I own this watch and agree with everything stated here, it is something special. Another detail to notice is how the crescent moon counterbalance eclipses the o in seiko, skip to 12:40 to see what I mean. It's a nice touch.
This is why Seiko is great.this watch is class. My father gave me his 1977 Seiko5 ... I love it. It is still working with a +2 spd without any service.
Great videography, review and taste with this watch. I walked into my local seiko/grand seiko boutique back in late 2019 and fell in love with this JDM 2016 seiko presage saxr029. So much so I bought it from Seiya Japan. I have worn it practically every day working from home and suited and booted in the office. It's a perfect watch for me. The Presage line started in 2016. 1) You are correct the bezel does get scratches but as I love this watch so much I don't mind it. 2) The crown is fine but they change to an onion crown from 2017 onwards with this exact same style watch but in white SARX049 & SAX095 & SARX061 or blue SARX059 & SARX053. 3) The crocodile leather is so soft and subtle but on a wrist at a keyboard everyday the crocodile starts to come off. So I bought the presage bracelet for this 1 year ago and I actually prefer it. You can buy it from gnomon or seiya san from seiya Japan can get it for you. 4) The 6R15 is better than the 4R35 but if you want a higher beat movement with the same black urushi dial and gold maki-e hand set look to the other 2 models that came out with this back in 2016 SARW013 / 6R27 / 28,800 pa/h or SARD011 / 6R24 / 28,800 pa/h but the dials are not as minimalistic as the SARX029. I love this watch 1) Because it reminds me of the Credor Eichi II minimalistic dial and the crecent moon seconds hand at a much more affordable price and of course the combination of a hand painted deep black urushi dial with gold maki-e hands and silver printed roman numerals just works so well together. 2) That the same urushi laquer was used to protect samurai armour and seiko used this in their marketing which you can still find online. 3) The upturned gold crescent moon was used on the helmet of the famous Samurai Matsume Date and I believe seiko didn't use the upturned crescent moon by accident seeing that it ties in with the urushi used on samurai armour. Enjoy this affordable grail as I haven't found one yet to beat it. Cheers.
The hands contrast stunningly on the dial. Great review ... the more and closer I look at it the more gorgeous and well thought out the design elements become.
Yes, I’m guilty of purchasing this watch after seeing this review too. And totally love it! It’s amazing the amount of comments I get about this when I wear it out.
I’ve been interested in this model for a while but never seen a review on it. I normally never buy any watch with Roman numeral markers as they look too formal for my taste but the way they’ve done this is very classy and of course the Urushi dial is the icing on the cake. Incredible to get a hand-made finish like this for that price.
Just ordered one. Looks stunning. I have many lacquerware items as i live in Asia and this will be a great personal addition to my collection. Have been looking at presage for a long time but this one really grabbed my attention. Great review.
Grabbed the SARX029 after seeing this video - arrived yesterday - absolutely stunning watch and when the light catches that urushi dial, you can see the "pooling" of the lacquer on the surrounds of the date window! Thanks for the heads up, definitely didn't want to miss out on this one.
I’ve purchased several wonderful watches I did know about beforehand - thanks to your terrific reviews. I will be buying this JDM. Thank you for your wonderful reviews . Most appreciated. 🙏🙏
The urushi dial with the gold indices and hands is truly stunning. One of the few watches which made me gasp. Lead me to pick up a SARW013 the same evening.
Mine just arrived. Runs great +1sec/day. If you close the clasp, with the watch face up, press the ends of the clasp down to flatten it more. I've had to do this with all my Seiko Alpinists. It fits much more comfortable on my 7.5" wrist. I have it on the third hole instead of the second, with looks better.
I, like a lot of people here, also bought one of these after seeing this video. The black dial in person is truly remarkable. Stunning. Thanks for letting us know about this piece ☺️
New to the watches hobby, my first one was a blue dial Seiko SRPG29K1F and I just pulled the trigger on this one, brand new for 700 usd. Like with any new hobby, I have been consuming a lot of content about the topic and it is the first time my heart stopped for one. Loving the overall look and the craftmanship with the Urushi Dial, thank you so much for you video.
I'm a big watch guy, but over 1000$, I'd give only to Swiss/German watches. Seikos seem very poverty spec to me, looks even worse. For maybe a super high end Grand Seiko with gold I may pay 500$, rest not more than 10$
Alternatives: SARX019 (identical but with a white enamel dial) and SARW013 (black enamel dial, 6R27, additional power reserve indicator and sub date display, located at 9 and 6 o'clock respectively), the latter being my favourite.
Few companies produce dials like Seiko. They’re something special. The precision, elegance, and way these dials reflect light and pop us unmatched by most luxury watches. I personally prefer the SARY135 which is simply stunning.
One thing and this is incidental to why Seiko uses a 3hz beat rate (longer power reserve) but on most high end/ high horology watches they use much larger balance wheels and a slower beat rate. Standard for high horology is 2.5 to 3hz (18000 to 21600 bph). High end watchmakers do it for a number of very interesting, chronometric reasons as well as for the aesthetic of a slow beating balance wheel. BTW Awesome review Dave, really captured that dial in all of its glory.
