Part 6 What they don't tell you when you buy a 2015 Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional 600m Spring Drive SBDB011 JDM

Part 6...Really?


Progress report...

My SBDB011...After 20 days of wearing it...loving it more! :-). Accuracy is now +4 seconds(advanced) as compared internet time(Atomic clock, NIST time server) after about 20 days. Very accurate in my books!

Some scratches after 20 days despite being fairly careful....Diashield does offer somewhat more scratch resistance than my pure titanium Suppa Zilla bracelet as fitted to my Citizen AutoZilla. Must be the metal surface of some coffee shops I've been. The watch case remains scratch free :-)!

Second book, SEIKO DIVER'S WATCH EVOLUTION by Ikuo Tokunaga arrived! I basically look at the many hundreds of pictures, no need to know Japanese and one can still make very good info from that alone!

First one that arrived. This one is no longer in print, THE STORY OF EVOLUTION ON THE SPECIAL WATCHES OF SEIKO also by Ikuo Tokunaga.

Both my Seiko books in Japanese have arrived and I've been savoring them both...slowly and digesting as much info as I care to. Very soon I'll be apprentice Mr. Seiko San...know some talk too much :-)! Haha..I'm just an overzealous enthusiast of my new watch. Sprinkle what I say with some salt if you must.


13)

Differences between the SBDB001(2005) and the SBDB011(2015)...



How can one tell between the two models if, for instance, someone had upgraded the crown of the SBDB001 with the 'S'

to that of the "PROSPEX"

 logo?

Both are Brightz Titanium and there's no way to identify if Diashield was applied...

From the front...look at the watch dial face bottom right hand side...if the text shows:

Picture from official Seiko site. SBDB001. Look closely '-0AC0'.

Official Seiko site pic. SBDB011. Look closely '-0AW0'.

"-0AC0" then SBDB001
"-0AW0" then SBDB011


Look at the case back...if the engraved text shows:

"5R66-0AD0" then SBDB001
"5R66-0BC0" then SBDB011



Also the font size of the engraved text "TITANIUM" is same size as that of "5R66-0AD0" on the SBDB001

Web pic of SBDB001. See 'TITANIUM'.

Web pic of SBDB001. See 'TITANIUM'.

whereas on the SBDB011,

Web pic of SBDB011. 'TITANIUM' is smaller.

'TITANIUM' smaller.

the font size of "TITANIUM" on the SBDB011 is about 1/5 to 1/6 smaller than that of the SBDB001 approximately!

Tell me I'm seeing things if you don't think so...

Now we can be sure to never be confused :-).

Part 5 What they don't tell you when you buy a 2015 Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional 600m Spring Drive SBDB011 JDM

Part 5...habitual now

Continuing from Part 4,


12)

What grade of titanium does Seiko use for the SBDB001(SBDB011) watch case? Does it use grade 5 titanium or the softer, easier to machine grade 2 titanium? Of course, there would be in addition surface hardening technology(Brightz) and hard coating(Diashield for SBDB011) that would be further applied to the base material.

1. Grade 5 titanium consists of an additional 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium.
2. Grade 5 titanium has considerably higher strength than grade 2 titanium or 316L stainless steel.
3. Grade 5 titanium has excellent strength and corrosion-resistance.
4. Grade 5 titanium is much more difficult and costly to machine than grade 2 titanium.
5. Most European watchmakers will specifically make a point to mention grade 5 titanium if they were using it else it would just be 'titanium' if it was an inferior grade. See the CX Swiss Military 20,000ft Diver or the Tudor Pelagos.

Seiko never mention specifically on the web AFAIK but I've found documentation in Tokunaga's book indicating grade 5 titanium being used as the base material for the watch case and bracelet.

Grade 5 Titanium mentioned for the SBDB001. See the green highlight. For the Japanese reader, if a mistake was made please comment that I may correct it. Thanks in advance.

Only one point...this time round...

Part 4 What they don't tell you when you buy a 2015 Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional 600m Spring Drive SBDB011 JDM

Part 4...

There is much more...

Here's Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 if you need check them out...

Enjoying...

Handsome...

One of my books arrived ahead of schedule. From Amazon Japan...Japanese service at its best :-).

Condition like new.

Nice illustrations.

A lot of info from illustrations alone...strictly Japanese readers only :-(...but one can discern somewhat :-)

I guessed right. A chapter on the SBDB001. The front page model of this book, the SBDB001(2005) is the first ever release of a Spring Drive calibre Marinemaster, essentially the same as the later SBDB011(2005), save for different crown logos and no Diamond Shield coating.

