In Review: Seiko Tuna SBBN033 - The Best Purpose Built Dive Watch Under $1,000
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- Опубликовано: 17 сен 2024
- Welcome to another Episode of Clock Stock & Barrel, where we offer a consumer's opinion on everything watch related. Today we discuss... The Seiko Tuna. 'Nough said.
Seiko Marinemaster Tuna, "All test watches perform perfectly at 3,000m.": watchesbysjx.co...
- Clock Stock & Barrel (for the last time)
Great video guys. I love the Seiko Tuna and it will never leave my collection.
Cool review. I've been waiting for this one since you mentioned you were going to review this watch a couple episodes back, I think.
In fact, what little you started to say about this Tuna in that older episode sparked me to seriously look into again and ended up buying one.. well, sort of.. ended up with a Baby Tuna.
So, going back to the SBBN033, I've been seriously thinking about this one. Really like the hardcore tool aesthetics of this watch and the shroud just makes it all look cooler. It was either going to be between this or the SBBN039 limited edition. The blue dial and blue accents looked cool, however, after thinking about it, I didn't want the watch to have too many colors going on to break up the design.. the design itself does it very well as is in plain all around stainless steel.
Also, I know I didn't want the bezel to be black or matching the dial color as the watch is big as is and visually it would look smaller if the bezel were metal for the reasons you stated.
I can notice the Tuna's lugs are more hidden under the watch case and shroud and do not stick out like my Baby Tuna does. But I'm not sure if that's why the Baby Tuna appears smaller.. especially since I can see the lugs looking directly on top of the watch, I would think it would be the reverse?...
I think the price is fair for such a watch at under $1000, but looking around a bit more, I ended up deciding on the "Baby Tuna" SRP637. It's not a quartz, but it still has a solid Seiko 4R36 movement.
And, for under $300, I think you get most of the design aesthetics of the Tuna in a more compact package, it seems. I believe the case diameter is supposed to be the same at 48mm, but it does appear a bit smaller on the Baby Tuna even though I measured it.
Like the Tuna, the watch sits surprisingly flat and low profile so it's wrist presence/profile is minimized, but it's still there and not overbearing.
IDK, between the Tuna & Baby Tuna, I think the visual size difference has something to do with maybe the thickness of the watch? The shroud is higher on the Tuna and the overall watch sits lower as well.. you can see how the lugs and crown are lower than the Baby Tuna.
Although I like the Tuna's dial configuration, I think I already have enough dive watches which basically have that same "sticks and balls" indicators look, so the more rectangular configuration was a welcomed change.
However, I admit I wished the crown did line up more perfectly with the 4 o'clock position.. it's more like in line with 3:45... but, it's a minor gripe.. I think the SKX is like this also. It's still looks nice as an offset crown position.
plus, I like the fact the second's hands has a lumed pointer tip instead of the lumed back end lollipop of the Tuna.. like SKX's, I find it weird Seiko decided to lume the back end of the seconds hand and not the tip.
Another reason I was slightly reluctant to pick up the SBBN033 was because of the shiny high polished shroud. I think I prefer the older SBBN017 with the satin finish on the shroud. For a tool watch, and the watch is large as is, I prefer brushed finish for less blingy effect. This is another reason I picked up the Baby Tuna SRP637 because the shroud and nearly all of the watch is brushed finish. However, the idea to take a dremel and soft wire brush tip to make my own brushed finish to the SBBN033 shroud did cross my mind at one point. I don't imagine it would be too hard as you could fairly easily disassemble the shroud to work on it alone.
Anyways, I ramble on again, but it is an interesting watch and you invoke some thoughts for discussion I'd like to share.
Looking forward to your next episode.. AND new format, is it?
.. and, you guys forgot your wrist watch check!
.. since this was the first episode you guys ever did a lume shot, will you do more in the future?.. Curious why you didn't before?.. Lume shots are cool and it does help in determing the design aesthetics and functionality in the dark and possible purchase decision.
No biggie. You guys have your own format and way of doing things which is cool.
