Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-5

The dial and hands on the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna have largely escaped major changes since the watch’s introduction 40 years ago. For longtime Tuna fans, the most recent changes to a bold arrow hour hand and a sword minute hand haven’t been met with universal appreciation, though it could be argued that the aesthetic found in the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna revision is a little cleaner and more modern, with fewer shapes and intersecting lines competing for attention on the dial. Beyond that, many of the watch’s core signatures remain intact, including its brilliant luminosity. Seiko has stated the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna is using a new proprietary formula of LumiBrite, yielding brighter and longer burn times — an awfully impressive claim, especially considering the brightness of previous generation Seiko divers.

Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-6

The dial itself is laid out nicely, starting with a steeply sloped chapter ring which terminates in a flat rehaut wherein each generously filled hour marker is painted. As awesome as this looks, applied indices on matte black or matching DLC posts would add a greater degree of depth and take this dial to the next level. The applied “Seiko” wordmark at 12:00 is also great touch, nicely contrasting the printed text at 6:00. It’s worth mentioning that four lines of text can be too much, but when watch-specific terminology is kept brief, and multiple fonts and sizes are used, it’s a pleasure to behold. Not naming names here, but a number of *ahem* Swiss brands could greatly benefit from a lesson in typography.

Advertising Message

Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-16

At 9:00, you’ll find another signature of the Spring Drive movement within: the power reserve. Love it or hate it, the indicator actually proves quite useful with a diver, while providing real-time feedback that the Spring Drive movement is something entirely different from a traditional automatic movement. With the gauge at front and center, you’ll notice how ridiculously efficient the movement really is — from quickly winding up to full juice, to slowly meting out its 72 hours of reserve power (more than enough to allow it to lay dormant for a long weekend), this is a watch that rarely takes a break — even when you do, it takes a great deal of effort to get it to stop running.

Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-9

Fans demanding more of a tactile experience with their watches will appreciate the 120-click, uni-directional bezel, which glides around the inner perimeter of the protective shroud with extremely smooth, satisfying precision. Gripping the deep ridges at 2:00 and 8:00 between the protective shroud’s cutout with even wet fingers is hardly an issue, and rotating the bezel still feels as though you’re turning the dial on a finely tuned combination lock to open a vault. The bezel’s glossy ceramic inlay is capped at 12:00 with an intensely luminous triangle that perfectly matches the tone and brightness of the lume within the dial itself.

Obviously, the shrouded case design will always be the Tuna’s most polarizing element in terms of both size and wearability, but it’s ultimately what makes the watch such a conversation piece, and a joy to wear.

Advertising Message

Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-20

The shroud is also guilty of greatly increasing the watch’s measurements on paper, however, the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna is unique in that it wears significantly smaller — and lighter (thanks to that titanium construction) than its intimidating 50mm (excluding the crown) case measurements belie. The dial and bezel together are only 41mm wide, but even more important, is how the strap is fixed to the lower flange on the shroud, rather than to lugs on the case itself (like the 1000 meter Tunas). This clever “lugless” design (measuring a reasonable 46mm from bar to bar) prevents the strap from being pinched outward at the wrist, enabling the watch to sit naturally flush, and more comfortably against the wrist. The 18mm thickness will probably be a hangup for some, but if you’re interested in wearing a Tuna with a suit or sleeved shirt, you’ll quickly find that Seiko makes no apologies for a watch whose dimensions have changed little since its commercial diving days in the ’70s.

Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-15

The included silicone/rubber B-22 strap might appear familiar for those with bad memories of Seiko’s stock Z-22 strap (a painfully stiff rubber OEM strap included on many Seiko divers), however, the strap is yet another upgrade Seiko has made to the Prospex line. Super pliable, breathable, and – most importantly — comfortable, the strap finally feels worthy of the watch it is attached to — something many Seiko fans haven’t been able to say for quite some time.

However, as great as this strap is, you’ll inevitably want to enjoy the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna’s impressive versatility on a wide variety of straps, but to do this, you’ll have to first do battle with the fat, shoulderless springbars that the watch ships with. And if you’ve ever tried removing shoulderless bars without drilled lugs, it’s a process only slightly easier than removing one’s own appendix. In fact, I’d probably rather give myself an appendectomy using only a springbar tool, than have to change these damn things again. Thankfully, a quick trip on “the Bay” revealed a bevy of double-flanged options in both wide and standard diameters, ensuring the pain of this procedure was a one-time affair.

Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-3

Even with its pseudo-luxury trappings, the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna will never be an everyday watch, or the starring role in a “one-watch” collection (if there even is such a thing), as it lacks the versatility of other classic deep divers like the Sea Dweller, Planet Ocean, or the Sub from DOXA. However, it more than makes up for this shortcoming by doubling down on personality that’s as much fun to look at and wear as it is to talk about. It’s sort of like a Mercedes G-Wagon: always a little out of place, but never unwelcome — unless, of course, you plan on taking it directly into the context it was actually designed for.

Seiko-Marinemaster-SBDB009-Spring-Drive-Tuna-17

But context aside, there’s one more thing about the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna that no amount of reading or photo-ogling will prepare you for: this watch is black. Very black. Make no mistake — it’s not black in a stealthy, “tactical pedestrian” sort of way, nor does it make any attempt to fly under the radar; it’s black in a sinister, soul-stealing sort of way — one whose sharp contrasts and mirrored finish give off such impressive depth, it draws the eyes in and threatens to swallow up anyone who stares a little too long. With a price of $3,600, the Seiko Marinemaster SBDB009 Spring Drive Tuna watch has a lot to offer potential buyers. seikowatches.com

Necessary Data
>Brand: Seiko
>Model: SBDB009 Spring Drive “Tuna”
>Price: $3,600
>Size: 50.7mm
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Mercedes Benz G-Wagon owners. Also, the history buff who not only loves dive watches, but wants to have the most refined option available. Any Seiko fan looking for a distinctive Spring Drive option to add to his collection.
>Best characteristic of watch: Lots to love here, from the Tuna’s distinct character and history, to the seriously impressive, and awesomely black case finishing.
>Worst characteristic of watch: The included strap runs a little long (though designed to fit over a wet suit, so this is forgivable). Also, those horrible, horrible springbars.


Advertising Message

Subscribe to our Newsletter