Seiko sbbn031 Still Great!

[@desireless4092]

I have 033 and absolutely love it. Nothing can substitute the 🥫

[@jamesvroom7486]

I love my SBBN031! It is on my wrist more than my GS Spring Drive or my Tudor BB!

[@jos5979]

This particular model is the only tunacan with that special hand set. That is another reason to appreciate this model over the newer ones. Also the fact that this model actually came out with corresponding bracelet is cool.

[@1am1der]

Sbbn031 is tuna with unique handset. And this particular tuna design is great. Hand and indexes work together great. It's probably one if the most beautiful tuna.

[@jefferyneu3915]

I wear all of my watches and have never scratched Hardlex. I believe it is far better than other mineral crystal! Please let us know about retro-fitting new sapphire to the older MM!😍

[@caomhan84]

I've worn my monster for 16 years. I wore it daily for almost 8 years. I never scratched the crystal. So as far as I'm concerned, hardlex is fine. Your mileage will vary though, I guess.

[@desmobc]

You gotta love the TUNA!

[@vailmcc]

Most importantly, the 045 doesn’t say Marinemaster on the dial!

[@japudjuha]

True, I like the fact it says marine master. The way they plaster the prospex X on nearly everything now really diminishes what it stands for.

[@cowboyswami2017]

One of my favorite watches!!

[@japudjuha]

I have the that exact SBBN031, Best watch I ever bought. Definitely the best lume I have ever seen anywhere at any price. I will take this model over the 045 mainly because of the handset, sapphire would be nice but not at that price. Thanks for another great vid bro

[@tehloling1]

A full titanium full size tuna would be out of this world.

[@thekeystonekid8687]

I have a few scratches on the crystal of my tuna, but a tuna is meant to be worn and used. I prefer automatics yet somehow my Tuna and marathon TSAR are probably my 2 favorite watches.

[@clo2715]

It's a flat sapphire crystal I think so it changes the look.

[@TheTimLara]

Exactly what I was going to say. I prefer the domed look.

[@lonestardude6283]

My favorite model that I have not got yet! Soon though! The hand set and that pip is why I need this model!

[@jimbrown2044]

I have a sea urchin which I bought new in Jan 2017 I've literally worn It every day for the whole 4 years (including sleeping)and the hardlex dosent have a single mark on it.mind you I'm not doing heavy work just ordinary day to day but I'm fairly active.

[@stanleynadulek4195]

I actually ordered this one last week from Gnomon and it should arrive this week. I personally went with this model for the bracelet and the fact that this one and the sbbn033 are now discontinued. Why spend over $300 just for the sapphire crystal and you don't get a bracelet. Add $300 plus a Strapcode hexad and now you over $450- $500. Just my .02 YMMV

[@Christhebearable]

Yobokies makes a great 1:1 sapphire crystal that keeps the same awesome double dome. I actually compared the 031 and 045 in person at seiko boutique and I have to say, the 045 is lacking in every way except for the sapphire and the hand set (I personally prefer to 031 handset) The 045: no stepped dial, no signed crown, no epic domed crystal, no marinemaster on the dial, worse lume printing, no applied seiko logo and only on rubber strap. They basically slapped sapphire on it then cut costs everywhere else, then bumped the price up. Needless to say I bought the 031 and have a sapphire in the mail.

[@mikeegan7834]

I much much much prefer this handset over the new one. I’ve always been tempted to pick up a tuna but I’m always worried it will be a bit too big.

[@benjamin8899]

TBH, they wear smaller than a turtle

[@japudjuha]

@@benjamin8899 agreed, I have both the turtle and this tuna, The turtle feels like a big lump of steel where as the tuna really fits well on my 6.5” wrist, Plus also looks so much better.

[@eddieforbes3054]

@@benjamin8899 Do they seriously wear better than a turtle? I am considering biting the bullet before there aren't any new ones available

[@CarlosPerez-pr9ei]

@@eddieforbes3054 I have a 6 3/4 inch wrist and it fits perfectly, I thought exactly the same until I got it. Great watch!

[@jeremeymiller3406]

I’d say the biggest change is the marine master insignia a crystal is a crystal you can upgrade that for less than $50 in most cases can’t believe that makes seiko think they can raise the price $500 but I prefer this model all day to the new one

[@jmount411]

I dont really mind hardlex for normal everyday stuff. That being said i used a SKX and Flightmaster as my beaters for work as a general contractor. Ive switched between both over the last 5 years and the hardlex is beyond scratched up. It just depends on what your doing. Constantly sticking your hands in tight spaces and tool boxes as well as climbing ladders and carrying heavy materials your watch is going to take a beating. Outside of work though i dont think you would really have a problem. I have some other watches with hardlex ive had for years and they are perfectly fine.

[@stevem863]

Big watch. And I’ve never scratched my Hardlex, only the bezels. I e trained myself to walk with my watch hand tight to my hip. Looks odd but saves the watches.

