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Seiko Prospex SNJ035P PADI 'Arnie Tuna' Solar Quartz Watch $529 Delivered @ Starbuy

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Back on sale again, at the same lowest price as last time. Per an earlier comment it's worth noting this model also has a depth meter and diving log. According to the Seiko web site the gauge works up to 80m depth; now, I'm not a diver, but it strikes me if you're going further down than this you'll likely have more specialised gear that's built for the task!

Copy/paste from Starbuy's web site:

The Seiko Prospex Arnie PADI SNJ035P1 features the Seiko hybrid H855 solar power movement. The case is stainless steel with hardlex glass and a matching Black silicone strap. The case size is 46.9mm x 14.2mm with a lug width of 22mm. The SNJ035 has a 200m water resistance rating with a screw case back, a screw lock crown and a uni-directional rotating bezel. Additional features include a power save function, a daily alarm, an automated calendar till December 31 year 2100, LED and a power save function.

The new calibre H855 has been upgraded with improved visibility for diving, with a larger display at the 6 O’Clock position. It also features diving log, depth metre and temperature measuring functions.

This diver’s watch is a modern re-interpretation of the Seiko “Hybrid diver’s,” a world-first originally released in 1982 as a hybrid combination of analogue and digital watch technology. This model is also known as the ‘Arnie’ after the actor who wore it in the film ‘Commando’ and its watch shape is nicknamed by Seiko fans as a ‘Tuna’ – because of its larger diameter and bold shape like a tuna tin. This particular design is a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the world’s first hybrid diver’s watch with alarm chronograph. The original watch proved its reliability in extreme environments including the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition in 1984 and the Joint Mount Everest Challenge made by the Japanese, Chinese and Nepalese team in 1988.

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  • +3

    Potentially worth of it's own separate post but I think the Mojito is a fantastic deal.

    https://starbuy.com.au/seiko-cocktail-mojito-srpe45j/

    $423. It's rarely in stock and never on sale. Last posted deal on here for it was $398 back in October 2021.

    Gorgeous looking dial, one of Seikos best in their lead in price range.

    • yeah, the Mojito and the Irish coffee are my favourite I think.. if they were under $400 I'd consider it (but don't really wear dress watches).
      A baby Alpinist may be on the watch-list sometime this year (not exactly a fan of green and gold either).

      Ps. you can get the other Arnies for $300-$350 not sure what's better with the crowns and display (but cheaper usually is :P).
      The indicies look too jammed up with the screen as well but pretty iconic. Edit: didn't realise the case was the same size as the Tuna (47mm diameter) - which wears great.

    • I saw this in Watson's just after Christmas around the same price - it's very nice when seen 'in the metal'! I also saw the SSA459J for $675 which has date and power reserve, and which I personally prefer more. It's been put on the birthday wishlist with my family. :)

      • +1

        I'd look at a few videos of that SSA459J, it's very thick - dive watch thick, nothing like a dress watch..
        Does look nice though.

        • 14.4mm

          That is super thick. Jeeebus.

        • I saw that when I looked at it. Apparently the power reserve ifunction n the movement adds a bit of depth to it.

          • @Chazzozz: No good to the extent I don't think you'd keep it.
            I don't think the power reserve indicator is necessary on an auto either, but some people pay more for the gimmicks.

  • Bought the SNJ025 from Starbuy a couple of weeks ago. Took two days to received the watch and I live in Melbourne. I don't have large wrists but it wears smaller than what you would think. Really great watch and would recommend.

  • +1

    the gauge works up to 80m depth; now, I'm not a diver, but it strikes me if you're going further down than this you'll likely have more specialised gear

    The PADI Deep Dive certification - which is something 99.9% of recreational divers will never do - allows you to go to a maximum depth of 40m.

    Below 60m, you need specialised gas mixes.

    So if you ever thought "Gee, 80m doesn't sound like much when 200m WR watches are a dime a dozen", believe me it is more than enough.

    • Ah, good to know for reference. Thanks for the insight!

    • +1

      When ever I think about watch water restistance Arj Barker pops into my head. Routine here: https://youtu.be/5e50qn0Roc4 @3:17

      • When he did the bit about the 1000m watch on the robotic submarine arm, I wonder if he knew about the Omega Ultra Deep?

      • Haha Arj is a funny bugger. The WR rating can also be used as a rough indication of build quality too, but once it gets past 200M whatever.

