reintitan
2622
SUS 4S15 Military (ref. SCFF003)
After 17 years I finally got a SUS 4S15 Military. Seiko's SUS line came out in 1996 and was Seiko's very successful attempt to get young people (20 - 30 years olds) interested in watches in general and mechanical watches in particular. I became aware of the line in the year 2000 when I was just starting to get seriously into watches. But by then the SUS line was discontinued and many of the more popular models were already hard to get, especially the "4S15 Military" models.
I did find a used SUS 4S12 GMT model with black dial in 2001 which I purchased from Japan. After a few days of wear I found that the dial was almost impossible to read at a glance and I ended up selling it.
Seiko's 4S series caliber of movements were discontinued in the early 2000s and a non-Grand Seiko replacement movement (that hacked and could be hand-wound) was not introduced until almost 10 years later with the 6R and then the 4R series. However, unlike both the 6R and 4R (21,600 bph), the 4S series are high beat (28,800 bph) which also illustrates that the 6R and 4R lines were derived from the workhorse 7S series (21,600 bph, non-hacking, non-crown winding). IIRC it was rumored the 4S calibers were too expensive to make for non-GS watches (that is, too expensive to not charge GS prices for watches with these movements).
Here's a good blog post for the two SUS 4S15 Military models (there were around 8-10 different watches in the SUS line catalog, including automatic, Kinetic, and quartz models and many dial color variations):
https://www.seiyajapan.com/blogs/news/46197313-seiko-sus-4s15-catalog-1996-nov
I would eventually hunt for one of these two SUS 4S15 Military models off and on for the next two decades. They rarely come up for sale and when they did most of the time I would be too late (already sold) or I was already committed to another watch (not enough funds). But this time the planets aligned and I was able to pick up this example with its original box and strap pin buckle. Only the leather straps are not OEM on this watch.
There was a black dial version (ref. SCFF001) and the more uncommon silver dial version you see here (SCFF003). The black dial version has always been more popular, but I personally I like the silver dial just a tad bit more.
The strange thing is that the cases for the SUS 4S15 Military models were "distressed" at the factory with scratches and micro abrasions so each one has its own unique patinated look. Somehow though it works for this watch and despite being 21 years old they still look modern. Further, only the hands have luminous. The dials are totally non-luminous. The crystals (both front and back) are Hardlex.
The watch is also quite small in accordance with today's fashion, only 35 mm Ø. Much like a JLC or IWC Mark 11 which is where Seiko clearly got their inspiration from. However, like its inspiration, it's a joy to wear and very comfortable.
After such a long hunt it finally feels good to have it on the wrist.
Front photo swapped
This message has been edited by cazalea on 2017-10-19 07:43:18
SUS 4S15 Military (ref. SCFF003)
After 17 years I finally got a SUS 4S15 Military. Seiko's SUS line came out in 1996 and was Seiko's very successful attempt to get young people (20 - 30 years olds) interested in watches in general and mechanical watches in particular. I became aware of t...
You are a most persistent guy to chase a watch for almost 20 years!
Congratulations on locating one of these very nice and very rare military Seikos. I like the look of it, and the box looks unique too. Cazalea
Thank you Cazalea.
I'm surprised this thin cardboard box survived in such condition all these 21 years.
Thank you Ron.
Definitely the longest hunt I've been on, but also definitely worth it in the end!
Lucky you!
Been after the watch for about two years now myself and can only congratulate you on finding it! They do seem to be almost impossible to get these days Will keep looking Of course, since I cannot imagine you tiring of yours