Herculodge Pulls the Trigger on a Seiko Velatura SNAA93P1 and Trends Toward New Watch Tastes

After selling a half dozen Invictas in recent weeks, I finally dropped the hammer (pulled the trigger?) on this Seiko Velatura SNAA93P1. It has a 50mm case and ushers me into a new watch direction, away from Invicta and toward Seiko, Breitling, Tag, etc. 

The impetus for this new direction was twofold: One, I burned out of the big attention watches after donning bigger and bigger Invictas to class over the last five years or so.

Two, my Seiko Black Monster, a $200 watch, has far superior build quality and appeal over my far more expensive Invictas. 

A year ago, a reader said he suspected I was a shill for Invicta, receiving free watches from them. I suppose his suspicions have been laid to rest. 

Comments

[Angelo]

Seiko has been my favorite brand for quite a long time. If I could only have one watch, it would probably be some sort of Seiko. That said---variety is the spice of life. Also----when it comes to styling/imagination, I have to say----Invicta is very hard to beat at their price point. My current favorite brand is probably the German motif Tauchmeister/Aeromatic. They actually are ASSEMBLED in Germany----and they have a character all their own.

[herculodge]

I'm with you on the Seikos. My Seiko Black Monster is my very favorite, even more than my $500 Lum-Tec LZ7.

[jonnybardo]

Nice choice - I look forward to seeing some pictures. How about a shot comparing it side by side with your Black Monster and one of the bigger Invictas?

[herculodge]

I will get some comparison shots, for sure. I notice a crown lock or something on it.

[jonnybardo]

Yeah, I really like the crown with lock - it reminds me of the Subaqua Noma III.

Just remember that it is 50mm including the crown - I believe this model is 44mm across the bezel. Nothing wrong with that, but don't expect something similar to a Subaqua Specialty Reserve (which are 50 or 52mm across the bezel, I believe).

[herculodge]

I sold my SANIII because the crown guard dug into my wrist. I hope the Seiko' smaller size remedies that problem.

[Angelo]

Interesting thing about my Tauchmeister diver (I think it's about 54MM): The crown and oversized crown guard are at the 9:00 position instead of 3:00. People have seen it and wondered if it's uncomfortable----but actually, it's just the opposite----the big crown guard just sort of floats above my forearm and at the 3:00 position, there is nothing to dig into my wrist.

[Angelo]

Herc: 169 different Seiko styles, and Breitling, and Tag. Knock yourself out!

http://www.fractionprice.com/cust/subwatches.asp?bo_store_id=1

[herculodge]

I'm trying to slow down. I'm at 40. That's my limit. I must sell to buy. That's where I am. But I'll bookmark that site.

[Patrick]

40?! I look forward to your upcoming episode of "Hoarders"! ;)

[herculodge]

Hoarders with twins. Time to sell another dozen.

[herculodge]

I just measured my Citizen Pro Diver; same dimensions as the Velatura: 44 bezel and 50 case and I'm very happy with its ample size, so I should be okay in that dept.

[Paul]

Radioshack has the Grundig G3 AM FM Shortwave radio on clearance/closout for $89.97. Call your local store and ask them to check stock for catalog number 20-439.

[Angelo]

I got my Sea Spider from Fraction Price. I also bought an Invicta for my brother all the way back in 2003----as a gift for him being best man in my wedding. Fraction Price is solid.

[jonnybardo]

I'm loving my Seiko SNAD05. It took a day or two to really grow on me, but that's what I find with Seikos: They take a bit more time to love because they aren't as flashy as Invictas, but their subtly and class really settle in. I'll try to post a few pictures on my blog tomorrow morning.

Fraction Price looks like it has some good deals, but most are way more expensive than other online watch stores like World of Watches, not to mention Ebay, Amazon, or the Sunday Run.

BTW, Shark Stores has the Seiko SNZF49 for $95 + shipping.