No 147 & 315 - Seiko SBBN017

I must say that I’m ashamed. When I’ve been looking back on all the Tuna’s I’ve had in the past I‘ve always considered the SBBN017 to be the best of them because when you compare what you get in comparison to what you pay it really has to be the most bang for the buck in the line of Tuna’s. But then I discovered, when I browsed through the pictures of the SBBN017 I had had, that I didn’t even wore it with the correct bezel insert. Looking back on that aftermarket piece of shit insert I can’t do anything but to ask myself: “What was I thinking?” Clearly I wasn’t. I even think I had the original insert lying in the watch box and I'm almost throwing up a little in my mouth when I realize I somehow must have approved the AM-insert since I didn't replace it.

#147 - The Seiko SBBN017.

I can hardly stand looking at that aftermarket bezel insert. Yuck!

So why do I consider the SBBN017 the best then? Well, for starters it’s quite cheap compared to the other Tuna’s. Not as cheap as the SBBN007 but the little extra you pay for a 017 you'll get back in higher quality regarding details. And seriously, the steel bracelet for the SBBN015 looks terrible so paying extra for that is not worth it in my opinion. Besides, a Tuna is supposed to be worn on a rubber strap and the rubber that comes along with the SBBN017 is just perfect. Then we have a wide range of more expensive Tuna’s that might perhaps look cooler but not hundreds of dollars cooler. Compared to the more expensive and larger ceramic Tuna’s I think the 017 is of a more wearable size. Simply overall good proportions. All the newer quartz Tuna's are housing the 7C46 quartz movement so by choosing one of the more expensive ones you will receive some more exciting materials but you will still get the same movement as in the cheaper ones. Then we have a couple of automatic Tuna's, which all are priced quite high, but to me a Tuna should house a quartz movement and be able to withstand a beating and I therefore chose to exclude the automatics since they don't qualify as tool watches in my book.

I hope I've given you enough reasons to make you come to the same conclusion as I have; that the 017 is the most bang for the buck Tuna. Unfortunately the SBBN017 was discontinued last year and replaced with the SBBN033. Even though I prefer the black day/date wheels on the new version I must say I prefer the look of the hands on the old model. So try to find a used 017 but make sure to do it fast. Since it was discontinued the prices has increased as it's becoming more sought after.


UPDATE - August 30th.

It has really bothered me a long time that I never had the SBBN017 with the correct bezel insert. And when it was replaced by the SBBN033 and became harder to find used I figured I might not get a good chance of getting hold of one again. But sometimes the most unexpected things happen. I actually did find one. New. In Sweden. It had been sitting on the shelf for over three years. The price was high. Too high. But after a little negotiation I managed to get it for a reasonable price. It was a really good feeling buying a discontinued Tuna new from an authorized Seiko dealer. Buying new watches is something I rarely do and finding treasures like this is both satisfying and exciting.

#315 - My second SBBN017. Purchased new at Klockmaster Globen, Stockholm, Sweden.

Wrist shot at the balcony right after the unboxing.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 77 – Seiko SBDX001 Marine Master

Once upon a time considered THE diver of all the Seiko divers. Nowadays there are plenty of new Seiko divers that cost a lot more but even though there are other models with the words “Marine Master” printed on the dial it is only the SBDX001 that really goes by that nickname.

#77 - The Seiko SBDX001 Marine Master.

The SBDX001 looks so good. It’s big (44mm) and thick and the proportions might be a little off but who cares. I bought mine in late April 2011 and it was delivered on the bracelet. I really didn’t like the look of it on the bracelet and it wasn’t very comfortable to wear. Too heavy. The rubber strap looks quite unique. Some love it, some hate it. I think it looks awesome! In the beginning it was quite hard and stiff but it softened up over time. I know some people who put their rubber straps in a coffee mug and then fill it up with boiling water to give it a rounder shape but I have never tried that. The details and the finish of the SBDX001 are great. The bezel is lovely to turn and the 8L35 movement runs so accurate and smooth. The sweeping of the hands are not far from behaving as smooth as on a Spring Drive Seiko. One other thing I really love about the watch is the one piece monocoque watch case. For me that’s a sign of a true diver’s watch. Also it has amazing lume!

From left to right: Seiko SKX011J (modified), SKXA35 and SBDX001.

An arm shot.

A lume comparison between the three.

I sold it because it was too big for me to wear as an everyday watch and to have it sitting around in the drawer waiting for summer vacation didn’t feel good. A watch like this should be worn with love every single day. But it was just one of those that I had to try. It does cost a little more than the more common SKX-divers but the extra money spent does make a big difference when it comes down to all the details.

The SBDX001 was recently replaced by the SBDX017 which looks pretty much the same but has got some upgrades on the movement and has also got the new dia-shield treatment on the watch case and bracelet. There are also two limited editions of the Marine Master, the SBDX003 and SBDX012 with nice gold details, which are tributes to the original Seiko 6159-7001. The SBDX003 is my favorite and it has a given place in my future collection of keepers to come.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.