Today we are going to examine and review a new acquisition of mine , the Seiko 5 SRPB27 automatic Semi super compressor watch from powerhouse japanese watchmaker Seiko. The seiko 5 line is a traditionally cheaper line of watches compared to the other Seiko lines such as the Prospex, Presage, and Professional series but the Seiko 5 line does offer a lot for your money. This is actually my second watch from the Seiko 5 line in my collection of affordable Seiko watches and it has been quite a delight test driving this one for the past couple of weeks prior to publishing this article. Let's get into it! Case The SRPB27 is housed in a 316L stainless steel case and has a diameter of 42MM and a width of 11MM. Some enthusiasts might see the 42MM case size and immediately say "too big" , but it sits rather nice on my 6.25 Inch wrist to be quite frank. The thickness at 11MM is just perfect for a slim diver of this style and I think it is okay in terms of thickness. This 42MM case has highly polished sides and brushed lug tops with a highly polished smooth bezel. One thing I did notice is the quality of finish when comparing this watch to something such as the seiko SARB033. The finishing is not as clean and definitely shows in the overall finish of the case. Please do keep in mind that I picked this watch up for $150 USD so I cannot really complain about small details like that. The lugs are rather blocky and I would of liked to see them taper a bit more which would of made the watch conform to the wrist a bit better like the Longines Vintage Compressors. The caseback is fully polished and screwed down as well with a mineral crystal displaying the automatic 4r36 caliber seiko in-house movement. This watch features two crowns which function with ease. The first crown over at 2:00 is used to function the bidirectional inner rotating bezel used to time 60 minutes or countdown 60 minutes which does work wonders. If you are wondering if it can be easily moved by a bump or a swift door knock the answer is no..you really have to rotate the crown with your hand to even move it. The other crown located at 3:00 which is a Pull/Push crown ( typical on seiko 5 models ) is used to set the day/date complication as well as the timeset. I would of liked to see 200M of water resistance instead of 100M of water resistance considering this is designed as a diving watch, but oh well. I mainly chose this watch due to the design and the aesthetic of the piece. I REALLY like super compressor watches but just did not feel like buying a vintage compressor which will have problems down the road. I also was considering a Longines Compressor diver but the lug to lug on that piece is way too big for my wrist. Movement Another big selling point was the actual movement inside of this watch. The 4R36 or the "NH35" movement is a reliable and trusted movement used across the board in modern watchmaking from micro brands all the way up to the Seiko Prospex lines in watches such as the Seiko Turtle SRP777 or even the Presage line in watches such as the SARY055 which cost upwards of $300 USD, so you see the value proposition here. This movement contains 24 Jewels , hacking , hand-wind, and a very consistent accuracy of 5-10 seconds gained or lost a day from my experiences with a few Seiko watches with the 4R36 caliber movement. Another good thing is that its completely produced by SEIKO and if it needs to be serviced 10 years down the road pretty much any watchmaker can do it. The power reserve is around 40 hours and is pretty consistent which is a big thing for me. For example, my seiko SKX009 power reserve is god awful. I will wear that watch all day and put it down to go to bed and by morning ( 8 hours later ) , the thing is dead. In conclusion, a big win for seiko for incorporating this movement in a $150 watch, it is well worth it just for the movement in my honest opinion. Dial The dial configuration I chose to go with was the black dial with the grayish accent on the inner rotating bezel. There are a few other alternatives as I believe they offer a "Pepsi" style bezel as well. Anywho the dial is covered with a mineral crystal and does have some depth to it as the rotating bezel sits above the actual dial. The dial has lumed markers ( lume shot below in pictures ) and markings for the 60 minutes of time. It is a pretty "boring" dial and very tooly looking in appearance, but sometimes simple is better. Also we do get a nice Seiko 5 applied logo which sits below the 12:00 position and is raised a bit. Hands The hands on this model are quite standard and go along with the watch aesthetic in my opinion. They do reach out to the beginning of the rotating inner bezel which is nice to see. There is also a generous amount of lume on the hour and minutes hand which glows in the dark to an extent. They are shaped like an odd rectangle and are circular towards the end of the hands. The seconds sweeping hand is rather thin and I would of liked for it to be a bit thicker as it is rather hard to see in low light conditions. Bracelet This watch is equipped with a pretty standard seiko oyster style bracelet using the pin system to adjust links. I did not have an issue adjusting the links on the bracelet and removed 4 links in total to get a decent fit to my 6.25 inch wrist. This model does not have a divers extension on the bracelet but does feature 4 micro adjustments which are useful. The bracelet is completely brushed and polished on the sides. I did notice it is not as rounded off on the sides when compared to a bracelet provided on something from the Seiko Prospex line. The bracelet comes with a rather cheap fold over stamped polished clasp with a two button release system and a fold over Seiko buckle. The bracelet DOES fit comfortably though and I really do not have