FINALLY - It's here!

 

There are two SEIKO models which we simply can't get our hands on: The Novak Djokovic and the SPB147J: the chocolate dial gold hands Prospex. Late yesterday afternoon, after a 3 month wait, a small parcel containing only 6 watches arrived from Japan (via Seiko Australia). All I can say is: be quick and snatch it. You won't regret the decision to invest in this superb SEIKO because there is nothing out there that will parallel the look, feel, comfort, popularity and quality of SPB147J. Priced at $1,595 only.  When your new SEIKO arrives in the mail, and when you open that box, you will say 'wow this is WAY BETTER than I expected'. It's time for change. It's SEIKO time!

Seiko Prospex SPB147J 40.5mm case size. Brown dial. Sapphire crystal. Automatic movement - calibre 6R35 Water resistance 200M. Free delivery & 5 years warranty.  Price: $1,595 Here is the link to our Seiko shop:  https://seiko.clockmaker.com.au/product/seiko-prospex-spb147j/

Genuine News Only

 

AuManufacturing is the news and analysis website of the Australian Manufacturing networking group. It features ''the views of real Australian manufacturers, thought leaders and commentary''. Editors Peter Roberts and Brent Balinski have more than 50 years shared experience in the industry reporting what is really happening in Australia's $100 billion per year manufacturing sector. Unlike other media outlets, AuManufacturing contains no paid content masquerading as 'editorials' - only genuine news and views of those at the manufacturing coalface. Last week, Brent Balinski had a chat with Josh about watchmaking and our own "Manufactured in Australia" project. https://www.aumanufacturing.com.au/australias-only-watch-manufacturer-to-split-in-two-target-space-industry

BITCOIN? LOL

 

We are on the brink of a historical event. In a few days - or even a few hours - one bitcoin will be worth more than 1kg of gold. Ironically the rise won't stop there - the 'value' of worthless crypto currency with no store value will continue to go through the roof! Until, like all bubbles in the history of humankind, it bursts into nothingness. The same nothingness it is made from.

For those of you wondering ''Am I too late to the party?'' my answer is simple: no, you are not. For the same reason a decent an honest man is never too late to a drug party organised by a gang lord. The fact that Bitcoin is fake gold is obvious to any reasonable person. It is not a currency, not an asset, not a unit of account and it doesn’t provide a scalable means of payment. No income, no use, no utility. At it's core, it is a self serving speculative system used by criminals, terrorists, human traffickers and tax evaders, sheltering their wealth and moving money across international borders. As a system outside government control, sooner or later, bitcoin will be crushed by governments world-wide because no government is going to allow untraceable tax-free transactions for too long. When that happens the bubble will burst and in that moment there will be no winners. Bitcoin will revert its intrinsic value – which is zero. Or more precisely below zero because maintaining the chain ledger will cost billions of dollars in electricity consumption alone. I am not a financial adviser of any kind, but when we have a spare dollar or two, we invest in education, workshop machinery and watches. Real assets that will take our earning capacity to next level. The best investment for a carpenter is in timber, for shoemaker in leather and jeweller in gold. Planting a few native shrubs in your backyard and painting a house with a fresh coat of paint is simply a smart investment. Investing in a new pair of walking shoes and a dog is the ultimate investment. Obviously, the future of money is in some form of digital exchange, and sooner or later we will go ‘crypto’. But that coin won’t be a Bitcoin. In 20 years from now you will remember this moment in time with chuckle, while checking the time on your NH Mark 1, Seiko or Omega thinking – well THAT watch was a great investment.

SEIKO Shop, up and running (we hope!)

 

SUPER EASY NAVIGATION There are literally three ‘places’ to be: the home page, shop page, and cart. The home page lists only a few watches, plus some other stuff, while the SHOP contains all the watches currently in stock. And this is really where you want to be. The link is easy to remember: seiko.clockmaker.com.au OPENING SPECIAL: SPECIAL DEALS! We have marked down a few watches – just for fun. Hope you’ll take advantage of those Opening Specials.  WIN A SEIKO Yes, the show goes on! Next draw: March 31. That Novak Djokovic SPB143J is a stunner. WE ARE LOW ON STOCK! This is almost hard to believe, but we are actually struggling to get more SEIKO watches from SEIKO Australia. Due to the COVID situation, Japanese production output is not keeping up with demand. We have a number of open orders for various models so if you see a SEIKO you like, jump on it.  REMEMBER: 5 YEAR GUARANTEE  …and FREE delivery on all SEIKO watches. ORDERING AND PAYMENT  As usual: just enter your details and place an order - you will promptly receive a confirmation email with our banking details. We ship ‘next day’. Alternatively, for credit card purchases, please call us on 02 9232 0500.

