Seiko Caliber 8l35a

Seiko Caliber 8L35

Seiko Caliber 8l35a

Manufacturer Seiko
Caliber Number 8L35, 8L35A
Movement Type Automatic
In-House?
Yes
Diameter (needs confirmed)
Casing Diameter
(needs confirmed)
Height (needs confirmed)
Jewels 26
Vibrations Per Hour
28,800 bph
Lift Angle
53 degrees
Shock System? Diashock
Mainspring SPRON
Power Reserve
~50 hours
Rotor Direction
Bi-directional (Magic Lever)
Hacking? Yes
Hand-Windable? Yes
Functions Hours, minutes, central second hand, date at 3:00 (or 4:30)
Country of Manufacture Japan
Known Models
Prospex/Marinemaster (MM300) models: SBDX012, SBDX017, SLA021, SLA023, SLA033, SLA035 (SLA035J1), SLA037, SLA041, SLA019J1 (1968 green LE); Brightz Phoenix models: SAGQ001, SAGQ003 (Add more in the comments below)

The Seiko caliber 8L35 is an automatic movement that is based on the Grand Seiko caliber 9S55. As with GS movements, the 8L family is said to be assembled by hand at Shizuku-ishi Watch Studio in Morioka. This movement is currently found in several Prospex divers as well as some Brightz Phoenix watches. Generally, dive watches need a solid caseback for increased water resistance, so the 8L35 is rarely seen.

In 2015, Seiko began using MEMS (Microelectromechanical) parts including the pallet fork and escape wheel. At the time of this post (2020), the 8L35 is still found in new Prospex models.

In Seiko’s own words:

“This limited edition is equipped with the high-grade caliber 8L35, which is hand assembled and adjusted by Seiko’s master watchmakers at the Shizukuishi Watch Studio in Morioka. Assembled from 192 parts, it beats at 28,000 vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of 50 hours.” –Seiko

Seiko 8L35 VS Grand Seiko 9S55:

The 8L35 is essentially an undecorated version of the GS caliber 9S55 with a larger diameter balance wheel to handle the torque needed for the larger dive watch hands. The 8L family is not adjusted/regulated to the same standards and specs as a Grand Seiko movement. The 9S55 was announced in 1998 whereas watches with the 8L35 started showing up around 2000.

8L35 / 8L35A / 8L35B / 8L35C:

The general caliber number is 8L35, with 8L35A being the first version. The subsequent letter variations indicate evolution in the movements development.

Accuracy of the 8L35:

Seiko officially claims the accuracy of the caliber 8L35 has a rating of -10/+15 seconds per day in normal temperature conditions (between 5 – 35 degrees C).

Seiko says this about accuracy:

  • The accuracy of mechanical watches is indicated by the “daily rate.”
  • The accuracy of mechanical watches may not fall within the specifiedrange of time accuracy because loss/gain changes according to theposition of the watch, which is dependent on the conditions of use,such as the length of time during which the watch is worn on the wrist,arm movement, and whether the mainspring is wound up fully or not,etc.
  • The loss/gain of mechanical watches is not measured by a daily rate,but by daily rates of one week or so.
  • Accuracy variation according to temperature (The parts that compose the accuracy of mechanical watches are made of metals. It is well known thatmetals expand or contract depending on temperatures due to metal properties. This exerts an effect on theaccuracy of the watches. Mechanical watches tend to lose time at high temperatures while they tend togain time at low temperatures.)

In other words, they are telling you not to start freaking out because your watch isn’t within the accuracy range for one day, you will have to monitor your watch’s accuracy over the span of a week or so before you can get a real sense of your timepiece’s performance.

Power Reserve:

The caliber 8L35 holds a power reserve of at least 50 hours. To fully wind the mainspring, turn the crown a minimum of 55 times.

Crown Position Functions:

0 (against the case): Clockwise = Manual Winding / Counterclockwise = Nothing
1 (pulled out one click): Clockwise = Date setting / Counterclockwise = Nothing
2 (pulled out two clicks): Time setting clockwise and counterclockwise

Can you overwind the movement?

No. According to the Seiko documentation, manually winding the movement after it is already fully wound will not break the spring.

When can you adjust the date?

To avoid damaging your watch movement, do not adjust the date between 8:00 PM and 2:00 AM.

How often does the 8L35 need serviced?

According to official Seiko documentation, watches with the caliber 8L35 should be overhauled every 2-3 years. Learn all about Seiko service intervals here. At the time of this post, the starting cost of getting this movement services by Seiko is $398.00 USD.

