SEIKO PROSPEX SPB101J1 AUTOMATIC DIVER’S 200M MEN WATCH

Can I actually scuba dive with this watch?

Yes. Seiko designates it a diver's watch rated to 200 metres, which is a different and higher standard than an ordinary 200-metre water resistance rating — it is why the crown screws down, the case back screws in and the bezel turns one way only. Screw the crown fully home before entering the water, and never turn or pull it out while the watch is wet. Saturation diving, which uses helium-based gas mixtures, is outside its design. Treat the 200 metres as a pressure rating rather than a depth target, and have the water resistance checked whenever the case has been opened.

Is there a wrong time to set the date?

Yes, and the window is specific to this calibre. Seiko's instructions for the 6R35 say not to set the date between 9:00 pm and 1:00 am, because the movement is engaged with the date change during those hours and adjusting it then can stop the date advancing the following day. Unlock the screw-down crown first, move the hands to a safe hour, set the date, then set the time — and screw the crown back down when you have finished.

How do I keep an automatic running?

The 6R35 winds itself from the motion of your wrist and can also be wound by hand. It holds approximately 70 hours when fully wound, so a weekend off the wrist is not a problem — but if it has been left for longer it will stop, and it needs winding or a period of wear to build the reserve back up before it will keep time reliably. Like any mechanical watch it also needs periodic servicing to stay accurate and water resistant; City Chain can arrange this for you.

Will the bracelet be sized to my wrist?

Yes. City Chain offers complimentary bracelet sizing at any outlet — bring your warranty book along for the service. The clasp also carries a built-in extender, which is there so the watch can be let out over a wetsuit sleeve and taken back in afterwards without tools; it is separate from the sizing itself.

What is the rotating bezel for?

It measures elapsed time. Line the bezel's zero marker up with the minute hand when you start, and the minute hand then reads your elapsed minutes directly off the bezel scale. It rotates in one direction only by design: a knock can shift it so that more time appears to have passed than really has, but never less — which, on a dive, is the safer error.

How does 45mm wear?

This is a large watch and worth trying on. The figures that matter most for fit are the 52.6mm lug-to-lug span, which is how far the case reaches across the wrist, and the 12.9mm thickness. At 188g it has real weight to it, which many divers prefer and some find a lot for daily wear. Any City Chain outlet can put it on your wrist before you decide.

What warranty does this watch come with?

The SPB101J1 comes with a 3-year warranty when purchased from City Chain Singapore, an authorised Seiko retailer. The warranty covers manufacturing defects rather than accidental damage, wear or routine servicing. Keep your warranty card and proof of purchase — both are required when submitting the watch for service.