Side by side

Seiko Prospex Sea PADI Special EditionvsVaer D5 Tropic Auto

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition
SeikoProspex Sea PADI Special Edition
MSRP $625
D5 Tropic Auto
VaerD5 Tropic Auto
MSRP $699

At a glance

11 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition43.8mm
D5 Tropic Auto39mm
Power Reserve
Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition41h
D5 Tropic Auto40h
Water Resistance
Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition200m
D5 Tropic Auto200m
MSRP
Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition$625
D5 Tropic Auto$699

Full specifications

Case

5 specs
Diameter
43.8mm
39mm
Thickness
12.8mm
12.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
48.7mm
46mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
AR Coating
Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
Inner
Lume
LumiBrite on hands, index(es) and bezel
None

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
4R35
Miyota 9015
Power Reserve
41h
40h
Jewels
23
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$625
$699

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

Seiko Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition

The Seiko Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition is widely praised for its attractive, jewel-toned teal or emerald green dials with wave patterns and vibrant PADI color schemes. Owners and reviewers note its solid build quality, refined case, and good value, with some highlighting the laser-engraved bezel numerals and LumiBrite for legibility. The 6R55 movement offers a 72-hour power reserve, while the 6R15 provides 50 hours. Accuracy figures vary, with the 6R55 rated +25/-15 seconds per day and the 6R15 around +/- 15-25 seconds per day. Some find the lug-to-lug measurement, around 49.5mm, potentially long for smaller wrists, and one owner noted a unique case design made the watch wear top-heavy. Another owner found the finishing and bracelet design basic. Overall, owners and reviewers appreciate the Seiko Prospex Sea PADI Special Edition for its striking dial aesthetics and solid dive watch construction at its price point.

Vaer D5 Tropic Auto

Owners widely praise the Vaer D5 Tropic Auto for its excellent value, vintage aesthetic, and comfortable 39mm size that wears larger. Specific highlights include the bezel's satisfying click action and subtle shine, beautifully finished lugs that pair well with a jubilee bracelet, and a dynamic black and cream dial with a unique date feature. The incorporation of brushed steel, quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes, and good timekeeping are also frequently mentioned positives. The Vaer D5 Tropic Auto is considered good value with excellent water resistance, making it a great daily wear, and its fit and finish are often compared favorably to brands like Hamilton and Tissot. On balance, owners rate the Vaer D5 Tropic Auto highly for its blend of vintage styling, practical features, and strong value proposition.

From video reviewers

The dial design is a standout feature. The Miyota automatic movement is also noted.

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