In Seiko’s own words:

“Depending on the environment where a diver’s watch is used, its inner parts or movementas well as its case or band may be affected. We recommend that you have your watchoverhauled regularly once every 2 or 3 years.”

Brightz Phoenix:

As mentioned above, the caliber 8L35 powers some Seiko Brightz Phoenix watches that are available in other markets around the world (not North America). These watches feature an exhibition style caseback offering a view into the movement.

Here is an image that was posted on Photobucket:

Seiko 8l35 Brightz Phoenix Caseback

Screenshot of the Brightz Phoenix page from 2012:

Seiko 8l35 Brightz Phoenix

Examples of watches with caliber 8L35:

Additional Resources:

  • Seiko 8L35 official instruction manual here

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Lance Taylor
Lance Taylor
3 years ago

I have a MM300 SBDX017.
Great watch, with excellent time keeping and butter smooth sweep from the 8L35 movement.

trackback
New Watch Alert - 10/3/2020 - The Truth About Watches
3 years ago

[…] then there’s the Seiko Caliber 8L35 movement (base Grand Seiko caliber 9S55 with a larger diameter balance wheel to drive the larger […]

trackback
Reseña SEIKO SLA041 Tuna 55º Aniversario - SaFonaGastroCrono
2 years ago

[…] En su interior late el preciso y robusto calibre manufactura automático 8L35. Es uno de los primeros movimientos ensamblados en el taller de Morioka SEIKO Instruments Inc., establecido en 1970 y situado en Shizukuishi, bajo la montaña Mount Iwate. El calibre 8L35 fue diseñado especialmente para el uso exclusivo de sus relojes para buceo de gama más alta. Las especificaciones técnicas del calibre las podéis encontrar aquí. […]

John
John
2 years ago

Hi, my first watch was a Seiko hi~beat gifted to me around 75, sadly stolen at my high school pool. I have bought Swiss since then, Tag Heuer Pro quartz a decade and wore it out & unrepairable, that’s life . Omega quartz Seamaster Pro200 M&F pair we still own and going. Oris BC3 base model over a decade never serviced daily wearer (-1 mpm) Ball Red label Chronometer, still own nib. Longines Heritage 1935… Read more »

Jewel Runner
Jewel Runner
9 months ago
Reply to  John

Pointless post.

trackback
Seiko SLA017 - My highly anticipated......deception? -
2 years ago

[…] for its perfect 39.9mm case size, a beautiful modest sunburst dial, a dedicated inhouse diving movement 8L35 with 50 hours of power reserve and proper heritage. Such a watch checks all the boxes for a true […]

Mika
Mika
1 year ago

SLA049

Kelvinston MacGregor
Kelvinston MacGregor
1 year ago

Nice finishing on this movement then they go and cover it up with a solid back.

Marvin Saxwell
Marvin Saxwell
1 year ago

Why would you want a dive watch with an exhibition caseback?

Andy
Andy
1 year ago
Reply to  Marvin Saxwell

Blancpain 50 Fathoms

Jewel Runner
Jewel Runner
9 months ago
Reply to  Marvin Saxwell

It’s almost like different people like different things and you don’t even know. 300m + WR is still achievable with a display caseback so it’s good for the many people that like to see the heart of the watch every now and again.

trackback
Seiko Prospex SLA053 “MM300” – Beans & Bezels
1 year ago

[…] watch uses the Seiko 8L35 movement, which unlike the rest of Seiko‘s boring entry level movements is surprisingly well […]

Tom Beorn
Tom Beorn
1 year ago

I’ve had an SLA043 for a few days and it has an accuracy of +5 s/d which remains stable no matter what I do with it (and I’m not especially careful). It’s an amazing watch and movement.

Mats
Mats
1 year ago

Is its beat rate 28,000 bph or 28,800bph?
Thanks

Seikofan
Seikofan
6 months ago
Reply to  Mats

28.8k

Mats
Mats
6 months ago
Reply to  Seikofan

Thanks

Don
Don
1 year ago

Will this movement fit inside a Seiko Presage?

Gaetano
Gaetano
9 months ago

Hello,

I’m looking for a caliber Seiko 8L35C.

Iwish to know the price or that movement.

Thanks Kindest Regards

Deaninkl
Deaninkl
1 month ago

i have an 8L35, i’m guessing a C as I bought the watch last year new, an SLA051. having worn it for about 4 months as a daily and measuring against “Time is” webside the average daily difference is just under a second (+), It took about a month to get there, during the first mont it averages just under 2 seconds. I have a 4R that has a constant diference of -16 a days,… Read more »

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