[fshalor]

RE: Seiko SBDA001 Black Titanium Samurai - Minireview

Since there's already a blue Ti Samurai review here:

Seiko SBDA003 Titanium "Blue Samurai" Review

I'll keep this one really short. (Feel free to correct me if I get anything wrong.)

Watch: Seiko SBDA001
Case: Titanium, WR 200m "Air Divers"
Movement: 7s25
Dial: Black, clean. Date only. "SEIKO / AUTOMATIC / TITANIUM / SCUBA / 200m". Hour markers are applied and outlined
Chapter ring: black with white markings. 4 hashes between minute ticks. Cut out around the lume markers.
Face: Mineral Crystal, Hardlex
Bezel ring. Black backing, painted. "blank" for indicies. Gray backing from 0-15. Lume pip at 0.

Currently on rubber z22. Expect shots with this on its Ti bracelet soon. Really enjoying this piece thus far. I used to hate the idea of rubber, but there's just something good about it. Fit and finish of this watch are definitely a step up from the "SKX" divers. Condition when I received watch was good. About a year old, with box and papers.

Of note, I was extremely apprehensive about picking up a Samurai. Almost to the point of craziness. I was concerned it would look too much like a piece of "bling" or just be too big on my wrist. I was concerned about the little metal "pips" on the sides and the angular shoulders. My fears were unfounded. It just seems to fit me.

The watch is something slightly different, and very well concieved.

Accuracy has been right in line with my other automatics (all 7s25's). This stands out for me due to the readability. I simply love the hands and chapter ring.

In short, this watch was exactly what I was looking for. I almost wish I hadn't wasted as much time as I had looking for it, then convincing myself it was going to "work" for me. I'm so glad I made the choice to jump on this "four letter" Seiko diver.

Sorry again for the freehand lume shot. When I came in today, it was a choice between my tripod and my cup of coffee, and the coffee won.

 

[junlon]

Re: Seiko SBDA001 Black Titanium Samurai - Minireview

I got my Black Ti Samurai early this year and are very happy with it. I like the look and the light-weight of Ti. The only concern I have is the bezel does not rotate as smoothly as my Sumo and Monster. Not sure if it is a design issue or a quality issue.

 

[fshalor]

Re: Seiko SBDA001 Black Titanium Samurai - Minireview

The bezel mechanism is definitely different in the "feel" aspect.

Where the skx007 bezel tick-click's, this one kind of tick-clacks. It feels like the top left moves up, and then the bottom right clacks down slightly. I detect very little movement in the vertical on the 007.

It's (for me) as smooth as, but slightly different resistance than the 007. Could just be lack of lubrication. Mine has also been wacked a few times on the inside bezel edge in its year.

I'd honestly love to compare one to the SS version and see if the metal has something to do with the apparent "feel" difference.

 

[kohym]

Re: Seiko SBDA001 Black Titanium Samurai - Minireview

I enjoyed reading this simple straight-to-the-point review, thanks!

just curious - Is there a Samurai standard rubber strap or any Z-22 rubber will do? :think:

:thanks

 

[acidblack]

Re: Seiko SBDA001 Black Titanium Samurai - Minireview

it was a spartan like review, just like my sammie .....like it a lot

you are about the bezel clicks.....the only thing thats rates minus for the watch...from the other side ,they are some many plus points....

 

[fshalor]

Re: Seiko SBDA001 Black Titanium Samurai - Minireview

I enjoyed reading this simple straight-to-the-point review, thanks!

just curious - Is there a Samurai standard rubber strap or any Z-22 rubber will do? :think:

:thanks

I have a "-Z-22 " flatish vent which came with it from a seller. A plain-jane z22 wave vent (stock for SKX-007) fits. No issues at all with any 22mm strap I've put on it. There's, if anything, a bit too much space between the lug drills and the main body for most straps.

I definitely prefered the flat vent. Though I'm liking the few days I've been wearing it on a Martec Elite. I thought I hated the M.E. composites when I tried one on the Orange Bullet I have, but something about the case geometry makes it fit me better. (Note: the hatred had nothing to do with the strap itself; just how it fit my strange wrists.)

I'll still owe some bracelet shots and wrist shots of this thing, and my camera just got back from Norway. So I guess I'll get started.

 

[Rojote]

Re: Seiko SBDA001 Black Titanium Samurai - Minireview

The Ti samurai is one of my most comfortable watches of all time to wear. When I put on my monster after wearing the Samy it feels like I have a 5 pound weight on my wrist......b-).