Seiko SBCA001 or Precista PRS10?

[Apneadiver]

I started off with a couple of thoughts involving citizen and seiko military watches but in the end strayed pretty far from where it began in terms of the initial automatic or ecodrive factor.
Anyway I got to a smaller case with battery powered quartz which I wasn't intereted in at first. If only the snzg15 was solar and bm6401-07e was a tad less blingy but oh well.
To cut to the chase, I'm aware of many similar options to what I've described so I'm not after suggestions. What I am after is a comparison based on user experience, opinion and so on, also the odd photo wouldn't hurt of the seiko sbca001 and precista prs10.
I've decided that these two are the hard and fast show down so it comes down to just them.
Any experience or comments, pics or whatever on these two to help along would be appreciated.
Which is the best of the two and what would you go for? Which ever I choose will go on a grey g10 strap.
Cheers.

[tribe125]

I've owned both. First some pictures of the Seiko -










And now the only picture I can find of the Precista -





They're similar but different. The Seiko is a little more sophisticated, the Precista has that 'we didn't really care about the looks' thing that true military watches sometimes have. Or, to put it another way, the Seiko sells despite it not being a 'proper' military watch, the Precista might not sell unless it was a proper military watch (although it's the CWC version that is the authentic issued version).

Another thing that struck me, not having looked at these photos for a long time, is that I thought I wouldn't mind still having the Seiko, but didn't think that about the Precista.


It depends what you want - a very good example of a simple military-styled watch, or a slightly cranky-looking watch that has been issued to troops (but by CWC, not Precista).

The domed acrylic on the Precista also has a strong distorting effect from just about every angle except straight-on.

The Seiko is discontinued, I believe, but is probably still available.

[heebs]

I may have missed this in your OP, but are you set on new stuff? You could always pick up an older CWC G10 for not too much money and would have something that's not only vintage but likely actually an issued piece.

[Apneadiver]

Thanks tribe 125, this is pretty much spot on to what I'm requesting. Great pics and some well rounded opinion and info.
It really is a pretty tough call as both watches, on paper at least, are very similar spec wise however I'm inclined to agree with your opinions on these two and am on a slight lean towards the seiko at this stage.
Thanks to heebs also, I did look at the cwc initially once I started to head this direction and that's how I got onto the precista which I feel is an upgrade if for nothing else but the 100m vs 50m water resistance. I also prefer the long battery life and date window of the precista.
I'm not searching for a piece with preownership history but I do however like the historical design of the precista and cwc.
I'm basically after a new watch which I will issue myself I guess because I don't want to wear a gshock.

[LarryCfromTexas]

I have not owned either, so take that with a grain of salt. But, I think the Seiko is a watch that can be worn with anything in any situation. I'm not sure the Precista is that way. You can put a black leather strap on the Seiko and you can wear it with a suit or nicer clothes. On a gray NATO, as you are going to use, it's great with any casual clothes. Put it on an orange Zulu strap and you have a fun weekender.

Mr Tribe's great mini-review should be a big help to you. I think he hit it on the head that the Seiko is a bit more sophisticated, and that makes it more versatile for me. Bottom line - there is not a bad choice between these two, IMHO.

Good luck in your choice.

[thesameage]

I'm looking at both watches right now too. What did you eventually decide on? Any idea where to find that Seiko?

[samael_6978]

I'm looking at both watches right now too. What did you eventually decide on? Any idea where to find that Seiko?

This Seiko is JDM only. You can buy it from one of the Japanese sellers.

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[thesameage]

What are some reccomended JDM dealers?

[samael_6978]

Seiya, Higuchi, and Chino are mostly used by members of this forum. Top notch customer service.

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