Further to the review on Sharkey's BT2.0 @ https://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2018/12/review-sharkey-bronze-tuna-version-20.html, here was the second part in relation to the Merkur stainless steel Tuna version 2.0 ("ST2.0").
Merkur shot to fame with their Miyota-based SBDX017 homage some years back, with purchasers commenting that the quality was a notch higher compared to the Seiko-based similar homage from Sharkey, LTM, Hima, and the likes. They tend to produce in smaller quantities with a view to maintain quality control, so it was no surprise that their products tend to be sold-out relatively quickly.
I contacted its promoter during the design stage on ST2.0, and the piece incorporated some key features that modders like us tend to upgrade on stock Seiko watches that we purchase. Movement was vide the popular NH35A, it had a lumed bezel insert like that of the LCBI, and sapphire crystal was supplied in lieu of the lower spec hardlex crystal.
Therefore, for the sub-RM1k affordable price range that it was going for, one would be getting a lot of watch for the price indeed.
The Swiss C3 lume was generously applied such that the end result would give Seiko Lumibrite a run for its monies. Placed next to my SLA021J1, it could truly hold its own despite costing only circa 7% of the Seiko's Malaysia RRP : RM15,050 price tag.
As could be seen from the above pictures, the CNC stainless steel parts were of good quality with good finishing and fittings. The sapphire crystal was an appreciated upgrade over Seiko's hardlex and coupled with the robust NH35A work horse, time-keeping as observed over the 24 hours that I had the ST2.0 proved to be convincing, which was not surprising actually given Seiko's reputation. Merkur gave an international 1-year warranty towards its watches.
All in all, this had been a great purchase towards the study on the design and I had taken the necessary measurements of the parts in order to assist me towards the proposed goal. At this point in time, I'm still unsure if I would keep this homage piece stock or mod it further into the Seiko Tuna that I envisioned.
In the meantime, do enjoy more pictures of the piece :
In the meantime, do enjoy more pictures of the piece :
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