The 2013 Seiko 5 SARZ033 Automatic sports a Breitling-style logarithmic scale, a relatively new self-winding caliber, and a “love it or hate it” dial. It also looks, like Seiko finally plans to sell it internationally, not just in Japan.
I always had an impression that, just like their recent Land Golgo 13 model, Seiko’s SARZ series was designed exclusively for the Japanese domestic market.
Yet, it looks like this mildly refreshed 2013 collection will actually make it across the Pond (both ponds, actually, because there are rumors that they will sell them in Europe, too) and arrive to an official Seiko store near you.
Seiko 5 SARZ033 Automatic: The Overall Impression
As it often happens with affordable Japanese watches, this particular specimen features a somewhat controversial design of its dial.
The Eclectic Dial
Let’s start with the obvious. Thanks to its high-contrast color scheme and the broad sword-shaped hour and minute hands that are covered with some unspecified luminous compound (probably, the usual LumiBrite,) the Seiko 5 SARZ033 features adequate legibility whether it’s day or night.
However, the face may make you raise an eyebrow (or two) with its huge stencil-type Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock and the bold white hour markers that, too, bear smaller Arabic numerals in the same military 24-hour format, but using a different font.
Combine this with their standard calendar wheel that features two more typefaces, and you get yourself one of the most eclectic watches in Seiko’s recent history.
Another source of potential controversy is, of course, the “21 H” sign placed at 9 hours. Positioned there to serve as a counterweight to the day/date aperture at 3 o’clock, the sign looks, um, let’s say that it looks strange. Personally, I somehow like the design, but there is also a good chance that a great number of enthusiasts will hate it.
So far, the watch is available only with black, blue, and khaki dials, but I am almost sure that there will be more color variations in the future.
The Standard Case
The rest is standard here.
The SARZ033 sports a medium-sized stainless-steel body about 40 millimeters in diameter. The official size is 43mm, but the extra three millimeters come courtesy of the oversized winding/setting crown.
The crown, while not looking particularly refined, offers a confident grip even to those with short stubby fingers thanks to its aggressive notches.
Measuring just over 46 millimeters lug to lug and less than 13 millimeters top to bottom, the Seiko 5 SARZ033 looks relatively slender and will sit nicely on normal and even narrower than average wrists.
The usual note of caution: you should probably try one on your own hand if possible before ordering one since its lugs may be a bit too curvy for persons with wider (and flatter) arms.
The matte-finished stainless steel bracelet adds greatly to the overall feel of solidness and reliability that this new gadget radiates into the universe.
The Brutal Bezel
The rotating bezel with its aviator-style slide rule somewhat compensates for the toy-like styling of the dial, however, the huge serrated notches still look a little strange to yours truly.
Of course, I get the idea behind the design (the rotating bezel with its Breitling-style logarithmic scale is definitely a lot grippier than those with more traditional shape,) but it still reminds me of circular saw blades, and those, in their own turn, remind me of the hordes of zombies in the haunted town of Ravenholm and we don’t go to Ravenholm, do we?
The Caliber
According to the Japanese brand, the Seiko 5 SARZ033 sports their in-house 4R36A automatic movement with the “A” letter meaning that this is a first-generation mechanism.
The mechanism is nothing really to write home about and its long-term reliability is still to be proven by time. However, on paper, it looks like a great choice for an inexpensive watch.
It features manual winding and hacking seconds functionality which make it easier and faster to set correct time once in a while. It is also made in Japan, so the overall built quality should be a lot higher compared to cheaper calibers made in the South-East Asia.
Of course, when considering one for purchase, you should probably factor in the price of initial servicing since there is still a good chance that the watch will either gain or lose time during the first weeks of operation.
See also: Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite Wave
WWR’s Verdict
Originality 5/5
Build Quality: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Overall Legibility: 4.5/5
Nighttime Legibility: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 5/5
Photos: Seiko / www.isozaki-tokei.com
Seiko 5 SARZ033 specification
Movement: Automatic, caliber 4R36A, Made in Japan
Number of jewels: 24
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 40 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, slide rule
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Case height: 12.80 mm
Lug width: 21.00 mm
Crystal: Hardlex strengthened mineral glass
Back: Transparent
Water resistance: 100 meters
Dial: Black / Blue / Green
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Luminous
Hands: Steel, luminous
Strap: Stainless steel bracelet