I have had the SSC019 for a while now and wanted to offer my thoughts about the watch.  First off, it really does look better in person than it does in the stock photos.  The red/blue scheme, commonly referred to as a "Pepsi" scheme, looks great and the fit and finish of this watch are top notch.  It feels solid without being too heavy and is equally at home in both formal and casual settings.  Bottom line: this watch looks and feels much more expensive than it is and it draws a lot of compliments.

The fact that it is solar powered means it requires little or no maintenance and will still be running even if you do not wear it every day which is something that mechanical and battery powered watches simply cannot do.  The power reserve is good on the watch and, though I have not tested to see exactly how long it will last, I know it is good for at least a couple of weeks and the Seiko manual claims it will last several months on a full charge.

Being a true 200m diver, the crown and both pushers have screw-down locking mechanisms to protect it underwater.  While the Chronograph buttons do not provide any feedback or "click" when they are activated, they are very smooth and always seem to work with a normal touch.  The diver's extension on the band is also a nice touch that many manufacturers seem to leave out these days.  When unlocked, the extension offers enough extra space so the watch will fit over a wetsuit.  In true chronograph style, the red hand (normally the second hand on a 3-hand watch) stays at the 12:00 position until the Chronograph is activated.  The "seconds" hand is at the 9:00 position and a 24 hour count is at the 3:00 position.

I can only come up with two small issues that could be improved on this model and they would not merit a full star being removed from the rating.  One is that the date window (between the 4:00 and 5:00 positions) is a bit small and the background behind the numbers are blue like the dial.  Rarely do I need to look at the date more than once a day and it is easy to spot once you get used to it but it is something to be aware of.  Also, while the links of the bracelet are solid giving the watch a great balance on your wrist, the end links which attach the bracelet to the watch are folded.  Again, this is not really a complaint, especially at this price point, but it is something that a lot of watch enthusiasts will want to know.

As I said before, this model easily passes for a much more expensive watch and, if you have any hesitation about the solar technology, all I can say is give it a try. It really is nice not having to remember to wind, shake, or replace batteries and I expect to enjoy this watch for a long time.

I hope that helps a few out there with their decision.