COLLECTOR SUMMARY
COLLECTOR SUMMARY
A Seiko Flightmaster SBCW005 (5M45-6A50): a 1997 titanium AGS/Kinetic GMT with black dial, 40x42x14mm case and 20mm lugs.
It belongs to Seiko's Master series era and showcases early Kinetic evolution, with travel-focused GMT usability and a purpose-built tool-watch profile.
The independently jumping local hour hand keeps minutes/seconds running, while the GMT tracks home time. Titanium build and vintage Flightmaster specs define the character.
This example combines the correct SBCW005 reference details, excellent condition, titanium bracelet around 18,5cm, and clear historical context in the notes.
BUYING QUESTIONS
BUYING QUESTIONS
Originality is described as carefully and directly as possible based on what can be observed and verified. Where parts are believed to be original, replaced or uncertain, that should be stated in the listing.
Service status is only represented as stated in the listing. If a watch was serviced or checked, that should be mentioned explicitly rather than assumed.
Timing performance can vary by age, movement type and service history. Any measured rate or performance note should be understood as an observation at the time of listing, not a lifetime guarantee.
Price reflects a mix of rarity, condition, originality, reference desirability and the time spent sourcing, researching and presenting the watch accurately. Some vintage Seiko references are simply much harder to find in honest condition than others.
If you want more detail before buying, additional photos and clarification can be requested.
SPECIFICATIONS
SPECIFICATIONS
COLLECTOR NOTES
COLLECTOR NOTES
Air land and sea..
Seiko's air land and sea watches have always been present in diverse line-ups. The newly launched Flightmaster models in 1993 were equipped with the early generation of Kinetic movements, known as Auto Generating System ("AGS"). Throughout the release of the Flightmaster range, they were powered by a variety of movements showcasing the evolution of Seiko's Kinetic movements.
The first titanium Flightmaster, the GMT model SBCW005, was introduced in 1997 and powered by the kinetic Cal. 5M45 with 7 days power reserve. The Flightmaster watches, as mentioned in the Seiko book "A Journey in Time", belonged to the "Master" series of watches including the Scubamaster and Landmaster. Seiko Designer Mr. Tokunaga calls the Flightmaster he conceived "a watch worth entrusting your life to".
GMT
The Flightmaster's GMT hand is slaved to the minute hand. The hour hand is independently adjustable in one hour jumps, without the minute or seconds hand stopping, and the date follows it. So the local time (and date - it follows the hour hand both forwards and backwards) is always shown with the main hands. The GMT hand always tracks whatever home timezone you synchronized it to when setting the minutes.
When the GMT hand is set to home time and you are at home, the normal hour hand and GMT hand come close together again as you approach the 24:00 timeframe. Obviously, the GMT hand rotates once every 24 hours, but the hour hand twice. This means GMT and hour hand move away from each other and back again in the same 24-hour period. In practice it is simple: when you hop on a plane, pull out the crown and adjust the main hour hand (not the GMT hand) in one-hour increments to the new local time. Minutes and seconds continue unhacked. Push back in and you are good to go.
Some Facts (Take Vintage Status Into Account!)
- Water resistance (not anymore): OEM capable of a 10 atmospheric-pressure depth.
- Shock resistance from a height of 3ft, either by dropping a rock from that height onto it or by dropping the watch from that height.
- Magnetic resistance: it could handle 16,000A/m when specs only called for 4,800A/m.
- Abrasion resistant crystal: Hardlex was used. Sapphire probably would have been better but would not have stood up to decompression.
- Heat resistance: +60 degrees C, which is higher than the world's maximum temperature.
- Cold resistance: 2mm thick crystal with AR coating to prevent fogging and glare. It was tested to -40 degrees C without a problem.
- Corrosion resistance: it is made of titanium and will resist corrosion if left in salt water for more than 24 hours.
- Chemical resistance: it cannot deteriorate from alcohols and cosmetic oils.
- Dust resistance: sealed against natural environment penetration (dirt, dust, etc.).
- Gas resistance: ammonia gas, carbon monoxide, etc.
- Luminescence: it was able to be read from a distance of 25cm in complete darkness (not anymore).
- Weight: made from titanium it only had a total weight of 56 grams.
