The Seiko SNJ025 Solar Arnie - Reissue review!

[@saulbrook7740]

One more reason why Seiko hits this on the nose as a reissue that was worth the effort - it's not some limited edition that costs as much as a used car!

[@xjonx1]

Although there is a limited edition with gold accents.

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Yea i agree! I just ordered one! Great price!😎👍

[@bryansuperduke1290r]

I just discovered this watch while searching for parts to repair my upside down Arnie that’s suffered a cell leak after living in a draw since 2015, which has damaged the - battery connection. Found one marked down by 20%, so tempted to try it, but I have same concerns as you over the longevity of the solar.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

They're not that expensive, and they're a great modern version.

[@jque35ify]

I wish they would've kept the size the same as the original

[@sorabdb9925]

got mine yesterday .. priced dropped to around SGD 481 (USD 358) The rubber strap that comes along is amazing… watch looks nice and feels comfortable on my 7.5” wrist I usually wear my watches throughout except when showering; including in sleep and thats why night legibility to me is a big deal and this one delivers.. the lume is fine but that indiglo display is the MUST-HAVE factor for me… hope this one lasts long… and luckily I do not have the misaligned chaptering in my watch at the 6-o’clock position….

[@joshsvoss]

I’ve been waiting for this. Thank you Spencer!

[@andydocwra7242]

Great review, your reasons why you like the new one are exactly why I purchased this model. Thank you

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Great to hear!

[@Kingstonsmac]

Just bought one and watching your videos especially this one makes me so excited about owning this watch and others. Absolutely love this hobby and these vids. Thank you !👊🏼🤙🏼

[@davewilson6548]

Thanks for talking me into getting this watch. This is my first solar and wears and looks fantastic. Would love to find the band of a SPB255j1 black series watch. I think it would look fantastic.

[@Denner771]

Way to go Seiko, after I lost my original "Arnie" jet skiing in the late eighties, I've been waiting for the return ever since. The best scuba watch I had ever owned and I owned a few, and yes, 100's of dives in the Keys and Miami throughout the 80's. Oh, and yes, an excellent review!

[@FlyingEriksen]

My one and only minor issue with the new "Arnie", is that the secondshand in certain places, wobbles when ticking. Otherwise one of the best ever Seiko's I have ever owned! 😀👍

[@jonathanpowell6958]

I think that is a normal issue with some quartz movements. I have a Ronda Swiss quartz movement that does the same thing.

[@CollinB_EDC]

Best review I’ve seen on this one. Very informative. Haven’t seen anyone else with the previous versions that this was based off of and explained the differences and similarities between them.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Thank you! I'm glad it was useful and informative and all that.

[@jeremypitotti1227]

I managed to get to the choppa and picked one up!! Comfortable for the size, rubber in line with new Turtles, therefore comfy!! Great review of a watch getting the seal of approval from Spencer, in mho a great reissue. Hope they get around to the Pogue sometime!!

[@tods.9947]

Your enthusiasm is infectious! It seems that Seiko got this reissue mostly right. They need to apply this same design approach to their other offerings which have been lacking lately. And they seem to have priced it reasonably!

[@LordGryllwotth]

Currently now it is priced at 560 USD in Norway. And it have been lower, so I am not buying it yet.

[@andyg4082]

I recently purchased the black & padi But I'm gonna upgrade the padi with stainless Steel shroud & seiko bracelet See how it looks etc Great review boss👏

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Thank you my man. Good to hear.

[@williamforbes8261]

Thanks for the review as ever brilliant some people have said that the LED display will only last for around seven years what are your thoughts on that

[@nadgeemark]

I agree totally Spencer. I like mine more now that I’ve had it for a couple of weeks. It’s a keeper. 👍🏼

[@retro_noix]

I am curious to hear what Arnie thinks of the new Arnie!

[@hanscombe72]

What watch guy would not want to hear that a watch had been nicknamed after you!

[@fernandosolis3487]

I got one and love it! Having the Prospex logo signed on the crown rather than on the watch face would've been a nice touch IMO.

[@oldiesfreek]

Wish someone would buy one and deliver it to my doorstep! Awesome review, Spencer 😁

[@nadgeemark]

My reissue Arnie is my go to watch when I’m heading out to play. I added a Yobokies stainless shroud and it’s made a huge improvement to its look and durability. Such a joy to wear. 👍🏼

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

That is awesome!

