First Look: Seiko Tuna SBBN033

Let me begin by saying the Seiko SBBN033, the latest incarnation of the Tuna, is an awesome watch. Let me also say that after owning it for 3 days I've concluded that I prefer the previous generation, the SBBN017 for the following reasons: I prefer the 017's sandblasted shroud to the 033's polished one even though the 033's polish is an anti-scratch Diashield coating over the stainless steel. I prefer the 017's domed crystal over the flat crystal on the 033 (both are Hardlex). I prefer the bigger lume dots on the 017 even though the 033's lume markings are supposedly thicker and give like 30% better lume. 

Don't get me wrong. I love the 033. I just don't know if I'll keep it as an 017 is on its way to my house. I feel the 017 is the true Tuna icon and the 033 will stay as a supporting cast or leave my house and make some other Tuna fan happy. We shall see.

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Comments

[Gary]

I prefer the unique handset on the old Tuna. The hands on the new Tuna look like those on a Monster.

[Lee_K]

It's hard to tell definitively from the photos, but it appears that the luminous portion of the index circles of both the 033 and 017 are identical in diameter. The difference is that the 017 seams to have an additional surround of white paint? Or is it chrome? At any rate, it makes the indices smaller overall, and that's what gives the face a different look. I agree that the polished shroud looks a little blingy on a tool diver watch and wonder how well it will stand up to knocks and scratches.

Oh well -- Jeff's search for an Exit Watch continues as we get excellent ringside seats to watch as the journey unfolds.

[herculodge]

I'm inclined to keep both Tunas and put the polished 033 on a polished Super Engineer bracelet and keep the 017 on the rubber strap. Feels like an identity or signature watch. I'll be curious to see how much wrist time the other 5 watches get if I should go down this path.

[Angelo]

You've tended to favor automatics over quartz. I think the Tunas are proof that a high end quartz movement in the right watch overcomes the inherent "bonding" we have with our automatics. The "organic" properties of a watch that needs us to move around----needs us to wear the watch to "live" is endearing. But in some ways, so is the persistent quality of a dutiful quartz, that takes that nourishment from the battery and sips just enough to run accurately----in some cases, for years. It reminds me again of a car analogy. The automatic might be like the old Jaguar----a beast with massive personality that "needs us" to constantly be tinkering to stay on the road. People bond with a car like that----it's like a living thing in some ways because it needs us to maintain its health. But there's also a certain charm to that robotic Toyota Corolla----you just put gas in it and go. It gets its occasional oil change and that's pretty much it----dutiful, reliable, works. The Toyota is the quartz and the Jag is the automatic.

[herculodge]

Angelo, I agree. My Tunas will be my Exit Watches.

[Lee_K]

Angelo, I think a better automotive analogy is with transmissions. An automatic watch movement is analogous to a car's manual transmission, whereas the Quartz watch movement is analogous to a car's automatic transmission. Sometimes you get automated manuals like Volkswagen's DSG, Ford's DCT, or Porsche's PDK. I think Seiko's Kintetic movement is a good match for that. At any rate, enthusiasts tend to favor "rowing their own" in the car world, and I think watch obsessives follow a similar path.

[Angelo]

Lee: Good points and that's definitely a more literal analogy than mine was. I prefer automatic transmissions in my cars. I live in an urban area where traffic is often outrageous. I would not want to be shifting up and down in hour long traffic jams, frequently. Also, it's hard to shift when your on the phone and eating lunch! That said, I do love the act of driving and I'm not enthused about the idea of cars that drive themselves. Maybe I'll feel differently when I'm older and need the help. As for watches, I can go either way. Lately, because I have so many watches---I've been leaning toward the automatics because I am tired of having to replace batteries.

[M G]

///// I prefer the 017's domed crystal over the flat crystal on the 033 //////

Bro, they are exactly the same ;)