Seiko x Beams Solar Prospex Fieldmaster Digital Tuna Watch Review (SBEP021) - Did Seiko Make A G-Shock?

Most of the watches that I've been reviewing recently are those that I've purchased for my personal collection. I tend to give a brief intro about why the watch in question interested me enough to spend money on it. Usually, it has to do with the merits of the watch, and often it has some meaning to me.

On the off chance that you're already familiar with the Seiko shown here, you might be thinking that I'm a huge fan of Japanese streetwear and that I had been searching far and wide for this 1/500 watch, which was only sold in Japan.

The truth is, I had never heard of Beams, or Lowercase before. I simply saw this watch on Instagram and thought it looked very cool. I searched on eBay, and there happened to be one for sale in Japan. I made an offer on it, that I expected to get rejected, and I "accidentally" bought it. I thought that it would be fun to experience how Seiko does a watch like a G-Shock.

First Impressions

After the purchase was completed, while I was waiting for the watch to arrive, I did some light research. It seems that Seiko teamed up with Japanese brand Lowercase to design this Landmaster model of watch, now nicknamed the Digi Tuna. This specific bright orange colorway version of the Digi Tuna is a collaboration with Beams, with whom Seiko has collaborated a number of other times.

Regardless, it's big and bright. The Tuna case design actually lends itself well to a sports watch. The contrast between the black solar and digital screen and the bright orange case gives it a very different look than the other, mostly black, Fieldmaster series.

Details

The entire outer part of the Beams Digi Tuna is made from bright orange plastic. A mineral crystal protects the negative LCD display, which is surrounded by raised solar panels.

As you'd expect from a Tuna, exposed metal screws secure a shroud to the inner case. It has an extra busy look on this watch, as the 4 function buttons are also silver steel.

The default mode displays the date along with two size zones on the display, which can be quickly swapped by pushing a button. The date is shown at the top, as well as the battery charge level at the bottom.

Wearing the SBEP021 Digi Tuna

Despite being almost 50mm wide, it wears surprisingly well, as Tunas tend to wear. The stubby lugs position the strap under the shroud, meaning that that lug-to-lug height is roughly equal to the width.

Despite the way it looks, this watch is only 14.3m thick. Yes, I measured with calipers to confirm, and yes, this watch really is thinner than a Tudor Black Bay Pro!

It's also mostly plastic, so it's very light. The curved case shape cause it to sit really tight on your wrist.

The Digi Tuna uses a friction bezel, that allows for timing by lining up the arrow with the populated minute markers around the edge of the dial. It's a bit difficult to grip and turn, and somewhat redundant on a watch with multiple timing functions built in, but it does allow for quicker access.

Legibility is decent for a negative display, and the time can be read at angles. It's not extremely bright, however.

There is also a function to illuminate the display for a few seconds if you tap on the crystal to allow it to be read in the dark.

Strap

The Beams Digi Tuna comes on a silicone wave strap. It's comfortable and very soft. Unlike other recent Prospex watches, it does not have a metal keeper, which I prefer for comfort.

Unlike many sports watches from other brands, it also uses standard 22mm lugs. This means that the majority of StrapHabit straps fit on it! FKM rubber works especially well on it, I've been wearing it on a Vented strap. Scroll to the end of the article to see and purchase different straps for the Seiko Fieldmaster Digi Tuna.

Movement

A solar module makes total sense on a digital sports watch, making this a fun one for summer. Seiko's caliber S802 features a backlight, world time, and various timing and alarm functions. The operation and features are very similar to those of a G-Shock It should run for 5 months on a full solar charge.

Another fun and unexpected (although not so useful) function is a mode that shows you solar charge information. The left side of the display shows the current charge level. The main display, as well as the graph on the right, shows the current strength of the light you're in from 1 to 11.

Conclusion

I like the Seiko Tuna style, and combining it with a digital module is an interesting juxtaposition. Its lightness and solar module make it a great summer grab-and-go watch. Its plastic case makes it less worrying to abuse, but the non-recessed crystal means it has less of a care-free feeling of wearing a G-Shock.

This watch takes on the bulky, techy appearance of a GPS smartwatch, but without almost all of the features. Some might view this as a negative but I find such things distracting, and prefer a watch just to do watch functions.

If you're a Seiko fan who wants a rugged outdoor watch with the functions of a G-Shock, but a different style, the Digi Tuna is an interesting option.

Specifications: 

Name: Seiko Prospex Fieldmaster Lowercase Beams Limited Edition
Reference Number: SBEP021
MSRP: $260
Diameter: 49.5mm
Height: 49.9mm
Thickness: 14.3mm
Lug Width: 22mm
Weight: 80g
Movement: Seiko Caliber S802
Water Resistance: 200m
Power Reserve: 5 months (20 months on power save mode)
Crystal: Hardlez
Crown:  Push-button
Bezel: Bidirectional, friction
Strap: Silicone

Shop Replacement Straps for the Seiko x Beams Prospex Fieldmaster Digi Tuna SBEP021:

Vented FKM Rubber

 

Ridge FKM Rubber

 

 

Slim Ridge FKM Rubber

 

Locking Keeper FKM Rubber

 

Premium Sailcloth Colorway

 

Distressed Canvas

 

Hybrid Sailcloth and FKM Rubber