a problem with it. There are always alternatives such as a nice rubber strap or a NATO strap from your favorite supplier. Caseback The caseback on the SRPB27 is screwed down and completely polished with a "SEIKO" logo printed on the mineral crystal along with some other standard information. We do get a nice glimpse of the 4R36 movement at work which is nice to see, especially for new watch enthusiasts wanting to really see how a watch works from the inside. Conclusion Furthermore, for the price I honestly don't think you can go wrong with a super compressor styled Seiko 5 watch. In todays watch industry it is very hard to find an affordable super compressor style watch as most brands that produce new vintage re creation watches are very expensive such as the JLC Compressors or the Longines Compressors. The watch gives you more than what you pay for with a great 4R36 reliable and robust automatic in-house Seiko movement and 100M of true water resistance. I am not a professional diver but I do feel safe taking this swimming with me in a pool, beach,lake or elsewhere. I do not honestly think I will ever be going 200M deep in the ocean, so no need to worry about that. If you are looking for a super compressor style watch that does not break the bank and is under $200 USD I can recommend this watch to my readers/viewers. I have also left a link below where you can grab one. Thanks for reading please remember to leave a comment and check out the detailed pictures/specifications below. Official Specifications Seiko 5 Sports Automatic 24 Jewels SRPB27 SRPB27K1 SRPB27K Men's Watch Features: 316L Stainless Steel Case Stainless Steel Bracelet Automatic Movement Caliber: 4R36 24 Jewels Hardlex Crystal Black Dial Analog Display Luminous Hands And Indexes Day And Date Display See Through Case Back with Hardlex Deployment Clasp with signed safety 100M Water Resistance Lug Width: 22MM Approximate Case Diameter: 42mm Approximate Case Thickness: 11mm Where to buy ( Link Below for Lowest Price on AMAZON ) http://amzn.to/2CdlRzm 
8 Comments
Daniel O
12/27/2017 02:46:27 am
great one looks super nice WA!! I have to check this out
Kaz
12/27/2017 02:47:44 am
seiko 5 offers decent watches for the money I cannot agree with you more this one in particular looks super cool but I wish it had 200M just to be safe ya know?
TIMEMACHINE
12/27/2017 10:02:50 pm
i am going to have to add this one to the list
Erik
2/18/2018 12:24:13 pm
Indeed , good watch to have around for a rainy day , and super cheap
Darryl
1/2/2018 01:35:21 am
well executed I wish it did have screw down though
BRENEOL André
7/27/2018 08:37:08 am
C'est une jolie montre pour un bon rapport qualité/prix. Sur un nato noir rayé de jaune elle est du plus bel effet ! Sur un bracelet kaki également !
Erik
7/27/2018 06:05:32 pm
Thanks !!! Merci!!
Jim
8/6/2018 12:11:12 pm
I had the same thoughts about the longines. What is the lug to lug on this watch? Thanks. Leave a Reply. |
ROLEX HISTORY
Rolex is a Swiss luxury watch brand that was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, England. The company originally began as Wilsdorf and Davis, but it was later renamed to Rolex in 1908.
The first Rolex watches were not manufactured in-house, but instead were made by other watchmakers and then branded with the Rolex name. However, Wilsdorf had a vision of creating a wristwatch that was both reliable and accurate, and he set out to develop his own movements.
In 1910, Rolex became the first wristwatch to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, which was a testament to the accuracy of the watch. Over the years, Rolex continued to innovate and develop new technologies and features, such as the first waterproof wristwatch in 1926, the first self-winding mechanism in 1931, and the first wristwatch with a date display in 1945.
Rolex has also been associated with several famous individuals, including explorers, athletes, and celebrities. For example, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore Rolex watches when they became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Rolex has also been the official timekeeper of several sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Today, Rolex is one of the most recognized and respected luxury watch brands in the world, known for its quality, precision, and timeless style.
The first Rolex watches were not manufactured in-house, but instead were made by other watchmakers and then branded with the Rolex name. However, Wilsdorf had a vision of creating a wristwatch that was both reliable and accurate, and he set out to develop his own movements.
In 1910, Rolex became the first wristwatch to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, which was a testament to the accuracy of the watch. Over the years, Rolex continued to innovate and develop new technologies and features, such as the first waterproof wristwatch in 1926, the first self-winding mechanism in 1931, and the first wristwatch with a date display in 1945.
Rolex has also been associated with several famous individuals, including explorers, athletes, and celebrities. For example, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore Rolex watches when they became the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Rolex has also been the official timekeeper of several sporting events, including Wimbledon and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Today, Rolex is one of the most recognized and respected luxury watch brands in the world, known for its quality, precision, and timeless style.
OMEGA Watches History
Omega is a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 1848 by Louis Brandt in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The brand initially operated under the name La Generale Watch Co. and produced pocket watches.
