INTRODUCTION

   Although I’ve been using wrist watches since the early 90's (back then i only used Casio models as some of you know) i can't really say the same about all the people i know not even about my really close friends. However as we are getting older and time passes us by it seems that habits change and that's perhaps the main reason as to why right now pretty much everyone i know of wears a wrist watch while some even own more than just one. Of course as we are getting older we also try to come up with new ways to avoid doing things that we are bored of and one of those things is without doubt the visit to the local licensed watch store in order to change the battery of our watch. That combined with several job descriptions that require a working wrist watch 24/7/365 is the reason as to why it didn't take long for watch manufacturers to develop several technologies for such use including automatic, kinetic and solar powered mechanisms. According to many people however solar watches can be more reliable compared to automatic and kinetic watches (when it comes to time accuracy) and since these seem to be what people prefer nowadays today we will be taking a look at the SNE093P1 Solar Watch by Seiko.

   Since being established in 1881, Seiko has contributed to society with one revolutionary product after another - starting with the production of Japan's first wristwatch in 1913 and including the creation of the world's first quartz watch in 1969. Seiko has also been the official timekeeper at many international sporting events since the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. Seiko has been privileged to share moments of tremendous excitement with athletes and spectators worldwide. Today, while watches remain the heart of Seiko's business, its technological expertise in micro-engineering, metallurgy and mechatronics has caused the company to expand into many diverse fields including camera components, other precision instruments, eyeglasses, jewelry, as well as sports and toiletry products. In 2001, in order to be better able to offer even more attractive products to consumers around the world, Seiko's watch division became an independent company, SEIKO WATCH CORPORATION. Watches are our business. Through them, we seek to share our pleasure and pride in production, giving you pleasure and pride in possession, and adding a touch of enchantment to every precious moment.

   Just by looking at the Seiko SNE093P1 you know that it's mostly (if not solely) aimed towards people who want an elegant yet lightweight and small to medium sized bracelet watch that will never cease to function just as long as it comes into contact with either natural or artificial light sources. So that's pretty much it so don't expect any extra bells and whistles like we've seen with some other watches (Seiko has a huge line of wrist watches some of which carry more features than you'd possibly ever use). Features left aside Seiko always means quality and so the entire watch is made by high grade stainless steel, is water resistant up to 10bar/100m and uses Japanese Quartz movement mechanism (V158) to keep accurate time. The appearance of a wrist watch however means more to some people than its specifications and features so the time has come to take a closer look at this offering by Seiko.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

Seiko packs the SNE093P1 inside a large white cardboard box that acts as a protective shell.

Inside the box you will find a second white box with the SNE093P1 placed in it, warranty information booklet and the user’s manual.

THE SNE093P1

As we have already mentioned the SNE093P1 is a small to mid-sized elegant silver bracelet watch that weighs roughly 138g.

The 42mm in diameter brushed stainless steel case (38.5mm without the crown) is clearly ideal for wrists up to 20cm thick (although i like larger diameter cases myself).

Seiko has used hardlex hardened crystal to cover the 30mm in diameter dial which in turn includes silver hands and markers for time while at the 3 o'clock position we see the day and date display.

The case is 9.5mm thick and features a lock down crown.

Just like the case and the bezel the bracelet is also polished and although a bit small for my taste (20mm width) it really looks great.

The company logo is also placed on the exterior of the push button fold over clasp.

At the rear of the case we see the company logo, water resistance and the Japanese quartz movement model (V158).

As you can see from the above picture thanks to the lumibrite material used both the hands and markers glow surprisingly well in the dark.

CONCLUSION

   Seiko is amongst the most well respected wrist watch manufacturers in the market (some say right next to Citizen) and things like that are never random so they have to be doing something right for the past 132 years (which also reminds me that this year marks 100 years since the introduction of their first wrist watch). Personally i haven't had that much contact with Seiko wrist watches in the past (only just a couple of times) and since it was with somewhat expensive models i never did think that I’d ever get to see a model like the SNE093P1. True the SNE093P1 offers just basic functionality so you can use it just to see the time and date but wasn't that the reason behind the invention of wrist watches (at least at first)? Besides Seiko may not have equipped the SNE093P1 with a chronograph or a tachymeter but still we are talking about a brushed stainless steel solar watch with a water resistance of up to 10bar/100m which according to them will keep running forever with the same battery while the reliable Japanese quartz movement mechanism should keep accurate time.

   Having only used two Seiko watches in my entire life prior to using the SNE093P1 (Sportura and Velatura models) i was very surprised to see that it currently retails for just USD78.24 inside the USA (Purchase Directly from Amazon.com) and at around 130Euros inside the EU (Purchase Directly from Amazon.co.uk). Once again there's quite a large gap between the price we see in the states and the price inside the EU but from time to time Amazon UK has offered the SNE093P1 for less than 100Euros so if you really like it and the price is not what you'd like to pay i suggest checking their page regularly. Long story short if you want a simple yet elegant and quality wrist watch which will keep running forever without you ever having to worry about changing the battery you need not look any further than the SNE093P1 by Seiko and that's why we are awarding it our Golden award.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Design
- Size (For Some)
- Solar Powered (No Battery Change Needed)
- Hardlex Hardened Crystal
- Japanese Quartz Movement
- 10bar/100m Water Resistant
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- None