REVIEW: Seiko Presage SARX017
Introduced nearly a decade ago, the Seiko Presage SARX017 remains a strong competitor for a hypothetical watch collection. The combination of sporty and elegant aesthetic cues allows it to match almost any outfit, from casual to business executive.
Even better, the SARX017 is relatively difficult to come by due to the fact that it was only intended for the Japanese market. Coupled with an entry-level price tag, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more comprehensive watch for the money.
Powering the Seiko Presage SARX017 is the in-house caliber 6R15 with hacking and manual winding. The movement contains 23 jewels and beats at 3 Hz or 21,600 vph. The power reserve is rated at 50 hours, so you can practically take it off on Friday night and still have a clock running on Monday morning.
The Seiko Presage SARX017 has a 10 ATM water resistance rating, so a splash or two should be fine. However, I caution you not to do so, as the original leather strap might not withstand such abuse.
Which brings me to the biggest flaw in this watch: the strap. The original black leather strap that Seiko offers is where it can be said that the brand had to cut costs to make the watch more affordable. Even with minimal wrist time, the shine on the strap has started to fade.
Also, the strap itself has little to no padding. The only saving grace is the folding clasp with the Seiko text stamped on the buckle. The operation is quite easy as you only need to press the two side buttons to unlock the clasp and it snaps back into place with a satisfying click.
Other technical details of the watch include a case size of 39mm excluding the crown and a lug-to-lug measurement of 47.5mm. Those with slimmer wrists should find the Seiko Presage SARX017 a good fit.
As for the look of the watch itself, at first glance, most would find it a bit gloomy. Take a closer look, however, and various details will appear, bringing good contrast and a touch of style to a conservative-looking watch. For one thing, the red-tipped second hand adds a pop of color to the dial, while the crown protector contributes to a more sporty approach.
Elsewhere, the vertical stripes on the dial mimic previous Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra models. Lastly, the combination of brushed and polished surfaces allows the Seiko Presage SARX017 to sit seamlessly on the line between casual and professional.