I don't know how others feel, but I like lume shots. Who doesn't like to look at things glowing in the dark?.. maybe i'm just a bug.. all kidding aside, I think a watch's lume effect can represent it's appearance and usability in a decent section of our day which we are encompassed by much darkness.
Just thought you always did the WWC.. at least all the episodes I've watched.
I definitely appreciate a good shot of a watch on the wrist from the wearer's POV rather than at a distance from in front of the wearer to see how it looks and feels (not touch, but the vibe it may project when worn) on the wrist.. although, a shot from an outsider's perspective is also good to have as well as you may want to see how it looks on yourself and how other's may see it on you.
Sometimes you need to take a step back to see the whole picture otherwise you may your perspective may be a little distorted and one-sided if only viewed from 1 angle and too close.. hope that makes sense... like when you are really engaged and draw or paint for too long and don't take a break to step back and see the whole picture to know if you're in a good spot or heading in the right direction or not...
anyways, looking forward to the next episode of "Perfectly Wound" now, is it?..
Best $1000 tool/dive watch you can buy IMO. I own the SBBN031 and the SBBN037 versions. Defo not for the timid watch wearer!
The perfect diver's diver. And it can be dressy too. I have a Blue Padi Tuna with the high quality blued crown, setscrews, and bezel grip surrounding the case. Have never seen this kind of setting before this. A luxurious diver indeed. Just love to look at it. It's worth every penny of the extra 200 dollars. Sapphire glass does not scratch, but, it can break. Hardlex can scratch, but, it doesn't break. So, a diver may prefer the hardlex.
I have choices, so I don't complain. I do have preferences, but, I don't do the 5 loves equalized by the 5 dislikes or hates. We can have constructive criticism, but, is there a need to do the love-hate as a compulsory fixture? I am not addressing this to anyone in particular. It's just a general observation. There are just too many of this thing going on, and it makes one wonder if people are picking just for the sake of picking as if there is nothing better to say, and this trend overshadows the objectives which would be more useful for the general viewers.
We cannot totally disregard subjectivity, but, we don't have to go to the extent of losing sight that we are just playing with the watches, as all hobby should be, and encourage our viewers to do the same. Let's keep our objectives clear. Though horology or chronometry is essential in the art of watch collecting, but, if devoid of the fun factor, I would not be able to share this hobby with my children. There is already so much values in a few hundred dollars Seiko. I really dare not ask for more.
I don't look for perfection. Imperfection, like perfection, are just ideas. I learn how to live with all the imperfections (ideas), and I know that it's my own illusions that give me these ideas, so I learn to accept the imperfections, and this give me room to enjoy the whole spectrum - I love the Turtle just as much as the GS. Man, I am just so grateful to Seiko for giving me so much for so little.
The 7C46 caliber is as unique as the 9Fxx. I was told that it's adjustable like the 9F. Only that the 9F has a sealed cabin and need not be serviced for 50 years. Man, how do you beat that? Still, the 7C46 is incredible at this price range. Is there an equivalent for these two caliber? I would love to see Seiko uses more of the 7C46 in other models. Reviving the iconic Ashtray which also has similar mechanism would be an interesting proposition Many of the expensive Swiss quartz are serviceable, but, not adjustable. Seiko also has high accuracy quartz (10 sec per year ) that are not adjustable. There is the 8J81 used for the Credors, the 4J52 and 8J56 used in some of the GS models, and the 4J40 and 8J81 used in some of the Dolce models.
All these 4Jxx/8Jxx calibers are of the same category, yet, you only pay 350 dollars for the Dolce. They resemble the Credor in designs. You just have to look at the dials and finishing in person. Exquisite! But, they are only 33.5mm in diameter. The women would love it. They hardly moved a second in a year like the 9F, and the second hand hits the marker point on. It's a better quartz than my wife's 5000 dollars Bvlgari. The only thing valuable in the Bvlgari is the gold case, but, it's not very much cos it's also very small, hahaha...