In 1894, Omega revolutionized the watch industry with the introduction of the 19-ligne Omega Calibre, which was more accurate and reliable than any other watch movement of the time. This innovation earned Omega numerous awards and accolades, and the brand quickly became known for its precision and quality.
In 1903, Omega was chosen as the official timekeeper for the Gordon Bennett Cup, an international balloon race. This marked the beginning of Omega's long-standing relationship with sports timing and its reputation as a reliable and accurate timekeeper.
In 1932, Omega became the first brand to be awarded the Olympic Cross of Merit for its outstanding contribution to sports timing at the Olympic Games. Since then, Omega has been the official timekeeper for numerous Olympic Games, and its timekeeping technology has continued to evolve and improve.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Omega's watches were worn by famous explorers and adventurers, including Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay during their ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, and Jacques Cousteau during his underwater expeditions.
In the 1960s, Omega introduced the Speedmaster, a chronograph watch that was originally designed for motorsports but became famous as the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The Speedmaster has since become one of Omega's most iconic and sought-after models.
Today, Omega continues to innovate and produce high-quality watches, including the Seamaster, Constellation, and De Ville collections. The brand also continues to be the official timekeeper for numerous sporting events, including the Olympic Games and the America's Cup.
In 1894, Omega revolutionized the watch industry with the introduction of the 19-ligne Omega Calibre, which was more accurate and reliable than any other watch movement of the time. This innovation earned Omega numerous awards and accolades, and the brand quickly became known for its precision and quality.
In 1903, Omega was chosen as the official timekeeper for the Gordon Bennett Cup, an international balloon race. This marked the beginning of Omega's long-standing relationship with sports timing and its reputation as a reliable and accurate timekeeper.
In 1932, Omega became the first brand to be awarded the Olympic Cross of Merit for its outstanding contribution to sports timing at the Olympic Games. Since then, Omega has been the official timekeeper for numerous Olympic Games, and its timekeeping technology has continued to evolve and improve.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Omega's watches were worn by famous explorers and adventurers, including Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay during their ascent of Mount Everest in 1953, and Jacques Cousteau during his underwater expeditions.
In the 1960s, Omega introduced the Speedmaster, a chronograph watch that was originally designed for motorsports but became famous as the first watch worn on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. The Speedmaster has since become one of Omega's most iconic and sought-after models.
Today, Omega continues to innovate and produce high-quality watches, including the Seamaster, Constellation, and De Ville collections. The brand also continues to be the official timekeeper for numerous sporting events, including the Olympic Games and the America's Cup.
BREITLING Watches History
Breitling is a Swiss luxury watch brand that was founded in 1884 by Léon Breitling in the town of Saint-Imier in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. Initially, the company specialized in producing chronographs and other precision timepieces for scientific and industrial purposes.
In 1915, Breitling introduced the first wrist-worn chronograph with a separate pusher to control the start, stop, and reset functions, which made it easier to use than previous models. This innovation helped establish Breitling as a leading maker of chronographs and other precision timepieces.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Breitling continued to innovate with the introduction of the first chronograph with a second independent pusher, which allowed for the recording of multiple elapsed times. The company also developed the Huit Aviation Department, which produced wristwatches for pilots and other aviation professionals.
In the 1950s, Breitling introduced the Navitimer, a wristwatch with a built-in slide rule that allowed pilots to perform complex calculations in-flight. The Navitimer became an instant classic and remains one of Breitling's most popular models to this day.
In the 1960s, Breitling continued to produce innovative timepieces, including the Chrono-Matic, which was the first automatic chronograph movement with a micro-rotor. The company also introduced the Emergency, a wristwatch with a built-in distress beacon that could be activated in case of an emergency.
In the years since, Breitling has continued to produce innovative and high-quality timepieces for a variety of applications, including aviation, diving, and sports. The company has also maintained a strong commitment to precision and accuracy, with many of its watches featuring COSC-certified movements. Today, Breitling is recognized as one of the world's leading luxury watch brands, with a reputation for innovation, quality, and style.
In 1915, Breitling introduced the first wrist-worn chronograph with a separate pusher to control the start, stop, and reset functions, which made it easier to use than previous models. This innovation helped establish Breitling as a leading maker of chronographs and other precision timepieces.
During the 1930s and 1940s, Breitling continued to innovate with the introduction of the first chronograph with a second independent pusher, which allowed for the recording of multiple elapsed times. The company also developed the Huit Aviation Department, which produced wristwatches for pilots and other aviation professionals.
In the 1950s, Breitling introduced the Navitimer, a wristwatch with a built-in slide rule that allowed pilots to perform complex calculations in-flight. The Navitimer became an instant classic and remains one of Breitling's most popular models to this day.
