SEIKO SSB031 Men's Chronograph Stainless Steel Case Watch

A pretty decent watch for a pretty decent price . . . typical Seiko design and quality: well built, reliable, durable, affordable.The markings on the chapter ring are clean and crisp and are clearly demarcated in 1/5-second intervals. The lumen hour marks (no numerals) are bold, but not ridiculous, and line up with the markings. The minute- and hour hands line up with the markings, and they maintain their respective alignment to each other. There is nothing worse than an hour hand that does not point squarely to the hour or midway between hours at the half.The start/stop/interval/reset chrono push buttons are firm and respond with a satisfying click. The red chrono sweep second hand actually sweeps . . . well, it kinda sweeps. There is something about the frequency of the quartz movement that allows the hand to move in 1/5-second intervals which makes it appear to sweep. And when reset to zero, it returns to dead-center zero. Seiko earns a few points for this. The chrono features a 60-minute sub-dial, but the 24-hour dial is merely a 24-hour watch dial. Useful for syncing the AM/PM hours to the day/date change, but it would have been nice to have a functional 24-hour stopwatch. The day/date window is at the 4:30 position, and the numbers are squarely centered in the window and scroll via the crown changer with a definite click/lock feeling. Seiko earns another few points for this.The brushed stainless steel case features a screw back and mineral crystal and is rated water resistant to 100 meters (330 feet), which is more than adequate for normal rain, shower, swimming-in-the-pool, and dishwashing use. I do not expect sapphire-like performance from the ‘Hardlex’ crystal, but I do expect this watch to go everywhere I go and come out the other side intact and with something that passes for integrity. We’ll see. I’ll update this review in the future if scratches or leaks become an issue.The stainless steel bracelet is a little lightweight (as other reviewers have noted), but the links are machined from solid billets and are not formed from folded bits of sheet metal. Adding or removing links is easy, but it requires a small punch to remove the cotter pins. Specialized tools are available, but I used a pin vise with a #62 drill bit inserted with the square butt end out. Steady hands make light work. I have a 7.5” wrist, and I removed two links. Piece of cake.Some styling gurus use the word ‘homage’ when describing modern, iconic-like objects, but I don’t think I’ve ever used that word in a sentence, so I’ll just say this watch is reminiscent of the Omega Speedmaster. The Seiko designers certainly had that venerable Moon Watch in mind. This watch will never be that watch, but I knew that going in. Kinda ironic that the Seiko is literally three times more accurate than the Omega, but not ironic that it costs less than 4% as much.Highly recommended.

I have a Tag Carrera and it stops working every three years or so and requires a $700 refurbishment with is BULLSPIT give that its a $3500 watch. I bought this Seiko because it looks similar and for $160 I have a watch that is lasting me forever and a day. Great looking piece that keeps perfect time!

This watch is a great value for the money. In my opinion this watch looks as good as any watches 4x or more the price. I’ve been looking for a higher end watch for awhile. I’ve looked at many Swiss watches, Rolex,Tudor,Tag. I’m actually on a waiting list for a Rolex. After waiting for a long time. I thought I would look for a hold me over watch for my wants. I’m an analog kind of guy with watches. For me time is a reference. This watch not only looks great but as far as I can tell it’s very accurate as well. The size is also prefect. The bracelet band is very comfortable too. This watch has also made me reconsider buying the Rolex.

I had written a review for the ssb033. Pretty much identical to the ssb031 other than some cosmetic differences. I have both and I did a comparison.I'm relatively new to watches, but when it comes to new hobbies I tend to dive right in. I bought several other seikos (seiko 5's and a skx009 and various straps). While they're all nice, I'm still trying to find my way to what style I like best. I am a fan of motor sport and I thought a racing inspired chronograph would be something I'd like to look at on my wrist. Mechanical chronographs (speed master/Daytona are $$$) so I started looking for a Quartz that had a similar vibe. I first came across the ssb033's brother the ssb031 and bought that one, but after watching a YouTube review of the ssb033 I had to get it.The ssb031 with the black bezel and black subdials I thought might have a speed master look to it. But in person the black bezel with white tachymeter print was a little underwhelming. The steel and black print tachymeter on the ssb033 looks more refined and classy. Less cheap looking. Maybe it's because the black bezel, which is more of a gray steel, on the ssb031 doesn't really match the rest of the polished steel or the tachymeter print isn't as fine. It by no means sloppy, but the white print is not as fine as the black print.Also compared to the matte black dial on the ssb033 the ssb031 has a glossy black dial. The silver rings on the subdials of the ssb033 add a nice splash of detail compared to the ssb031's gloss black subdial rings. The very center part of the subdials on each are matte black.Other than that the two models are identical.I just feel like the ssb033 is more well balanced aesthetically. I'm glad I bought it, even though I already had the ssb031 and all my other seiko 5's/skx.One thing to note is the quality control is more of a 4/5. The ssb031 I've had after a few weeks or so of wearing I looked closely at it because I kept thinking something looked weird. The Lume on the silver indices is slightly off center giving some of the indicted an abstract cubism look. Not a huge deal breaker, but had I noticed it before it was too late to exchange it I probably would have.Same thing goes with the ssb033 I bought. When I got my first one the left subdial with the minute marker for the chronograph was off by like 15 seconds, ever so slightly, but definitely noticeable. It would reset to slightly behind 0 and stay slightly behind as I used the chronograph. I returned it and asked them to send one that is set accurately. I'm glad I did because now I'm very happy with it.The Mecca Quartz or VK movement is excellent for this price range. It's not your typical Quartz chronograph. The main watch has a separate motor that tics once per second and the main time and date function as most other Quartz watches. The chronograph has its own motor that tics 5 times per second (compared to 1 tic/second on regular Quartz chronographs) giving a smoother hand sweep and more accurate reading. It also has a mechanical reset like a more expensive mechanical chronograph. The hands snap back to zero.I bought a few racing themed nato straps and a leather one. I also had a rally strap I have on the ssb031.I would recommend it to any one looking for a racing inspired chronograph that is more classic looking than flashy. I would say the ssb033 is more flashy in a subtle way than the ssb031 as light dances on the steel bezel and silver sub dials. Pure class :)4/5 just for quality control, to be expected at this price point I suppose, but still if you order from a dealer ask them to send you one that is aligned properly.

Very good looking watch. Good size for small wrists. As others mentioned the band is light and cheap

El reloj en vivo se ve realmente hermoso, tiene un tamaño y peso que considero ideal. El pedido se tardó mes y medio en llegar y aunque lo sabía desde que realicé la compra, al final me pareció mucho tiempo.

The protection cover for the mineral (glass) was missing, the package has been previously opened. Yet the watch is really good, accurate, and I love how it looks.

È il primo orologio automatico che compro e mi sono trovato subito bene. Esteticamente è molto bello e rifinito. Per il prezzo che ha per me è un best buy.

Excellent