Many people commented that the spring-drive is not mechanical. One reviewer said that the silence makes him feel cold. Man, what can I say? Actually, a number of Swiss company tried to develop this technology, but, Seiko beat them to it. It's a funny world we live in. Now, we want our cars to go electric, but, we never think of it as not mechanical. My e-plug Benz has two batteries. The spring-drive has no battery. If we replaced the batteries with the spring-drive, then the Benz would be more mechanical, and it would be more Benz than ever, hahaha...
In my view, Seiko is the most transparent and the most modest. Seiko always understates their accuracy. The spring-drive is stated to have plus minus 15 sec a month. What I get is like 2 sec a month, similar to the 7C46. I read in the forum, one chap did the comparison between the 9F and the 4Jxx and 8Jxx using some kind of test, and the later came out winner, and, we have that in a 350 dollars Dolce. If we ask Mr Google, say, the specifications of Patek quartz, it has nothing to say. Well, this just talking precision. Now, back to playing with the Monster. Wow, so much fun.
Love the Sbbn031. Wear it almost daily. Great video.
zaf240489 I prefer this one as well. Brushed shroud with black bezel. I don't like the polished shroud on the 033.
Great review,Tuna must be the ultimate tool watch. Im waiting impatiently for my SBBN 039 to arrive.
It was the Tuna, which ended my 32 year love affair with the G-Shock, and delivered me body and soul into the hands of Seiko; and into the world of "real" watches. But with a thousand dollar price of admission , I wasn't going to be taking that ride any time soon. That's the bad news.
The good news is that Seiko also makes Tuna watches for the guy with a tuna fish budget. Enter the SRP637. So if you can't afford bluefin, there is still Chicken of the
Sea.
Michael Powell Ha this is exactly what I have. Love the SRP637 and wear it frequently.
I love my G Shock GA-800 and my Seiko SKX173...but damn I want this tuna. I may look on the forums to get under $800.
Well thanks to this video I need to add a tuna to my "to get" list, was always on the fence with these because of the case design, but after seeing this video it truly is a beautiful watch, my plan was to get a Sumo then a MM300, thinking now Sumo them SBBN033.
Got a sbbn037 last week. It was 1 of my watchmakers personal watches. I cannot take it off my wrist. Have an incoming superoyster incoming tomorrow for it.
I have the 031 and love it!!
Great vid as always guys, but please do 2 things (just suggestions):
1) Never forget to do wrist watch checks,
2) Put pics of the watches you guys are talking about, it's a simple thing that puts the video on another level.
Cheers,
Fabio.
OMG -- you guys got a caliper! Finally. :)
I have the SBBN035 "Ninja" Tuna and agree with all of your assessments about the watch. The lugless design makes the watch wear much smaller on my wrist than say a Sumo. I tried all kinds of straps on it, from an Isofrane to a NATO and in the end couldn't find anything better and more comfortable than the OEM rubber strap. It really is fantastic. If I were to do it over again, I'd get the 031 with the polished steel shroud variant and may eventually do that anyway. The all-black Ninja tends to disappear on my wrist and this 031 really pops with that stainless steel bezel and shiny shroud. Also, it doesn't have the aesthetic mismatch between the white numbers and markers on the bezel and the greenish Seiko Lumibrite on the hands and indices like the Ninja does. Little things like that bug me over time.
Great review, guys!
Great review guys! 035 is the Ninja, 031 the brushed one.
Biggest problem is trying to decide what tuna to buy.
I love my 031! But a darth will be in my future! I had one and sold it but it’s hard to beat the darth
Nice video!!! After owning quite a few dive watches and a vast array of seiko's in particular I totally agree with you, the Tuna series is the ultimate tool watch. I picked up a SBBN007 with silver bezel as my end all be all grab and go beater and couldn't be happier. To me it is the perfect dial of the tuna's... the extra outline ring on all the hour markers makes it really unique! I just wish it had the applied seiko logo like the SBBN017. SBBN007 or SBBN017 are the best iterations of the Tuna line for sure.
Adam - Please do a review of your vintage 1968 Grand Seiko Hi Beat.
