Is the Miyota worth $130
By Dave Kowalski, Chicago ยท
The Helmsman is the Swordfish's slightly fancier brother. $529 and the Swordfish is $399, and the main difference is the engine. Helmsman gets a Miyota 9015, Swordfish gets the Seiko NH35.
The 9015 beats faster, so the seconds hand sweeps smoother. It's thinner too. 42 hours versus 41, which is nothing. The case is about the same story, 40 mm, 12.5 mm thick, 20 mm lugs, black dial, date, rotating bezel, sapphire, 200 m, bracelet.
Would I pay $130 for a smoother sweep? Honestly, maybe. I'm a sucker for it. But the 9015's rotor can get a bit whirry when you move your arm, and some people find that annoying in a quiet room.
The Helmsman also has more of a classic look, so if that matters more than the movement, there you go. If you're a pure value guy, the Swordfish. If you're a "I want the nicer one" guy, which, let's be honest, most of us are, the Helmsman.