Which new Seiko Prospex Kinetic from Baselworld 2014 would you get?

[D'Andy]

I am interested to get another rough-and-tough watch, and have been interested in the 48mm Seiko Prospex Kinetic GMT since its debut during Baselworld 2014. 2 months ago, I started to see model nos. SUN021P1 and SUN023P1 in the local market. My initial preference was to get the SUN023P1 but later considered that this may end up to be yet another "too colourful" piece that I could only wear on Casual Fridays or weekends.

Todate, I have yet to see model no. SUN019P1 in local shops as yet; although an overseas retailer that I have previously made purchases from, had informed me that he has stock and could FedEx a piece over to me in 3 working days after payment. I saw another overseas forum with a similar which-prospex-to-get poll and thought that it would be interesting to see what would our Malaysian favourite be.

Price differences between all 3 models were relatively insignificant, so let your fingers do the talking.

[gunsnroses]

Love all 3 pieces but at that size, it's too big for my little wrist. Would end up looking like power rangers.

[D'Andy]

Love all 3 pieces but at that size, it's too big for my little wrist. Would end up looking like power rangers.

I'm taking a leap of faith too; but yeah, just made the online payment in USD and hopefully the watch would be here by the end of this week. At 47.5mm, it would be as big as my EcoZilla but I think it looks better, and should wear better too. Let's see how the poll goes 

[Everdying]

i wouldnt touch any of them.
tried all of them on my wrist, huge monsters regardless of what anyone says.
it would go well if u had a 7.5" wrist, but other than that...there is too much strap overhang if on the silicone strap...and just too heavy on bracelet.

[Timeless]

Yellow one looks awesome.

[D'Andy]

Received my SUN019P1 vide FedEx today and my goodness, what a chunk of a behemoth metal it was! I was wearing my BR01 today and side-by-side, both watches' frontal profile seemed to equal each other's footprint. But the thickness of the Prospex made it more similar to my Ball Hydrocarbon John Hembel, although the Ball was much lighter as it was titanium while the Prospex was stainless steel through and through. I liked the toolish stainless steel grain and Tuna-look of the Prospex, and did I mentioned that it was one big chunk of behemoth metal?!

I will try matching this baby with leather and nylon Nato straps later, and see if the combination would be a good fit. Am also thinking of getting Isofrane straps (black/blue/orange straps come to mind) - anyone with experiences with Isofrane? I don't want to spend USD109 per strap only to find that it feels cheap or uncomfortable thereafter. Online reviews on various forums seemed to really paint these straps as stars in their own right.

For its asking price, this baby is well-worth its weight in gold. Now to see if I could carry it. Pardon my enthusiasm as I'm like a young boy in a candy store now. It's been a while since I saw an affordable timepiece that seemed to be worth more than its price.

[Yikkie]

Received my SUN019P1 vide FedEx today and my goodness, what a chunk of a behemoth metal it was! I was wearing my BR01 today and side-by-side, both watches' frontal profile seemed to equal each other's footprint. But the thickness of the Prospex made it more similar to my Ball Hydrocarbon John Hembel, although the Ball was much lighter as it was titanium while the Prospex was stainless steel through and through. I liked the toolish stainless steel grain and Tuna-look of the Prospex, and did I mentioned that it was one big chunk of behemoth metal?!

I will try matching this baby with leather and nylon Nato straps later, and see if the combination would be a good fit. Am also thinking of getting Isofrane straps (black/blue/orange straps come to mind) - anyone with experiences with Isofrane? I don't want to spend USD109 per strap only to find that it feels cheap or uncomfortable thereafter. Online reviews on various forums seemed to really paint these straps as stars in their own right.

For its asking price, this baby is well-worth its weight in gold. Now to see if I could carry it. Pardon my enthusiasm as I'm like a young boy in a candy store now. It's been a while since I saw an affordable timepiece that seemed to be worth more than its price.

Congratulations on your new acquisition! Wear in good health bro.  I am extremely tempted to get one but have bought way too many watches this year.  It is indeed extremely great value for money.  Do post a wrist shot and if possible, a review. 
As for the Isofrane, I recently bought one for my Submariner and I must say that the quality is top notch!  The isoprene based strap is extremely soft and flexible.  Very comfortable to wear.  The smell of vanilla is also very pleasant.  I might be addicted to sniffing my strap!    Yes, it is definitely not cheap but it is a fantastic strap with great looks, quality and heritage. 

[toolkit21]

I would say Tuna is at a size more manageable than Kinetic GMT. I felt they've "steroid" up the shroud a bit too much there.

Just for your reference, here's what my Tuna SBBN017 looks like on a blue Isofrane with IN buckle (brushed stainless steel).









And how an Aquadive looks on orange Isofrane





.

[Yikkie]

Wow!  The Isofrane looks great with the Tuna!  Is that an Aquadive Bathyscape in your last photo?  That is a fantastic looking watch and the orange Isofrane really makes it "pop"! 

[Gilthoniel]

wow! the kinetic GMT is actually one of the timepieces I'm aiming for recently. Congrats on the purchase bro!

I've heard of Isofrane and I was really close to ordering one online for my Sumo. Just wondering if it's available locally? Would love to try it on my sumo and like what yikkie said, the vanilla smell is something I really need to sniff to believe! 

Toolkit, excellent wristshots you got there! Must be one hell of a dive watch enthusiast + isofrane! Any detailed reviews for us isofrane potential buyers? The Bathyscape really looks fantastic with the orange strap!

[D'Andy]

Thanks for the well wishes, mate and I have posted a first impression of the watch @ http://www.malaysiawatchforum.com/index.php/topic,14051.0.html. Obligatory wrist shots were embedded therein too.

Toolkit's pictures of his Tuna on Isofrane just had me making the purchases on Aquadive. Been reading online about the many different types of rubber straps; and found that generally, most WIS agreed that Isofrane was the de-facto benchmark for quality diver straps despite it's high cost. So what else could I do but to make the few clicks and type in the credit card no. (NB : Is there nowhere in KL that we could just march in and get immediate stock?)

I'm really digging this watch- it's really a lot of watch for the silly money that Seiko was pricing it at; and I can't wait to pair it with the Isofrane to enhance the wearing experience. It's on Nato leather now as the original bracelet was really chunky and heavy, so I'll just keep it in my box of watch accessories for the interim period. All in all, very value-for-monies...

[toolkit21]

andytagheuer, I think you may mistook the Tuna as Aquadive?

The blue Isofrane is on a Seiko Tuna SBBN017, while the orange Isofrane is on a Aquadive BS100 DLC.
Apologies if there was any confusion.

Heard from Red Army they may bring Isofrane in their stores.


Either way, you'll have to try it, smell it, use it, wear it.
Only then you can price the Isofrane as great value.

[JayKay]

great looking watch! What a monster!

Do you mind PM-ing me where did you get it from? Can't seem to find anywhere willing to give more than the usual discount

[D'Andy]

andytagheuer, I think you may mistook the Tuna as Aquadive?

The blue Isofrane is on a Seiko Tuna SBBN017, while the orange Isofrane is on a Aquadive BS100 DLC.

Hi Toolkit, I meant I ordered Isofrane from Aquadive's website. No confusions there and thanks for the pics.