blog since I had the chance to handle a brand new piece recently.
This watch was the first automatic model that was released under the Seiko Criteria line. This particular specimen that I have here was manufactured in September 2004. I believe it was from an early batch because the watch actually hit the stores in early 2005.
In case you are not aware, Seiko has released a new series of Seiko 5 “Flieger” to replace the previous models. I had the opportunity to take a look at the black dialed version, SNKH63K1 as well as its predecessor, the SNK809K1.
SNKH63K1
Shown above is a picture of the SNKH63K1 and below is a picture of the discontinued SNK809K1 in case you have forgotten how it looks like.
From a picture on the catalog to the final product, the 4R15 diver is finally released. This is the first Seiko diver that uses the 4R15 movement. Like the 7Sxx movement, the 4R15 does not hack nor handwind but it has a power reserve of 50 hours according to its specification.
Let’s take a look at the watch….
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Orient has a number of nice classic automatic models that they offer in Japan. They are known to collectors as Japan domestic models (JDM) and are made in Japan with very good quality.
Besides the JDM’s, Orient offers a wide selection of watches in the international market and some of them are pretty well made and certainly worth looking at.
CFD0E003W
This time round I had the opportunity to handle a recent Classic Automatic in the international lineup, the model number is CFD0E003W (shown above).
I had the opportunity to handle the new Seiko Alpinist (SARB063) recently. This watch uses the same case as the SKX007, 009, 011 and other color variants, collectively known as the SKX divers. The Alpinist is powered by the 6R15 movement whereas the SKX divers are powered by the 7S26 movement. Below are some quick photos showing the features of the watch.
This time round I had the opportunity to handle an affordable piece of Orient AM/PM indicator watch. The size and shape of watch is very similar to a standard Seiko 5 dress watch except it has an arc shaped day window with AM and PM indicator in it.
I have made several posts on these Seiko 5 military and have purchased the matte finished black and green dialed variants. Here’s a picture of the Seiko 5 Military series.
Nowadays, most Seiko 5’s come with a black TiCN coated variant and I had the opportunity to handle the Seiko 5 military with such coating recently. The model number of the watch is SNZG17J.
Besides the black coating on the case, crown and bracelet, the watch is pretty much the same as the standard matte finished variants. Below is a picture I took of the watch.
After the photo shoot, I switched off the lamp and right there, I discovered something different — the Lume!!
Martin from the Philippines requested me to post a comparison between the SBDX011 and the 6159-7010. This is what he wrote to me:
Read your post on the 6159-7010, lucky guy that you got this watch. Hope you can make a comparison between your two tunas SBDX011 and the 6159. By the way, can you tell me how much you pay for the 6159?(if you don’t mind) I am now saving for the SBDX011 and is also thinking of getting the 6159 instead of SBDX011.
So here they are, the 6159-7010 from 1975 and the SBDX011 from 2009.
The Tuna Can is really addictive. Barely one month after getting my first Tuna, the SBDX011, I went on and acquired a vintage 6159-7010.
I have set three rules for myself when it comes to collecting watches. Some collectors may find my rules odd but they are set according to my watch collecting and wearing preferences and things like these vary from person to person. So here they are:
Yeoman's Watch Review 