Seiko SARB035

The SARB035 is such a versatile watch. Sad to see that Seiko discontinued the SARB line. Personally, I don’t think there has truly been a replacement to the SARB since Seiko raised their prices. Although it’s on the dressier side it’s my perfect everyday watch.

Seiko SARB035: my latest acquisition & replacement for the SNKL23 full box set I am gifting my father. Originally sourced an 033, but quickly realized these 035s are the real beauties. The cream dial literally blows me away. A lot of the pictures of this watch give it an appearance of just a flat beige dial, but In reality it is the most crisp of sunbursts I’ve had in a watch.

I initially wanted another divers/sports watch but i guess I was wrong about that. This SARB035 is absolutely beautiful. It’s literally similar to the Grand Seiko SLGH005 but like insanely cheaper, and I don’t complain about that at all. I also initially wasnt a fan of white faces but as soon as I opened the box I was literally in awe, it’s so beautiful.

I like the black and white contrast on the dial (not unlike a speedy or many other chronos) but this one comes in a neat package of 38.5mm. The fit and finish is really good at this price point for a chronograph - truly feels like a chrono made to be worn daily.

Personally I would have preferred better lume or nothing at all. The way the lume dot is cut in half by the 12 o'clock marker is also a bummer, but it's not the end of the world. The dial in general feels really balanced to me, though, and the pin-stripes complement the Seiko 5 logo and text below, I think. I'd like to get the SARB035 before they're all gone sometime this year, both for the cleaner dial, the cream colour and beautiful layered lugs, but that's a lot of money for a student like me, so that'll take some saving up.