Seiko in its long storied history has sparingly teamed up with other retailers on special limited-edition projects – like this steel grey-dialed JDM-only Seiko SZSB035 (4R35-02R0) TiCTAC 35th Anniversary Limited Edition automatic field watch here. 
 
Japanese retailer TiCTAC is a watch specialty shop that carries everything from popular brands to mechanical watches - like the SZSB006 and SZSB035 limited editions - and it opened its first store in Ikebukuro Parco, Japan, in 1984 and celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2019.  
 
On the face of it, there is much to like about the Seiko+TiCTAC SZSB035, as it blends a few different watch designs into one cohesive package – its case geometry and design borrow from the Seiko SARB line, and pair it well with the storied Seiko Alpinist’s cathedral-style hands similar to that used on its Alpinist and Baby Alpinist models.  
 
While technically not a Seiko Alpinist, the case can be made the watch visually belongs to that same family of watches - and those that know Seiko history know this is a family with a history strongly associated with Seiko dive watches.  And this is more than sufficient for a field watch like the SZSB035.
 
Also present?  Some heavy Omega Railmaster and Rolex 1016 design cues, without being too on the nose.  In summary, a fun throwback for those in the know without feeling too derivative.  All together, it works, with a Worn&Wound reviewer offering, “You ever see a watch and know you have to have it? That was me with the Seiko [SZSB035]”
 
The SZSB035 features a steel grey dial, which in some lighting conditions appears a dark grey and in other lighting, a much lighter hue; it features two Arabic indices at the 12 and 6 o’clock position, a date wheel at three, and printed rectangular steel indices for the rest of the hour markers.  All render themselves along vintage-inspired lines, in particular the 12 and the “open six”.
 
On the dial, each hash mark is uniform and crisp with a clean appearance overall, and the outstanding cathedral hands are large, legible, and possess an intriguing design that stands out on the dial – speaking of those in the know, cathedral-style hands were used primarily on military and pocket watches, and with their lumed hands all very much lend a vintage look to the SZSB035.
 
The final verdict?  Per a recent article in watch periodical Fratello, “When I first laid my eyes on the Seiko [SZSB035], I was conflicted.  Did somebody make a Seiko mod as an Explorer tribute?  I soon found myself intrigued.  Upon closer inspection, the Seiko SZSB006 visually works.  It works incredibly well, to be honest.  Sure, all credit to Rolex for creating the iconic 3-6-9 dial." 
 
"But I quickly started loving the [SZSB035] for what it is.  And to me, this is not a Rolex Explorer copycat.  Rather, it’s a clever combination of design elements that reflect Seiko’s roots.  That’s why I wrote about it before in a list of the best Seiko JDM releases…The watch is a perfect combination of factors that result in a great explorer’s watch.  As such, the link to the Alpinist line is very evident.”
 
This Seiko SZSB035 TiCTACC comes on a leather strap, and with nylon strap, springbar tool, and rugged travel case.