In the 1960s, Breitling continued to produce innovative timepieces, including the Chrono-Matic, which was the first automatic chronograph movement with a micro-rotor. The company also introduced the Emergency, a wristwatch with a built-in distress beacon that could be activated in case of an emergency.
In the years since, Breitling has continued to produce innovative and high-quality timepieces for a variety of applications, including aviation, diving, and sports. The company has also maintained a strong commitment to precision and accuracy, with many of its watches featuring COSC-certified movements. Today, Breitling is recognized as one of the world's leading luxury watch brands, with a reputation for innovation, quality, and style.
Longines
Longines is a Swiss luxury watch company that was founded in 1832 by Auguste Agassiz in the town of Saint-Imier, Switzerland. The company has a long and prestigious history in the world of watchmaking, and has been responsible for many innovations and milestones in the industry.
In the early days, Longines primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for precision and accuracy. By the end of the 19th century, Longines had become one of the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1912, the company introduced the first chronograph wristwatch, which was quickly adopted by the military and aviation communities.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Longines continued to innovate with the introduction of the world's first quartz clock and the first wristwatch with an automatic winding mechanism. During World War II, Longines produced wristwatches for the British Royal Air Force, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.
In the post-war years, Longines became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Conquest" line of watches. In the 1950s and 1960s, Longines was a favorite of celebrities and politicians, and its watches were frequently seen on the wrists of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, and other famous figures.
In recent years, Longines has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "HydroConquest" line of diving watches and its "Conquest Classic" line of chronographs.
Today, Longines is owned by the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the luxury watch industry. Its watches are prized for their precision, reliability, and timeless style.
In the early days, Longines primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for precision and accuracy. By the end of the 19th century, Longines had become one of the leading watchmakers in the world. In 1912, the company introduced the first chronograph wristwatch, which was quickly adopted by the military and aviation communities.
In the 1920s and 1930s, Longines continued to innovate with the introduction of the world's first quartz clock and the first wristwatch with an automatic winding mechanism. During World War II, Longines produced wristwatches for the British Royal Air Force, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.
In the post-war years, Longines became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Conquest" line of watches. In the 1950s and 1960s, Longines was a favorite of celebrities and politicians, and its watches were frequently seen on the wrists of Elvis Presley, John F. Kennedy, and other famous figures.
In recent years, Longines has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "HydroConquest" line of diving watches and its "Conquest Classic" line of chronographs.
Today, Longines is owned by the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the luxury watch industry. Its watches are prized for their precision, reliability, and timeless style.
Tissot
Tissot is a Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile Tissot in the town of Le Locle, Switzerland. The company has a long and rich history in the world of watchmaking, and has been responsible for many innovations and milestones in the industry.
In the early days, Tissot primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for quality and precision. By the end of the 19th century, Tissot was one of the largest watchmakers in Switzerland, and was exporting its watches to countries around the world.
In the early 20th century, Tissot continued to innovate with the introduction of the first non-magnetic wristwatch, the first dual time-zone watch, and the first watch with a plastic case. During World War II, Tissot produced watches for the Allied forces, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.
In the post-war years, Tissot became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Tissot Visodate" line of watches, which featured a date function and a distinctive "T" logo on the dial. In the 1970s, Tissot was one of the first Swiss watch brands to introduce quartz watches, which quickly became popular due to their accuracy and affordability.
In recent years, Tissot has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "T-Touch" line of watches, which feature touch-screen technology and a range of functions such as altimeter, compass, and thermometer.
Today, Tissot is part of the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the watch industry. Its watches are prized for their quality, durability, and stylish design, and are worn by watch enthusiasts and collectors around the world.
In the early days, Tissot primarily produced pocket watches, and quickly gained a reputation for quality and precision. By the end of the 19th century, Tissot was one of the largest watchmakers in Switzerland, and was exporting its watches to countries around the world.
In the early 20th century, Tissot continued to innovate with the introduction of the first non-magnetic wristwatch, the first dual time-zone watch, and the first watch with a plastic case. During World War II, Tissot produced watches for the Allied forces, and continued to produce military watches for several decades afterwards.
In the post-war years, Tissot became known for its elegant and sophisticated watches, particularly its "Tissot Visodate" line of watches, which featured a date function and a distinctive "T" logo on the dial. In the 1970s, Tissot was one of the first Swiss watch brands to introduce quartz watches, which quickly became popular due to their accuracy and affordability.
In recent years, Tissot has continued to produce high-quality watches that combine traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern technology. The company is particularly known for its sport watches, including its "T-Touch" line of watches, which feature touch-screen technology and a range of functions such as altimeter, compass, and thermometer.
Today, Tissot is part of the Swatch Group, and remains a leading brand in the watch industry. Its watches are prized for their quality, durability, and stylish design, and are worn by watch enthusiasts and collectors around the world.
