Seiko Perpetual Calendar 52mm (Model : SNQ043)

This is definitely my favourite go-to, daily-wearing watch. At the point of purchase, I was attracted by its rugged disposition and extra large case diameter (crown to crown) ie measuring at 52mm (if measured only the case, then it's 40mm) and 13mm thickness.

I used to work in London and I would pick up the Seiko be it spring, summer, autumn or winter- most people wear leather watches during winter as the stainless steel bracelet would be quite cold to the touch, but my Seiko triumphs over the other watches in my collection then (save for the Patek Philippe, which I have since sold during my years there).

The perpetual calendar functionality automatically adjusts for odd and even months, including leap years up to February 28, 2100. You would never be at a loss over the day's date with this very masculine watch. Made in Japan, it uses the 6A32 perpetual calendar quartz movement; and is made from stainless steel. This is one heavy watch and you would definitely get a feel of its premium quality the moment you pick up this watch in your hand.

The carbon fibre-look black dial is decorated with luminous hands and hours' markers that work well in the dark, and protected by hardlex crystal. Water resistant up till 100m or 10 bar, you can take this watch swimming and it would still be ticking happily away in the pool. It also has bi-directional rotating bezel with compass indicator. The attention to details is top-notch and could match that of your regular Swiss watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A replacement battery was due in the first quarter of 2013. This was done at a watch shop at One Utama shopping centre, along with servicing and checking of its inner mechanism and perpetual calendar functionality. Being a good o' Seiko, the parts and labour only amounted to RM80- and that's a steal of a price to keep this baby in top form!

While replica watches normally go in the direction of Swiss makes, a quick search on the Net would indicate many foreign sites offering a replica of this exact same model at app USD260. That's about the same price as that of a replica Rolex Submariner!

It won't be easy to find this baby in the market these days- a good friend marvelled at mine and spend some 3 years looking out for this model and is still searching, and if you do find a new old stock, you would be hard-pressed not to purchase it as soon as you lay your hands on this rough and tough, but premium equivalent of the everyman G-shock.

Definitely one of my favourites!