Seiko Speedtimer SSC813 Assessment: The Finest Chronograph You Shouldn’t Purchase?

Preserving observe of elapsed time might be one of the vital helpful watch problems you possibly can have, whether or not it’s monitoring hours or as little as 30 seconds to time the proper double shot of a fragile and juicy espresso to start out your morning. Realizing your time is what makes issues that significantly better.

That’s why I’m providing this Seiko SSC813 evaluation. Right here, I’ll talk about the Seiko chronograph nicknamed the Seitona (SSC813) and the way it may probably be the most effective chronograph choices from Seiko because the authentic Speedtimers from the late 60s.

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Key Takeaways

• The Seiko SSC813 ‘Seitona’ Chronograph may very well be certainly one of Seiko’s greatest chronograph choices because the authentic Speedtimers from the late 60s.
• It is available in a candy Goldilocks dimension of 39 millimeters and has spectacular proportions that make it tremendous snug to put on and function.
• The watch has a fauxtina-like (manufactured patina so as to add a classic attribute to watches) handset that provides classic character, and the handled metal bezel seems to be nearly like ceramic.
• The SSC813 is a part of the legendary Speedtimer line, which is slowly being reborn and paying homage to older Speedtimer references.
• The watch’s proportions and Panda coloration scheme make it versatile for various straps, permitting you to clean up the look.
• Nevertheless, the uncovered photo voltaic cells on the subdials and the steep worth level of virtually $700 could also be turn-offs for some folks.

Execs

• Snug and well-proportioned 39mm case
• Pores and skin diver-esque case design with compact pushers and huge crown
• Fauxtina-like handset provides classic character
• Handled metal bezel seems to be nearly like ceramic
• A part of the legendary Speedtimer line
• Versatile Panda coloration scheme that works properly with totally different straps
• Energy reserve indicator operate

Cons

• Uncovered photo voltaic cells on the subdials
• Pusher suggestions is not probably the most satisfying
• Steep worth level of virtually $700 for a solar-powered chronograph
• Worth for cash won’t be justified in comparison with different choices in the identical worth vary
• Some folks will not be followers of the fauxtina-like handset

First Impressions

I do know this watch has been out for fairly a while, however I lastly had the prospect to get my fingers on one from a pleasant viewer of the channel. My uncle. (Thanks, Uncle!) To be trustworthy, I’ve seen this Seiko SSC813 evaluation flow into throughout social media and in my YouTube feed fairly a bit. Nevertheless, I by no means actually had the urge to dig deeper into this watch, possibly as a result of I knew it was a photo voltaic chronograph providing from Seiko.

Not that there’s something mistaken with photo voltaic know-how. I really personal fairly a couple of photo voltaic watches myself. My essential fear was that generally when watch homes provide photo voltaic motion, particularly difficult watches like chronographs, they are typically somewhat chunky. It wasn’t till I learn into the sizing specs and began this Seiko SSC813 evaluation that I noticed it got here in a candy Goldilocks dimension of 39 millimeters. In hand, I used to be pleasantly stunned with its proportions.

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Design and Consolation

From the pores and skin diver-esque case design to its pushers, it’s tremendous snug to put on and function as soon as it’s on the wrist. I feel that is the place the watch actually shines. After spending a while with this watch, I noticed that that is in all probability one of the vital snug chronographs I’ve ever had.

The compact pushers and huge crown make it very easy to press and set the time. Now, the pusher suggestions isn’t probably the most satisfying, however there’s a particular click on whenever you push it in if that’s one thing you need. There may be additionally a pleasant little operate to inform your energy reserve on the watch by urgent the underside pusher. It’s a fairly handy function, particularly in case you haven’t worn this watch shortly or don’t plan to make it your day by day put on.

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Dial and Palms

One factor I observed on the dial of the watch is the handset. It has this fauxtina-like fingers set, which I don’t actually know if I’m a fan of, nevertheless it provides a little bit of classic character to this in any other case Speedtimer homage.

Talking of homages, this watch is nicknamed the Seitona because it seems to be so much like a ceramic Panda Daytona from Rolex. However actually, any Panda dial with a black bezel will look comparatively the identical when it comes to the colour scheme, however this Seiko SSC813 positively has its personal distinctive design and appeal.

The bezel seems to be nearly like ceramic, and to the bare eye, it’d simply idiot you, nevertheless it’s really a handled metal bezel with polished and brushed accents that comply with the identical particulars of the case, which is polished on the perimeters and a satin concentric brushing on the highest, which I feel enhances the watch rather well given its sporty nature.

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Proportions and Versatility

Now, my absolute favourite half about this watch, and I do know I’m going to repeat myself, is the proportions. Photographs of the watch on-line don’t actually showcase how proportional it’s. When you ever have the prospect to do that Seiko SSC813 on, I extremely encourage you to take action. It would simply push you over the sting on whether or not or not you need to personal it. Additionally, due to its Panda coloration scheme and wearability, it takes straps rather well in case you’re like me, who likes to alter out the look of your watch based mostly in your outfit, otherwise you’re simply not a fan of the bracelet, which actually isn’t that unhealthy as different persons are saying it’s. Having a flexible watch just like the Speedtimer can actually clean up the look of your watch and hopefully preserve you from shopping for one other watch at any time when you get tired of the look.

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Drawbacks and Worth

Now, regardless that there are loads of good issues happening with this watch, there are literally a few issues that put me off. One is how the photo voltaic cells are uncovered a bit on the subdials.

Sure, I get that gentle has to go by the dial by some means to cost the watch, however not like Citizen with their Eco-Drive watches, they do a significantly better job of hiding the cells, whereas those on a couple of photo voltaic Seikos I’ve come throughout, they’ll normally simply be seen. That is actually nitpicking on the watch, however I count on somewhat extra care in that division for the worth level. And that’s one thing you need to actually think about – the worth you’re getting.

At roughly $700, I feel it’s a fairly steep worth level for a solar-powered chronograph. As you all know, for $700, there’s a huge number of watches you possibly can select from, a few of which section into the lower-tier luxurious territory. I imply, it’s an excellent watch with its proportions and has all the appropriate seems to be, however to me, the worth you’re getting out of it isn’t actually well worth the price ticket.

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Video Assessment

Ultimate Ideas

Nevertheless, in case you’re actually on this watch and don’t thoughts paying the worth, I extremely advocate visiting your native Seiko seller and seeing in the event that they may give you a reduction. I’ve all the time had some luck attending to know some folks on the Seiko shops, and so they all the time exit of the way in which simply to provide a fairer worth on their watches. So give it a shot.

In the long run, in case you like one thing and also you suppose it’s value spending your hard-earned cash on, it’s a great watch, and nobody else’s opinion actually issues.

To me, that is certainly one of Seiko’s best-looking chronographs in a very long time. As I mentioned earlier than, I’ve all the time been an enormous fan of the Speedtimer line. With these first passes of the fashionable Speedtimer, I feel Seiko is perhaps on the appropriate path to reviving this once-legendary line.