That black solar model is gorgeous. Too small for me, but our small wristed/small watch loving friends will love it. It's almost got the same kind of semi-minimalist look of that new Tornek-Rayville TR-660 release. I kind of would like a throw on quartz (solar even better) diver for outdoors stuff. I normally wear my King Turtle now, but it sometimes needs the time set with all my watch rotations. I'd love to see that same design in a 41-42mm size. I feel Seiko needs more offerings below 44mm in the 3 figure price category. I'll probably end up getting an Arnie (or Safarnie), but I love the look of the black one shown here. I dig the striations on that rubber strap too. That is really cool they went sapphire on the crystal. I noticed the Land Tortoise models did as well. I hope it's a sign of things to come.
Took a dive on the Islander ISL-67 ice blue, if any commenters are lurking the Islander line up, don't hesitate. I can't imagine a better watch in the $300 category. Gorgeous watch.
I bought the SNE573 black Solar Diver from Marc, the hands hit perfect, the timing is +1 sec/every two weeks, and on a NATO is extremely comfortable. I went swimming in the ocean on its second day of ownership, an amazing watch.
@@whokilledkenny67 My thoughts as well.😬 I guess ar coating isn’t included in this price range. Pity, as sapphire can have so much glare compared to hardlex.
Some of Seiko’s dials are truly unreal. Last year it was the manta rays on the King Turtle and King Samurai. And now they have the penguin tracks. Without those dials, I’d say no way, but with them, I could see pulling the trigger on either.
I’d definitely be interested in a 20mm to 18mm tapering bracelet for the solar quartz. I picked one of these solar quartz seikos up and really like the rubber strap, but would certainly pick up an SEL bracelet for it if made available.
I’m trying to find something wrong with the 38mm. It looks like it wears like a 39/40 which is perfect. It has sapphire, solar accuracy, it is super light and thin, and it has drilled lugs. This has everything a grab and go beater should have. Maybe when the price comes down a bit.
@@rfern263 it’s up to you I just order one from Mimo's JW I got a very good discount original price was $495 but I use their discount code it’s drop to $371. Plus free shipping I was just trying to help that’s it !
@@islandwatch It is nice, but it suddenly hit me that maybe Seiko should have gone with 40mm on this watch and 38mm on their latest field watch rather than the other way around. That would feel right. Just me.
I have an SNE437P1 and I love it. It is my "no worries" watch. I swapped the Hardlex with the cyclops out for a DD AR clear sapphire. If you are apprehensive about swapping a crystal yourself, don't be. This was my first attempt, and it was a breeze. Watch some videos, prepare a clean workspace and take your time.
If the weight matters, Citezen promaster Titanium solar is a great watch, full titanium case and bracelet with solid end links and milled clasp and you can buy them all day for between $350-$400 .
@@Larry-gs8gb thanks! I’ve actually been wondering about that one! It looks like a really nice watch. I’ve got pretty small wrists (6 1/2”) though…not sure how that 44mm would fit.
The SNE573 reminds me of my Casio MD502 , albeit in looks alone. I absolutely love the penguin footprint detail on Artic’s, I can see one of them on my wrist soon. Seems a fair price for a good spec’d QC Seiko.
To get 10 months charge on these solar watches is impressive. Price is good for the spec. These watches will last. Very practical. I like the one with the bracelet, with dark dial.
The powder blue from the one to fifteen looks reminiscent of a Phoibos. The footprints are pretty cool and a little unexpected. I think I like the Antarctic the best of these, but; my wrist is just too big for the 38's.
Yup, too small for me, too, and I have small wrists. I know that most people don’t actually use dive watches to dive, but I would think legibility would be of paramount importance. 38mm is a small watch and, therefore, harder to see than a 42, or larger. In addition, if you really did wear it over a wetsuit, it would appear even smaller. Dive watches should be larger, not smaller.
Wait, that Seiko solar on rubber was $475? I know it's a sapphire, but... Citizen BN0150 solar diver is $165 on your site. I owned that watch, Citizen's solar (Eco-Drive) is excellent (perhaps the best in the industry). My daily wearer is also a Citizen Eco-Drive, and they have good lume, too. Perhaps I have an anti-Seiko bias, but Citizen is such an outstanding value for same or better quality.
