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Registered: August 2004
Review: Seiko Brightz Star Wars - Stormtrooper (Ref. SDGC011)
Fri, 09 November 2012 14:23
Last month, Seiko Watch Company released its Seiko Brightz Star Wars series of six watches. Each variation is dedicated to a Star Wars character; or in über-geek, three watches are dedicated to members of the Galactic Empire (Darth Vader, Darth Maul and Stormtrooper) and three are dedicated to members of the Rebel Alliance (R2-D2, C-3PO and Yoda). The series includes both mechanical and solar radio wave quartz watches.
Due to a licensing restriction with Lucasfilm Ltd., the series had to be produced in restricted quantities and could only be sold in Japan. Therefore, the Seiko warranty is only valid in Japan and the official marketing is written in Japanese. While each variation is sold individually, a Special Set of all six watches is also available. In this six-pack, all six watches share matching serial numbers ranging from 1 through 150.
The Stormtrooper (Ref. SDGC011) is made in Japan and produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces, of which only 350 are sold individually (numbered 151 through 500). The Stormtrooper design elements are harmonious and well-integrated into the timepiece without any compromise to utility.
The Glossy-White Dial
The sapphire crystal is coated with anti-reflective treatment on both sides for a clear view of the dial. The distinctive glossy-white dial is balanced and legible. The two-part dial is a play of white and black and the overall effect resembles the Stormtrooper battle armour. The glossy-white upper dial has high-contrast applied hour markers. A high-contrast Seiko logo is applied at 12 o'clock and the Star Wars logo is printed beneath. Cutouts between the hour markers reveal the matte white lower dial. The sunken subsidiary dials are highlighted in black and fitted with small black hands. A thoughtful finishing detail is that the "eye" of each small hand is painted white (the "eye" is where the hand attaches to the post). The day indicator is at 3 o'clock, the date indicator is at 6 o'clock and integrates the seal of the Galactic Empire, the power reserve indicator is at 9 o'clock and features a high-contrast ring that complements the hour markers.
A black seconds hand sweeps around the flange and the black lines of the seconds index resemble the air vents in the Stormtrooper helmet. Each hour around the index is punctuated by a Lumibrite dot. Lumibrite is Seiko's proprietary luminous paint; it is non-radioactive and emits light for 3 to 5 hours. In the dark, the Lumibrite hour and minute hands are visible within a luminous dial that resembles the Death Star.
The Death Star is a moon-sized super weapon that first appears in 'Star Wars: A New Hope'
The Manufacture Movement
The display back features a Stormtrooper that obscures the view of the hand windable Calibre 6R21 automatic movement. The mainspring of the watch employs a slipping mechanism to prevent the mainspring from over-winding. This same calibre is housed in the upper-tier Seiko Ananta line. In addition, the movement is machine finished and the rotor is decorated with stripes. The 29-jewel movement beats at a 28,800 bph and has a 45-hour power reserve.
Although the stated accuracy is +25/-15 seconds, the actual accuracy over the past month is +/- 4 seconds. I have no idea why Seiko understates this movement's accuracy. Perhaps one reason is to differentiate it from Grand Seiko's very strict tolerances; and perhaps another reason is to ensure its certification as a magnetic resistant watch. However, these are nothing more than speculation on my part and the point is that accuracy is more than satisfactory.
The Calibre 6R21 is a manufacture movement in every sense. Not only does Seiko fabricate the movement's SPRON 510 mainspring and every other component part, Seiko even makes its own lubricants.
The inner box has the same portrait of a Stormtrooper as printed on the display back
Details
The caseband is laser engraved "Stormtrooper" in the Aurebesh alphabet, which is the lingua franca of the Star Wars movies. The crown is capped with a synthetic white cabochon. The watch is water resistant to 10 bar and magnetic resistant to JIS Class Level I or 4,800 A/m (Equivalent to ISO Standard 764).
The caseband is laser engraved "Stormtrooper" in Aurebesh
The Diashield Case and Bracelet
The 41.7mm stainless steel case and solid bracelet feel substantial and are hardened with Diashield. Diashield is Seiko's trademark name for diamond-like carbon (DLC), which is a physical vapor deposition coating on all surfaces of the case, bezel, bracelet, deployant clasp, screws and pins. Despite being only three to eight microns thick, the DLC coating results in a dark charcoal to black colour that is extremely scratch-resistant and durable.
Since DLC coating takes on the characteristics of the substrate, the Stormtrooper has polished, matte and satin finishes. The presence of light makes the DLC coating over the Zaratsu ("blade") polished bezel and case back resemble smooth ceramic; the DLC coating over the matte surfaces of the case sides and bracelet reveal the softened grain of the brushed vertical lines; and the DLC coating over the satin finishes of the lugs has a deep lustre. Altogether, Seiko's Diashield is an extremely satisfying surface treatment in both looks and wear. Despite being a coating, Diashield appears bonded to the metal and, since it does not reflect light, there is no annoying glare. After a month of continuous use, there isn't a single scratch on any surface, including the clasp.
Conclusion
This is a well-crafted watch with a distinctive style. The Star Wars motif is stealth, which raises its desirability beyond a conversation piece. Meanwhile, the case and bracelet finishing are expertly done. The Zaratsu polishing is a finishing detail found in the upper-tier Ananta and Grand Seiko lines. The Calibre 6R21 movement is both accurate and robust. Overall, the Stormtrooper delivers a solid value and can be worn daily and enjoyed for many years.
I love to talk about nothing. It's the only thing I know anything about. Wilde
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