[@batfpv3576]

Hey...would you mind showing pic of guard/shroud. Or link to where from. Thanks

[@Stucknthe80z]

Digging the new release. The original seems kinda small.

[@Alancclive]

I have all three and think all are fantastic, I’m so pleased you like new one also , great watches. Thanks Spencer

[@reedrobb]

I just bought the Padi model, got a smokin deal at $240 new. However, I believe there is at least 4 now, maybe more. Which is your favorite?

[@blondestratsmorefun]

I can't be the only guy who would love to see a reissue of the Baby Arnie/Adventurer with the new tech. Maybe 40-42mm? Great video!

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

It's a great model, with excellent proportions. If it were scaled up to say a 40mm case, 41mm, you bet.

[@spirg]

Sure would 🖒

[@kyleleungrulez]

Just brought the 028 gold one. Can't wait to have it now.

[@redbarchetta4]

Great review. Just ordered one. Anxious to check it out.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@vajidalishah3595]

I have skinny wrists but I'd only buy this for nostalgia of wearing it while watching Commando and Preditor!

[@inspector1973]

Nice review and brilliant comparison to the original. Quality control issues are still there. My chapter ring is 100% aligned with the dial, however the bezel is out of alignment!!! Man do you know how to get it aligned? Do I remove the shroud, pop off the bezel and soak it in warm water so that the insert glue is loose and then reallocate it? Please let me know. Cheers.

[@flat4-]

I have one (Black/Gold version SNJO28) and very happy with it. You can find custom made shrouds in copper or titanium that really makes this watch pop. I prefer this one above an old school H558 because I dive with it and wouldn't wanne risk losing or drowning an iconic H558 in salt water...... The crystal got scratched up pretty bad last year somewhere at 15 meters deep in the Carrabian see, biut when I returned home it was repaired (replaced crystal) trough a Seiko dealer within a few weeks !

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Titanium would look nice for sure

[@flat4-]

@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch yes it is. I have a bronze one wich has made a great patina now. Sadly I cannot post pics here. You have a mail adress ?

[@kennethstauffer9220]

I like the smaller thinner one better. Also, could somebody comment on the embedded LCD display, something tells me the new arnie has the LCD display tucked deeper into the watch and catches more shadows.

[@maxpower2299]

just purchased & bezel aligns perfectly...must have fixed this issue?

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

I think it's something that comes and goes depending on QA that day.

[@Takeo2011]

I sent my new Arnie in for defective push button gaskets to Seiko Service USA about a month ago. They replaced the whole watch instead of replacing the gaskets.

[@oldfashionedsportsmanchave4590]

Joseph Foulke How did you know they were defective? Did the watch fog up?

[@zHumanfactor]

Spence, one feature you forgot to mention is the energy-saving mode, which is very cool. I am not really into quartz watches but the Citizen/Bulova UHF 262 kHz movement has bridged me to Quartz... love that smooth sweeping second hand and amazing accuracy (10 seconds per year) and at a very affordable price. The ultimate would be a Solar powered UHF movement, but that would probably pose a tremendous engineering challenge.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Good point, I did not know that (or if I did at one point, I've forgotten).

[@stephenswindle3839]

Great pic of the Seiko “Arnie” on the wrist w/the mountain terrain backdrop, they mesh well together.👍🥰🥴😈👀🤙✌🤟🏼🤘👌🙌

[@oldfashionedsportsmanchave4590]

When the pushers are unscrewed, is that black ring around the top of them a gasket? I would hope there are gaskets I’m the stem tubes of the pushers as well.

[@steffrouen]

Please. Sorry. The watch on left is bigger ? The green ? Sorry for my english

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Your English is fine - far superior to my French, believe me.

[@cmb1972]

So tempted......but looks too thick for my wrist size😵, I believe the H357-5200 Silverwave was the first, I have two both from 1981, I have a few baby Arnie's and the earliest is 1982. The Silverwave which was produced before the baby Arnie is slightly larger but with smaller hands and is an odd design but cool, then you move on to the H601 version in the nineties, then the H803 from around 2000. I will have to add one to my collection as I have all versions up to now, but sadly it wont be a daily as its far too big, really like the bigger dial though and the eld backlight!