This page alone answers many wild guesses owners may have had in the past.

Continuing from Part 3....some more info has come to light:

10)

The SBDB001 and SBDB011 uses a split(dual) detent spring for the bezel ratchet mechanism.

This rare exploded diagram says it all. A small misrepresentation was that the O-ring housed in the bezel inner side was not shown.

Side view becomes so much clearer with the exploded diagram above this one.

11)
Take the following with a grain of salt...

The He-GAS diving abilities of the watch is further confirmed by the following:

Designed for saturated gas diving environment. Wordings mention the SBDB001(meaning SBDB011 also) in relation to another 600m diver from 1986, the Vintage Ashtray 600m Tuna 7C46-6009.

Pic from web. Vertical: Pressure inside watch case relative to ambient. A, B, C (other watch brands) vs Seiko Professional.

I, being the current desktop diver that I am, now faced with this very interesting saturation diving topic can only say the following with some safety:

1. There won't be too much seepage of helium past the SBDB001's watch case seals versus brand A, B and C watches....
2. Seiko's seal design overcomes the need for helium release valves(HRV)...
3. Watch crystals can withstand higher external pressure much better than higher internal pressure within the case...
4. Of course the test is no where near the limits of what the SBDB001 watch was designed to do. Twice the depth and possibly twice the duration should be within the design bounds of the Seiko.

Do not at any point whilst at the deep point(in the living chambers) unscrew the crown and then retighten it! I believe this would instantly equalise internal to external pressure and as the personnel transfer chamber returns to sea level with decompression, your Seiko Professional might crystal pop (Only my conjecture) since it holds the helium inside much better too!


Until the next blog...Cheers.

Part 3 What they don't tell you when you buy a 2015 Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional 600m Spring Drive SBDB011 JDM

Part 3....

Hope you've enjoyed Part 1 and Part 2 ....

A bit of history...

Picture from Web. The man himself, the extraordinary designer/engineer/leader at Seiko since 1970 Mr. Ikuo Tokunaga, who inspired and brought about all those patented diving watch technologies in response to a commercial diver's plea for a workable diving watch. Although retired now, Tokunaga is always back on important promotional events for Seiko. Look at the watch he is wearing on this occasion! :-)

Pic from web. Ikuo Tokunaga, on a rare appearance in Malaysia with the Thong Sia Group to promote the 2015 50th Anniversary release of Seiko's new Hi-beat Prospex Marinemaster 1000m. My guess is the SBEX001!

Oh yes! I've just put in the order for two of Ikuo Tokunaga's Seiko books.

First book.

Try this link: Tokunaga's Seiko special watch development story - special hidden in the Seiko professional Watch (Watch Mook 763)

It is what it is...

An earlier edition which is now in Oct 2016 out of print but available from Amazon Japan used for maybe 4 times(a bargain still...) its former listed price:

I have a feeling this one has a great deal of design info on the SBDB001(Now the SBDB011) from Master Research/Design Engineer Ikuo Tokunaga himself. Only limited quatities still available from Used sellers. The title is just too "Oomph" to miss out. Can't wait!

Second book.

Try this link: SEIKO Diver's Watch Shinka Ron Sekai ni Hokoru Seiko Diver's Watch no Subete (World Mook)

Courtesy of Google Translate...

This one coincided with the 2015 50th Anniversary of Seiko also written by Ikuo Tokunaga. Entitled "SEIKO DIVER'S WATCH EVOLUTION", this just sounds too good to miss. Almost like a Mitsubishi Evolution X! I hope for it to have updated info on the SBDB011 too.

Continuation from Part 2...

7)
He-GAS DIVER'S 600m.

The ISO 6425 Standards of diving watches was developed with Seiko's own standards as its base. This means a lot. The mixed gas saturation diving environment means that this watch is impervious to helium despite its lack of a HRV(helium release valve). Must be some awesome gasket design that Seiko has found to work. Seiko had adopted the same L-shaped gasket(as its monobloc sister cases such as the other 300m, 600m, 1000m) at its crystal interface but this watch is not a monobloc and it uses a screw-in titanium case back.

Look Ma! A He-GAS DIVER. Anti crystal popping seals...top and bottom.

Web pic. Seiko's L-shaped gasket with the right kind of compound is almost impervious to helium(1/100th that of conventional diving watches).

