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Seiko SSB003 - Silver Panda

My Seiko SSB003 Arrival and Review

It arrived! I got the Seiko SSB003 in the mail, and it's a very nice watch.

Aesthetics

  • Dial: More of a glossy silver than 'white.' Pics don't do it justice; it's a very appealing color.
  • Sub-Dial: Three registers at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The black color contrasts nicely with the silver dial.
  • Bracelet: 20mm steel. It's cheap and rattly but okay. Identical to one used on some SNKK Seiko 5 series.
  • Bezel: Interesting design— the case is a unibody, so the bezel is not a separate piece.
  • Size: A nice 40mm watch with a more conservative and classic feel. The height is about 10mm, comparable in dimensions to my Omega Seamaster 2531.80.
  • Weight: The case has some heft, while the bracelet is very light; the total weight is the same as my Rolex Explorer.

Usage

  • Chronograph: Uses the 6T63 movement. Some call it a 'MechaQuartz' since the chronograph functions just like a pure mechanical chronograph watch. The big red seconds hand sweeps 5 beats/second, and the pushers provide an audible click and feedback when engaged.
  • Accuracy: It's been running for over a day and is spot-on accurate, as expected for a quartz movement. Online, it's rated for +/- 15 seconds/month.
  • Date: Located between 4 and 5 o'clock. Starts to change date at around 11 PM.

Closing

The overall feel gives me a sense of homage to a Daytona 6264. Purists would say it's not even close, but for me, the SSB003 has that retro vibe. It's a sturdy and comfortable watch. I prefer its conservative styling and minimalist design. There are several versions in the SSB line (001 - 015?), and all are nearly identical, with exceptions being the color choice of the dial and possibly the case/bezel/bracelet.

Model References:

  • SSB001: White
  • SSB003: Silver/black Panda, red seconds
  • SSB005: Blue
  • SSB007: Black
  • SSB009: White, gold TT
  • SSB011: Black, black bezel, red seconds
  • SSB013: White/black Panda, red seconds
  • SSB015: Black (looks identical to 007)

For a daily beater, this is a great watch.

It looks okay on a leather strap, but ironically, I'm liking the original OEM bracelet. When it has a good fit, it's comfy and you forget you're wearing a watch.

Update 4/4/18

Wow, the Seiko SSB003 is now rare, and I see some pre-owned SSBs selling for $200 or more on eBay. There's something about classic designs and Seiko quality.







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