I think there are still elements that stands out for the sarb033 hence explaining the appeal.. the needle second hands, the case design, the long power reserve, the compactness.. it all comes together in one iconic package. While others today may match it in certain specs, most do not come together in the same way.. The only one watch that can be comparable to the sarb is really the explorer 114270 but that is a superior watch in movement, materials and heritage..
Beautiful video! I love my Sarb 033, the first watch I bought about 5 years ago when I became fascinated with automatic watches and entered the hobby after living with a Timex Expedition for a decade. I love it and treasure it!
I bought this watch straight from Japan at the beginning of my watch collecting journey 12 / 13 years ago. Wanted something different and bumped into it by accident and it turned out to be a great decision. Now more than a decade later I own a lot of watches. A couple of Tudor’s, Breitling, Oris, Seiko’s, Maen etc. etc. Still this Seiko is one of my favorites and I receive a lot of compliments whilst wearing it
The Sarb033 has a timeless appeal. I keep my watch mirror polished and polished out all the scratches and mirror polished the original brushed finish on the lugs. I like to wear it with a leather strap so I think the mirror-polished lugs make it look more refined and I can see my reflection when looking at the lugs.
I felt the same way when I bought an SKX007 a couple of years ago. A bit underwhelmed and think that others are better value or built like the Citizen NY0040. I have the Citizen NB1050 and think that it's a great watch and already better specs than the SARB033. I can appreciate it for what it was back then, but still can't understand the hype to this day. Great insight video. Thanks!
Bought it at the time for like 250 euros. Keep being tempted to sell it, every time I see it in the box it looks unimpressive. Until I start wearing it again. It's on odd thing, it's not even particularly my style, but it's so perfect.
So true. It looks average on its own, but once on a wrist it shines and you can see/feel what it's all about. I have a 2nd mint condition one sitting in my closet - never worn
I've ridden many trains in my time, but never the one named 'Hype'. Like others, by the time i became aware of the SARB, as much as I liked it, I just couldn't bring myself to pay what i thought was too high a price. Never been sure about the 6Rs either. Heard good, but also a lot of not-so-good too. Tis a cracking looking little thing though.
I think, it was a good idea to buy this beautiful watch. Congratulations Sir! If you ever planned to avoid a Seiko Turtle, I can just say, I avoided it for a long time. And now I am in love. It wears so well on my seven inch wrist. I never thought it would be my best wearing watch. Wearing it for four weeks now and always when I swap it for another watch I swap it back after a few hours. 🕐⚙️🍸
I think part of the disappointment that you felt is how far along you are in your watch collecting journey. If you got this earlier and you were new to watch collecting this will hold much value and happiness. It represents to me as an owner of one, a time when saphire, great size/fit and finishing was unheard of at the time it was released. If you compare it now to some new releases it will definitely disappoint, it can even be beaten by some alliexpress watch
I agree. I got mine in 2015 (035) and it cost me $293. It was my first nice mechanical as my first mechanical I bought roughly at the same time was a Seiko 5. This watch checks all the boxes for what I paid and it was an instant classic the moment it was purchased. Similar to a vintage Seiko.
I was lucky to buy mine brand new at retail over 11 years ago. Still have it and absolutely love the looks, design and quality. It compares highly favourably to my GS SBGX261. The only thing is, since day one, the movement in mine has run like a bag of d!@ks at about minus 40 seconds a day. Never bothered my too much, as I have so many other watches, and I'm sure it would be very easily regulated my any half decent watch maker if I could get off my lazy ass and go and get it done. Super glad I never sold it! Not sure which watch to wear to work tomorrow, my DJ 116200 or my SARB033
Ha ha. Thanks for that. I regulated mine to under 10s a day. I have a king seiko tho with the 6r35 and that gains over 20s a day. Same view as you really. If it gets too far out just wear another
It is a watch I like the look of, and would have bought 4-5 years ago, if the prices asked were not so high. Personally, I wasn’t prepared to pay double what it retailed at, but I won’t criticise anyone who is. It’s your money & we aren’t talking Rolex figures here, thankfully. Lol. Hope you continue to enjoy it, it certainly wears well.👍
I bought a Seiko 5 after years of hearing about what great watches they are. It sucked. It felt cheap and kept poor time on top of it's other issues. I ended up giving it away to a friend who knows nothing about watches, and later I heard of rampant Seiko QC issues. Gave you a thumbs up!