A complaint, a challenge and James Bond - The iconic Seiko Tuna

Seiko don’t muck around when it comes to dive watches. Being one of the largest dive watch manufacturers in the world they know their stuff, and they have been personally responsible for bringing professional divers a stream of innovative new technologies and designs that have made diving safer and easier for the professional and recreational diver alike.  One of their greatest contributions to the dive community has been the Seiko Tuna. Its unique nickname was coined after people drew allusions to the strange outer shroud surrounding the watch case. The creation of the Tuna was in response to a letter of complaint received by Seiko after a Japanese saturation diver wrote in complaining that the watch models they were selling were not robust to impact, and could not withstand the pressure experienced while deep sea diving for prolonged periods. So, Seiko, not being one to shy away from a challenge, took this feedback and started to develop a watch built for the professional diver.  After 7 years of development and 20 patents, Seiko unveiled to the world the revolutionary dive watch. With saturation diving in mind from the start, the watch was built like no other. It had a crystal secured in place by the external locking ring, a helium escape valve, an L-shaped rubber gasket, it could withstand 10 G’s of force, extreme temperatures and magnetic resistance up to 60 gauss. This was a serious watch, built for professionals. Since then, the Tuna has had a large cult following from both watch collectors and professional and recreational divers.  The most notable person to don the iconic Tuna is probably one of the most famous watch aficionados, Bond, James Bond. In the 1981 film ‘For your eyes only’, Roger Moore is seen wearing the Seiko Tuna during the climactic dive scene and while facing off with villains at the end.  The Seiko Tuna S23633J1 is a recreation of the 7C46-7011 released in 1986. It is an all steel build, including the bezel and shroud, which makes it a more casually wearable design. Don’t let that fool you though, it is certainly still a watch built for professional divers, which is why the dial is stamped with ‘professional’, to show that it’s in a league of its own. The watch is rated for 300m while saturation diving, features a scratch resistant sapphire crystal, LumiBrite hands and hour markers, super accurate Seiko calibre 7C46, a hard steel coating and weighs in at a hefty 200 grams. This watch is designed to withstand anything you throw at it, and it shows.  Whether you’re a serious diving professional or just a watch collector who appreciates incredible engineering achievements and iconic watches, this is the one for you.

Seiko Prospex S23633J 47.7mm case size. Black dial. Sapphire crystal. Quartz movement - calibre 7C46. Water resistance 300M. Price: $2,500

Brand new, 5 years guarantee, free delivery and the chance to win a Seiko in March!

Brand New Seiko of the Day

 

When Kintaro Hattori founded his company in 1881, he was just 21 years old. During his fifty years at the helm, Seiko became the leading watch company in Japan, with its own design and production facilities. This achievement was a direct result of his single-minded vision that Seiko should be "Always one step ahead of the rest". His words resonate still and continue to inspire Seiko today. Throughout this year, Seiko will release a series of creations that embody the spirit of Kintaro's words and honour the 140th anniversary of the founding of his company. The celebrations start with a series of Prospex, Presage and Astron watches inspired by the landscapes, seascapes of Japan. Today, Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series introduces a limited edition watch inspired by dawn. The gold colour accents of the indexes and hands are set onto a black dial so as to be reminiscent of the sunlight at dawn. Black hard-coating is applied to the stainless steel case and the bracelet, which echoes the dark sky before sunrise. The gold hands and indexes represent the morning twilight of early dawn, and the gradation on the dial foreshadows a new day. The dial incorporates a Japanese Asanoha or hemp leaf pattern, familiar in Japanese culture for its use in design since the Heian period over a thousand years ago. The Asanoha leaf was traditionally used as material for fabrics and the pattern holds a special importance in Japanese culture as it symbolises rapid, strong growth and was thought to bring good health, especially to the young. The rich texture and intricacy of the dial's sharply edged geometric pattern create a subtle colour gradation as they play with the light at different angles. The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series case and bracelet incorporate many flat surfaces that have a modern sharpness that allows the watch to shine and sparkle from every angle. The precisely engineered and polished surfaces and the crisp edges of its silhouette contrast with the subtle hairline finish to create a pleasingly multi-dimensional effect. This watch is a limited edition of 4000 and we only have one in stock. Seiko Presage Limited Edition SPB205J 39.3mm case size. Brown dial. Sapphire crystal.  Automatic movement - calibre 5R35. Water resistance 100M Price: $1,795

Here's a word you might not have heard before...

