Seiko Sea Urchin Review: One of the Best Automatic Divers 2023

Hang on! Before investing in the Seiko Sea Urchin read this detailed Seiko sea urchin review
 
As a watch collector, there are some names that you can never miss. One of them is Seiko. The brand is famous for producing highly affordable automatic watches. As a watch collector, we are guessing so since you probably didn’t land here by chance. 

Any watch collector and they’ll tell you that they owned one or all of the Seiko 5 series watches. Thanks to the Seiko expert watchmakers for producing finely constructed and appealing watches at unbeatable prices.

Hands down, the best automatic diver watch from this collection is the Seiko Sea Urchin. The watch was launched in 1996 but is still a favorite in the market.  


The watch is as well-built as the Rolex Submariner, but just at a lower price. As always, Seiko maintains the perfect balance between the price and quality of automatic wristwatches, let’s find out everything that this watch has to offer, from great build quality to durability, to looks to prices.

Keep reading to find out the Pros and Cons of Seiko 5 Sea Urchin and Its Alternative that we have discussed at the end of this article.
 

Page Contents

Automatic winding


Self-winding watches have a rotor attached which winds the mainspring of the watch using the wearers’ natural movements. Like all Seiko watches, the Sea Urchin is also self-winding and does not require the user to wind it up manually. Isn’t it amazing?

Water resistance 


Seiko Sea Urchin is a diver watch built for divers, and as the name suggests, is worn while diving. Thus it needs to be waterproof. The watch exhibits phenomenal water resistance up to 100M like other watches in the Seiko line. 
 

Durable case and bracelet


Seiko excels in making beater watches, which means they can endure all sorts of rough and harsh treatment. Both the bracelet and the case of the Sea Urchin are durable and will last for years. Tried and tested by customers worldwide. 
 

Day/ Date display in a single window


Like all Seiko watches, the Sea Urchin has the same display of showing the date and day in a single window on the corner of the watch.
One feature that is common in all Seiko watches is that the crown is recessed at 4’OClock. The Seiko Sea Urchin has its crown at 3’OClock.   
 

Product specifications


What is so special about the Seiko Sea urchin is that despite being launched years ago, it is considered one of the best diver’s watches in 2023.
 

Case


Seiko Sea Urchin has a high-quality solid stainless steel case that will last you for a long time. The case has a diameter of 41mm and a depth of 13mm. It has enough bulk to feel solid and reliable but is still light and comfortable for people with thin wrists.

It is considered the perfect case size by most divers as it gives enough space for all necessary information. This feature makes it easy to operate even when you are underwater. 

The case-back is transparent which allows you to see the inner workings and movements of the automatic watch. The watch’s case has a hardlex mineral crystal that protects its dial and case back. 

Next comes the lugs which are 22mm wide and 46mm apart from each other. They have a polished satin finish which makes them look stylish and elegant. 
A push and pull crown is situated at 3 o’clock. The recessed crown affects its water resistance which is 100m. It is not ideal for scuba diving, but good enough considering the price range of the Sea Urchin.  

In addition to that, the Sea Urchin has a 60-minute unidirectional rotating bezel. The bezel allows you to keep track of elapsed time. It has a 120 click ratcheting which is amazing for a watch at this price.

The bezel is available in two colors; the SNZF17 is classic black and the SNZF15 has a Pepsi bezel. Unlike other watches of this price range, the bezel is even and sits perfectly on the case, and lines accurately with the dial markers. 

You may Also, Read our guide on Best military watches under $200 in 2022

Dial

Seiko 5 Sea Urchin Review


The Seiko Sea Urchins’ dial is similar to that of the Rolex Submariner. The face has a matte black finish which makes it a perfect match for both formal and informal events. The brand name and logo are printed on the upper half of the watch just below the 12 o’clock marker. The lower half has information regarding the watch’s water resistance and automatic movement.  
 
60 pointers for reading individual minutes and seconds have been marked along with the luminous hour indexes so you can read the exact time even when underwater. The dial has the date and day written on the same window at 3 o’clock. 
 

Movement


The dial and the case, both are remarkable. All the watch enthusiasts expect a great deal out of the functioning of the watch too. Just like all the other Seiko watches in line, the Sea Urchin is also powered by Seiko’s workhorse 7S36 movement. 

It has an automatic engine that derives power from users’ natural movements. It has a rotor on the inside that spins to charge the movements. The movements are equipped with 23 beautiful jewels which help to reduce friction and let the metal parts of the watch rotate smoothly. It vibrates about 21,600 beats in one hour. These mechanisms can be observed through its transparent case back.  

Now you must think what will happen when you are at rest, or when the watch is just lying on your side table? No need to worry about that as the watch has a reserve power of 40 plus hours. It will continue to work even if you don’t wear it for more than a day. 

Bracelet

Seiko Sea Urchin Review


The Seiko Sea Urchin has a 22mm thick three-link bracelet made of stainless steel of the same high quality as the case. The band is an “oyster style.” End links are removable and strap size can be adjusted according to your preference. 
 
The clasp is a fold-over type, a triple lock clasp that has spring-loaded security release buttons. This type of bracelet is easy to operate underwater, however, if you do not like its build, you can easily replace it. 
 