It’s a lovely watch, but I sold mine. The case size is too large for what it wants to be in my opinion. I had both dials. The white dial had very poor accuracy. That being said, those bargains from Seiko are for the most part, long gone.
Didn't liked the lume on the inner ring of the markers. Buy a Clean factory Explorer 1 39mm for about gbp350 through a trusted dealer. Fantastic quality, has ar coating, great lume, etc etc. It will make most watches redundant
The thing with Seiko is that the new models are not better in general than the old ones. I have a couple of Cocktail Time series watches and I am sure that they are not better than that of yours and at similar prices
I think there are still elements that stands out for the sarb033 hence explaining the appeal.. the needle second hands, the case design, the long power reserve, the compactness.. it all comes together in one iconic package. While others today may match it in certain specs, most do not come together in the same way.. The only one watch that can be comparable to the sarb is really the explorer 114270 but that is a superior watch in movement, materials and heritage..
Yes, agree, it all comes together as a neat package. Thanks for that. The case shape itself is very hard to find elsewhere
Beautiful video! I love my Sarb 033, the first watch I bought about 5 years ago when I became fascinated with automatic watches and entered the hobby after living with a Timex Expedition for a decade. I love it and treasure it!
Thanks for feedback. It is a classic.....why don't they bring it back..
I bought this watch straight from Japan at the beginning of my watch collecting journey 12 / 13 years ago. Wanted something different and bumped into it by accident and it turned out to be a great decision. Now more than a decade later I own a lot of watches. A couple of Tudor’s, Breitling, Oris, Seiko’s, Maen etc. etc. Still this Seiko is one of my favorites and I receive a lot of compliments whilst wearing it
Thanks. They got it just right
The Sarb033 has a timeless appeal. I keep my watch mirror polished and polished out all the scratches and mirror polished the original brushed finish on the lugs. I like to wear it with a leather strap so I think the mirror-polished lugs make it look more refined and I can see my reflection when looking at the lugs.
Thanks. I think the polished surfaces need to be kept up. It really excels then
A watch with a timeless appeal?
Certainly
I have a collection, if I decide to keep one, sarb033 would be that. Uncle Seiko jubliee is icing on the top.
I need to do something about bracelet. Will have a look. Don't have any jubilees
It is the polished steel case contrasting with the black dial, case shape, large crown and large Dauphin hands.
So everything then lol
Just enjoy. I'll try the line about moving investments next time I'm tempted to buy a watch and see how it goes down with the finance committee.
Haha
the design strikes a nice balance between conservative at first look and flashy if looking a little closer. japanese salaryman compatible.
I felt the same way when I bought an SKX007 a couple of years ago. A bit underwhelmed and think that others are better value or built like the Citizen NY0040.
I have the Citizen NB1050 and think that it's a great watch and already better specs than the SARB033.
I can appreciate it for what it was back then, but still can't understand the hype to this day.
Great insight video. Thanks!
Thanks for that. Citizen hard to beat now in many areas.
Bought it at the time for like 250 euros. Keep being tempted to sell it, every time I see it in the box it looks unimpressive. Until I start wearing it again. It's on odd thing, it's not even particularly my style, but it's so perfect.
Yes I know what you mean
So true. It looks average on its own, but once on a wrist it shines and you can see/feel what it's all about. I have a 2nd mint condition one sitting in my closet - never worn
I've ridden many trains in my time, but never the one named 'Hype'. Like others, by the time i became aware of the SARB, as much as I liked it, I just couldn't bring myself to pay what i thought was too high a price. Never been sure about the 6Rs either. Heard good, but also a lot of not-so-good too. Tis a cracking looking little thing though.
