I had been talking with the guys at Watch City about getting the Seiko Prospex SSC261 solar. So today when my wife said she needed two battery changes for her watches, I went to Watch City, looked at the SSC261 and said to myself, that's nice.
However, close by was the Seiko SUN019 Kinetic GMT Diver. I really loved it, far more than the former. I told Matt my kinetic anxiety and he said it is low maintenance while pointing out that it was still ticking with a 6-month reserve. No one had touched the watch since it arrived two weeks ago. I could wear it once a week and I'd be fine and if I was really nervous, I could give it ten shakes before going to bed. I was sold.
He discounted it 30%. I could have saved 50 dollars buying it on eBay but he's done so many battery changes and link changes over the years, without charging me, that I bought it on spot.
It's 48mm and plays just like that. It has sapphire crystal and the clasp is of the heavier high quality variety used on their Velatura models. The case reminds me a bit of the Seiko SBDB009 and has sawtooth edges around the bezel.
The lume is Seiko full max. If I can keep it charged by wearing it once or twice a week, I'll be very happy with this.
Impressive with a nice scifi vibe to it. I do wonder how it will differentiate itself among your collection, though - especially with the Tuna, but also the OSD, Benarus, and CGT. Very cool, though.
Posted by: jonnybardo | September 21, 2014 at 06:00 PM
I'd love to read updates over time, assuming you keep it, RE the Kinetic progress. I had to sell my Kinetic because I couldn't commit to wearing it often enough to keep it charged----and wasn't remembering to shake it periodically. I like the look of this watch though----all business.
Posted by: Angelo | September 22, 2014 at 04:34 AM
Jeff,
Now that you've had the SUN019 for almost three weeks, do you have any more thoughts on it?
Posted by: Gary | October 10, 2014 at 07:11 PM
Gary,
I love it as much as ever. It's definitely "me." It's good to know there are watches out there in the $500 ballpark like this. It's also good to know that appreciating the SUN019, I don't feel compelled to get a more expensive Breitling or Panerai. I'm very content with it.
Posted by: herculodge | October 10, 2014 at 07:36 PM
I'm glad you feel this way, Jeff. It's nice to buy something that you like as much after you've had it for awhile as you did when it was first purchased.
Posted by: Gary | October 10, 2014 at 08:39 PM
Jeff,
I noticed a watch is being auctioned off on EBAY and the pictures used in the post are some of the same ones in this article. Are you selling your SUN019 or did someone steal your pics? I kind of hope it's you selling it simply because I'm bidding on it and hope the pictures are of the actual watch.
Thanks
Posted by: Isaac | July 07, 2015 at 02:08 PM
I'm the seller. I think this info is late though. Beautiful, flawless watch, but I just can't give it the wrist time it needs in my rotation. I'm your typical collector.
Posted by: herculodge | July 07, 2015 at 02:54 PM