Seiko Prospex srp637k1 Review & Complete Guide
If you are looking for a robust, sporty, and unique automatic wristwatch with a tool-like appearance? The Seiko Prospex srp637k1 may just be the watch for you.
Seiko is, amongst many things, known to make some incredibly affordable timepieces that offer exceptional value. Despite the fact that they often cost merely around 100 USD, they punch well above their weight and have few real competitors that can challenge.
So what happens if you add some money and invest in a Seiko watch that costs around 650-700 USD? The answer is that this does not result in an overpriced watch, unlike what you may think. Instead, the result is exceptionally well-finished watches with high quality and quality. Safe to say, regardless of the price of Seiko watches, they always make sure to offer incredible value for money.
Seiko Prospex srp637k1 Review
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The Seiko Prospex srp637k1 is bulky, robust, and of course, built to a very high quality. This is a watch for someone who requires durability and robustness in their timepiece but also wants something that is unique and has a sporty presence on the wrist. The srp637k1 is a dive watch, so a lot of people find it refreshing to see a dive watch that dares to go its own route and not try to homage the Rolex Submariner like so many other watches try to do.
In this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at the Seiko Prospex srp637k1.
Seiko Prospex srp637k1 case
The srp637k1 has a very distinct and unique case design. This case design is what has come to become known as ”Baby Tuna”. It is mostly round but has very short lugs. What makes this case stand out is the large metal bezel with a stainless steel shroud. This makes the watch appear substantially bulkier than it needs to be, but it is at the same time an important part of its design and identity.
This watch is completely monochrome, which together with the almost fully satin-finished case and bracelet gives a very industrialized, tool-like look.
It is presented with a case that measures 47.5mm in diameter (including the shroud). The case has a thickness of 13.5 mm. The watch has a lug-to-lug measurement of 50mm. The watch weighs in at 202.5 grams which is a rather hefty piece of stainless steel. Yes, this watch is big, bulky, and robust, but if there is one thing people say about this watch, it is that it wears smaller than its dimensions on the paper state.
The bezel is satin finished and unidirectional and has 60-graduation markers painted in black. At 12 o’clock, there is a lume pip. The crown is positioned n the side of the case at 4 o’clock which is common for many Seiko watches. This has the benefit of preventing the crown from digging into your wrist and thus improving comfort. The crown is somewhat integrated into the case, but this is because where the crown sits, the case has been slightly carved out. This gives some protection to the crown, but it is still not fully protected. The crown has a diameter of 7mm.
Sitting on top of the case is Seiko’s proprietary Hardlex mineral crystal. This is not as tough as sapphire but still much more scratch-resistant than regular mineral glass.
Considering the fact that this is a serious dive watch, it does not have a use for a see-through case back as this would only be an additional potential leaking point. The case back is a screw-down that has an engraved Seiko Tsunami symbol.
The Seiko Baby Tuna Prospex has a water resistance of 200m/20ATM/330 feet. Since this is a Prospex watch meets, it doesn’t come as a surprise that this watch is an ISO6425 certified watch.
Seiko Prospex srp637k1 dial
Moving on to the dial, and what we can say is that this dial is extremely well made and really gives the impression of being premium.
The dial offers exceptional lime which is just what we would expect from a professional dive watch. It has a matte black background with a nice texture. The matte dial prevents reflections which is a plus. Applied on the dial are broad hour markers in metal with a large amount of Lumibrite on them. This ensures they glow bright and long in the dark. The arrow-shaped seconds hand is painted black but has a white tip.
The hour hand is shaped like a triangle and is painted white. The hour hand is painted white and is shaped like a sword. You can complain about several things regarding this watch, but legibility is certainly not one of them.
At 3 o’clock, you’ll find the day and date window. It has a white background and the day and date printed in black.
The watch has the Seiko Prospex logo painted in white as well as the Seiko logo, ”Automatic”, and ”Diver’s 200M”.
Around the outer edge of the dial, it has a chapter ring in black on which the second’s markers are printed in white.
Visually, the dial of the Seiko Prospex srp637k1 is really appealing.
Seiko Prospex srp637k1 bracelet
The Prospex srp637k1 is presented on a sporty and robust stainless steel bracelet. There’s no coming around the fact that the bracelet is large, and may not be suitable for smaller wrists. But, of course, you can always swap the bracelet for a strap…
The bracelet has a folding expansion inside the clasp (diver’s extension) which is made for wearing the watch on top o a diver’s suit. In addition, the bracelet has a pin and collar system which allows you to size the bracelet. Lastly, it also has micro-adjustments on the clasp.
The issue with affordable watches is that the bracelet is generally the part that is compromised with the most, but the srp637k1 shows that by just adding a few hundred, it really makes all the difference in the world, and therefore, you are actually getting what you pay for. The bracelet is mostly satin-finished but has some polished contrasting details, such as the middle links (which are actually not middle links, just positioned in the middle).
Seiko Prospex srp637k1 movement
The srp637k1 Baby Tuna is equipped with Seiko’s Japanese automatic caliber 4R36. This movement offers a power reserve of about 41 hours and beats with a frequency of 3Hz/21,600 vph. The movement has 24 jewels. Two features that Seiko’s more affordable automatic watches do not have, which this movement has, is hacking seconds and manual winding functions. Both of these are welcomed improvements to this movement.
Specifications
- Movement: Seiko Caliber 4R36. Automatic
- Frequency: 3Hz/21,600 vph
- Jewels: 24
- Water-resistance: 200m/20ATM/330 feet
- Diameter: 47.5mm (including the shroud)
- Thickness: 13.5 mm
- Lug-to-lug measurement: 50mm
- Weight: 202.5 grams
- Power reserve: 41 hours
- Crystal: Hardlex
Conclusion
All in all, the Seiko Seiko Prospex srp637k1 ”Baby Tuna” is a serious dive watch with a great tool-like presence.
The watch can take a beating but is also considering its design and size most suitable for individuals with larger wrists. One thing is certain and that is that this watch will not let you down, whether you go diving or subject it to really harsh conditions. The workhorse automatic movement will continue to tick year after year.
With a price of around 650-700 USD, you get a seriously robust and well-made sports watch. There are few alternatives out there that do the same and offer as much as this watch.
The Seiko Prospex srp637k1 “Baby Tuna” is available to order on Amazon.
