REVIEW: The Time Sonar Re-edition, SRPJ41 (and 43, 45, 47)

[inboost]

dapellegrini - I have the Strapcode 'Hexad' which I put on my Isoma. It's a very heavy bracelet but made well. It was too overpowering for the Isoma so it's off and in the watchband spare box at the moment. It's got straight links, but I could fab it up in the Time Sonar for a general look and feel if you like. IT might be a 20mm though so could be a little off.

[HiBeat]

Oct 7, 2022 12:22:26 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

HiBeat - do you own any bracelets from strapcode?  I am curious to learn how they compare with Larry's (uncle seiko)...

Yes I have a dozen Strapcodes. All top shelf in every way.

I probably have a dozen different versions of Larry's, many of them however would be rubber. When it comes to comparing stainless steel to stainless steel, I truly think the strap codes are a little higher quality. Which it's not to say that Uncle seco's are not top quality, just little things about the strap code or little beefier and a little better polished. They are both excellent. Never had one from either supplier that wasn't totally fantastic.

I have a couple Strapcode beads of rice on different models. I'll try and dig up some photos later. Meanwhile, that article that I linked above shows the SRPJ41 on the beads of rice, even though when you click on it just goes to the product page.

[dapellegrini]

inboost - no need for a photo - I would be for a different bracelet anyways.

HiBeat - thanks!  I have found that Uncle Seiko's bracelets for Omega will fit many Seikos and are more substantial, with solid end links and heavier bracelets.  I think I will be in for a BOR and Race bracelet for these new Time Sonars, from Strapcode to give them a go.  I wish they did them in 18 and 19mm for some of my vintage watches ...

[inboost]

Well, since I have it on hand, how about an olive drab strap?

oh yeah, a box may have arrived from Japan

[dapellegrini]

inboost - that is SO cool.  Everyone says the serial numbers rubbed off those old Time Sonar's  but yours is in such good shape it makes me wonder if there was ever a serial number on that case back?  Maybe they didn't put serials on them, or it is somewhere else?

[inboost]

I think lost back markings are from loose oscillating weights rubbing the inner back here to be honest. This watch has it's silver silk-screening applied on the inside of the plastic see-though back, so it's not wrist wear that erodes it. There is absolutely no serial number in the silver radial printing on the case-back. I did find one marking (looking through the back - I've not opened it yet) on the main plate though!

It's looking like 896 N or maybe N 968?

[saldog]

Oct 8, 2022 17:27:17 GMT -8 inboost said:

I think lost back markings are from loose oscillating weights rubbing the inner back here to be honest. This watch has it's silver silk-screening applied on the inside of the plastic see-though back, so it's not wrist wear that erodes it. There is absolutely no serial number in the silver radial printing on the case-back. I did find one marking (looking through the back - I've not opened it yet) on the main plate though!

It's looking like 896 N or maybe N 968?

That 8 looks right side up in the picture. A little bigger circle on the bottom than the top. What the hell does 896 stand for? By the way, what a freaking cool watch that is! Amazing condition too.

[dapellegrini]

Curious indeed....  There's got to be a serial hidden in there somewhere else...  Or maybe that's it - November (we already know 1976), 896 or 968?

[dapellegrini]

If anyone here is interested in the SRPJ43 (for personal use, not resale) - PM me.

[HiBeat]

Here is the same "slim case" SKX011 on an Uncle Seiko Beads of Rice.   Very comfortable.

[dapellegrini]

Thanks HiBeat - I ordered one of those and a Rollball version. 

I have the SRPJ43 inbound, and a lead on other(s) available at MSRP - but only interested in helping people out who will own, wear and love this one - not just flip for profit. 

Trying to even the universe out a bit.

[HiBeat]

Oct 9, 2022 17:21:16 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

Thanks HiBeat - I ordered one of those and a Rollball version. 

I have the SRPJ43 inbound, and a lead on other(s) available at MSRP - but only interested in helping people out who will own, wear and love this one - not just flip for profit. 

Trying to even the universe out a bit.

Yes the guy I got my SRPJ41 from sold at the discount shown earlier in this thread  I haven't even opened the box yet.

I am torn between a Christmas present to myself or a flip job for profit.  Time will tell.  I really do like this by seeing all the web photos.

[HiBeat]

Oct 8, 2022 6:54:47 GMT -8 inboost said:

Well, since I have it on hand, how about an olive drab strap?

oh yeah, a box may have arrived from Japan

 You are my hero Simon

[dapellegrini]

inboost - how about your Hexad bracelet on the new Time Sonar?

