The model number as well as the movement model.
As highlighted earlier, the SUN019P1 takes design cues from the famous Seiko Tuna watches of old. Instead of the typical straight walled sides, the SUN019P1 has taken a more modern and aerodynamic interpretation to create a ‘Tuna’ with more sexy curvature. More about this later.
The dial is designed for ultimate legibility. The deep chapter ring allows the designers to raise the markers higher than the bottom of the dial. This gives a clear 3-dimensional experience that you seldom get in most watches.
The professional level of the specifications becomes clear when you study the details, the hour markers, the anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal and the precise operation of the uni-directional bezel.
The only wordings on the dial is the ‘SEIKO’, ‘KINETIC’, ‘DIVER’S 200m’ and some additional micro-wordings near the edges. A small Prospex logo is also printed on the dial.
On the dial itself, the first set of scale is provided. Set in increments of 2, it alternates between Arabic and a ‘dash’ up to 24. This is the GMT scale. In between this scale is where the designers placed the date window between 4- and 5-o’clock. Using just a font size larger than the scale has the effect of making sure people do not confuse it with the GMT scale yet makes the whole dial systematic and clean.
The main markers are huge and gives a good amount of space to paint Seiko’s famous LumiBriteillumination paint. With the markers raised high above the dial, even at any angle, the 3-dimensional effect mentioned earlier still remains. The minute markers are set against the chapter ring and it complements the huge hour markers.
As this watch provides a GMT function, it comes with a fourth hand. The hand that is dedicated to the GMT function is a cut-out version of the hours hand with minimal area covered with LumiBrite paint. The hours and minutes hands are much thicker and extensively painted with LumiBrite paint. For the seconds hand, only the tail bubble is covered with LumiBrite paint.
As required by the ISO6425, the international standard for diving watches, the pip at the 12 o’clock position on the bezel is painted with LumiBrite.
Once you had the chance to touch it, you will realize it’s size. It has a case diameter of 47.5 mm (excluding the crown). Made of stainless steel case, this watch was designed (or more like over-designed) to tackle water depth of up to 200 meters. Coupled with the stainless steel bracelet that comprises of a three-fold clasp with secure lock, push button release with extender (in diving mode), this watch packs in some considerable weight. Meanwhile, the height of the watch has been estimated to be approximately 16 mm (by my own measurement).
The glass covering the dial is sapphire crystal. It has a anti-reflective protection on its surface. Around it is the uni-directional sawtooth bezel that moves in 120-click increments for a full cycle.
I find manipulating the bezel to be slightly difficult than usual. Because of the protective shroud, your fingers can only latch on to two sections that are free from the shroud. Excessive drag is felt if you tried to turn the bezel fast. However, at a certain speed and pressure the bezel moves along nicely. At first I thought I got a dud piece. However, it seems that it is part of the design. The bezel will only move it given the correct pressure. Any other level of pressure is assumed to be unintentional and the bezel is designed to resist such ‘moves’. This is a very impressive piece of engineering.