  • There goes my Christmas money! lol

  • -2

    Dunno why Seiko is giving PADI royalties for a watch. PADI already makes quite enough money through their various anti-competitive business practices.

    • +1

      Did arnie even have his Open Water dive ticket?

    • oooh this is interesting, care to share any links for reading?

      • -1

        Here's one from PADI's own website. It's directed at dive shop operators, warning against discounting and showing them them how to manipulate customers into paying more.

        https://pros-blog.padi.com/course-prices-how-do-i-avoid-to-u…

        Broadly, PADI also tries to marginalise other diver accreditation bodies and charges very significant fees to dive shops (which are passed on to customers) for course/instructor accreditation. But like any abusive relationship, PADI is then there telling dive shops that they'd be lost without PADI and they'd be mad to leave.

        PADI is a company that has handballed around between private equity firms. It was last bought by a consortium of investors in 2017 for USD$700m. Definitely not a not-for-profit org owned by its members.

        • Interesting, I'm looking to get my OW licence and PADI is the main one in pretty much all dive shops I've looked

    • Plenty of other Seiko Prospex to choose from (unless you are bored and trolling).
      I've only got one (SNE557P).. you mad?

  • You aren't paying for the PADI logo, you are paying extra for the depth gauge and log, the normal arnie is about $70 cheaper when on sale. Though most divers use dive computers, when doing shallow dives I use my Aqualand, and even on deeper dives I use computer and dive watch as a back-up to check against dive computer if needed.

    Citizen seem to be big on the depth functions on watches so curios if the function will be deleted from Seiko over time.

    • Yes you dont actually ever need a dive watch but it's cool and can check the time.

      The padi tuna I got would be exactly the same as my other tuna Streets.

      Yeah PADI is a no brainer have my Advanced Open water. Some people choose SSI, in some countries.

    • I'm very confident that PADI wouldn't be providing their logo for free.

      As G-rig said, divers wouldn't go diving with this watch and without a proper dive computer, and this watch doesn't do anything useful that a dive computer doesn't do. The tiny screen displaying the depth is not fit for purpose when you're down there, it's just a gimmick.

      • I was assuming dive computers have time of the day, but if not it's useful.

        Good to take dive watches in the pool and beach but wouldn't pay more for the Padi unless you wanted the special edition.

        • Yep dive computers have time of day, though that's not of great relevance during a dive.

          This is a pretty typical display for a dive computer during a dive: https://scubadoctor.com.au/diveshop/images/mares/MaresSirius…

          Top line is current depth in big numbers, then duration of dive so far, then (based on how much of the dive you've been at depth x) a calculation of how long you can dive for without having to pause for a few mins on your way back up, then at the bottom how much oxygen is left in your tank.

          It's big font and high contrast because lighting can be bad at 30 metres, and your brain actually starts to go hazy when you're a fair way down. So they're idiot-proof, no-clutter displays for safety. Fiddling around with 2mm digits on the Seiko is a bad idea.

          • +1

            @park: Start time is relevant, to complete your log book :).

            • @G-rig: The computer does record this :)

              Once you're back on the boat after the dive, most computers automatically switch to a logbook-friendly overview readout of what you did. Start time, finish time, duration, maximum depth etc.

              In summary, the Seiko PADI watch is theoretically functional for diving with, but not up to scratch. Its purpose is so the wearer can bait people at the pub into asking them about where they went on their last holiday. Aaand PADI gets some free money.

              • @park: All Corect but let's not kid ourselves, no one thinks this replaces a dive computer. Just like no one is going to take the old tables down in their BCD (but may do Incase the computer fks up but no issue in a group). Maybe in the 70s dive watches were used for that purpose.

                • @G-rig: Just bought one ….. dive tables and watch in 70's , I'd like to think 90's it's when I got my Aqualand. I find dive computers digital displays not watch like when out of the water, and when on holidays I hire my gear so need watch for in and out of the water. Compared to the normal Arnie, this watch isn't vastly more expensive, and I think the bulk of the cost is the depth sensor or low volumes they manufacture and not the PADI name. Lots of my holiday dives were only 10-15M so I got more bottom time. Nice is also solar, so batteries to replace and always ready to go unlike my Aqualand

                  • @garage sale: Yeah you learn to use them part of the training course.

                    I've been to 44.5m but all the good stuff is fairly shallow generally, so no need to show off (although this was a ship wreck in Vanuatu so well worth it.

                    Yep love solar divers.

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