Thanks for watching. I really hate jumping on board those trains, but as I say.......maybe underpriced initially........maybe found its level...
I think, it was a good idea to buy this beautiful watch. Congratulations Sir! If you ever planned to avoid a Seiko Turtle, I can just say, I avoided it for a long time. And now I am in love. It wears so well on my seven inch wrist. I never thought it would be my best wearing watch. Wearing it for four weeks now and always when I swap it for another watch I swap it back after a few hours. 🕐⚙️🍸
That's some wrist u have 😮
Interesting. I am checking out Seiko divers. Its hard not to have ' all Seikos' as they wear so well. Thanks
@@Timetrends-n5t lol Sorry I meant 7 of course.
I bought the SARV003 Japanese import and absolutely love the watch . Only $178 and a fantastic bargain.
I'll check it out
I think part of the disappointment that you felt is how far along you are in your watch collecting journey. If you got this earlier and you were new to watch collecting this will hold much value and happiness. It represents to me as an owner of one, a time when saphire, great size/fit and finishing was unheard of at the time it was released. If you compare it now to some new releases it will definitely disappoint, it can even be beaten by some alliexpress watch
Very well thought out and likely true. Thanks!
I agree. I got mine in 2015 (035) and it cost me $293. It was my first nice mechanical as my first mechanical I bought roughly at the same time was a Seiko 5. This watch checks all the boxes for what I paid and it was an instant classic the moment it was purchased. Similar to a vintage Seiko.
In the near future I’ll be looking for it’s brother sarb035!
Good choice. Timeless
I was lucky to buy mine brand new at retail over 11 years ago. Still have it and absolutely love the looks, design and quality. It compares highly favourably to my GS SBGX261. The only thing is, since day one, the movement in mine has run like a bag of d!@ks at about minus 40 seconds a day. Never bothered my too much, as I have so many other watches, and I'm sure it would be very easily regulated my any half decent watch maker if I could get off my lazy ass and go and get it done. Super glad I never sold it! Not sure which watch to wear to work tomorrow, my DJ 116200 or my SARB033
Ha ha. Thanks for that. I regulated mine to under 10s a day. I have a king seiko tho with the 6r35 and that gains over 20s a day. Same view as you really. If it gets too far out just wear another
It is a watch I like the look of, and would have bought 4-5 years ago, if the prices asked were not so high. Personally, I wasn’t prepared to pay double what it retailed at, but I won’t criticise anyone who is. It’s your money & we aren’t talking Rolex figures here, thankfully. Lol. Hope you continue to enjoy it, it certainly wears well.👍
Thanks.
I bought a Seiko 5 after years of hearing about what great watches they are. It sucked. It felt cheap and kept poor time on top of it's other issues. I ended up giving it away to a friend who knows nothing about watches, and later I heard of rampant Seiko QC issues. Gave you a thumbs up!
Thanks for coming along
It’s a lovely watch, but I sold mine. The case size is too large for what it wants to be in my opinion. I had both dials. The white dial had very poor accuracy.
That being said, those bargains from Seiko are for the most part, long gone.
Yep. I do go for it often
People forget you had to pay import duty, so it wasn’t as cheap as the price tag suggests.
Originally yes. Good point. Add 20%
Didn't liked the lume on the inner ring of the markers. Buy a Clean factory Explorer 1 39mm for about gbp350 through a trusted dealer. Fantastic quality, has ar coating, great lume, etc etc. It will make most watches redundant
So many options
The thing with Seiko is that the new models are not better in general than the old ones. I have a couple of Cocktail Time series watches and I am sure that they are not better than that of yours and at similar prices
Yes I think this. Even the old 60s movements are worth getting and servicing for less than the cost of premium Seiko's
The SARY057 is a far better watch. It's not lumbered with that buggy awful 6R movement for a start.
I originally thought the same..very reliable no nonsense...the sarb has a charm tho
It looks cheap, feels cheap. If that's what you like.
Mmm not really
Neither looks nor feels cheap. It's a cracking little timepiece.
It's a strap monster