Review: J.Springs Automatic J Model NPEA007Y

“J.Springs was introduced as a brand by the Seiko Instruments Inc. (or the SII) in 2001. As such, it is not surprising that we found Seiko movements powering the J.Springs quartz and mechanical models. Correction! Don't get it wrong. It is not the Seiko movements powering J.Springs. It is SII movements that power both Seiko and J.Springs. As I mentioned in my last preview on the BBH102 J.Springs sports diver, I acquired this Tudor Ranger look alike from a Lazada online store. The J models NPEA007Y field watch. Hmmh... if the watch case is square, it looks like the Bell & Ross pilot watch. Read below, my review on this Jap." – thetick-thetick2020

The J.Springs J Model

The J.Springs 'J' model was introduced in 2009, eight years after the brand entered the market. The J models are developed with a new concept of "back to basic'. Building on all the expertise in watchmaking, the company use the classic know-how partnered with a modern design. The J models were benchmarked as the higher line among the J.Springs products. They are fully made in Japan.

Specification and Pictorial Review

• Reference/Model No. - NPEA007Y
• Movement - SII Cal. Y675 Rev. C (Y675C), 3 hands date, 21 jewels automatic, 41 hours power reserve, 21,600bph, non-hacking and manual-winding, quick-set date 
• Watch Case - stainless steel, 44mm diameter, 13mm height, 51mm tip to tip, 22mm lug width
• Case Back - stainless steel exhibition screw case back
• Watch Crystal - mineral crystal
• Strap - leather with pin buckle
• Luminous Compound - not stated
• Water Resistance - 10 ATM / 100m / 330 ft

Read below, my pictorial review on this J.Springs J model.

A simple looking field watch... a pilot watch! This 3 hands-date timekeeper is cased in brushed and polished stainless steel. The indices, the brand name, and the watch references are printed in white on a matte black dial. Nothing shiny. The minute markers are a combination of baton shape and numeral at 3, 6, 9 and 12. Like the dial setting on the 'Bell & Ross' pilot watch.

The hour and minute hands are broad. It is combination of arrow and pencil pointers like the 'Tudor Ranger'. The seconds hand is painted with red on the 'lolly pop' tip. Besides the red, the entire hands are painted with silver. To blend with the silvery hands, the minute markers are also made with silver lining. The date aperture is positioned in between the four and five. (Note: it is 10:11p.m. The date is in transition so the number is off-centre). Silver print on black disc, the date matches the entire dial setting.

From this angle, we can see the depth of the dial. The minute markers are not printed but fitted onto the dial. They are slightly thick and raised above the surface. The bezel inner ring is brushed. Not shiny and no reflection onto the matte dial when exposed to bright surroundings.

This close-up shows the silvery settings. At 12 position, the dial is printed with the J.Springs brand and fitted with 'J badge or emblem' to mark the model category.

Side profile. A combination of polished bezel side and all brushed watch case. The case shoulder is recessed with almost triangular shape at both tips and aligned with the case lid underneath. 51mm tip to tip is considered big but the watch can hug even the smaller wrist.

We can see the workhorse used on this J model through the exhibition case back. The watch is using the SII Cal. Y675 made in Japan automatic movement. Similar to the Seiko Cal. 7S25 an the Pulsar PU4053. All the watch references are finely engraved.

Green and turquoise luminous compound. The lume glows quite bright but not so immense like the Seiko Lumibrite.

The watch comes with a tanned brown leather strap with white stitches. I don't quite like the two studs on the leather strap. It makes the watch look like a vintage pilot. I would prefer the field watch look, more versatile.

On my 17cm wrist. The watch looks 'normal', not so zilla-size! Nowadays, big size is standard for casual watches. I really like the combination of black matte dial and plain brushed bezel. The red tip on the seconds hand is so noticeable to tell you that the time is running... running fast!

My Opinion on this Watch

• The function – A standard daily timekeeper. The contrast between the big matte black dial and the broad hands make the watch easy to read. 100m WR is good for outdoor activities.
• The design – A very versatile looking timepiece. Depends on the strap used, it can turn to pilot watch or field watch. If we put on the crocodile or alligator leather strap, it will look like a modern dressage. The other variant NPEA005Y comes with oyster-styled bracelet, looks sporty and dressy.
• The construction – The stainless steel grade is good. Although not stated, it looks and feels like the 316L steel. Slightly heavy. The thick mineral crystal is great. A combination with matte dark dial makes the watch readable on every angle, non-reflective. Overall it is a solid watch. 
• Wearing comfort – The weight of the watch is noticeable because of the steel material and watch size. The case shoulder and the underneath are curvy to provide wearing comfort.  

“Lately, Seiko is quite boring! No new models to venture. What they have in their new lines are models with different cosmetics. That makes me explore other brands. What's next? Analogue chronograph! The digitals do the timing better. Can't read that small tiny hands and register though. Ah-ha, a GMT. 4 hands automatic or swiss quartz can do. Search... get the best money can buy. Okidoki, wait for the next watches review. Thank you for visiting my blog.” – thetick-thetick2020

Review: J.Springs 200m Sports Diver BBH102Y

“After spending long hours doing online search, I found two J.Springs watches that really interests me. One sold by a Malaysian online store at Shopee and the other one on Lazada from a seller in Singapore. After doing some research on the Internet, I acquire the two. The best money can buy. I got this J.Springs BBH102Y for only 50 bucks (US Dollar) or around two hundred ringgit from a Shopee store named Best Watch. After unboxing, I do all the basic inspection. I found that the watch has many surprises!” – thetick-thetick2020 

The J.Springs BBH 200m Sports Diver

The watch comes in four colours and two straps combination - black, white, blue, and orange settings fitted with stainless steel bracelet or the vented type rubber strap (like the Seiko). These models are from the J.Springs retro future collection. The most sought-after and difficult to find is the orange model. Not only that, it seems that the rest of the model now slowly disappear from the market. I believe the BBH sports diver is no longer in production.  

