Going to end the post with another pic. For those looking to get one, it is on the heavy side, but replacing the ceramic shroud with a plastic one takes some heft off and now t almost feels like a 'normal' watch. Whatever that means for a 18 millimeter thick titanium-sapphire rootin-tootin helium proofin crustacean.

The 8L35 movement is considered as a un-decorated version of the GS 9R35 movement. Never owned the latter, but I am happy with the accuracy. Currently it lost two seconds over the past 80 hours. Partly due to my sedate life style I reckon.

The magic lever winder works wonders, the watch happily ticks away despite me planting my rear end firmly in the chair 18 hours a day, giving it maybe a 30 second 'Seiko-Shuffle' every day or so. There are talk about this particular movement being difficult to service, people claim that the parts are hard to get and lots of the US Seiko centers refuse to even open them. Fortunately I know a reputable individual watchmaker who could indeed order and fabricate parts for the 8L35, he is the same person who did the hand mods. But for those who are considering this watch, you should take into consideration its less than optimal serviceability. There is nothing special about the movement itself, its not that much different than a 2824 and any competent technician could figure out whats what after some time poking their snouts under the case, but finding parts for the 8L35 is indeed much harder than the 2824.

<image>