With all of the hand-finishing, complications, and hype, the watch world can become quite affected. When it gets to be too much, sometimes you want to wear “just a watch.” For me, I’ve found my reset button with a JDM Seiko pilot watch, the SXCP155. More than any other watch, this little charmer melts into the background and just does its job.
This watch was released in 2019 in collaboration with Nano Universe, a Japanese clothing and streetwear brand. It was offered in a variety of colors, including a full lume dial and a PVD gold version. Wanting something simple, I opted for the steel with black dial and white indices on a black rubber strap.
Based on the Seiko “SUS” models from the mid-1990s, this watch features a strong, matte, 35mm case . Save for a vintage LeCoultre, this is the smallest watch I own. Despite this, it has an outsized amount of wrist presence. This re-edition possesses the Mark XII-inspired throughline of its predecessor. As with the original SUS, despite its diminutive size, it is immediately legible at a glance. The blunted hour hand and pencil minute hand are quite distinguishable from one another. Moving towards the outside of the dial are twelve bold arabic hour markers. Minimal embellishments include Seiko wordmark at twelve, the iconic “S” logo, “Water Resist”, and “10 BAR” at six.
While this is a simple watch, it is by no means boring. It offers a distinct case with strong lugs and an interestingly undercut bezel, while the dial is crisp and clear. It offers the time and nothing else. The handset is a nice nod to military watches. This is a watch that is confident in its design to offer just enough and no more. It doesn’t make itself known, but it is always available for when you need the time.
The original strap was nice quality though a bit short, so it did offer the opportunity to play around with a few more combinations. I’ve enjoyed wearing in on either and 18mm grey NATO or perlon. Especially on the perlon, its weight is imperceptible. My favorite strap pairing, however, has been a dark brown Hodinkee Reid strap with white stitching. I picked up used from another TGN Slack member. The buttery softness and subtle elegance of the strap complement the watch’s reserved design perfectly. It’s a winning combination.
This watch has been a revelation. It’s certainly found a permanent place in my watch box or Dopp kit. Its reliable timekeeping and unassuming readiness make it a quiet yet indispensable companion for any occasion.
