Seiko Turtle Padi SRPA21

Watch that fit for Scuba Diving Instructors: Seiko Turtle Padi 

The golden yellow and the ever green of the Paddy/Padi crops. Padi is the local Malay word. However, we are not taking the agriculture lessons here......

This is more like it. PADI is the organization that trains and certifies open water divers. So it is not surprising that Seiko diver watches trying associate with it. I have wrote twice about Seiko Turtle Reissues. 

First Here~~~ Seiko Prospex SRP775

then Here~~~ Seiko Prospex SRPC49K

Therefore I won't brag about this Seiko Turtle PADI in length.

I bought this Seiko Turtle PADI back in Christmas season 2017. Yea, another Limited Edition...bla bla bla.....

So what is the differences between this one and the rest? First, its box has a stamped PADI logo 

Secondly, it has the Pepsi bezel. The Pepsi blue dial or perhaps the Ocean blue dial has a PADI stated on it. The Lumed Minute hand has an outer red highlighted. 

As with the rest, let's the photos do the talking.......

So after wearing this watch, we can start going Scuba diving.... nah, I hardly swim........ 

Ninja Turtle: Seiko Prospex SRPC49K

Black Turtle aka Ninja Turtle

Is that time of the year again..... Wishing everyone A very Prosperous New Year with abundance happiness!  Suppose to put up this post on the first day of Chinese New Year...... Hahahahaaaaaaaa lazy bone....

Ahem.... see what watch arrived during this festive time. I ordered this in December 2018 and only arrived days before Chinese New Year. Alamak... blew my tight budget; broke again....

My black turtle came somewhat late. Everyone posted their turtle in their blogs, on their facebook and almost everywhere..... But I am certain that I am the first in my town and first in my state. I usually do not fancy watch with PVD coating casing. Maybe was traumatized by scene of old black watch peeling off their paint. 

However when I learned Seiko is going to launch the black turtle, I just could not resist this black beauty. This was the advertisement that cast a love spell on me....... Prior to this, I already have the SRP775 and the Seiko Turtle PADI SRPA21. I just picked up the SRPA21 during Christmas 2017. 

Well this is labelled as Limited Edition, but Seiko never specify how many are there..... Anyhow this is still a gorgeous 45mm diver whether it's limited or non-limited. 

Most Japanese Ninjas wear black attirese. The stainless steel case is PVD coated with a mix of matt and gloss finishes. Matt finishing on the anterior and mirror finishing on the sides and posterior.  This watch also has a matching monochromatic black bezel.

The bezel is uni-directional. I think the bezel insert is kind of dull with its grey and black colour scheme. Another feature that this Ninja stands up among all the other turtle is its dial. 

The dial is classic Seiko diver, with the Suwa sword at 12 and the Prospex logo above the six. What differentiate this dial than the rest is in its colour. Seiko used a more retro creamy orange Rumiburaito (Lumibrite) paint on its hour indices. The orange colour minute hand is evocative and down right sexy. 

The glass is a hardlex mineral crystal.... Maybe is time for Seiko upgrading its drivers's glasses to anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal. 

Turtle case are pretty robust. The thickness is about 47mm. This watch due to its strap, it is weighting only 109gm. Personally, I felt the case is a little bit rubberized from the PVD coating. 

The new silicone strap of Seiko is very comfortable in wearing. It is soft, super flexible and not heaty after long hour of wear. But I think it is collecting white dust easily. The strap has a black metal keeper with Seiko engraved on its. The stainless steel buckle also has a matching PVD coating and is signed with Seiko. 

This watch also has a matched black beauty screw down and lock crown. This ensure the watch can withstand water pressure until 200m depth. 

Oh ya, this watch is also anti-magnetic. 

This watch has the day and date function at its 3 o'clock position. 

The back case is a screw down chunk of stainless steel. At the centre of it is a very beautiful engraving of tsunami wave. Limited Edition is stated at the case back. 

This diver is powered by Seiko 4R36 movement that has 24 jewels. 4R36 can be handwind and with hacking function. This movement is beating at 21,600 bpm and has a power reserve of 41 hours. 

Wrapping up this post with a new resolution for this Chinese New Year..... "Think of it; and GET IT DONE!!!"

P.S. Wonder whether Seiko will come up with a sexy red female Ninja????

Ole ole ole is Alba Fifa World Cup 2002

Yeap is that time of the year.... is football or soccer fever.... is a time when the World stands still, united in one voice just to shout "GOALLLLLLLL!!!". This is the year for Brazil World Cup 2014. I want to bring you twelve years back, to year 2002.

The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. What made 2002 World Cup so special is that this was the first (and so far the only) World Cup to be hosted by two traditional rival countries. (with reference from Wikipedia)

ALBA V501-X218 (2002 FIFA WORLD CUP KOREA JAPAN Edition)

Here is a commemorative watch for the FIFA World Cup 2002 by ALBA watch company. Alba is a sub-brand of Seiko Watch Corporation. It first appeared in 1979. Using Seiko's movements but with modern styling designed to appeal especially to younger customers, Alba watches are primarily aimed at Asian markets in the hope of creating long-term loyalty to the Seiko group as these customers' purchasing power increases. 

I bought this watch back in 2002 for under RM200. Actually there was another Seiko commemorative FIFA chronograph, but that one did not appeal to me. This watch comes in a white paper box. Unlike other commemorative edition or limited edition watch, this one doesn't have any fancy wooden box or packing. The front of the box is printed with the FIFA Korea Japan 2002 World Cup logo. 

I still have the original watch label on it. There is also an official FIFA licensing hologram sticker on the label. From far, this watch looks like ordinary ALBA V501 Quartz watch.  

This watch has a 36mm case made of stainless steel with sandblasting treatment. It is very light and have the look of military watches. It is just a simple 3 hands watch with white military dial of 1-12; 13-24. The hour and minute hands are lumibrited.

The case shape is very classical, simple and nice. I would say it is a relatively clean design. The center of the dial is a logo of FIFA 2002 Korea Japan World Cup. You can find the brand Alba sidelined at 3 o'clock position. 

This watch is fitted with a Polypropylene military strap. This is neither a Nato or a Zulu strap. It is just fitted with an ordinary stainless steel buckle. 

The stainless steel case back is a simple snap on and can be easily open with a knife. The only surprise of the case if the engraving stated "copyrighted 1999 FIFA tm". The case back also stated a water resistant of 5 bar or 50 meters depth. This is suitable for everyday use and swimming but definitely a big NO NO for poolside diving, snorkeling or water sports.

This watch uses the Seiko Epson V501 Quartz movement. This is a very simple and cheap movement. V501 usually is seem in Seiko's sub-line watches like Pulsar, Lorus and Alba. You certainly cannot compare this with Seiko Quartz movement used in Seiko watches. 

Despite what being said, this is still a very descent watch that serve for casual daily wearing. It serves its core functions well. It can tell time loyally and it serves as a souvenir and a memory for the World Cup 2002. 

Although this watch has never been worn, the effect of time has taken its toll. The chrome plated crown has shown sign of wearing off. Never mind, the crown is not signed and can be easily replaced. 

If you're interested in stylish, cool designs and value for money, Alba is for you. The watch also serves as a memory that Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0 in the final.

I am never a die hard football fans for several reasons. Match fixing, and football betting just kill a great sport. No matter how, I always look forward for the World Cup and hoping to see a sheer display of athleticism, sportsmanship, fair play and great teamwork.......