Excellent review! Love the macro shots. I completely agree with your take, my SARB033 is one of only 2 watches in my collection that I find almost impossible to let go of. It really is a legend.
I have my SARB035 on the Uncle Seiko (now Uncle Straps) Beads of Rice bracelet, and it looks stunning. When I bought it 2 years ago, I was sorry I missed on the 033, but I quickly came to the conclusion that for me, the 035 is even better. My only issue is that it runs quite a bit slower than any of my 4R35 or NH35 watches. Nice video.
I'm not sure why but the 033 seems a bit plain to me whereas the 035 doesn't. Ultimately though you can't go wrong with either and those BoR straps are awesome
The SARB035 and SARB033 were interesting for their times - some of which may no longer be relevant today: 1. Back then these were some of the very few "somewhat affordable" Seikos which featured hacking and winding. This advantage was heavily diminished when the 4R movements were released. 2. They featured a classic "Seiko" look in 38mm. Theory was that this was an uncomfortable intrusion into Grand Seiko territory so these were not just discontinued, but no equivalent successor will be made in the same price category. 3. As a follow up to (2), you can still find the same look among the current ongoing Seiko SUR5xx lineup - except that they are quartz, and are between 39mm-40mm, and obviously much cheaper. I have seen them personally and must admit their finishing could be equivalent to the SARBs though I did not bring my own SARB035 to do a side-by-side comparison. Could be an effect of lighting in the boutique, but I thought the markers on these SUR5xx may have a brighter polish than my own SARB. Which should not be a surprise considering how manufacturing processes would have improved over the decade.
Thank you! Watches are meant to be worn so I make sure I do 🤣 Actually wearing the watch a lot also helps me work out the things I do and don't like about it more authentically as opposed to just handling the watch a little bit
I bought the SARB035 last year, and it really is awesome. I feel like it’s still good value up to a certain point. I paid around $500USD, which is a considerable increase over a few years ago, but I don’t regret spending that much at all! That would be my limit though
If you think about what Seiko charge now for watches with 6r35 movements, 500 for this with a 6r15 is not too bad. But yeah, I'd say it's the upper limit
Understand why people love this, and for the price it was amazing. But I could never get on with mine and sold it. The case and bracelet are amazing but the dial felt dull and a bit cheap for my tastes. My movement was excellent (although have had problems with the 6R in other watches). In any case a great review! Nice to be reminded of it. Still think Seiko offers some amazing deals in the (now) c.£500 category.
6-8 years ago I bought the Seiko Alpinist SARB017 from Japan. Thats now had a massive price increase too just like this one. Beautiful watch What watches available today for a reasonable price do you think will have a big price increase in the future?
If I knew I'd be buying them all 🤣 In my opinion though maybe some of the cocktail time presages could but microbrands like zelos hold their value well now so are probably more likely to do so going forward in the future
Seems like a pretty generous use of the word. I would have thought champagne is more like the SBGP009. Though I guess Seiko can call it whatever they want really
I have a sarb035. I got it for a great price a few years ago. I hardly wear it, but can't let go of it. It's not accurate enough to be a daily wear for me, but it's nice to wear once and awhile.
I propose that the Citizen NB1050-59e is as good or better than the Sarb035. Pretty much the same overall design, dimensions and specs. I’m not a big fan of the 6R Seiko movement. I have the Sarb017 and gave previously owned the sarb035 and baby mm200 - all three kept terrible time.
It's definitely a worthy contender. I think for a lot of people the brand is holding them back. They generally don't rate it on the same level as Seiko
The SARB cases are really nice. I didn't get a dress version but I enjoy my 017. That looks like the same annoying clasp as on the 1959 Alpinist re-creation, SPB241J1. I'm looking around for a replacement with more adjustment holes.
I still have mine . It's my summer watch. I got it new for $500 ca . Now they are selling pr owned for $800 ca used. It's about time it had a service. It's running a bit fast how .
@@addicted_to_watches I was thinking of selling it but it really is a watch every collection should have in it . I just wish I had got the 033 at the same time.