8)
28,800 'beats' per hour(bph)...equivalent...How so?

At normal operating speed, the Spring Drive Tri-synchro Regulator does a sentinel 8 times per second regulatory check on the rotational speed of the spinning wheel that replaces the Balance/Escapement mechanism. The IC(brains), if need be, pulses tiny braking currents to the coils after each check to keep the spinning wheel's feedback signals in-phase with that generated by the quartz crystal oscillator also powered similarly by currents from the coil in the first place.

Yet, the motion of the seconds hand is a true glide motion as there is just smooth, well spread and accurately braked pure rotation without any 'tick-tock' 'start-stop' hiccups to show.

The above is just a design feature of Spring Drive that seems to have an equivalence to an automatic 28,800 bph mechanism, albeit having no similarities in that respect, it having replaced the Balance wheel/Escapement mechanism.


Phew!



9)
The Spring Drive calibre have, so far, only been installed in the Prospex range(and others) of Seiko watches with case backs. None in monobloc watch case form that I know of yet.

Older        ->      Newer
SBDB001 -> SBDB011
SBDB009 -> SBDB013
SBDB005 -> SBDB015

Conjecture: Impossible to fit in a monobloc?

I will at this point stop and only continue when I've found more worthwhile things to say...

Cheers!

Part 2 What they don't tell you when you buy a 2015 Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional 600m Spring Drive SBDB011 JDM

Part 2...

Hope you've enjoyed Part 1

Love watching the seconds hand glide and visualising Spring Drive's Tri-synchro regulator working hard to keep good time. The reserve power dial will only drop less than one demarcation line every morning and be filled up full(72 hours) again in less than half a day's activity wearing it.

Prospex Logo at an angle will darken.

I did have many wonderful visualisations as I gaze at the seconds hand glide motion of the Spring Drive, thinking of the Tri-synchro regulator mechanism applying perfectly timed pulses of braking currents to the electromagnets 8 times a second to keep the spinning wheel in-phase with the timing signals from the quartz.

Continuing from Part 1...

3)
What do those hex bolts do on both sides between the lugs of the watch?

Some may think the hex bolts help in securing the ends of the bracelet. Actually it does no such function.

Bracelet ends are secured via spring bars.

Until one digs up Tokunaga's book...in my case someone posted portions of it...

Pic from web. Hex bolts are secured to the middle piece jutting out in between the lugs.

Pic from web. This side view plan shows clearly that the hex bolt washers are actually retainers for keeping the diving bezel in place. So this neat feature allows owners to disassemble the innards of the bezel for cleaning. Cool! Bezel also show a groove with seal ring on the inside and I believe a detent ring spring mechanism at the bottom.

Pic from web. Much clearer illustration of the underneath of the watch bezel. The only thing not shown clearly is perhaps the  bezel ring detent spring that only allows counter clockwise rotation of the bezel.

4)
What is underneath the Bezel?

If the side plan view above doesn't say it all...the following pictures might...

Pic from web shows a new bezel ring for the SBDB001. Should be very similar to that of the SBDB011.

Pic from web. The underside reveals all I need to know as to the detent spring mechanism. The rubber O-ring seal fits into a circular groove on the inside surface of the side of the bezel.

Pic from web. My guess is that there is a detent ring spring somewhat like this piece off a Seiko MM300. 

5)
Can I fit an aftermarket strap?

Fair question...

Pic from web. The piece jutting out does not go all the way to the bottom and any strap thin/flexible enough e.g Natos should fit perfectly.

Pic from web. Natos fit ok.

6)
What about thicker straps/bracelets?

Well....a little unsightly IMO...

Pic from web. Cut, grind, do whatever and thicker straps/bracelets will still fit.

Pic from web. All things are possible to them that believeth!

Stay tuned for more on the way in Part 3...

Part 1 What they don't tell you when you buy a 2015 Seiko Prospex Marinemaster Professional 600m Spring Drive SBDB011 JDM

Regarded as a very desirable piece of jewellery among Japanese watch aficionados.

Oh! so much more! The calibre of this watch uses a GMT version of Seiko's venerable Spring Drive, an engineering breakthrough that had taken decades and hundreds of prototypes to perfect.

Warning: The following only good for non Spring Drive knowledgeable readers...

What is Spring Drive? Oodles of fun for me every time I visualise.

Winding the watch. The mechanism allows me to enjoy time with quartz accuracy using kinetic energy stored in a conventional watch spring wound either manually using the crown or automatically by the rotor via Seiko's 'Magic Lever' arrangement.

