Seiko Arnie: The Best Iconic Dive Watch Under $500 & Why Schwarzenegger Choose It Over His Rolex

Why did Arnold Schwarzenegger choose a Seiko over his Rolex? In today's video, we return to a favorite topic on the channel—watches in movies—with a watch so famous because of its appearance in several films, that it's colloquially referred to as the "Arnie." But beyond its famous wearer, the Seiko H558 was reissued in 2019 with the SNJ025, along with a variety of new color options. During my research and analysis of this watch, I discovered it was selected for reasons far beyond its futuristic looks. Join me for revealing and surprising discoveries, hidden meanings, a fascinating backstory, and why this Seiko reissue, in my opinion, is now the best iconic dive watch under $500.

Get your Urban Gentry official merchandise:

Check out The Urban Gentry Amazon shop for items featured in my videos. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:

Follow The Urban Gentry on Instagram:

Join us on Facebook to get your watch or Gentry related questions answered, and engage with some of the community beyond YouTube:

Wristwatch check strap:

Thank you for watching The Urban Gentry channel, home of the #wristwatchcheck and #seikosaturday! Check out my other videos for more watch and lifestyle content.

#watchesinmovies #watches #seiko

[DrDavis]

I do love the blend of interesting factual content and humour, TGV. Appreciate the effort that goes into these films. Chapeau, sir

[Podcastage]

Another outstanding video TGV. You have successfully found a way to talk about one of the greatest action movies ever for 15 minutes on a watch channel. The watch is great and functional, and the only real downside is the size. It wears a little bit smaller than the dimensions suggest, but it’s undeniably a chunkster of a watch.

About predator: In college my buddies and I watched this movie and when it was over we wanted to watch it again, so we watched it for a 2nd time. Then in the morning another friend came over who had never seen it so we watched it a 3rd time within a 24 hour period. It’s that good of a movie.

[joshuam]

I bought that watch right before I went to basic training and it lasted through my entire enlistment. As an Airborne infantry soldier, I beat the hell out of it and it never let me down. When I was a freshman in college, it died on me. I went to the mall to have the battery changed and was horrified to discover that the battery had ruptured and that the watch was destroyed. It felt like a part of me had died. I still have it in a box with all of my other Army stuff.

[arvindale]

I know this is an old review of yours and you never fail to deliver, but the way you write and describe the watch itself and its history shows your love for horology and its rich history for a simple seiko arnie. not much reviewers would go to such lengths but you sir go the extra mile and I appreciate it.

[mortenjespersen]

I own the Pepsi reissue, and it has become one of my favorites. It is by far my biggest watch, but Seiko applied their usual sizing magic. Thus, it wears really comfortably, and doesn't look bulky at all on my 7" wrist. I don't see myself ever parting with this true gem.

[saairgunner]

Thank you for an excellent video. Taking everything into consideration, the Arnie is prably superior to the Rolexes in most aspects: more rugged, more accurate, more functional and now with solar power, probably longer lasting. And at about 5% of the price of the Rolex. With the Arnie and the Capt Willard, Seiko pretty much owned the action movie scene of the 70s and 80s.

[cjam]

Fandabidosy. All my favourites again in one video, 80s, Seiko, Japan, Movies. Quite literally just re-watched one of my favourite 80s movies (one of many many) Black Rain, wearing my Casio databank. Shame I'm not wearing an Adidas tracksuit and shelltoes and I'd be in heaven 🙏. Fantastic research, history and production sir. Have a great Easter my friend and as always thank you

[richardtwyning]

As always an excellent intro. You know as much about film as you do about watches, knowing the best clips that will work best in different situations 👍🏻

[THEMADWATCHCOLLECTOR]

Thank you for this my friend! It’s one of my favourite watches I own 100% when I wear the SNJ025 I feel empowered, it’s weird!;) very well made my friend! A little serious But cool!

[saleendriver]

On a serious note, I had the re-issue Arnie with both the black and the Pepsi bezels. Great watches, and I enjoyed them thoroughly. Sold them off of course to fund other purchases...as I recall to fund something from my favorite micro brand (a brand I wish you'd give attention to), Zelos. But thanks for this great overview. Have a great weekend.

[stenut]

Genius TGV. I can’t wait to see Hugo’s new movie 😁. I quite fancy adding an ‘Arnie’ to my growing Seiko collection after seeing your take on its history and importance. Stay safe.

[candide]

Great video! You always do your research and include rich detail in your reviews, discussions, and advice/tips for collectors videos. I love the history and discussion of why Arnold wore the H558 in so many movies (he actually also wore it in Running Man, at the airport). I am a huge fan of Arnold's movies of the 80s and 90s, so I got an SNJ025 when they came out. It is one of my favorite watches in my collection. Every so often, I will put it on and have a Saturday Arnold marathon; Predator, Commando, Raw Deal, and Running Man.

[skorzeny]

insightful analysis and commentary with incredible editing. this was a watch review masterpiece tgv! I dont have the words to encapsulate how awesome and appreciated it is to have this kind of content for years now. Thanks and Godspeed!

[DaveTattoo]

Even though action films are meant to be over the top fun films to enjoy, it's always good to see some degree of 'realism' in the watches they wear.Arnie wearing his Seiko or Gerrard Butler wearing a G Shock in Olympus Has Fallen are better choices than Richard Mille in Expendables 3.

[sylla]

OMG!! Not only was I super impressed with the trailer - But then the video afterwards turned out to be effing great as well!! I would love to see more videos from you focusing on watches in movies.and TV series. Thank you for this one. I was very entertained! 👍👍

[ExpeditedProductions]

TGV, that intro was exquisite. Got to watch the video with the whole family, and we all were very impressed with your editing skills. I don’t know what your day job pays you, but you probably deserve more. If your work outside of the Urban Gentry is half as good as what you do here, you, Sir, are a testament to excellence in your field!

As for the Arnie, I learned more about “the Arnold” and his work in these 18 minutes than I have in the entirety of the rest of my life. The new version of the watch is quite compelling, but I am not sure I could pull it off. I like it and love that it is solar now, but it seems HUGE! I don’t quite have the arms of Arnold….so I might look a bit like Hugo wearing your Tudor sub! Anyway, learned a great deal from you as always, and your production and entertainment quality is off the charts. Thank you, my friend! Onwards and upwards. Be well!

[Wootaramma]

1987 Predator is lightning in a bottle and a Hollywood cornerstone for action horror. Interesting to see the history and how Seiko was locked into the marketing scene. 1986 Aliens with Sigourney Weaver's Seiko 7A28-7000 is another great example.

[Achilles]

I remember going to buy this watch in 1985 after watching Commando. It lasted for over 20years before the rubber strap decayed and became brittle from the elements and all my adventures. Loved this watch! Looking forward to purchasing the reissue.

[PhantomObserver]

I have the 025 version, put on an Uncle Seiko waffle strap because I wasn’t thrilled with the thickness of the original. I have to admit that, in spite of my owning several G-Shocks, this has become my default watch for casual travel and physical activity. I like the fact that I can read the digital display without going through a button routine to move the hands, and I’ve used the stopwatch function for timing exercise activities (I also appreciate that Seiko didn’t opt for a negative LCD display in the interests of “military style fashion”).

[daviddicicco]

Heat is my favorite movie of all time, so this was my favorite intro of all time. Great work TGV.