I looked at the SARB033, really liked it. Then it got discontinued, prices got silly and I felt at 38mm, it was too small. I got a Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic. Black dial, applied markers, same style hands, lume, 40mm across, 10mm thick, ETA based Powermatic 80 and Swiss Made. The only minus is 50m WR. IMO, the better watch for around the same price. Don't feel like I am missing out at all.
Love my Sarb though I don't wear it too often Got mine on an Uncle Seiko jubilee style bracelet which definitely elevates the watch Interesting take on this made game of watch collecting
I had a similar issue with the bracelet. But the solution is easy. I got a female end link P bracelet. It looks amazing still, but with a better size and fit now as the case is created just perfect from the sizing.
Get the SARY057 instead. Fantastic watch. Better size and doesn't have the buggy 6R movement. So pleased I decided to sell the SARB as I was able to purchase a SARY057 and a SARY055 for the price I sold the SARB. Far happier.
I am in the boat you have been in, with being a broke student. My seiko that fills the same role the Sarb would is my snkl23j. I have however swapped on a sapphire crystal and regulated it, so it hover within +-5s/day. So over a week, it doesn't really gain or lose much time. Something that was a tricky thing to accomplish with use of some statistics, using and average values and coefficients for the different positions in how many % of the day I figured it would stay in that position, as the standard deviation of the time keeping in the different positions were huge, from around +20 to -17. But that's budget seiko movements for you, they might not run great, but they can work well in practice if regulated well. At least it is consistent, haha. Oh, and I do have it on a Hirsch Nubuck strap, the bracelet is still in the wrapping, as I had one look at it and went NOPE. xD Also I really like the history of the Seiko Type-2 and all the ideas Seiko had around the Seiko 5, as I enjoy wearing it, in the way that was intended, as a solid everyday type watch
Mate I love the commitment, and the SNKL23j is a fantastic watch, one of the legendary Seiko 5's. Thanks for watching and appreciate you sharing your story with us.
I've tried the exact combination in a previous 035 but still no luck. Don't know why the SARB just never sat right on my wrists, at this point I've given up haha. Thanks for watching.
For SARB033 I've found that it wears best on a nato strap, embracing and maximizing it's chunkiness and curvature. I kind of wear it as a substitute for the Seiko 5 helmet. I've never thought it looked good on a bracelet, and I generally find bracelets useless junk.
When it was current I got my sarb but I went for the 035. The bracelet - solid end links ( essential - when is Uncle Seiko goong to make them for the Seiko 5s?) but the fit , not great. Too chunky , but it curves down. The accuracy is so out ..& yet I enjoy looking at it - I never wear it as I think to sell it & keep it in a decent condition. I now have two Casio 35mm ' Aqua Terras', five Seiko 5s , a CW c63 36mm, Oceanus titanium, Hamilton Jazzmaster 34mm ( plus other watch varieties) - all because the Sarb wasn't 'right''.
Years ago, bought a SARB035. Tons of QC issues: misaligned hands; misaligned chapter ring; debris on the dial; and a scratched hand. Sent it back for full refund and never considered the SARB again. Others reported similar QC issues. So, nah, not worth it.
Both my 033 and 035 were purchased new together for $700.00 when the rumors started that Seiko was going to discontinue the SARB line. Best $$$ I ever spent on watches. Recently Seiko has lost the plot IMHO.
I know SARB is chunky. You can't make it slimmer. But consider Beads of Rice bracelet by Uncle Seiko for SARB. It might change the wearing experience. And it has killer looks.
I've tried it on Uncle Seiko's presidential and it was only OK imo. I even tried integrated rubber straps at some point but never ended up bonding with the wear. Thanks for watching!
monsterwatches from the Netherlands, just an FYI shipping will take time and the owner only goes to the post office ONCE a week. So best to buy it and forget about it until it arrives! Thanks for watching.
