First Impressions of the Seiko FlightMaster SNAB69

After streamlining my collection from 55 to 11 watches, I realized I had nothing in all combat black. I remember selling the silver Seiko FlightMaster SNAB67 when, still under the spell of Las Vegas Oversized Bling, I thought it was too small and sold it regrettably.

I kept looking at the black version, the SNAB69 and after a few weeks decided to get one. One of my reservations was that at 43mm it would be too small, but it proves to be a significant timepiece, especially now that I don't esteem oversized fashion watches.

Another worry was that after "trading" several fashion pieces for the expensive Seiko Tuna a "cheap" $235 watch would be too much of a downgrade.

 

These worries proved unfounded. The SNAB69 is a great looking tool watch. Like the Seiko SKA427, it's not "black" as described; rather, it's a gunmetal charcoal.

The lume and readability are excellent on the SNAB69. In fact, it's easier to read than the SKA427 Kinetic Diver because the diver's hour hand blends too much with the indices. No such problem with the FlightMaster.

The gunmetal finish is like shiny oil and ice, very upscale at this pricepoint.

While only 43mm across the bezel, it plays big on the wrist (hope to get my wife to take some on-wrist photos).

While I generally prefer non-chrono dials and their uncluttered look, the busy SNAB69 bezel is very cool and very toolish and because it's easy to read, I'm thus far a big fan of it. It's great to bring a gunmetal watch into my collection, one that's classy without being overpriced, substantical without being Las Vegas oversized, and chrono while being easy to read.

Related articles

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If the Seiko Tuna Is What I Think It Is, I May Trim My Collection

Pulled the Trigger on a Seiko FlightMaster SNAB69 (Should Arrive in 3 Days)

Manly Watch Sighting: Seiko FlightMaster SNAB69

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Have to Unload the Seiko Kinetic SKA427 Gunmetal Diver

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Comments

[jonnybardo]

Very nice - I'm glad you like it.

I own two all-black watches, the Tempest Viking and Seiko SKA425, both of which are very toolish, so I'm still left longing for a more Bondsian black watch (I'll have to get that Citizen I've long wanted someday).

The SNAB69 has a nice balance between toolish (or rather, I'd say sporty) and slick or Bondsian.

[herculodge]

"Bondsian." Now there's a manly watch term.

[Gary]

And as a side benefit you'll have the pilot's slide rule at the ready, in case you need to do any calculations while you're out and about.

[Gary]

Here's an ABlogToWatch article on how to use a pilot's watch slide rule.

http://www.ablogtowatch.com/how-to-use-a-watch-bezel-slide-rule/

[herculodge]

Thanks, Gary. For my treck to Whole Foods in Redondo Beach.

[Angelo]

The whole "size" thing has me rattled. Does size matter? I still love my "mucho macho" Tauchmeister 52MM titans. I also love my Cardinal 47MM Panerai knock-off, which as Jeff would say, plays big. But I'm now finding myself drawn to the nostalgic, much smaller and thinner luxury watches from the 1950s-1980s era. After a few days wearing a classic Seiko dress watch (small size), my 41 MM Seiko Kinetic (by today's standards, not a large watch by any means) that I'm wearing today looks "too big." Don't get me wrong----I still like the big, impactful watches and the attention they get (mostly positive). But something is drawing me backwards in size---and not even to "medium" but to much smaller. It'll be interesting to see how things trend for most people in the next couple years.

[Jeffrey McMahon]

I'm trending to nothing smaller than 43mm.

[Angelo]

But never say never! You never know what the watch designers have in mind that might sway you to a sub 43MM size.