A welcome view on the back of the case offers a view to the movement. It isn’t always the case that Seiko mechanical watches offer a view to the movement. Inside the Seiko SRPA71 is the Seiko in-house made caliber 4R35. This automatic mechanical movement has been around for about seven years at this point and is a solid mid-range workhorse that powers a lot of mid-tier Seiko timepieces. Operating at 3Hz (21,600 bph), the 4R35 has 41 hours of power reserve and includes the time with date.
Unlike some previous generation Seiko automatic movements at this price level, the 4R35 movement offers both hand-winding (in addition to automatic winding) and a hacking seconds (seconds hand stops when you pull out the crown) feature. It isn’t the prettiest movement in the world to look at, but it has a pleasant industrial look to it and I think owners of the Seiko Prospex Land Automatic will appreciate seeing it through the rear of the watch.
Seiko uses their “Hardlex” mineral crystal over the dial versus a sapphire crystal. This is really the price limit where I will accept a non-sapphire crystal. Seiko produces their own sapphire crystals, but then again they also produce Hardlex. Legibility through the flat Hardlex crystal is good, and it is also AR-coated on the bottom-side. My only issue is that despite its name, Hardlex as a material will scratch much more easily than sapphire crystal.
Seiko makes at least five different dial variations for the Prospex Land Automatic watch collection for 2017. The dial variations really only play with dial, and hand, and hour marker colors. Some models come on steel bracelets, while other models come on leather straps. The classic aviation-style dial has excellent proportions and hands. The luminant is Seiko’s LumiBrite, and is painted on the hands and hour markers. A date (with a matching black date disc) window is located between four and five o’clock – and should appreciated for not otherwise breaking up the ring of hour markers. I must say again that this watch collection really does excel when it comes to dial design which includes both legibility and proportions. Great hands as well.
Technically and aesthetically, Seiko did a lot right with the SRPA71 and its colleague models such as the black SRPA73 (SRPA73K1), same model but on a light brown leather strap SRPA75 (SRPA75K1), green-dialed on a dark brown strap SRPA77 (SRPA77K1), and the brown-dialed on a brown leather strap SRPA95. The price between the models on the steel bracelet or the leather strap varies by only $20 (a bit more money on the bracelet of course). It is sometimes amusing to consider that knowing that the difference between a strap and a metal bracelet on many high-end luxury watches is typically a few hundred to a couple thousand dollars (and that is for a non-precious metal bracelet).
Given the non-specific utility of the Prospex Land Automatic, it is difficult to be specific in determining who the watches are best for. I’d say that anyone looking for an entry-level “decent” mechanical watch at this price point should consider one – even though the choices (even just at Seiko) can be staggeringly overwhelming. I’d say a watch like this winds out when it offers the right size, movement, and aesthetic features someone is looking for. If you use the Seiko Prospex SRPA71K1 Land as watch you wear while actually exploring to the ends of the earth, then more power to you for sure. Price for the Seiko Prospex SRPA71 Land Automatic is $395 USD. seiko-prospex.com
Necessary Data
>Brand: Seiko
>Model: Prospex Land Automatic SRPA71
>Price: $395 USD
>Size: 42mm wide
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes, if this was my current budget for a watch.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Novice or more budget-minded traditional watch lover looking for a good mechanical sport watch, and perhaps wants to venture beyond Seiko’s dive watch models.
>Best characteristic of watch: Handsome, classic sporty looks which evoke a sense of purpose and poise. Comfortable on the wrist, and very easy to read dial with good proportions. Good value for the money.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Hardlex crystal will eventually scratch up. Wish the navigational bezel had more daily utility to it.
