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Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

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holly35

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Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post20 Dec 2012, 23:14

I have been given the chance to compiled a review on the Seiko SBPA 003,here are my findings..............
Build quality- Dont expect SDGA quality ,since the SBPA is around half the cost of its bigger sister it would be impossible for it to compare. The case is not as well machined and the bracelet has hollow steel links similar to Pulsars P4 but better finished on the reverse side. :-( It is lighter in weight ,which should make it more comfortable to wear. It also makes do with hardened mineral hardlex glass rather than sapphire,but its reported to be very good in its scratch resistance.
Design- Its a better sleeker design than the SDGA with its gentle curved edges on the case and bracelet. The buttons have moved to the sides which cleans up the overall shape and makes button pushing easier when its worn. :-D
Value- At half the cost of the SDGA its very good value,the trump card on any EPD Seiko is its astounding clarity and design of its display,on this model its refresh rate is quicker and slicker.Seiko have made improvements in this respect. 8-) All Seiko epds are more or less self sufficient whith make them very desirable.No batteries,or regular servicing. :-D
To sum up- All Seikos EPDS are excellent.With a choice of different quality and design ,they offer the discerning buyer the choice of Top end (SDGA) or a more affordable (SBPA) version.They are excellent for people who perhaps find normal lcd,led displays too small and difficult to read,and have really no rivals in this respect.Overall an excellent watch!! (but the quality of the SDGA is on a far higher level) :O`~


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AlmightyTallest

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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post21 Dec 2012, 03:47

Nice review holly, I never saw an SDGA's build quality for myself, but for me the lower cost of these SBPA's case design and care free maintenence won me over. :-D
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holly35

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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post03 Jan 2013, 12:20

I would like to add a couple of points on the SBPA003, on further inspection the links appear to be "solid"in that they are (i think) a folded steel design,with the fold meeting in the middle of the unde side of the link.However ,unlike other similar designs the edges of the links are beautifully finished.Quite an elaborate design when you study individual links.Seiko have made good progress with the S771 module over the S770.Although i prefer the SDGA refresh system ,where by only one single digit is refreshed until the whole screen is refreshed every 10 mins.
On another note,it syncs perfectly with the UK transmitter here in Scotland, without any problems as does the SDGA.Its very hard to find anything negative to say on any of Seikos EPDS. ;-)
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post18 Apr 2013, 17:00

holly35 wrote: without any problems as does the SDGA.


???

Mine has none at 2500 kilomters and happily switches without a glitch between Anthorn and Mainflingen. It is like a weather station reporting.
No problems even during Anthorn maintenance nor with its funny DST change.

A friend of mine travels all over the world and uses the ´local´ setting quite regularly and has not had a glitch in two years.

Aren´t you extending the SBPG myth to the SDGA?
´Design oder nicht sein´
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holly35

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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post18 Apr 2013, 18:47

Err no, i have stated that both have no problems syncing in Scotland,with me here at any rate. ;-)
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post26 Apr 2013, 08:52

holly35 wrote:Err no, i have stated that both have no problems syncing in Scotland,with me here at any rate. ;-)


Ok, so my appologies for any misunderstanding.
´Design oder nicht sein´
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post16 May 2013, 15:07

Is there a s771 manual in English? if so where can i download it?
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post16 May 2013, 17:03

.pdf file for the S771 movement is here:

http://www.seiko-watch.co.jp/resource/pdf/manual/S771.pdf

You'll have to scroll down to about half way through the file to page 92 inside the manual to get to the English Instructions, but everything you need is there. :-D
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post16 May 2013, 18:02

Thanks, I somehow did not see it on that site.
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post02 Jun 2013, 19:40

Currently on amazon shipped from japan for $300! I have taken the plunge. ... lets see if it arrives.

For that price its worth a risk.

J
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post02 Jun 2013, 20:56

Wow!! Man that is a bargain, let us know when you get it and if you like it. :-)
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post03 Jun 2013, 01:55

Gutted...

"We're writing to inform you that your order has been canceled. We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. In most cases, you pay for items when we ship them to you, so you won't be charged for items that are canceled.*
Cancel Reason: Technical Problem "

It did seem too good to be true :-(
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planetlcd

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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post03 Jun 2013, 09:16

Amazon sometimes makes you go through the buying process and then your told the item doesn't ship to your country.

I did see this watch SBPA003 advertised cheap a few days after I bought mine and had a feeling it was too good to be true.
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post03 Jun 2013, 12:12

Is it rude to ask what sort of price you paid?
Amazon has others for 500 usd or thereabouts (excl import tax), or amazon uk for £499. I like this watch and might pay that.... but it would have to go in a display case lol!
Just wonder if there are any cheaper options (no import duties from europe but havent found any sites yet).

J
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post04 Jun 2013, 16:37

You should be able to find the model you're looking for at under $500 US. Here's a few sites I found.

My favorite site for Japanese watches, here's a SBPA003 stainless for $378.83 : http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/asr/item/sbpa003/ I know a few guys that had good experience from the above site.


$420 here, but it's the leather banded SBPA001: https://www.google.com/shopping/product/6305329047353370006?q=Seiko%20SBPA%20watch&sa=X&ei=FvqtUbmPA8zc4AO0_4GIAQ&ved=0CDUQwBMwAQ
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planetlcd

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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post05 Jun 2013, 00:41

I tried the rakuten site before I purchased mine elsewhere but found the price went above $500 once you registered an address with them for shipping. Maybe this was the case for shipping to Australia, other countries might be fine,

After lots of research for the full SS Model I found the prices to be over $500. But if you can get it under $500 at that site to your country then it's a good deal :)
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Re: Seiko Sbpa 003 review........................

Post05 Jun 2013, 13:16

With the USD strong compared to the Yen, these prices($500) seem too high.

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