Hands-On: The Seiko Prospex SNJ025 Aka The 2019 ‘Arnie’
By James Stacey
Even a casual Google search will uncover a lot of Seikos in a lot of movies, but it’s hard to think of any Seiko that is quite as finely tuned to a specific vibe and time period as the Seiko H558-5009. One of the first analog-digital dive watches, the H558-5009 became synonymous with one actor and two of his most well-known roles. I’m talking of course about Arnold Schwarzenegger, and 1985’s Commando, and 1987’s Predator (respectively). In both action-packed and predictably pumped-up roles, Schwarzenegger wore an H558-5009 on wrist. And, while both hunting down mercenaries and being hunted by aliens, the H558-5009 became known as the “Arnie”. For 2019, the Arnie is back with a few subtle updates that do little to diminish its burley testosterone-fueled appeal.
Arnie with an Arnie in 1987’s Predator (copyright 20th Century fox).
With the “choppa” mentions out of the way (please, stick around), let’s take a look at what Seiko is now calling the “Modern Interpretation of the 1982 Hybrid Diver’s Watch,” also known as the 2019 Arnie, or the SNJ025. Available in three different colorways, the SNJ025 is the most authentic to the original H558-5009, with a black 47.8mm Tuna-style shrouded case, polished lugs, a uni-directional rotating bezel with a black elapsed time insert, and Seiko’s usual dive watch dial design wearing a tiny LCD for a hat. It’s an analog-digital combo just begging for jungle warfare against unscrupulous enemies and a big veiny wrist to call home.
Kidding aside, while the SNJ025 is indeed 47.8mm wide, 14.4mm thick, and some 51.3mm lug to lug, you might be surprised by the way it hugs a less-than-physically-impressive wrist (like mine). Yes, it’s massive, but it wears really well, lightweight and relatively square in proportions with a soft 22mm wide black silicone strap. Honestly, if you’ve never worn a larger tuna-style Seiko case, it’s hard to understand. But while the SNJ025 looks huge, it’s not at all hard to wear – though it does help if you’re the type who frequently eschews sleeves.
Powered by a solar quartz movement, the H851, the SNJ025 offers analog time that is synchronized and set by an electronic crown and the supporting digital screen. Using two locking pushers on the left case flank, the screen offers a handful of additional functions, including a …read more
