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| Joined: | Wed Jan 3rd, 2007 |
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I wrote this mini-review in resonse to a question on another forum. Thought I might post it here also as information.
I own both the PRS516 Automatic and the Seastar 1000. They are outstanding watches. Whereas the PRS516 is very classic and subtle..........the Seastar is bold and beautiful. It is one huge chunk of steel with excellent fit & finish. The bracelet is heavy (and very different from the typical oyster or presidential style) and balances the watch perfectly with its 22mm lugs tapering to 20mm for a comfortable fit. The lugs also curve downward so that the watch head sits well on the wrist for very comfortable wear.
The detail, especially in the bezel is outstanding. The machined gear-like cogs slant upward so that the watch wears slightly smaller than its 43/44mm size. The bezel insert, itself, is one of the nicest I've seen............almost like a sculpture (surronding a beautifully domed sapphire crystal) with raised numbers, a flat enameled surface and engraved minute "hashmarks" filling in 1 thru 15.
I have the blue dial, which I expected to be darker like the PRS516, but it is not. It is more of a (very attractive) semi-dark royal blue that radiates in the light....it is not garish as some blue dials are! The dial is clean and easy to read, and even the date is easy to see without a magnifier. Lume is average. The knurled, perfectly sized, screw-in crown with proportionate crown guards finishes off the look with a nice, practical balance.
If I have any complaint at all, it is a personal preference about hands. I am not a big fan of "open" hands.............they have changed the minute hand from "open" to a sword hand on more recent models (which I have) but the hour hand is still open! The bracelet is of the highest quality with a clasp deployant and safety latch........I would have prefered a Seiko style push button clasp, but that is a very minor point!
All-in-all, it is one of my favorite "dive" style watches (as I could never abandon the Seiko Monsters)............It is well worth the street price tag of +/- $350 BNIB...............definitely a keeper.
I'm on your Side;)