 

‘Asanoha’, the word that defines one of Seiko’s newest series in the presage range, the sharp edged series. This new series draws inspiration from both Seiko’s unique design principles and styling usually reserved for their Grand Seiko watches, as well as a traditional Japanese pattern known as ‘Asaoha’.  The pattern made up of an aggregate of triangles in a reoccurring star shapes is described as resembling a hemp leaf in design. The hemp tree grows straight towards the sky and to around 4 metres in 4 months, which is why in Japanese culture the pattern symbolises good health and growth. Although this watch draws design ideas from the more expensive and sought after ‘Grand Seiko’ range, the dial design is unique to this series and not like anything seen from Grand Seiko and at a fraction of the cost.  We have just gotten in the newest edition to the sharp edged series, SPB203J. While originally released last year in blue, green, white and brown dial variants this is the first featured in black. The case is a sharp polished and brushed case that emulates the same flare as the higher end Zaratzu finish and it pairs well with the solid brush with mid gloss bracelet. The dial features hour markers and hands with high gloss and sand blasted finish, continuing on the duality of surfaces prevalent through the design of the watch. The dial’s Asanoha pattern now in black makes a more subtle statement when compared to the other coloured dials featured last year, while still retaining the same message - Seiko knows how to design stunning dress watches. The watch also comes fitted with a 6R35 movement and is a made in Japan model, what more could you want. For only $1495, a fraction of the price of a Grand Seiko, this is a fantastic dress watch.  Only 1 in stock and no sign of more coming in soon.  Seiko Presage SPB203J 39.3mm case size. Black dial. Sapphire crystal. Automatic movement - calibre 6R35. Water resistance 100M Price: $1,495

SRPB41J1

 

Originally released in 2010 as a Japan domestic series only, the Presage cocktail time series was so popular in the global market after its release that Seiko decided to bless the world with these iconic dress watches. Automatic movement, gradient coloured burst dial, Made in Japan, exhibition case back, high polished stainless steel case and bracelet, all for well under $1000. You can’t go wrong.  The Seiko SRPB41J1 Blue Moon is one of the most popular variations of the cocktail series and it’s not hard to see why. Blue/black gradient dials have always been a top choice for many watch enthusiasts and this is a fantastic example. Paired with the high gloss case and the brushed and polished bracelet with a butterfly deployant clasp this watch feels very solid on the wrist despite being a dress watch.  Regardless if you’re just getting into mechanical watches or if you’ve got a growing collection, This is a fantastic watch.

Seiko Presage SRPB41J1 40.5mm case size. Blue dial. Hardlex glass. Automatic movement - calibre 4R35.  Water resistance 5 bar.  Price: $675

SRPD37J

First in, best dressed.

$699

The Seiko Presage cocktail range is Seiko’s answer to the demand for affordable dress watches, a market that is oversaturated with hype marketing and ‘cutting out the middle man’ but unlike those cheaply made miyota quartz junk watches, these Seiko Presage are automatic, made in Japan and look well above their price point, including the green dial cocktail SRPD37J1. The burst dial, unique to the presage range looks stunning in this deep green colour. The dial is inspired by the cocktail ‘The mockingbird’ which is a mixture of Lime, Mint flavoured crème de menthe and Tequila, which is why it’s also referred to as ‘Tequila mockingbird’. Not much is known about this mix but it is said to have appeared around the same time as the Harper Lee novel of which it’s named after in the 1960’s.  The hour markers are a sharp high polished finish with a matte, gloss contrasting minute and hour hand. It also features a gold seconds hand which pairs well with the green and brown leather combination.  If you like green watches or just appreciate a great looking dress watch, you’ll love this.

Seiko Presage SRPD37J 40.5mm case size.  Emerald green dial.  Hardlex glass. Automatic movement - calibre 4R35. Water resistance 50M. Price: $699

The PADI Monster

 

The SRPE27K1 is the first Seiko Monster released in partnership with PADI and it lives up to its name, because it is a diving beast.  Diving is no walk in the park, there are many things going on in both preparation and practice that could go wrong, which is why it's important that things such as training and equipment are up to standard. This is what the Seiko x PADI collaboration is all about. They share a joint goal of bringing the opportunity to practice diving to a broader community and promote safety and reliability as core principals. Seiko's end of the bargain is to provide reliable dive watches such as the SRPE27K1 and there are many reasons this watch is the perfect dive buddy.   The bezel is stainless steel with a deep blue PVD coating, which gives it a seriously unique presence on the wrist. It features large white contrasting indices and minute markers on the bezel for timing your dive with a rather obvious red 12 o' clock indicator. The best part about this bezel is that because it is from the ‘Monster’ range it features the classic ‘revolver’ case the range has become famous for. This case style is a great addition to the PADI range because of the bezels large notches which make it much easier to adjust the bezel’s timer while wearing gloves, which if you’ve ever gone diving in freezing cold water with minimal dexterity and feeling in your hands, you’ll know is a fantastic plus.  The dial and hands have the same sharp design from the ‘Monster’ series but features a red seconds and minute hand to make keeping track of your dive time much easier. Not only that but the Lumibrite lights up like a Christmas tree in a bright blue colour except for the minute hand and the bezel pearl which is green, making it easy to distinguish quickly in dark environments as well. The dial also features the PADI logo at 6 o'clock on the dial to show PADI’s tick of approval for this diving beast.

Seiko Prospex PADI "Special Edition" SRPE27K1 42.4mm case size. Black dial. Hardlex glass. Automatic movement - calibre 4R36. Water resistance 200M. Price: $795