HANDS-ON: The Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J are modern Apocalypse Now reissues, and they're ready for 2020
Last year, Seiko fans around the world had a collective skipping of heartbeats when the Japanese firm announced the release of the SLA033. This was no normal Seiko dive watch. As its full name suggests, the Seiko Diver’s Re-Creation Limited Edition SLA033, is a watch inspired by one of the most iconic Seiko dive watches of all time — the 6105. The 6105 was forever embroidered in the fabric of popular culture when it was worn by Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now. The model was favoured by real American G.Is in combat, which made the placement all that more authentic. This year, Seiko have announced the release of the Seiko SPB151J and Seiko SPB153J, two new references based on the classic 6105 wristwatch. But what is different — and what will be most exciting for enthusiasts about these two — is they won’t be produced in limited numbers. A watch from humble beginnings, the 6105 was launched into the stratosphere when it found its way onto the wrist of Martin Sheen as he starred as Captain Willard in blockbuster film Apocalypse Now. Ever since, it has been one of the most sought-after historical Seiko references, with examples in good condition commanding…
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Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water with your diver of choice, there’s yet another iteration to consider, and it lurks not only in the deep, but in our marketplace, where you can buy it as of today… Dive watches are perhaps the best served category of watches in the market in terms of sheer variety. But there always seems to be new contenders from known and unknown brands. One collection that is not new by any stretch, but a little more under the sonar than usual is the Engineer Hydrocarbon from the Ball Watch Company. Featuring a 40mm steel case that sits a proud 14.55mm tall, this watch packs in just about everything you could want in a dive watch. Offering a guaranteed water resistance of 200m, it also features 80,000A/m of antimagnetic resistance and 7500Gs of shock resistance. Basically, bulletproof. On top of that, the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Original also has an inbuilt hairspring anti-shock system SpringLOCK, and another anti-shock system protecting the regulator called SpringSEAL. The final piece of the armour that protects this watch against unwanted ingress is the swivelling crown protector that locks in place, making it one of the…
Editor’s note: We recently covered the launch of Dan Henry’s latest addition to his range, the Dan Henry 1937, a cleanly designed chronograph that looks back to some of the most iconic watches in the category. If we need any more proof that Dan’s watches are taken very seriously by all levels of enthusiasts, we need look no further than horological aficionado Mr Eric Wind’s personal Instagram account. He posted the gorgeous brushed silver dial version of the 1937 (see it below), with the caption, “Just a spectacular dial … Amazing to get a watch this beautiful for only $270.” So, the heat is back on. With that in mind, and the pressing need for everyone to get across the DH backstory (it’s a seriously great one that iterates in a clever website), we wanted to take a look back at a few of the other remarkably well designed pieces the brand has released over the years, as well as remind ourselves exactly who Dan Henry is as a watch brand. To understand Dan Henry, the brand, we first need to understand the man behind it, none other than Dan Henry, himself. Dan Henry may well be one of the most prolific…
Most watch enthusiasts are guilty of – at one point or another – scoffing at the advent of the smart watch, confident that they would be a fad. And more confident still that they would never appeal to one with a love for ‘real’ watches. But that hasn’t been the case for most. Whether you like it or not, smart watches are here to stay, and they’re only getting better with time. And while the last 12 months has most definitely spawned several undesirable things, there have been some great new additions to the intelligent, battery-powered fraternity, so we thought we’d take a look. Hublot Big Bang e Hublot surprised a fair few folks in the horological community when, a little over a month ago, they unveiled their second soirée into the smart watch arena. The Big Bang e utilises the standard Big Bang 42mm’s case design, and it’s curious and novel to see an existing mechanical watch’s case fitted with a pixelated screen and lithium battery. In essence, it’s kind of like when a carmaker fits an electric motor into an older model … and we’re not mad. From $8100 AUD. Apple Watch Series 5 The mac-daddy of…