Seiko SARG011 Review & Complete Guide
It’s no secret that Seiko is an expert in making affordable watches. But one of the main reasons why Seiko has become so popular is due to the fact that there is a great difference between cheap and affordable, and Seiko is the latter.
The brand is widely appreciated by enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts alike for its watches that overall offer great value for money. They are well-built, long-lasting, and generally have a finish that is better than many of their competitors in the same price range.
Another reason why Seiko watches have become so popular is that there really is a Seiko watch for everyone. Whilst it is particularly its dive watches that are popular amongst enthusiasts, the brand also has a ton of other watches for all kinds of occasions.
If you are looking for a legible, automatic timepiece with an elegant yet sporty design, the Seiko SARG011 could be a watch for you.
Seiko SARG011 review
The SARG011 is made to be legible. Whilst some people favor form over function, there are many who just want a legible watch on which you can glance to know the time. In other words a trusted timekeeper.
This watch is sometimes even referred to as the Seiko Explorer thanks to its large Arabic numerals, and that it combines with a clean yet sporty design. The difference in price, however, is substantial. And those who are mechanical watch enthusiasts will be able to enjoy this watch too as it is equipped with a sturdy automatic movement. Or even more so, you may find a great resemblance to the Tudor Heritage Ranger, but again, at a substantially lower price.
This watch presented discontinued in 2017 but is still possible to buy from some places still.
In this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at the Seiko SARG011.
Seiko SARG011 case
The watch is presented in a stainless steel case with a diameter of 40.3mm, not including the crown. It has an elegant design with curved lugs that are brushed on the top and polished bevels on the inside. In contrast, the sides of the case are polished. The ends of the lugs are squared-off.
In terms of size, this watch is a mid-size timepiece which means it will have some presence on the wrist, but it can be worn by a lot of different wrist sizes and won’t be perceived as huge.
To add to that sporty nature, the bezel is also satin-finished, which is interesting as we often see polished bezels in watches that brands want to make more elegant. So clearly, Seiko has more of a sporty nature in mind for this timepiece.
At the classic 3 o’clock position, it has a large crown. This is push-pull and not screw-down. With that said, the watch offers a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. This is enough for swimming and showering, but not scuba diving. In other words, pretty okay for a sporty field watch which, after all, isn’t a dive watch.
Sitting on top of the case, we have a curved sapphire crystal which is a great value proposition.
Seiko SARG011 dial
The watch features a lovely matte black dial with a rich texture.
What stands out about this dial is of course its painted Arabic numerals which are raised. They have a slightly off-white color but provide an exceptional contrast against the black background for great legibility. The even numbers are displayed with Arabic numerals and the odd numbers have rectangular bars.
The hands have been made big, and the metal frames coated black. They have a generous amount of Lumibrite applied to them too. The sword-shaped hands provide a great contrast against the dial.
The seconds hand has a luminous dot on the opposite end, and the top is painted red. This is the only touch of color to the otherwise monochrome dial, which adds a sense of sportiness to it.
In addition, the Arabic numerals are applied with a generous amount of Lumibrite which ensures a strong and long-lasting glow in the dark.
Positioned at 3 o’clock, the watch has a date window. The frame is raised but black, which allows it to blend in, and the background is also black, with the date printed in white/silver.
Around the outer edge of the dial, the seconds markers are printed in white.
Seiko SARG011 movement
The watch is powered by the in-house Automatic Seiko caliber 6R15C. The movement offers a power reserve of 50 hours, beats at 21600 BPH, and has 23 jewels. The movement has both hacking and manual winding functions.
If you turn the watch around, you will be able to see the movement through the see-through case back. Whilst the movement doesn’t have Patek Philippe levels of decoration (as we wouldn’t expect), it’s still nice to be able to see the mechanical piece of craftsmanship beating inside. It’s also a feature that watch enthusiasts will love about this watch.
Seiko SARG011 strap
The watch is presented on a black leather strap with a folding buckle. For comfort, it has thick padding. The strap is quite nice, but if you don’t like it, the watch looks great on other types of straps too.
Specifications
- Diameter: 40.3mm (not including the crown)
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet/10bar
- Thickness: 12.4mm
- Lug width: 20mm
- Movement: Seiko in-house caliber 6R15C
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal
- Jewels: 23
- Power reserve: 50 hours
- Frequency: 21600 BPH
Conclusion
All in all, the Seiko SARG011 is a great mechanical watch that combines sportiness and tool-like design features with elegant lines. It is built to last and has a reliable and durable automatic movement powering it.
You really cannot go wrong with this watch as its finish and quality mean it offers exceptional value for money and definitely punches well above its own weight.
Unfortunately, the watch is now discontinued, but it is still possible to pick it up if you do some digging. The good news is that there are also many other Seiko watches that feature a similar design in case you don’t actually find one.
