I'm just such a sucker for a nice chronograph - especially if it sports a movement which I don't have in my collection.
Enter the new Seiko Velatura chrono.(SRQ001J1)  The Velatura line is aimed at the yachting fraternity, and this particular model is a mechanical chronograph with the all new 8R28 caliber movement.  This is the first Seiko mechanical chrono movement since the 6138 and 6139 movements in the seventies!  Being of a column wheel design and beating at 28800 bph, this is a serious piece of machinery from Japan.
It is also used in some other high end Seikos currently, notably the Ananta.

The movement hacks and can be manually wound.  It has a PR of 45 hours and the jewel count is 34.
Out the box I checked the rate:  +8, +7, +8 in three positions.  Nothing wrong with that!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The watch comes in a classy Seiko box, on a pillow with two booklets.  Nothing elaborate.   The watch is HUGE! 51mm with crown, and 17mm thick.  The two tone is a feature of the watch, and the finish is superb.  More about this later.
The case is slightly curved to hug the wrist nicely.  The finish is brushed / polished on the case.  The bezel is "black ion plated", as are the push buttons and crown.

The heft of the watch is less than one might expect, but it still weighs a healthy 7.7ox (220g).
At first glance this watch resembles yachting big time.  The hands and 12 marker look like flags or sails to me.  Also, the bezel to me represents a porthole or even a ship's wheel if you use your imagination!


DIAL

The dial has a carbon fibre look.  The small seconds dial is at 3, and in blue and white- once again a marine connection.  It also looks like a miniature ship's wheel to me....
The minute and hour help dials are at 9 and 6 respectively, and sport red skeletonized hands.  The chrono records up to 12 hours.  The dial layout and functions are exactly similiar to the ETA 2894-2, so a well known and successful recipe.
The dial itself is only 25mm, but it steps up to the bezel in 4 steps to achieve the 47mm excluding crown.  The markers are Lumbrite dots, bar the 12 marker which is a huge "flag".  The hands ar huge: the hour hand is 5mm at the widest point!
The date window is at 22.5, and easily read - even with my ageing eyes!

CASE & BEZEL

The case is beautifully finished, and the chunky bezel sits atop the case with a huge presence.  Six s/steel "rivets" bring in some two tone appeal, while the bezel insert duplicates the carbon fibre (?) finish of the dial.  Quite a busy layout, but I find it very pleasing to the eye.
The crystal is sapphire, also the caseback window.  I'm not sure about any AR treatment, but the watch is easy to photograph, so I'm guessing it has at least some on the inside of the crystal.
Lugs are a whopping 26mm!

BRACELET

The bracelet is simply outstanding!  It features a 26mm s/steel bracelet with urethane black center links.  I think these are coated, not solid, but difficuilt to tell.  The bracelet has none of the typical Seiko s/steel bracelet rattling which is so irritating on some of its siblings.

The fold over clasp has two push buttons, and the clasp plate is only about 1 inch wide.  Very comfortable, and also micro adjustable.
The downside of this bracelet is the hassle to size it.  You guessed it: Monster -type pins and sleeves!  I have all the necessary tools to execute this manoevre efficiently, and still I managed to lose a sleeve in the process.  Honestly, I would have expected screw in links at this price point...........but regardless, I simply love this bracelet!

CROWN AND PUSHERS

The screw down crown operates flawlessly and is of a two piece design, with a fantastic grip and feel.  No wobble either when unscrewed!  There is absolutely no play in the adjustment department, and the screw action is very positive. 


The pushers also screw down, but they operate opposite to all other screw down pushers that I know of:  you have to screw the pusher in to operate the chrono, in which case a red ring at the base reminds you of the "ready" status.  When you unscrew the pusher, it is locked.
Both pushers and crown are a two piece construction, and two tone to match the rest of the watch.  Beautifully engineered.


The pushers are a joy to operate: crisp and precise.

CASEBACK

The transparent sapphire caseback is a work of art, and replicates the design of the bezel.  No sharp edges anywhere, and it adds to a very comfortable wear.  The movement is not elaborate, bar the rotor which is nicely decorated and engraved.
This is a LE, and the number of the watch is engraved in the caseback.



CONS

-The hands are very broad, and make reading of the subdials difficuilt.
-Those bracelet pins!
-Not sure about the durability of the "ion plating" and urethane links on the bracelet. Time will surely tell.



CONCLUSION

 I LOVE this watch!yahoo.gif  It has taken me a bit of a paradigm shift to fork out the sort of money these high end Seikos go for, but now I'm convinced this represents excellent value for money.  As a chrono junkie I just had to have this movement anyway!
Now for the Spring Drive chrono.......................

Hope you enjoyed reading about this Seiko. 
A wrist shot to end off:

Last edited on Thu Mar 4th, 2010 10:08 am by Graham