Pic from the web.

Pic from web. Left wheel attached to rotor may spin either way while the right wheel will only rotate in one direction. That is the magic.

As the spring unwinds through the train of geared wheels, a spinning permanent magnet wheel generates electricity through the double coiled pieces powering up a Tri-synchro regulator(coils, IC, quartz combo) which

Pic from web. Round wheel has a permanent magnet. Generates(electricity), measures(tachometer) and regulates(electromagnetic brake). The spinning of the round wheel generates electricity to power IC, quartz and electro-magnet to do all the work of regulating(braking) with timing signals coming from the quartz. Yes, as the spring unwinds watch would always run faster requiring braking to control its accuracy.

Pic from web. Look Ma! No batteries!

Pic from web. Words of comfort. Without the Tri-synchro regulator watch spring would just unwind a lot faster initially and perhaps slower as the spring stored potential energy drops, but never slower than accurate time, requiring braking to give good time! Only comes to a standstill when spring fully unwound.

measures and regulate the revolution rate of that wheel, in replacement of a conventional Balance/Escapement wheel, delivering true glide motion smoothness seen through the seconds hand.

Takes my breath awaaaay, aaaaaaaay, aaaaay :-)!

The unsuspecting owner can read about it here: Seiko's Spring Drive

The model I'm tallking about is the 2015 50th Anniversary reissue of the Seiko model no. SBDB001 now known as the SBDB011(New Diamond Shield coating + Prospex Logo on crown).

Thong Sia in Malaysia carries this JDM(Japan Domestic Model)!

The distinguishing mark is the Prospex logo on the screw cap of the new SBDB011(Year 2015) versus the 'S' on older SBDB001(Year 2005). Brightz Titanium as before but coated with Diamond Shield(another Seiko coating).

I've checked the web and there isn't much detailed reviews of this watch as yet. One pretty detailed review I've found was:

Review of SBDB011

Go for it for a good review. Other reviews are basically short snippets.


Ok, I'm not going to do a review but to point out certain aspects of the watch that are not documented by Seiko unless one buys Ikuo Tokunaga's collectible books on the design aspect of Seiko watches, many of which Tokunaga himself was responsible for whilst attached as an engineer with Seiko. You'll have to read Japanese though or decipher info from the many pictures in the books of which I'm yearning to acquire myself soon!

This tells me Tokunaga has a lot to do with the older SBDB001 now the SBDB011(2015). This book is possibly out of print and one may still search for it on amazon.co.jp . I, when I get mine ,will definitely do a review.

This would be Ikuo Tokunaga's latest book. On my list to get!

All that I will share are actually available online and this blog just represents my personal discovery of the watch.

1)

The first thing you'll need to do is to adjust the bracelet to fit your hand.

Picture from the web. Seiko uses the pin and collar system to lock their bracelet links together!

Picture is from web and not representative of the SBDB011 link but a good illustration. Be careful as you push out the pin from the arrow symbol side! Hidden in blue color is the retaining collar.

Picture from the web. This link shows that a larger diameter hole fits the collar loosely.

Easy to use a small diameter (say a paper clip) pin to push it out when braced against a table top. Collar fits loosely and will fall out easily. So be careful not to lose it!

As a note, Seiko gives you 6 links on each side(2 meant for adjustments) of the bracelet from the factory. I, of my own opinion, found it best to remove only links from the side closest to your chest when reading the time. This balances the location of the watch and clasp best. I took off two links on mine!

Crown on top. This is my adjusted bracelet.

A micro adjustment of 4 holes is available on the top clasp.

Micro adjustment of 4 holes for a finer fit to your hand. Press in the pin partially and slide it to the next hole closest. Repeat for other side.

2)

The next small mystery has to do with the clasp's divers extension. By the way, the Seiko uses a tri-fold clasp system with double locks. When taking off the watch locks, the first lock is the small fold-over security latch with the Seiko logo imprinted on it. Next, pressing in the buttons on the sides of the top clasp releases the second lock. To use the divers extension press the security latch a little bit more in the open direction and the divers extension will slide!

Can be a bit of a problem when putting on the watch as one inevitably causes the extension to slide unintentionally. I tend to!

Pressing this fold-over security latch with my thumb lifts a lower key bar allowing the extension to slide!

Phew! enough fun for this weekend...stay tuned for Part 2! Cheers!