[@adrianhargreaves2854]

Great video again mate, I love it

[@williamforbes8261]

Hi would love your expert advice on the rumours about the digital display failing after seven years what’s your thoughts on that I can’t believe sekio would build something so fragile

[@aaroncostello8812]

One thing I always hated about the original H558/H601...the tiny, fiddly buttons. IMHO, they were about half as big as they should have been. Seiko has certainly corrected that with the 'ArSol'. Now, I need them to make me an orange one on an SBBN015 style bracelet.

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Thanks Aaron, absolutely! And great to hear from you - I was just thinking about you recently.

[@aaroncostello8812]

@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch Hope all is well, brother! I am lovin' all of your vids!

[@markperroni69]

I really need one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or two..................... Hey, Spencer!! Long time since I've seen your vids! Guy from Brazil here..... So, I was gonna post only this comment, but I decided to watch the video first..... It's gotta be one of your longest ones. Now, about the watch: I totally love it!!! It sure does justice to the original. And the hands moving to set the time?? That was crazy!! The original doesn't have that....... And shouldn't the bezel insert fit the original, so we could all buy original inserts for our old ones?? It's funny, because I just got home from the gym, removed one of my Arnies (my first one, bought in Jan/87 in Friday Harbor, WA), sat down on my computer to relax a bit before shower and dinner, and saw this!! I was just thinking about buying one this week, but at $500, I also think the price will go down a bit. So, I'll wait and get another SRP Turtle for now. One of the black ones. Anyway...... Great video, as always! Thank you for doing this review on this watch! I really don't like this solar tech, and I'm not happy about having to change a capacitor in a few years, but... If we can't have it with a normal quartz battery, solar it is!! (I swore I would never buy a Seiko Kinetic or Solar and now they come out with this??) And BTW... Wouldn't a normal battery fit where the capacitor sits?

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

I Think you're right about the little improvements! I ithink seiko is going for a better improvements! And i kinda welcome that, i used to own the original one! And it was great for the times! But the new one seem's a little better in terms of performance. I just ordered one after many year's of hoping that seiko would bring it back! After loosing my during moving from house to house! I guess they heard our prayers! Lol. Can't wait to get it on my wrist!😎👍thank's for the review!

[@randynovick7972]

I got the PADI version, and I like it. My two problems with it are: 1) these rubber straps never have the holes in places that give me a comfortable fit (+metal keeper grrr) and 2) the second hand does not tick to the indices. I have run through the hand alignment procedure in the manual and it still doesn't help the situation. It's not so bad. For number one I have to find an amenable flat PVD jubilee bracelet and for number two I need to not look so close at the second hand. Otherwise, I'm very happy with it. Wore it over the weekend to muck out stalls and groom horses and get muddy and nasty and it hoses off nicely and is a pleasure to wear. The features are great and I like the look, and I don't have to worry about banging it up because it will only add character... and I'm gentle with my watches anyway. Glad you got one. Glad you like it. I was prepared to hear a litany of disappointments from you and was surprised at this review.

[@milleniumraz]

Randy Novick my seconds hand also does not line up with the indices. Why can’t they get this right?

[@garyshepherd9226]

Nice review - love this watch and the time setting and wake up from sleep functions.

[@nachovalenti]

Great review Spencer! I think is a very beautiful watch. I love it.

[@mca1960]

Is the watch covered with black plastic around the bezel ? How stif/strong is that palstic cover ? Any idea ?

[@valerin0]

Just ordered on Spencer, you sold it 👍

[@chillwill120]

I want of those but kind of hard to justify given that I have a Tuna SBBN017. Maybe when prices go down.

[@markperroni69]

I'm waiting for that too......

[@mr.airgun6921]

chillwill120 Yeah I’m trying to be good and wait til John Lewis have them on sale. Trouble is they’re so popular I can’t imagine a price reduction for some time. Best bet is maybe the forums as people buy them & don’t really want them. Been two for sale on a forum I use already.

[@markperroni69]

@@mr.airgun6921 Somewhere around $300 for a new one would be fair. But everything went up in price!! The SRP Turtles are $400-$500!! I got mine, the SRP775, used but mint, for $180, with bracelet and strap. I also got the SRPA82 52mm Tuna for $180, new!! Like a window item, but no signs of wear!! And now, can't find then for less than $500!!

[@yaaxarr8977]

Great review! I just do love it! Ty!