Great video, and I agree with your opinion that the wearing experience is bad. The design completely falls apart when putting it on and looking at the sides. IMO it is an overrated piece and those getting caught in the hype should be looking elsewhere, especially now that the movements are probably all in a bad state (and had all kinds of issues to begin with). This is why I sold my SARB035 and have no regrets. Some notes on alternatives: the Traska is a great but is getting pricy. If you import to the EU it is getting close to 800€ and starts to compete with swiss watch makers, like CW's C63 Sealander which is a step higher in terms of quality and originality. Also it seems that the SRPD99 is not being made anymore and is overpriced when you can find it so it is kind of the same.
Agree with your sentiment, SARB is all hype but for some reason I still love it. I think it goes: CW Sealander > Traska Commuter > SARB. Thanks for watching!
SARB is clearly a chunky watch. It makes it look larger than a 38mm. Great dial and watch overall but just--chunky. Now, where did you get the slim caseback for your Seiko 5?
Certainly very chunky, which is confusing given it's 12mm thickness on paper. For the slim caseback, check out monsterwatches, they operate from the Netherlands so depending on where you are, expect at least a few weeks for delivery.
The “it doesn’t have to make sense” makes a lot of sense to me too.
That's my excuse for unnecessary spending :)
I looked at the SARB033, really liked it. Then it got discontinued, prices got silly and I felt at 38mm, it was too small. I got a Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic. Black dial, applied markers, same style hands, lume, 40mm across, 10mm thick, ETA based Powermatic 80 and Swiss Made. The only minus is 50m WR. IMO, the better watch for around the same price. Don't feel like I am missing out at all.
Great video. I wish you would review the SRPD99 soon, as there’s no good coverage of it on UA-cam
I'm sure I'll get to it at some point!
Thanks for watching.
Great video. Thanks for posting.
Great video, thanks for posting!
Thanks for watching!
Great video!
Appreciate it.
Thanks for watching!
Love my Sarb though I don't wear it too often
Got mine on an Uncle Seiko jubilee style bracelet which definitely elevates the watch
Interesting take on this made game of watch collecting
Tried a few UC bracelets but just never clicked somehow, something about the shape of the case I think.
Thanks for watching!
I had a similar issue with the bracelet. But the solution is easy. I got a female end link P bracelet. It looks amazing still, but with a better size and fit now as the case is created just perfect from the sizing.
Great idea! Thanks for watching.
Get the SARY057 instead. Fantastic watch. Better size and doesn't have the buggy 6R movement. So pleased I decided to sell the SARB as I was able to purchase a SARY057 and a SARY055 for the price I sold the SARB. Far happier.
I am in the boat you have been in, with being a broke student.
My seiko that fills the same role the Sarb would is my snkl23j.
I have however swapped on a sapphire crystal and regulated it, so it hover within +-5s/day. So over a week, it doesn't really gain or lose much time.
Something that was a tricky thing to accomplish with use of some statistics, using and average values and coefficients for the different positions in how many % of the day I figured it would stay in that position, as the standard deviation of the time keeping in the different positions were huge, from around +20 to -17.
But that's budget seiko movements for you, they might not run great, but they can work well in practice if regulated well. At least it is consistent, haha.
Oh, and I do have it on a Hirsch Nubuck strap, the bracelet is still in the wrapping, as I had one look at it and went NOPE. xD
Also I really like the history of the Seiko Type-2 and all the ideas Seiko had around the Seiko 5, as I enjoy wearing it, in the way that was intended, as a solid everyday type watch
Mate I love the commitment, and the SNKL23j is a fantastic watch, one of the legendary Seiko 5's.
Thanks for watching and appreciate you sharing your story with us.
Cant get in in retail anymore. Now the price in the prospex category. Plenty of options in the price range.
Try the uncle Seiko presidential bracelet. I always prefer the original manufacturer bracelet to keep it stock but this is an exception
I've tried the exact combination in a previous 035 but still no luck. Don't know why the SARB just never sat right on my wrists, at this point I've given up haha.
Thanks for watching.