I’ve always preferred Citizen over Seiko, bar none. Seiko think they’re the next step to a Rolex, but that’s dreaming. Even Casio has nice diver choices, I’m in line for a Casio Duro right now.
Agreed!!...I owned a Seiko solar (sne107), I still own 2 Promasters. 2014 they were around $120. The 2nd Promaster was Amazon 50% off sale a year ago. I preferred my Promasters. Even with sapphire on this new Seiko, $450 is much too high compared to the price of a Promaster.
Thanks for mentioning you weighed the solar quarts. When I read the specifications on the Seiko website I thought either the weight or the dimensions could be incorrect on it because 80 grams for the strap versions seems high for it's dimensions. A densely constructed piece no doubt. Best regards.
Far from it, but you still have the SPB213J1 (62mas like) in 40 mm... I like the sharp edged GMT but way too big for my small wrist. 😩 ... white of course. 😉
Oh Seiko… The price of a solar quartz (V157) movement goes from $200 to $500 in only 3-4 years (bought my SNE107 for about $200 4 years ago). A sapphire crystal is the only upgrade you’re getting. They can’t even bother to do solid end links or a milled scissor clasp. Should have both solid end links and a milled clasp for $500. And now in 2021 they got rid of the ribbed dive straps. Now they put a few lines to create the appearance of a ribbed diving strap (cost cutting?). I’ll probably still buy one on a good sale though cause as much as Seiko prices and QC annoy me, I still love them.
Perfect. But I already have a watch not that dissimilar. A Certina DS Action Precidrive. Wonderful accuracy, but the lume is quite disappointing compared to Seikos 😕
Hi Mark, love your work. I am really excited about the Antarctica Save the Oceans dial for the Monster. I was wondering: For a dive watch, is a Hardlex crystal a reasonable choice for diving/swimming, even if it is rated for 200m pressure? (I know that 200m does not mean 200m diving.) As someone who is looking for a first diver watch, is this a good place to start, or would you recommend the PADI with a sapphire crystal - looking for something more practical, but I kinda fell in love with the Penguin dial. Love the videos, and I keep coming back to learn more. Thank you.
Agreed Seiko do such a fantastic job on dials. All those watches look stunning. I also feel like that Tuna is speaking to me. But my god, was that 3 out of 4 watches with misaligned bezels? 😩
I'm getting the Antarctica monster second hand so just crossing my fingers when I see it, it's real 😅. Fair enough price paying 400 and they sell out here for around 650. What can I say I'm in Canada I why shouldn't my first automatic watch have Ice on it 😆
Citizen Eco-Drive is a better light powered watch any day in any model. Hardened mineral is a better choice for glass in a dive watch as it is clearer under water, doesn’t lessen the value as it’s the right material for the job.
For all those crying and bitching about the price - new solar divers have ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal so that adds up to the price a bit. And you can always count on some discount when buying at AD so SNE573 is most likely to cost around 420$ wich is ok for a iso certified diver with this specs.
Both STO Antarctica models on the video are marked Made in Japan, but not the stock pics on the site. They are both marked OoS now so this might be academic, but which were you selling @Long Island Watch?
Just got mine in the mail and it is awesome! I do wonder what the insert is made from, it appears to be aluminum but I’ve read others saying plastic…not putting much stock in that though.
Really great vid Marc, they are some nice looking watches there, certainly got the Seiko look and feel. My SHC059 Sawtooth has a similar case to the Tuna, and my 1st Gen orange Monster - well what can you say. So surprised with the pricing considering the gorgeous Seiko bracelet. Cheers mate.
I got the tuna a week ago. I love it. I am not a huge fan of the band color, which limits what I can wear it with. IMO. I have tried a few different Natos but none feel right.
Can you do a video dissecting a luxury watch and explaining what makes them so expensive. Totally handmade watches like a Vacheron makes sense, and I know Rolexes are majorly inflated, but what about an Omega Seamaster. What makes them cost 10x what your wonderful Islanders cost?
