Glashütte Original SeaQ Hands-On Review
The Glashütte Original SeaQ is an interesting and unique entrant into the dive watch category. While it may not currently have the history or the following of the Rolex Submariner, it is a nice option at a time where Rolex dive watches are not readily available. In many ways the SeaQ surpasses the Submariner in quality of build.
I was lucky that Glashütte sent me a two-tone SeaQ on nylon strap to wear and review for a week. While I am generally not a huge fan of two-tone watches, the SeaQ offers a toned down two-tone that only displays hints of gold around the bezel and the crown. In my view, the two-tone SeaQ represents one of the best two-tone watches available on the market.
In the stainless steel case, you can really see Glashütte’s attention to detail. While most of the case is brushed, there are polished lines across the edges that add a little bit more sophistication to the piece.
The SeaQ is a 39.5mm watch that wears a little bit smaller. This is due to the lack of crown guard and the slim case, which I prefer. Because of the slim case, definitely slimmer than a Submariner or Sea-Dweller, the SeaQ wears very comfortably and looks good on both larger and smaller wrists.
The blue sunburst dial on the two-tone model is stunning. It is no surprise that Glashütte blue dial offerings for both their two-tone and stainless steel options, given the popularity of the blue dials on the Patek Philippe Nautilus Ref. 5711 (now discontinued) and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Refs. 15500 and 15202 (among other popular blue dial watches).
It will be interesting to see how many buyers there are for a dive watch priced similarly to a Submariner or Sea-Dweller but without the decades of heritage. However, the build quality of the SeaQ is just as high as Rolex’s dive offerings, make it a great choice for someone who does not have an established relationship with a Rolex AD or is unwilling to pay grey market prices.
The Glashütte SeaQ is not an inexpensive piece, starting at $9,000 USD for the stainless steel model with rubber strap and topping out at $12,500 USD for the two-tone model I reviewed.