If you're worried about the strap being dry, just put some leather conditioner on it. It's not a bad idea to do that anyway before you ever wear it, especially if it's a fine leather. Sometimes the straps are made way before they're ever attached to a watch and they sit in a box somewhere just drying. The same with a pair of nice leather shoes: it never hurts to appply a little conditioner!
Fantastic watch, superb review. You should do way more like this. The 'I got this design-by-numbers watch for free' type review has its place (and pays some bills) but this is on a whole nother level.
I wanted to get a grand Seiko and I was so close to getting one but as time has past I simply can’t afford one in any reasonable amount of time. So coming across this video and how this watch has a unique dial similar to how grand Seiko has unique dials I’ll hopefully be getting this watch soon which will complete my little collection.
You should review the Seiko SARA015/SJE073. Snowflake dial, legacy credor movement (6L35), and grand seiko level finishing. Sleeper affordable grail that you can still get for around 1200-1500. Case profile is also incredible
Thanks for the vid, Dave. This is definitely a contender. Lots to choose from as an affordable grail at this price point. I've got my eyes on other Seikos, Hamilton, Yema, Zelos, Tissot, Charlie-Paris, Revue Thommen, dare I say Bulova?? That SARX09 has some unique features tho... thanks again for the tip.
Love your channel and approach to affordable. I'm really getting the "JDM bug", and would love if you did a video on how to stay up to date on JDM releases!
I have several Seiko Presage watches. Their Urushi dial and the Arita porcelain dial are amazing as the dials that you'd expect would be limited to the Grand Seikos. My only with is that for the upper tier Presage watches, Seiko would use a higher tier movement. When you begin to see the MSRP creep into multiple thousands, you really expect to see a bit better than the 6R35 which is found on many Seikos that are far less expensive. But you can't get around the fact that Seiko produces some of the most beautiful dials you can find in the mass produced market.
It’s beautiful… And I’ve been a fan of that wine for years. I can’t believe Seiko actually put a real croc strap on it… I’m not so sure I’d pay 750 but if I can find it near the $500 mark, I will pull the trigger! Thanks for the great review!
What a sleek, classical watch! The gold bordered date window is a very nice touch. I was debating between this and Citizen NB1060. Ultimately, if the watch didn't have the split second hashmarks, and the counter balance was cut in half it would have been a clear winner. Call me nitpicky, but for $800, there has to be no doubts.
If you are concerned about the strap drying and cracking then maybe consider using some leather conditioner similar to what would be used for leather dress shoes.
I visited Japan for 3 weeks in 1990 when I was 16. I remember vowing to move there when I finished college. That never happened but I haven’t forgotten what a uniquely beautiful and elegant country it is. 🇯🇵
Incredible value for money 👊 specially the designed is magnificent, not bad at all..love the Roman numbers,great for dress watch.....thank you again for reviewing this piece love it..grail for me a would be some of older Alpanist....
One year late to the review - agreed it is great looking and shockingly still (3 April 2024) for sale at Sakura Watches for $718 USD. If I already didn't have something I like better, I would grab one.
Just a heads up, the bracelets from the SPB121 alpinist/SARB017 fit the SARX029 Urushi. So all the Strapcode bracelets ETC... work! Pretty stoked as I had a Two-tone that came with my Alpinist I never used that looks great on the Urushi!. You gave me the heads up on this watch and I'm very grateful for that. Maybe the last affordable Great Seiko. This will be a highly sought after watch in the future. These dials are limited artworks by master artisan. Isshu Tamura
What a beautiful dial! I suppose I'm a sucker for "plain" black dials. And what a great value, considering the current USD -> JPY exchange rate. If you ever decide to do anything about the state of the leather, I highly recommend "Bick 4" leather conditioner from the brand Bickmore. It's the lightest, most "invisible" leather conditioner I've ever used, it's cheap, and it works wonders. Safe for use on exotic leathers, and won't discolor.
Second that Bick 4 recommendation. I use it on better shoes and boots when I don't want to see the color change any. Apply a little with a soft cloth and wipe off the excess. I won't say "no discoloration", but I haven't seen anything with less discoloration: good stuff.
I have an orient bambino that if grown to dislike for a hand full of reasons. It was one of the first watches I ever bought, and I’ve never really been happy with it. This may be the prefect replacement for it.
This watch is really beautiful to see. I love the rounded edges around the date wheel and hands connection in the center. Really gives it a finishing detail that one has to wonder if it was intentional! I had to look this watch up just to see new iterations (and old). Thanks for doing a review on this
At the time of your vid, it was available but not anymore. I am lucky to have this JDM piece. A stunning piece, however, IMHP I don't care for the indentations on the dial for the pinion and date window.
Personally I think that Rolex stone dials from the 70’s were the best I’ve seen to work a stone that thin without breaking them is an art from I love stones me and my Fiancé mine and polish stones it real is an art from way more meticulous to get a stone that thin and polished is on another level