[@NathanChisholm041]

When I walk past door frames my arm automatically swings to my back! My GF thinks I'm weird! lol

[@TheDobbermn]

favorite watch in my collection. About time they finally started using sapphire.

[@remycris2108]

Love mine on my uncle seiko tropic strap. It’s the perfect tool watch

[@BoricuaTraveler]

Now THAT is the best $1K dive watch!

[@BoricuaTraveler]

A saturation diver with an in-house, fully serviceable, 7-jewel, high-torque quartz movement, an excellent bracelet (for the price), and a unique and non-derivative design with a lot of heritage behind it. You’re getting a bargain for $1000.

[@LeeePowers]

It is still the one. I have an older SBBN. (023) Looking for a cheaper SBBN to daily. Has to have the stepped dial. I'm okay with Prospex/ X. Not as bummed about lack of "Marinemaster". Its a Tuna,nuff said.

[@andreasschneider2525]

There are aftermarket sapphire crystals….. exactly to OEM specs of the hardlex….. Price is about 50$ …

[@bobarmstrong6108]

Today's Seiko is out of control. Not only have they substantially jacked their prices, but there is really nothing to justify it. Sapphire crystal- No. Upgraded bracelets- No, just the opposite in fact. Signed crown- No. The list goes on and on... It truly seems that they're screwing their traditional buyers, and they just couldn't care less.

[@TheShockwave44]

Sapphire is like an extra $40 and probably cheaper in bulk. Makes no sense that they just don't add it to every watch.

[@MortalMechanica]

I'm really on the fence between this and the Orient M-Force ACOL. I feel like orient's offering is priced better after it hits some of the usual distributors, but it doesn't seem to hit the same, even though it's partially shrouded as well.

[@shipmate3577]

Please do a comparison between the SBBN031 and SBBN045.

[@RandomRobReviews]

I did

[@desmobc]

Happy new year Rob!~

[@tenshin2002]

you forgot about the ceramic bezel as well. But the upgrade for me are the new hands

[@mvrdamonxy7942]

Your reviews are always great and spot on but the tuna isn't for me i find the case kinda ugly tbh.

[@MegaMarlon0123]

This movement is like the 22r motor from toyota

[@martinskoda8725]

Why installing the sapphire in the first place. Get the sbbn031, wear it and change the crystal when it scratches or eventually after battery/gaskets change (5-7 or more yrs). I seriously think one tuna should be a part of any collection (me currently with sbbn007 and sbbn025)

[@stevepodraza6363]

I love my sbbn031! Let me know if you find a sapphire for it! Great vids 👍🏻

[@desmobc]

Yes it is still a great watch!!

[@jimv.6631]

It’s now $1128 on Gnomon.

[@Aggnog]

Hardlex was always seiko's achilles heel. Sapphire is not expensive and almost every other brand is moving to sapphire even for more budget models under 200-300$. Meanwhile seiko still uses hardlex in models like the presage that go up to 600$, which is ridiculous.

[@NathanChisholm041]

Ill never buy a watch without sapphire ever!

[@FadeToBlack2181]

I agree, you can get sapphire in a $80 Automatic. They really need to do something about their junk bracelets also. i love my new monster but the cheap jingling bracelet kills me.

[@NathanChisholm041]

@@FadeToBlack2181 Agreed! I'd love to buy a Samurai but hardlex! I'm on the fence if to buy it. I've seen heaps of Ali watches with Sapphire so come on Seiko...

[@Estereos]

I think that saphire is "cleaner" than hardlex. It just makes watch look different, better. And btw hardlex is not that hard at all.

[@adrianhargreaves2854]

Mine arrived wahhayyyyy

[@sonyman2112]

I'm confused Rob, how can the case be 47 1/2" and lug to lug 44.5" the watch is round and the lugs are protruding from the case, maybe do you have those numbers reversed?

[@ComicalSatania]

Those are the actual measurements, go look it up on Google

[@davidmullineaux6157]

It's wider than it is tall.

[@MrJamesDuffy]

The lugs protrude from the case but are under the shroud 47.5-inch diameter shroud.

[@mickeylickey123]

Does seiko used that quartz movement in other watches?

[@MrJamesDuffy]

No, the 7C46 is only in the Tuna models. I think it is their only quartz movement with a fully-jeweled gear train in their active catalog, not counting anything in the Grand Seiko 9F movement family.

[@mickeylickey123]

@@MrJamesDuffy ah, thanks

[@MyAlan999]

Over $300 for the Sapphire crystal lol , Seiko bending there loyal customers over a table

[@Popeye-xk5si]

1,100 for a quartz movement and not even a sapphire crystal,,no thanks

[@dynamicsinesdynamicsines1161]

yeh doesnt sapphire smash in bits compare with Hardlex RandonRob dude?..

[@djzrobzombie2813]

Better buy a citizen promaster titanium

[@wescobts]

Nice review but i'm not a fan of the tuna.

[@wescobts]

@Jesus Christ I gues it would be the shape, just "too round" looking. I have a Samurai and really like the angularity of it