[dapellegrini]

Well, I would do another unboxing of this one, but it would be identical to the first.  Note: inboost - no instruction booklet in this one - and from a different retailer - so I think we can say definitively that no instruction booklet is included - that thing in the box is perhaps just a spacer?

Is curious to me that this is the more limited of the two - having it here in hand makes me think it would have a broader appeal with the slightly less "out there" colors

[inboost]

Oct 10, 2022 16:07:59 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

inboost - how about your Hexad bracelet on the new Time Sonar?

It didn't fit, 20mm strap, 22mm watch

In all honesty it didn't look the part, but maybe that was more about the straight ends? I dunno...I'm not too good at fashion as HiBeat pointed out

As for the limited status of the SRPJ43 - the story I'm making up is that the first 500 dials came off the line with the orange plastic far too dark. They stopped the line, fixed the mistake, and turned the Super Seiko Limited Edition printer back on. When asked what to do with the first 500 rejected dials, the sales team said "Make it an exclusive limited edition"

All joking aside, I would tend to agree that the darker dial would have far more mass appeal. So of course, make fewer of those and jack the price up. Right?

[dapellegrini]

So, I decided that this watch has a lot of Time Sonar, but only one "Rally" inspired piece - the bezel.  To balance things out I went ahead and bought the Rally bracelet from StrapCode.com.  It is supposed to fit the SKX007 so I figured this would be a perfect match.



Well, a few things.

First, I ordered this and BOR bracelet from StrapCode - both arrived quickly from Hong Kong.  End links are solid, spring bars are the fat boy variety, and the overall quality of the bracelet and clasp is certainly a step above my Uncle Seiko bracelets.  The links are also screw in types - extra points there - SOOO much nicer than cotter pins or pin and sleeves.





Second, while the links are screw-in - ALL of the screw heads were muffed on BOTH of my bracelets - still in factory wrap.  The cut out for the screwdriver head is very deep so no worries functionally - just wish they had better quality control on that.





Finally, the position of the spring bars does not align correctly with my SRPJ41 case. It is close, but definitely not lined up right.  I don't know if that is a manufacturing defect, or something different between this case and the SKX007.  After a lot of fussing around, I was able to get the bracelet to work using normal / thin style spring bars.  

Ok, so the bracelet itself - thick, heavy and chunky.  It definitely feels less cheap than the OEM bracelet.  This is my only Rally-inspired bracelet and I think I like it.  If I was being picky, perhaps it doesn't need to be this thick?  

[saldog]

Oct 13, 2022 13:47:32 GMT -8 dapellegrini said:

So, I decided that this watch has a lot of Time Sonar, but only one "Rally" inspired piece - the bezel.  To balance things out I went ahead and bought the Rally bracelet from StrapCode.com.  It is supposed to fit the SKX007 so I figured this would be a perfect match.



Well, a few things.

First, I ordered this and BOR bracelet from StrapCode - both arrived quickly from Hong Kong.  End links are solid, spring bars are the fat boy variety, and the overall quality of the bracelet and clasp is certainly a step above my Uncle Seiko bracelets.  The links are also screw in types - extra points there - SOOO much nicer than cotter pins or pin and sleeves.





Second, while the links are screw-in - ALL of the screw heads were muffed on BOTH of my bracelets - still in factory wrap.  The cut out for the screwdriver head is very deep so no worries functionally - just wish they had better quality control on that.





Finally, the position of the spring bars does not align correctly with my SRPJ41 case. It is close, but definitely not lined up right.  I don't know if that is a manufacturing defect, or something different between this case and the SKX007.  After a lot of fussing around, I was able to get the bracelet to work using normal / thin style spring bars.  

Ok, so the bracelet itself - thick, heavy and chunky.  It definitely feels less cheap than the OEM bracelet.  This is my only Rally-inspired bracelet and I think I like it.  If I was being picky, perhaps it doesn't need to be this thick?  

I think Rally style is a good choice and this looks like a nicely made bracelet, but I agree that the links are too thick and chunky looking. A bit thinner would fit this watch better I think.

[peterr]

i'm getting one tomorrow and i'll be putting it on a sand-blasted mesh
bracelet. i have a bias towards mesh, but i hate it shiny, so i have a few bead-blasted
and the rest i dull down with scotch-brite. seems like the case is dulled, by tumbling?
i'll have to see it to get it, but it sort of looks pre-worn.

that rally bracelet is amazing, i think it fits the watch perfectly.

[dapellegrini]

Thanks peterr - I really like it on the Rally bracelet too - its going to stay that way for a while.  The brushed bracelet fits fine with the "tumbled" case.  It's all a bit thick / heavy, but next to something like a modern Turtle you could call this a woman's watch...