For SARB033 I've found that it wears best on a nato strap, embracing and maximizing it's chunkiness and curvature. I kind of wear it as a substitute for the Seiko 5 helmet. I've never thought it looked good on a bracelet, and I generally find bracelets useless junk.
I had mine on a NATO for a while but it didn't look "right" to me haha, swapped it back on the bracelet but stopped wearing it.
Thanks for watching!
When it was current I got my sarb but I went for the 035.
The bracelet - solid end links ( essential - when is Uncle Seiko goong to make them for the Seiko 5s?) but the fit , not great.
Too chunky , but it curves down. The accuracy is so out ..& yet I enjoy looking at it - I never wear it as I think to sell it & keep it in a decent condition.
I now have two Casio 35mm ' Aqua Terras', five Seiko 5s , a CW c63 36mm, Oceanus titanium, Hamilton Jazzmaster 34mm ( plus other watch varieties) - all because the Sarb wasn't 'right''.
Exactly the same, enjoy looking at it but I never wear it.
Thanks for watching!
Right on
Thank you!
Years ago, bought a SARB035. Tons of QC issues: misaligned hands; misaligned chapter ring; debris on the dial; and a scratched hand. Sent it back for full refund and never considered the SARB again. Others reported similar QC issues. So, nah, not worth it.
That's fair enough! Lots of SARB horror stories with QC, even from the early "glory" days.
Thanks for watching!
@@SixiwWatches your welcome. It’s a beautiful Seiko. I wanted to love it. Happy Holidays, assuming you celebrate.
Both my 033 and 035 were purchased new together for $700.00 when the rumors started that Seiko was going to discontinue the SARB line. Best $$$ I ever spent on watches. Recently Seiko has lost the plot IMHO.
No longer the good old days of Seiko, and not many Seiko's left in my collection as well.
Thanks for watching!
I know SARB is chunky. You can't make it slimmer. But consider Beads of Rice bracelet by Uncle Seiko for SARB. It might change the wearing experience. And it has killer looks.
I've tried it on Uncle Seiko's presidential and it was only OK imo. I even tried integrated rubber straps at some point but never ended up bonding with the wear.
Thanks for watching!
I’ve got my SARB035 on a Strapcode “O” bracelet…I can actually get a good fit with it!
That said, I don’t wear my SARB enough. I’m not sure why!
Right there with you, tried all the Uncle Seiko bracelets and Strapcode's jubilee, never truly enjoyed the wear.
Thanks for watching!
Where can you buy the slim case back for the SNXS?
monsterwatches from the Netherlands, just an FYI shipping will take time and the owner only goes to the post office ONCE a week. So best to buy it and forget about it until it arrives!
Thanks for watching.
@ thanks for the information!
Great video, and I agree with your opinion that the wearing experience is bad. The design completely falls apart when putting it on and looking at the sides. IMO it is an overrated piece and those getting caught in the hype should be looking elsewhere, especially now that the movements are probably all in a bad state (and had all kinds of issues to begin with). This is why I sold my SARB035 and have no regrets. Some notes on alternatives: the Traska is a great but is getting pricy. If you import to the EU it is getting close to 800€ and starts to compete with swiss watch makers, like CW's C63 Sealander which is a step higher in terms of quality and originality. Also it seems that the SRPD99 is not being made anymore and is overpriced when you can find it so it is kind of the same.
Agree with your sentiment, SARB is all hype but for some reason I still love it.
I think it goes: CW Sealander > Traska Commuter > SARB.
Thanks for watching!
SARB is clearly a chunky watch. It makes it look larger than a 38mm. Great dial and watch overall but just--chunky. Now, where did you get the slim caseback for your Seiko 5?
Certainly very chunky, which is confusing given it's 12mm thickness on paper.
For the slim caseback, check out monsterwatches, they operate from the Netherlands so depending on where you are, expect at least a few weeks for delivery.
Traska vs SARB is just not even close
If you want a clomage Long Island Watches makes one. Traska commuter is a true in production alternative.
Which one would you go for?