Specification and Pictorial Review

• Reference/Model No. - BBH102Y
• Movement - SII Hittori VX32 date 3 hands quartz (SII - Seiko Instruments Inc. Japan)
• Watch Case - stainless steel, 42mm diameter, 12mm height, 47.5mm tip to tip, 20mm lug width
• Case Back - stainless steel screw case back
• Watch Crystal - dome mineral crystal
• Strap - stainless steel bracelet with double safety clasp
• Luminous Compound - not stated
• Water Resistance - 200m / 660 ft

Read below, my pictorial review on this J.Springs 200m diver.

Set in steel, black, white, and red markings. With stainless steel bracelet, the watch looks dressy! I like the shiny ring between the bezel and the dome mineral crystal, shiny. I believe it is part of the watch case, holding the watch crystal. 120 clicks uni-directional scuba bezel. Very smooth and almost no play. Hence, the alignment is perfect in every turn! This really surprises me. The saw-tooth bezel is polished but grippy. I like the bezel insert. A contrast between black and silver print. I believe the insert is made of aluminium.   

Clean looking dial setting. The minute indices is printed in black and red, matching the watch hands. The rectangular shaped date aperture is a little bit inwards to align with movement underneath.  

The luminous markers' except for the missing at 3 o'clock position are finely printed in black lining. They blend harmoniously with the hour, minute, and the second hands. No movement and dial references printed at six.

The screw-down crown is not so big nor protruded, nice knurling. The crown is another big surprise. Sorry, I can't get a nice close-up on the crown pipe that is big. Sturdy, no wobbling on the crown when pulled out. On top of that, the screw-down crown is fitted with a spring! When pushed all the way down, you can feel it.

Side profile. The crown is proportionately sized and guarded by the watch case. Except for the top part of the brushed watch shoulder, the case is polished and curvy. 47.5mm tip to tip is not a big watch. The watch shoulder is recessed and in square shape at the tip.

 Simple screw case back. It is brushed with very simple engravings. No movement and serial number for this watch, just the model number.

Not the expensive, the stainless steel bracelet is lighter. The bracelet is brushed with polish line on the centre link. Double safety clasp, stamped with the brand name.

Not the standard Seiko Lumibrite. The BBH on the right, the lume glows in green. It is not so bright compared to the Seiko with Lumibrite on the left. But, still legible to read in the dark. 

On my 17cm wrist, the watch looks "dressy", ha-ha! I guess the latest divers are bigger than this 42mm. Anyway, I like the watch but not the bracelet. I guess I have to put on a non-metal strap so the watch looks more casual!

My Opinion on this Watch

• The function – 200m W.R. is suitable for all sort of water sports and activities. I am not sure about the 200m rating. Whether it is ISO certified or not, it was not stated in the accompanying watch booklet and manual. SII quartz timekeeping is acceptable as it is used in most of the Seiko watches.
• The design – A mix of sporty and dressage design. Simple and decent looking dive watch.
• The construction – The stainless steel grade is "very ordinary". Not the expensive type. Feels lighter. I do not think it is made of 316L steel. The thick dome mineral crystal is great. Not shiny when fitted on top of pure white dial but reading at certain angle might be a problem. Overall it is a good watch. We can't expect much at this kind of price. 
• Wearing comfort – The weight of the watch is unnoticeable because of the light steel material and watch size. The case underneath is curvy and ergonomically designed to provide wearing comfort.  

“I have many divers in my collection. Need a field watch. Big will be my preference. Soon after I bought the BBH102Y, I found what I am eyeing for. Ha-ha what a coincidence... another J.Springs! A Tudor Ranger look alike. Wait for my next watches review. The J model reference NPEA007Y. An automatic Made in Japan.” – thetick-thetick2020

OTW: The J.Springs

J.Springs is another brand belongs to the Seiko Group. It is produced by Seiko Instruments Inc. or the SII. SII produces quartz and mechanical movements for Seiko Watch Corp. and also used by other affiliate brands like Lorus, Pulsar, Alba, J.Springs, and Credor. Besides that, the movements are also used by licensed brands like Asic, Issey Miyaki, Tsumori Chisato, Jill Stuart, etc. SII has a long history in the Japanese watchmaking industry. Back in 1937, the company first started by the name Daini Seikosha Co. Ltd. Since then, the company has achieved tremendous growth until becoming a global watchmaking conglomerate we know today. SII watches movement and brands are well known of its quality, reliability, precision, and accuracy. Hence, their many achievements as world's first in watchmaking industry is well recognised.

J.Springs quartz or automatic watches connote to the heritage and spirit. J.Springs Japan “J” models are developed with a new concept “back to basic” since 2009. The brand produces there main product lines – the automatic collection, sports collection, and retro future collection. The brand gains popularity in Europe and Latin America but with small market penetration in the U.S. and Asia. Not like Seiko, the J.Springs models are limited by design. Now, the brand seems to slowdown. No new models introduced since the last five to six years and looks likely J.Springs is going to disappear from the market. I manage to acquire two from the latest line that is still available. The J.Springs 200m quartz sports diver Ref. BBH102 and the Tudor Ranger look alike - The J model Ref. NPEA007Y. Wait for my pictorial review on these two watches. - thetick-thetick