Super clip on elaboration. 2 big drawbacks are NO SCREW DOWN CROOWN PLUS NO THE BRACELET LACKING ADJYSTMENTS. For 300 bucks you need to get your standard up
True! They've done so many others it is kind of strange they haven't gone for this one yet. Islander have one with a similar looking case but nothing from ali
@@addicted_to_watches yeah, considering the interest and tons of videos about the sarb. I think all the established and small watch review channels have one video about it and never got a homage from Chinese watch makers
Never been a fan of the sarb. The 6R movements have always been terrible for me. And the case just feels a bit too bulky, but thats purely personaly preference.
Molto bello ma non un orologio per tutti i giorni come molti affermano; la finitura satinata lo rende molto sensibile ai graffi ed in poco tempo perderebbe la sua bellezza (punto forte di questo orologio).
I’ve put it on an Uncle Seiko president bracelet and it looks amazing
Nice! Jody from jomw has his 033 on one and it looks great
Did the same on my Sarb 017. Improved it 300%.
Strapcode Oyster style bracelet with a proper clasp, 6 adjustments. Fits like a glove now.
I have an uncle seiko jubilee bracelet on it
Excellent review! Love the macro shots. I completely agree with your take, my SARB033 is one of only 2 watches in my collection that I find almost impossible to let go of. It really is a legend.
Thank you!
I have my SARB035 on the Uncle Seiko (now Uncle Straps) Beads of Rice bracelet, and it looks stunning. When I bought it 2 years ago, I was sorry I missed on the 033, but I quickly came to the conclusion that for me, the 035 is even better. My only issue is that it runs quite a bit slower than any of my 4R35 or NH35 watches.
Nice video.
I'm not sure why but the 033 seems a bit plain to me whereas the 035 doesn't. Ultimately though you can't go wrong with either and those BoR straps are awesome
The SARB035 and SARB033 were interesting for their times - some of which may no longer be relevant today:
1. Back then these were some of the very few "somewhat affordable" Seikos which featured hacking and winding. This advantage was heavily diminished when the 4R movements were released.
2. They featured a classic "Seiko" look in 38mm. Theory was that this was an uncomfortable intrusion into Grand Seiko territory so these were not just discontinued, but no equivalent successor will be made in the same price category.
3. As a follow up to (2), you can still find the same look among the current ongoing Seiko SUR5xx lineup - except that they are quartz, and are between 39mm-40mm, and obviously much cheaper. I have seen them personally and must admit their finishing could be equivalent to the SARBs though I did not bring my own SARB035 to do a side-by-side comparison. Could be an effect of lighting in the boutique, but I thought the markers on these SUR5xx may have a brighter polish than my own SARB. Which should not be a surprise considering how manufacturing processes would have improved over the decade.
You're right. I absolutely adore my 033. It suits every occasion and on close inspection, is gorgeous. No wonder it's been dubbed the baby GS
It makes a strong case for the only watch you need
I like the fact you show your watches in a truly worn condition. Not meaning worn out, but used and not a show piece!
Thank you! Watches are meant to be worn so I make sure I do 🤣 Actually wearing the watch a lot also helps me work out the things I do and don't like about it more authentically as opposed to just handling the watch a little bit
Magical When light starts to fade and lume starts to kick in against the ivory dial ❤
Picked up a new 033 in 2020 for 390. Love it
Great price and a great pickup!
I bought the SARB035 last year, and it really is awesome. I feel like it’s still good value up to a certain point. I paid around $500USD, which is a considerable increase over a few years ago, but I don’t regret spending that much at all! That would be my limit though
If you think about what Seiko charge now for watches with 6r35 movements, 500 for this with a 6r15 is not too bad. But yeah, I'd say it's the upper limit
$500 is still cheap for this watch.
Where can I find one? All I see are ones 700-900 in bad shaped (scratched to hell or missing bracelet).
Understand why people love this, and for the price it was amazing. But I could never get on with mine and sold it. The case and bracelet are amazing but the dial felt dull and a bit cheap for my tastes. My movement was excellent (although have had problems with the 6R in other watches). In any case a great review! Nice to be reminded of it. Still think Seiko offers some amazing deals in the (now) c.£500 category.
