Seiko Solar SNE329 Review & Complete Guide
If you are looking for a sporty, robust, and long-lasting field watch which can you used for either sporty or formal occasions, the Seiko Solar SNE329 may be the watch for you.
Seiko’s Solar watches are really interesting due to the fact that they offer the same accuracy and reliability as quartz watches but do not have to have their batteries replaced every time they run out of energy. Instead, the SNE329 is powered by solar and ambient light to keep it going for years and years.
This is a watch made as a field watch, and therefore, it is meant to be slightly sporty and not so formal. With that said, it is most suitable for casual everyday occasions. It has a sporty and tool-like look which many people will appreciate.
Without further ado, in this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at the Seiko Solar SNE329.
Seiko Solar SNE329 Review
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Seiko Solar SNE329 case
The watch has a stainless steel 43mm case. The case, at first glance, is not something that stands out from the ordinary but if you look at it in detail, you’ll discover the many details and its attention to detail which is nice to see in an affordable watch, after all. The lug-to-lug measures 51mm and the thickness measures 11mm.
That said, the watch is actually rather big. With its large dial which takes up most of the watch’s surface, it catches the eye instantly.
The watch has a rotating bezel design with notched edges around it and an arrow at 12 o’clock. With that said, you may be tricked into believing that this is a rotating bezel, but the fact is that it is not. At the same time, the bezel goes very well with the overall design of the watch and adds a bit of sportiness to it.
Still, the case is nicely finished with really appealing beveled edges, making it more sleek and elegant, whilst retaining a touch of sportiness with its satin-finished elements.
The sides of the case are polished and the lugs are drilled which is meant to make it easy to change the strap depending on your preference and taste.
On the right side at 3 o’clock, the crown is positioned at the classic position. The crown is a push-pull and not a screw-down, which means that it is not as resistant to water as some of Seiko’s other waters. The water resistance is 100m/330 feet. There is not much to say about the crown. It blends in well and is a nice complement to the design.
Sitting on top of the case, it uses the proprietary Hardlex crystal. This is not as tough as sapphire crystal, but at this price point, it’s what can be expected. Plus, Hardlex is not terrible, anyway.
SNE329 dial
What immediately stands out about this watch is its dial with huge white markers. With that said, legibility certainly isn’t going to be a problem with this watch. This means that for people who may not have very good eye vision, for some other reason struggle to read the time on small wristwatches, this watch would definitely be a good solution, although it is probably a bit big for a lot of people.
What is so interesting about this watch is that its dial shifts in color so much. The dial has a sunburst finish with a slightly blue hue to it but the point is that it shifts color a lot. In some angles and environments, the dial can look completely black, but in others, it can show a stunning blue sheen. This wide personality of looks makes for a very interesting and appealing dial.
Then we have the markers on the dial. The dial has white painted numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and between these, it has rectangular markers, also painted in white.
The dial does not have a lot of luminescent details, but enough to help you navigate somewhat in low-lit conditions. There are small pointy arrows in the same positions as the numerals. These work together with the hour and minutes hand which help with legibility. Something that people have complained about is that the hands are relatively short. They do not reach close to the chapter ring or rehaut on the dial and may this have a slightly negative effect on the legibility of this watch.
Speaking of the hands, they have a sword shape and their frames have been painted white. The hands also have applied Lumibrite. Now, the glow isn’t the strongest, but it is certainly better than nothing.
At 3 o’clock, it has Seiko’s signature day and date window. For a watch that you may choose to wear in your everyday life, it can be practical to know the date and day. This window also has a black background which makes it more discreet.
Movement
The Solar SNE329 is powered by the in-house Seiko caliber V158. This is a quartz movement that, as the name suggests, also uses solar power. With that said, it is a really convenient and clever piece of technology.
This movement has proven to be robust and reliable and can continue to work for years with great accuracy. We cannot talk about this movement and not talk about solar technology.
Firstly, this watch is powered by a rechargeable battery which has a power reserve of approximately 10 months when it is not being charged. What’s great is that this movement will charge not only with direct solar light but also with regular ambient light. With this in mind, the watch should never run out of battery and you won’t have to worry about having the battery replaced like on traditional quartz watches. What’s more, the battery can be fully charged after just 9 hours in sunlight, but if it is not subject to sunlight, it can take much longer.
Whilst the watch nerds will prefer mechanical movements in their watches, quartz movements do have their benefits. Namely, the fact that they are much more accurate than mechanical watches. And for an everyday watch, in particular, you want to display accurate times so that you are never late.
Strap
The strap is presented on a blue nylon strap with leather lining which matches the watch very well. The strap’s slightly casual look makes it align its purpose and design perfectly.
The strap goes well with the watch design and adds a touch of casualness to it. The strap has had the holes reinforced on the topside leather. buckle. The strap width is 22mm.
Specifications
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Diameter: 43mm
- Thickness: 11mm
- Lug-to-lug: 51mm
- Crystal: Hardlex
- Water resistance: 100m/330 feet
- Power reserve: 10 months
- Movement: Seiko V158 Solar Quartz Movement
- Strap: blue nylon with leather lining
Conclusion
The Seiko Seiko Solar SNE329 is a watch that has both pros and cons. With a price point of around 100 USD, the watch still, regardless of its downsides, offers great value for money.
The case is excellently finished with nice bevelings and robust build quality. The movement is both advanced and interesting and will continue to work for years, whilst also having removed the need for replacing the battery.
The dial offers great legibility and the overall build quality gives a nice impression.
Of course, it also has a few downsides such as the short hands, but these are things that we can overlook due to its price.
The watch is rather large and therefore isn’t suitable for everyone, but for those who enjoy large and stylish field watches, this is a great timepiece. Furthermore, it has a bezel that is designed like a rotating bezel, but it is fixed. Yes, it doesn’t look terrible, but if the bezel would actually have functioned, it would make the watch even more interesting and practical.
For those who are simply looking for a robust and simple timepiece that just ”works” whenever you put it on, the SNE329 is a good candidate.
The Seiko Solar SNE329 is available to order on Amazon.