How to send 20% of your viewers to other watch blogs in the first 15 seconds of your video? lol Finally a review on these beauties!
Heard seiko grows their own quartz crystals for this movement as well. Inhouse babyyyyy!!!!!!!!
I know that they do that for GS, but I'm not sure with seikos.
Also there is the monster tuna which essentially the monster with the shroud, a baby tuna, tuna (yours) and emperor tuna using a high beat 28,800 vph movt. The baby tuna's are same size but automatic movt. There's quite a few
what do you think? I really like this version the SBBN033, however, I also like the PADI version.
BUT, although I like that it's a little different with the blue accents and dark blue dial and red minute hand of the PADI version, I'm concerned thinking down the line would the blue accents seem too much of a novelty and perhaps feel played out? It's of course also less flexible to mix and match strap options and colors than the SBBN033. Do you find the PADI version perhaps a little too busy?
Will changing battery in this watch be as simple as using a caseback wrench and changing it yourself? Would you even do that yourself or send to Seiko to do for you?
Oh the cringe!!!
another great choice of watch to review.
I like to think that the diver that wrote that letter was still diving 7 years later and was able to use a tuna.
love this watch
The bezel is designed to have more resistance due to water pressure as you dive.
Guys Seiya Japan shows one more tuna that's higher end then the spring drive model and the one I want: a high beat model that I believe has a 8L55 (or 65, I can't remember) movt.
3 things you forgot:
1) The 300meter versions feature a user replaceable battery via the screw back case.
2) The bitching about similar hands on tuna and "62mas' reissue don't make sense since the vintage swiss watches interchanged 99% of components.
3) Nobody bitches about hand being similar on rolexes and omegas, as if you couldn't find a weakness in seiko to poke at.
Hey what crystal did you guys use for the seiko shogun to change it from hard lex to sapphire? Keep it up boys!
Great review! It's probably no coincidence that Worn & Wound wrote an article about this watch 2 days ago, or is it?
Probably!
you guys should do wrist watch checks at the start of the video!
The SBBN031 comes on a SS/Titanium parts bracelet, the SBBN035 has the rubber strap.
It has titanium parts?
Hi guys, what are your thougths about the kinetic semi tuna's? The sun019, sun045? Very purpose built and sapphire cristal..
Pretty cool. I know what am I about to ask you has been asked a lot of times, however I need your opinion regarding the looks of this timepiece sitting on a 7 inch wrist. Thanks guys. Nice review.
Thanks Patrick.
Your opinion is mostly appreciated. One last question. Does the polished shroud look too flashy, or was it done on purpose?
Anyway I think its a cool watch and I am about to pull the trigger. :)
Ordered !!!
SBBN017, SBBN015, SBBN033 and SBBN049 is the same watch?
Seiko Marine Master Rubber strap Vs Seiko Turtle Rubber strap
watch my video , nobody addresses the rubber strap and how it differs than the other seiko straps
any plans reviewing those shroud options?
The Tuna is my grail. Will that work with a 6.5inch wrist tho?
Jogie Glen Mait I think it will! Especially if you have a flat wrist.
Patrick, you cut off the locks. I thought the flow was cool! Thumbs down man.
Haha. I dig that watch. It works for me.
--Michael
i wonder why huge watches don't look big on you guys.. 48 is pretty enormous, but sometimes on the wrist it looks way smaller
Can you switch the day from Japanese to English or do you have to buy somewhere specific to get the English date
You can set it to Japanese or English
Man I can't decide which one the get
Sbbn35 31 or this one
Gibson! Witch one is that?
MEGA!
Haha , "for the last time..." :) some people just dont have manners voicing out like that. Otherwise, nice video
I hate this watch. Good review though, thanks guys.
Obviously a true purpose built watch for actual diving men. Also ugly as sin. I don't dive, so no. Hell no.
Every time I stumble into you guys I just give a thumbs down. I don't agree with your Ultra strange lifestyle.
I don't agree with your lifestyle either. Time to head back over to your cave of trolls.