[@tonyr.5111]

While discussing SIZE, the ACUAL NUMERICAL SIZE IN mm, was NEVER MENTIONED 😢...🤔

[@spidos1000]

What watch did he wear when he jumped off the plane in “Commando”?

[@laneedwards7114]

Awesome comparison! Thanks Spencer. However I was told by multiple Seiko AD’s that Seikos solar tech was aided by Citizen! I wonder if that true or just a way to help Seikos sales? Any thoughts?

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

No idea! I hope it's true since these capacitors have been a sore spot for Seiko for decades.

[@markperroni69]

@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch These capacitors are for sale on eBay, and a bunch of videos on YT about changing them. Like I said above, I swore I'd never buy a Kinetic or Solar.... And Seiko comes out with the one model I won't be able to say no!!! Damn it!!

[@georged822]

If you could only have one.. SUN019 or Arnie?

[@LeeePowers]

He looks better than you think on a stainless bracelet. Only did that because my local "watch repair kiosk" didn't have a black steel bracelet.

[@Bobsbargainbasement]

I have the Padi version an like it a lot, Only gripe is the bezel is misaligned a wee bit but other than that I’m happy! Great review btw and thank you!

[@inspector1973]

Welcome to the club. The bezel on my SNJ028 is also misaligned. They never get it right.

[@thebronzetoo]

Same here. If you go really slow on the rotation, it seems there are actually 2 clicks per minute. One click lines up and the other click is slightly off. At least mine does... You guys try yours and see.

[@milleniumraz]

My SNJ025 also has a slightly misaligned bezel and the seconds hand is misaligned too.

[@pzkpfw1940]

Speaking of symmetry; the stock strap on the new Arnie has 3 vents on both the upper and lower parts, whereas the old GL831 had 3 vents up top and 2 on the bottom.. like that they've changed it 👍🏻

[@Phil5150Bower]

The new strap on the new arnie is possibly the most awesome and comfortable strap I’ve worn on a watch 🤙🏻

[@jefferyneu3915]

The pushers make sense to me. If I can see the O-rings, they are not water tight.

[@Not-an-ahole]

Wanna know something funny... this isn't the only watch he wore in the Predator. Skip to 1:23:49 The watch he has on there looks to be something with a leather racing strap on it. Mostlikely worn during reshoots... check it out yourself lol

[@BiffTannenBTTF]

Man, I really like the size of the original. I have to say this is a bit of a dosappoinent. It's not really doing it for me unfortunately. I love Solar though!

[@English2Elvish]

Aye. It's F N huge... But I'll probs still buy as overall it's just fantastic!

[@zakofrx]

Looking at them side by side the original looks the best to me..

[@davenolan5709]

Yeah, these new ones look like cheap Chinese junk? The tuna shroud looks like its made of cheap plastic printed on a 3d printer?

[@spirg]

The new one is beautiful

[@zelenizub2036]

New one definitely

[@solidus1995]

I've been looking at them for months now and I started with thinking the original was better especially visually but the reissue has grown on me a lot. Just ordered one.

[@SIGSOLO]

How does the depthmeter work?

[@joshvogt6562]

Spencer, this video is great. I subscribed because of this video !

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

That's great to hear, thank you!

[@humansrants1694]

What's quality control on this one like?

[@blzy3333]

Wow!!!Are u letting go of this piece? It'll be my birth month and year - Jul 87!

[@cremator23]

Does anyone in here know where I might be able to go about ordering the green protector/shroud from the SNJ031?

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

I think they're on eBay.

[@cremator23]

@@SpencerKleinVintageWatch thank you. I checked but no luck at all 🤷

[@fungus70]

Fantastic video....I'm falling in love with it although it's quartz....

[@humansrants1694]

Has to be otherwise it would loose time when one falls off the flying jet landing gear and lands in a swamp.

[@ttle17]

Humans R Ants underrated reply

[@charlyvanbuuren739]

Why not a sapphire crystal like the Sun 019 that's on your table? 🤔

[@xjonx1]

This is a dive watch. Hardened mineral performs better under harsh dive conditions than sapphire.

[@charlyvanbuuren739]

@@xjonx1 The Sun 019 also is an iso certified diver and it has sapphire i know because i have the same watch in 50 anniversary version sun 045...

