5 Best Pick Trustworthy Mechanical Compass Watches from the Seiko LAND

No watch helps you better in a new city or when you get lost than compass watches. They help keep your bearings and locate nearest landmarks. Going on camping or hiking? Compass watches are the best as they come in handy. These watches are specifically designed for outdoor enthusiasts, backpackers, trekkers, and others alike. They all come with a compass each but their appeal is more than that.

The compass function on a mechanical watch is far more functional, unique, and easy styling to your need. It has markings that show the cardinal directions of north, east, west, and south. It can also be rotated both clockwise and anticlockwise. Compass watches have a long history from explorers to nowadays being used as field watches. It is reliable as long as you reserve energy from motions or wind up, it won't run out of power.

So for you who are looking to buy one, choose the one with high durability and reliability like the Seiko compass watches. They are highly recommended. But with so many compass watches in Seiko's collection, you can be sure that some are better than others. So how do you get the best? Continue reading.

1. Seiko Prospex Land Master GMT Mechanical 25th Anniversary Limited Titanium Model SBEJ003

Seiko Prospex Land Master Titanium Model SBEJ003 characterized with a Navy Blue FKM Quick Release rubber watch strap fortification

The big and bulky Seiko Prospex Land Master watch has one major purpose, and that is to brave the wilderness. Best for adventurers, and with a heavily engraved “Limited Edition” on its case back, it is part of the collection of Seiko Prospex.

The Seiko Prospex SBEJ003 comes with a titanium case material with super-hard coating. The big-sized hands and indexes are coated with Lumibrite, making the thickness of the compass legible. With a mechanical GMT movement on caliber 6R64, the rotating bezel and GMT hand are easy features of this model.

If you want to experience the feel of an enhanced analog waterproof with an accuracy of +25 to -15 seconds per day, this SBEJ00 Seiko compass watch is best for you.

Left: Seiko Land Kinetic GMT Sports SUN053P1 paired with a 5 rings military green ZHAKA style watch strap. Right: Seiko Land Master SBEJ003 goes with a high density ballistic nylon Black/Green nylon strap

The Seiko Prospex Land Master GMT SBEJ003 is very unique, with a set of codes for emergency signal printed on the inner chapter ring. On the right of the image, SBEJ003 goes with MiLTAT G10 military watch straps which are made with the use of high density ballistic nylon. The nylon is cut and sealed simultaneously to using ultrasonic knives so as to prevent fraying.

On the left : The MiLTAT ZHAKA 5 rings military watch strap is a 3D woven nylon water repellent coating material. It has various sizes in 20mm, 22mm, or 24mm watches, in less bulky strap. It fits well with Seiko Mens Land Kinetic GMT SUN053P1 that has an approximate case thickness of 15mm, and diameter of 45.6mm.

2. Seiko Land Kinetic GMT Sports SUN053P1 in Hybrid Style

Seiko Hybrid Style Land Kinetic GMT complemented with all Black 24mm FKM rubber straps, an easy upgrade to another level of a cool dark look. Left & right

Another featured compass watch is also from the land series of Seiko, the Land Kinectic GMT watch SUN053P1. This GMT SUN053P1 is equipped with a hybrid electro-mechanical movement, which shows the function of the second time-zone with utmost precision. It is a new land sport model, the best for mountaineering and all kinds of adventure. With caliber 5M85, its case material is stainless steel with a see through case back. Moreover, it gives a whole new look with its buckle clasp.

3. Seiko Prospex SRPG17K1 and SRPG18 Tortoise Land models

Two Tortoise Land models : SRPG17K1 in stainless steel case and SRPG18 in rose gold tone elegance reinforced with a Grey Rubber watch strap and Orange Ribbed Nylon watch straps

Inspired by the 'Turtle' diver's watch', the Seiko Prospex SRPG17K1 and SRPG18 Tortoise Land models are Land timepieces whose feature and shape are similar to that of tortoise, the shelled creature. With a 42mm steel case, it holds a sleek black dial which comes with date window located in the 4 and 5 o'clock position and luminescent indexes. They are controlled by the 4R35 automatic movement, and they have rotating compasses bezel with about 200 meters resistance to water.

