SEIKO PROSPEX SPB155J1 AUTOMATIC 38MM MEN WATCH

Can I swim or dive with it?

Swimming and snorkelling are fine. Scuba diving is not — Seiko rates this watch at 20 bar but does not designate it a diver's watch, and that designation is what permits diving, not the pressure figure. The 200 metres the rating corresponds to is a pressure equivalent, not a depth you can take the watch to. Screw the crown fully home before any contact with water, never turn or pull it out while the watch is wet, and rinse the watch in fresh water after swimming.

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.

How readable is it in bright light and in the dark?

Two separate things handle this. The curved sapphire crystal carries an anti-reflective coating on its inner surface, which cuts the glare that otherwise bounces back at you in direct sun — it reduces reflections rather than removing them entirely. In the dark, Seiko specifies LumiBrite on the hands and the indexes; it charges in light and then releases it, with no battery involved.

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 is a three-fold design opening on a push button release rather than a pin buckle, so there is no strap hole to wear through.

How does 38mm wear?

38mm is a classic, moderate diameter, and the 46mm lug-to-lug span is the figure that really determines how the case sits across the wrist. At 12.9mm the watch has some depth to it, which is what a 20 bar case and an automatic movement need. The complete watch weighs 144g. Any City Chain outlet can put it on your wrist before you decide.

What warranty does this watch come with?

The SPB155J1 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.