[@mr.disney4740]

Only down side is you have to replace the lens dial every 3 years. It goes cloudy & blurry.

[@alessandrozuffi5068]

I wouldn't want it if it were aligned perfectly, that's a Seiko we're talking about, the misalignment is a trademark!

[@TheMailmanOfSteel]

I think my only real complaint with this is that it doesn't have a countdown timer.

[@kennethstauffer9220]

Your channel is amazing.

[@AkuNoHana]

SUN019 spotted! I'm wearing the exact same kinetic tuna as I'm watching this, considering picking up the Arnie :)

[@oldiesfreek]

What if today's beefier Arnie wore this new one? Hmmm....

[@HotWheelsATL]

Great review comments!

[@yaaxarr8977]

Please Spence the models that you presented. Ty❗️🙏🏻

[@thebronzetoo]

The original Arnie is a H558-5000 and the new one is a SNJ025. IDK about the Adventurer.

[@yaaxarr8977]

thebronzetoo Ty!

[@VersedNJ]

@@thebronzetoo And from what I've seen the JDM is SBEQ001, was thinking about it, but it as well is made in China, price is a few bucks less to the point I'm in no rush and will wait for LI Watch to get them back in stock so as to have a warranty as well as domestic and somewhat local if it's defective and need to return.

[@ph69jbl]

Now u ve made me want one even more....

[@ph69jbl]

And 4 years later … I got one :)

[@vc8160]

The reason it is ‘beefier’ is because it’s solar and needs a larger watch face as a solar panel

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

I'm not sure that sixe of the panel is the reason for the size. My Seiko A557-5010 multifunction LCD watch is solar. The solar panel is 3mm x 24mm. it's from 1981.

[@TheLumeRoom]

Nice review, this one's on my wish list. Oh and watch that band aid!

[@ericbena1686]

Original looks nicer, wish they would reissue it the same size

[@paulwilberforce9659]

Oh Spencer likes it .. now I need one haha

[@kidk007]

Looks like the Original Arnie on steroids. Pun intended.

[@Efendi_Bass]

The only issue I have with solar watches is that they have a limited life. Once the solar cells die, the watch dies forever. I prefer the original H558, just change the battery and the watch is eternal. There are quartz watches since 1975 still working perfectly.

[@Efendi_Bass]

@Jorn Navarre First you didn't understand my comment. Second your education doesn't deserve an answer. Until you go back to school you play the lowest league. But be positive!

[@66ott7]

Do you still have the H558? Can i buy it off you? Im sure we can come to an agreement. Im 40 and iv wanted that watch since i was a kid.

[@mustafaalkishtine164]

Perfact video ..

[@stevenuk]

Spencer, whenever you've said anything negative about a watch, I have found I have agreed with you... I really like other people's opinions, especially when they are different to mine, I find its a learning opportunity. I am intrigued with this new Arnie..

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

Thanks Steven!

[@ForbinColossus]

Nice li'l *TUNA CAN* there

[@gh778jk]

And then you wonder why we Europeans think you Americans are a bit 'touched' sometimes.... Please explain, and I ask this with the most sincere scientific curiosity, why in the name of sanity, would one go to a place of outstanding natural beauty to bake eggs? Is this some old Ohlone or Chochenyo custom? What happened to the eggs after they were prepared? Were the shells turned into relics? Seriously.... you people are hard to understand... Paddy

[@SpencerKleinVintageWatch]

breakfast has to happen somewhere.

[@BiffTannenBTTF]

This would be perfect if it was exactly like the original.

[@TheMailmanOfSteel]

EVERYBODY, STOP BUYING THESE! (because I want one for less than MSRP, lol)

[@nicks8026]

Jaybee if you’re still looking, they’re easy to pick up on eBay for $350 or so.

[@aliensexist8871]

2 things i hate: fugly prospex logo on the dial and cased in china text on caseback

[@_plastikman]

Aliens Exist probably you are posting this comment using made in china device

[@Bwnunley320]

Was interested until I saw made in China.

[@adamski101]

Do you have an iPhone or iPad?

[@Bwnunley320]

@@adamski101 Oh, I have a lot of stuff made in China (like everyone). I just don’t prefer it for watches, especially from a brand like Seiko. It’s a great watch still. I bought it for my brother, who was more of a fan of the Arnold movies than watches themselves.