These Tortoise Land models can be suited with a One-piece Nylon strap which is considered the most comfortable. SRPG18 paired with a convenient orange colour strap that fits almost all style of clothing. These watches are classic when reinterpreted with a modern twist.

Not only does the One-piece Nylon strap fit these Tortoise Land models, the Grey FKM Rubber watch band is also a direct fit. With a straight end lug end style, it has an easy installation and removal process. It is one of the best watch strap replacements for dive watches such as the Tortoise Land Models.

4. Seiko Alpinist SARB017 and Seiko Prospex Alpinist

Seiko Alpinist SARB017 and Seiko Black Alpinist SPB117J1 both enhanced sporty looks with White and Grey Quick-release FKM rubber watch straps

Seiko Alpinist is considered one of the best Seiko watch. It was invented in 1959. It came with a screw-back case to keep dust and sand particles away. The original Alpinist comes with a leather watch band that prevents perspiration, but the image above shows two Alpinists that have been changed into two FKM rubber straps. These rubber straps have thick end pieces that well fit diver watches. With a new perforated style to aid ventilation, they are waterproof and easy to fix.

Seiko Alpinist is eye-catching and unarguably attractive. It comes with reliability, great specs, collectivity, accuracy, and versatility. But the major reason people choose Seiko Alpinist again and again is its green dial which is very stunning and unique. It may not be for everybody, but you can be sure that once a good pairing is found, heads would fall over heels for it. Another amazing thing about this watch is that it doesn't select wrist sizes. It looks good on both small and large wrists.

Seiko Alpinist is of two kinds. They are the SARB017 and SBDC091. The former has been discontinued since 2018 and everyone is so desperate to own it. Many people were heartbroken for its discontinuation. It was a unique and gorgeous watch. Its successor which is SBDC091 was later brought to play.

Both watches have a lot of similarities with few differences. For instance, the SARB017 had a regular stainless steel back with a 6R15 caliber, but the latter has an exhibition window which allows you to peek through the 6R35 caliber.

5. Seiko 5 Sports SKZ209J1 200m Atlas Diver

Seiko 5 Sports SKZ209J1 Atlas go great with one-piece RAF N7 3- Woven Nylon Watch Strap

The Seiko SKZ209J1 Atlas Diver is unique, distinct, and durable. It is given the name “Atlas” for its internal rotating sun compass ring. Those that do jungle trekking and hiking have this watch to their very own advantage. It has a unique and sporty stainless steel case with a diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 13mm.

The watch is bulky, hence it is more convenient for those with large wrists. It has a large rotating bezel with knurled edges which gives room for better grip. It has a date and day window which has a beveled metal frame around it. The watch makes it easy for you to keep track of the day and date with no stress but with just a glimpse of your wrist.

Seiko Atlas Diver another unusual and attention-grabbing Sand color Chaffle - FKM rubber watch strap

The toughly built Seiko SKZ209J1 is polished case die cast from a solid piece of stainless steel. It comes with the traditional diver-style markings with enlarged markers.

It becomes more attention-grabbing with the sand color Chaffle rubber strap combination. The rubber watch strap is made with solid and high density FKM rubber. The strap has a retainer design that holds the watch band keeper in place without losing its flexibility.

How to Use the Compass Watch Bezel

Using the compass function depends on the user, whether they are located in the northern hemisphere or southern hemisphere.

Let's assume you are in the northern hemisphere, you just have to rotate the watch until the hour hand faces the sun. Then turn the compass markers until south which is mostly represented by "S" is halfway between the hour hand and 12 o'clock.

If you are in the southern hemisphere, all you have to do is to rotate the marker "N" also north is between the hour hand and 12 o'clock.

Always remember to turn the watch until the hour hand points towards the sun every time you want to know or check the direction. Ensure you adjust the compass markers every couple of hours.

Yes, it's as simple as that.

Internal References

• At a glance on a Luxury 24mm Big Watch : Seiko Landmaster SBEJ003!
• Seiko’s HYBRID Kinetic SUN053P1 GMT Landmaster
• New Seiko Prospex LAND Tortoise Watch Collection
• Meet & Greet the New 2020 Seiko Prospex Alpinist

Written by Victor, images by Toni