July 2025 – Watch space

I have not had a Lorus watch for many years, but always reckoned them as good value. Perhaps not as innovative as Pulsar, which at the time was also part of Seiko. Pulsar unfortunately is gone but Lorus is still going. Looking at their current range, I spotted a model that for once does not have the ubiquitous large bezel and as I’m not about to go diving, the more conservative bezel look is fine.

This is the Blue Sunray solar (elegant Sports) model.

A nicely balanced dial layout in a stainless case with a single crown, it has a blue coloured dial with a horizontal texture background, luminous filled broad diver style hour, minute hand & markers, with a perimeter index 0-60 graduations with yellow highlights each 5. This is an applied sloped inner ring which, with the narrow and fixed bezel, maximises the face area – and being Solar powered, this aids light transmission efficiency. It has mineral glass, not sapphire which is OK as in my experience I can’t remember when I ever got scratches on any watch face I’ve owned. I kid you not!

The centre seconds aluminium hand is in bright yellow contrast and the Date window is a decent size @3 (instant set date). And importantly for me the dial is uncluttered, so clarity is good. The good size well knurled crown is case protected and the watch is rated as 10bar or 100m Water Resistance. The stainless solid back plate appears to be screw down, though why being solar, I can’t imagine, unless for servicing, which must surely be unlikely.

However, the two main features that attracted me to this model look good – namely the 100m Water Resistance and being Solar powered.

The solar module is the Epson AS32A and is regarded as efficient and reliable – with a full charge power storage time of around 4 months. Charging time for steady operation in sunny weather, just 15 minutes is required and full charge is around 5 hours and for I day operation, just 2 minutes exposure in good sunlight.

All positive so far.

The stainless bracelet is a three-fold clasp with push button release and fits to a lug size of 22mm. It is adjustable using a two prong push link pin between segments and the clasp has a 2 x position micro adjustment, which is just OK. And this is where the first slight negative comes on this model – for me at least.

I’m not really a fan of stainless steel bracelets (I much prefer Titanium ones) as I tend to find them heavy and a bit cumbersome unless of very good quality.
This one is just average, but knowing I already had a Detomaso Ocean strap which just happens to be a great match to the dial – I fitted that instead (see image). It also drops the overall weight down to a neat 65gms which suits me better. Incidentally the watch case dimensions are 42mm diameter & 11.2mm height, so not small, but just manageable with my medium wrists.

All up, I think it represents a decent looking model at a reasonable price of under £100 and I was quite pleased as I opened the box on arrival (always a good sign).

I’ll Post an update to this review once I’ve worn it for a bit. Then I can say with more certainty if it was worth it – being my first new buy for some time.

As always – Watch(this)Space . . . .

Just thought I’d check out the mainstream competition alternative to my Cestrian Field Watch I featured in the last but one Post.

Seiko 5 Desert Midfield Automatic – 100m WR

One that has similar features is the mainstream is the Seiko 5 ‘Desert Kit’ Midfield Sports Style.

Powered by the Seiko 4R36 Automatic movement with manual wind option, it has a similar Power Reserve of 41 hours. It also looks great with a khaki heavily textured matte dial complete with Lumibrite hands and applied grey colour numerals in plus markers. The seconds hand is grey with the point in red plus a small luminous arrow head.

The case is stainless steel and measures 36.37mm wide x 12.52 depth and is a well made solid case. The overall look of this model is more of a ‘Field’ style and the colour combination works well.

The crystal is of curved Hardlex and the case has an exhibition clear back. This model also features a good sized Day and Date window @3.

It has a Water Resistance of 10bar or 100ft and is supplied with a NATO nylon strap with proper metal keepers.

Overall this is a pleasing and solid looking model and is one of the lower priced Seiko models at the moment.

As to a comparison between the Seiko and the Cestrian, the differences are quite small –
Case – both stainless steel and similar size.
Movement – both have excellent Seiko automatic movements.
Crystal – both are excellent – Cestrian uses Sapphire – Seiko uses Hardlex.
Dial – both are excellent, clear and both feature a 24hr inner index..
Day and Date – Seiko has both Day and Date, the Cestrian is Date only.
Luminosity – both are excellent – Seiko’s Lumibrite v Super-LumiNova.
Water Resistance – Cestrian is 200m with screw down Crown – Seiko is 100m without screw down.

Price – Cestrian is around £135 (£160 list) – the Seiko around £245 (£260 list)

What do I think?
Both models are really similar in specification and style. Each has one plus point over the other –
Seiko has Day and Date v the Cestrian Date only, but the Cestrian has a 200m Water Resistance + screw down crown v the Seiko’s 100m. So, it’s really down to how you feel about those minor differences.
And of course price does matter.

So, considering the Seiko is twice the price of the Cestrian and particularly in this very close comparison. Especially as both models are equally as good.
But -Price and affordability matters – so, for me it has to be the Cestrian.

Note – I own the Cestrian myself (see earlier Post) and worn it since bought, so obviously I like it. For quality and value it is a winner.
What more can I say?