6-8 years ago I bought the Seiko Alpinist SARB017 from Japan. Thats now had a massive price increase too just like this one. Beautiful watch
What watches available today for a reasonable price do you think will have a big price increase in the future?
If I knew I'd be buying them all 🤣
In my opinion though maybe some of the cocktail time presages could but microbrands like zelos hold their value well now so are probably more likely to do so going forward in the future
Seiko call the dial colour "Champagne". My SARB035 was in with them for service and the online service record had the dial colour on the report.
Seems like a pretty generous use of the word. I would have thought champagne is more like the SBGP009.
Though I guess Seiko can call it whatever they want really
I have a sarb035. I got it for a great price a few years ago. I hardly wear it, but can't let go of it. It's not accurate enough to be a daily wear for me, but it's nice to wear once and awhile.
I think I'm in the same boat as you 😅
Well done mate! Subbed, really well done!
Thank you!
Very nice photography
Thank you! That part of making the videos is probably the most fun....other than wearing the watches 😅
I propose that the Citizen NB1050-59e is as good or better than the Sarb035. Pretty much the same overall design, dimensions and specs. I’m not a big fan of the 6R Seiko movement. I have the Sarb017 and gave previously owned the sarb035 and baby mm200 - all three kept terrible time.
It's definitely a worthy contender. I think for a lot of people the brand is holding them back. They generally don't rate it on the same level as Seiko
The NB1050 doesn’t come in white or cream, I had it, it’s silver.
The SARB cases are really nice. I didn't get a dress version but I enjoy my 017. That looks like the same annoying clasp as on the 1959 Alpinist re-creation, SPB241J1. I'm looking around for a replacement with more adjustment holes.
AliExpress is usually a good source for things like that. I think long island watch also sells clasps
excellent review
Thanks for watching!
I still have mine . It's my summer watch. I got it new for $500 ca . Now they are selling pr owned for $800 ca used. It's about time it had a service. It's running a bit fast how .
They make great summer watches, but it's crazy to think about how much the prices have changed in recent years
@@addicted_to_watches I was thinking of selling it but it really is a watch every collection should have in it . I just wish I had got the 033 at the same time.
There are only two things I dislike about this watch: (1) the bracelet and (2) the lack of AR coating. Everything else is brilliant.
Both are fixable if you're willing to spend the extra money on them. Personally I'm happy to live with it's shortcomings
Which strap is the leather one? That looks beautiful
The brown leather one is branded ZRC, no idea about the blue one, it's just a random one I picked up along the way from ebay
I don't wear mine much. But I'll never sell it.
It can be tough with watches like that in a collection
Super clip on elaboration. 2 big drawbacks are NO SCREW DOWN CROOWN PLUS NO THE BRACELET LACKING ADJYSTMENTS. For 300 bucks you need to get your standard up
And to think I wanted to sell it. 😢
With some of the prices they are going for these days it can be tempting
I have the Sarb033, and I'm curious as to why Chinese homage watch makers won't copy this cult classic
True! They've done so many others it is kind of strange they haven't gone for this one yet. Islander have one with a similar looking case but nothing from ali
@@addicted_to_watches yeah, considering the interest and tons of videos about the sarb. I think all the established and small watch review channels have one video about it and never got a homage from Chinese watch makers
Never been a fan of the sarb. The 6R movements have always been terrible for me. And the case just feels a bit too bulky, but thats purely personaly preference.
Everyone is entitled to their preference. My unpopular opinion is that I really don't like the way the turtle wears 😅
@@addicted_to_watches Phillistine! Agree, though. Wear what you like, it’s all good.
11.2 mm, and 45 mm?? Not really bulky
@@denisdaly1708 like i said , all about personal preference. You dont have to agree... 🤣 i tend to prefer my pieces sub 10mm thick for example...
Molto bello ma non un orologio per tutti i giorni come molti affermano; la finitura satinata lo rende molto sensibile ai graffi ed in poco tempo perderebbe la sua bellezza (punto forte di questo orologio).