Fellow Seiko fans,
Just thought I would share with you a review of Seiko Marinemaster, a watch which I have finally purchased after roughly a year of saving and considering the options.
First, an aside regarding my preferences and biases going into the review....
I collect "working" watches - ie, watches which I fully intend for daily wear, sometimes in less than ideal circumstances; I appreciate craftsmanship, but more of the functional as opposed to the tourbillon/skeleton watch type. I have a timing machine, and I am a (not very accomplished) non-professional watch repairer. I like robust, plain, well finished but undecorated movements.
Some weeks ago, I contacted Mr. Higuchi via his web site, and ordered the Marinemaster. Mr. Higuchi responded promptly and courteously, and was very helpful in the process.
I was slightly apprehensive about sending a significant amount of money into the unknown, so to speak, since I had never seen the watch in person. Nonetheless, I went ahead with the purchase, and was quite pleasantly surprised at the ease of the transaction and the helpfulness of Mr. Higuchi. Very unlike some transactions I have had with other remote vendors.
The watch arrived in 5 business days, express international shipping. It was neatly packaged, and arrived in fairly large velvet lined box with the Seiko Prospex logo. It was immediately obvious that this watch was indeed a logical extension and refinement of the standard Seiko Diver line. Since we are all probably familiar with the man 7S26 200m divers, I will focus on the differences...
This is a large watch, and fairly heavy, although strangely comfortable to wear - I was quite surprised by the balance and comfort of the watch given its thickness and weight. It looks and feels approximately 15-25% thicker and heavier than the standard diver, though not much larger in diameter. It is to the standard dive watch what the Rolex Seadweller is to the Submariner - a heavier, slightly bulkier, more rugged sibling. Someone made the remark elsewhere that the Marinemaster made the Seadweller look like a "girly watch" - and in fact, it does, quite a bit larger and heavier. No doubt this might be too big for some people - just about right for me, though I wouldn't go much larger.
The finish is excellent, as usual, although with noticeably more detail and complexity than found on the standard diver model. The 20mm bracelet is of the oyster style, all solid link, with a narrow stripe of high polish stainless on each side of the center link. The links are flat, straight, and solid. The quality of fit and finish is amazing, one of the best bracelets I have ever owned from any maker, including Rolex. (To be fair, both the Seadweller and the Sub I have worn were roughly 20 years old - and older bracelets were just thinner and weaker overall.) There is a wetsuit extension, and I probably will use this for sport diving sometime, although in warm enough water that I probably won't wear a wetsuit.
You will notice immediately that the bezel is highly polished and turns with a finely tuned and precise click. The feel of the rotation is finer and more precise than the standard diver, and there is less play in the bezel fit. The machining tolerances appear to be quite tight.
The crystal is thick, slightly domed on the inside surface and antireflective coated on one (the internal) surface. The superluminova material is, according to my tests side by side with the standard diver, of higher quality, producing more luminescence and of longer duration than the standard material, which is remarkable, given the quality of luminescence in the 200m. 8 hours+ duration of glow.
The crown is large and not as protected by "shoulders" as on the standard and newer style 200M dives - but it is at the 4:00 position as usual and somewhat protected by a partial recess in the case. Unlike the 7S26 diver, you can actually wind the watch with the crown, which is mounted on a very finely finished stem and tube... the screw down is silky smooth and even.
The hands are more in keeping with the clean and geometric lines of the Prospex group of Seiko's, a look I very much like and prefer. The index markers are of the familiar circular white type, but contained in stainless "cups" - much like the newer Rolex subs, which have white gold marker rims. Normally I wouldn't consider this terribly important, but it does add somewhat to the visibility of the markers, and it adds something to the feel of refinement in the design.
I was not too surprised to discover that the back is completely sealed and does not have any gasket or cover, although there is a hidden helium escape valve. This design adds significantly to the the long term waterproof quality of the case.
The sides of the case have three distinct beveled surfaces or planes, in keeping with the more linear and less rounded style; the middle surface is brushed, the others polished. A pleasing effect. The hands are of a completely different style than those on the 200m - they are thinner, more square and geometric, to my eye cleaner and more classic.
I would like to have examined the movement, although it would have been unwise to open the case, even if it were not a front opening design. This watch is quite obviously capable of the 300M rating, possessing a certain vaultlike quality. At night, the luminescence is briefly bright enough to actually cast shadows and small gleaming reflections inside the case...
Finally, and in summary, I am completely pleased with the watch. If you want to extend your seiko collection to what I would consider the ultimate example of the diver, this is your watch. I personally would rather wear this than any swiss watch I have yet seen. It is distintive, solid, modern and beatifully crafted, and truly the epitome of the form. Additionally, you could do no better than to purchase this from Mr. Higuchi.
I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.... very happy with this one...
-R