What Are The Pros and cons Of the Seiko Sea Urchin Watch?


Everything comes with its fair share of advantages and Disadvantages. So does this most valuable player of the Seiko line, the Seiko Sea Urchin. 

Before you make a purchase, make sure that you are aware of all aspects of the product. Even though it costs less than similar watches from other brands, knowing where you’re investing your money is important. Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of the watch.
 

Pros:

  • Reserve power of 40-plus hours. 
  • The hardlex material has a high shatter resistance. 
  • The watch is water-resistant. 
  • The crown is recessed which makes it comfortable to wear. 
  • Luminous markers help you to see time underwater. 

Cons:

  • The hardlex mineral crystal used in the watch’s case is more prone to scratches.
  • The mainspring cannot be wound manually even if you want to. 
  • It is water-resistant for only up to 100m
  • The crowded dial is not ideal for people with poor eyesight. 

What does the Customer say about Seiko Sea Urchin? 


Watch collectors worldwide absolutely love this masterpiece by Seiko sea urchin. The size is perfect as many consumers state. The design fits well with any attire. 

Some watch enthusiasts have been using the Seiko sea urchin for years and they have mentioned the commendable build quality, the long-lasting life, and the shine to be as fresh as it can be.

The prices fit most people’s budgets. Consumers find the Seiko Sea Urchin a better option than any other watch in this price range offering a multitude of exclusive features.
 

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Alternatives to Seiko Sea Urchin

While Seiko Sea Urchin is a great watch that provides you with numerous features in this price range, it might not be the best fit for everyone out there. A few alternatives that are as good as the Sea Urchin are:
 
Orient Ray II
Citizen Eco-Drive ProMaster
Seiko SKX009

 

Orient Ray II: Best Alternative of Seiko Sea Urchin


The Rolex Submariner set high standards in the watch market. Many alternative watches tried to incorporate their unique features. One of them is the Orient Ray II.
Just like the Sea Urchin, Orient Ray II is also an automatic watch. It is water-resistant and can travel up to 200m underwater with it. The watch utilizes 22 jewels for its smooth working and has a power reserve of 40 hours. 

The watch has a rubber strap that is 42mm thick and a stainless steel case. Its fixed crown and rotating bezel make it a perfect choice to wear while diving. One additional feature that this watch provides is that its bezel rotates with a click. This makes it easy to hear and operate underwater. 

Orient Ray II has a dial much more similar to the Rolex Submariner. The dial markers are luminous to help you see in the dark. Even though it is an automatic watch, it can be wound manually as well. This is another feature that the Sea Urchin does not provide. 

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Citizen Eco-Drive ProMaster


Unlike other watches, the Citizen Eco-Drive ProMaster is a solar-powered watch. The battery gets charged through the sun’s solar energy which lasts about 6 months. It has a solid stainless steel case with an aluminum bezel. Aluminum bezels are considered much better for underwater uses than steel bezels. 

The bezel has a 120-click system which does not produce much sound. This can be considered as a disadvantage of the watch as bezels with loud clicks are preferred for underwater use. The Pro Master allows you to dive as deep as 200m which is great for a watch of this price range. 

Its display is large and luminous and has a mineral window. Mineral windows are more prone to scratches than other materials like hardlex. If you’re looking for something cheaper than the Sea Urchin, you might want to consider this option.

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Seiko SKX009


Another one of Seiko’s watches is pretty identical to the Sea Urchin in looks. Like all Seiko watches, it is also made following the Seiko 5 guidelines. The watch is automatic with 41 hours of reserve power. It works on the self-winding principle so you cannot adjust it manually. 

Seiko SKX009 is water-resistant up to 200 meters which is great for diving purposes. Its case is stainless steel with an eye-catching Pepsi-colored bezel atop. The crown is at 4 o’clock instead of the traditional 3 o’clock so that your finger doesn’t keep jamming in.  

The dial is the typical Seiko style with the day and date written in the same window. Its markers are luminous and coated with the hardlex crystal mirror. It is an ISO-certified dive watch and one of the best alternatives to the Sea Urchin.
 

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Seiko Sea Urchin review: Final verdict


The Seiko Sea Urchin is a must-have watch for watch enthusiasts. The design is chic, the material is of top-notch quality, and it is automatic and water-resistant. Above all, the prices are way lesser than any other branded watch which has the same features. Is there any reason for you to not add it to your collection?

The surface is prone to scratches so you have to be very careful while using it. Moreover, the water resistance is up to 100m only. People with poor eyesight may have trouble looking at the dial. Before you make a purchase make sure you go over all the factors, all pros, and cons that come in the package.

FAQs

Is it worth investing in Seiko sea urchin?

Yes, why not? Seiko is a trusted brand with considerable Seiko sea urchin reviews. If you want to relish water-proof performance, make sure to opt for this option.

Can you dive with Seiko Sea Urchin?

This watch from Seiko offers 660 feet or 200m water resistance which means you can easily dive with Seiko See urchin.

Why is it called Seiko sea urchin?

No one is really sure, but it could be because of the longish minute markings on the dial that resemble the spines of the aquatic animal. It is also affordable and comes in a clutch of sporty dial and bezel variations which make it very popular with professionals.

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