A wristwatch synonymous with biceps and AR-15s, Seiko?s H558-5009 ?Arnie? continues to maintain its popularity in the watch collecting community today. Aside from its screen time in several Arnold Schwarzenegger films, its hefty 46mm case and rather sophisticated analogue-digital movement make the Arnie a unique and desirable timepiece. Other variations of the Arnie include the ?Upside Down Arnie? H601-5480 and ?Baby Arnie? H556-5029, both of which have their own following and are collectible in their own right. Unfortunately, their typically high price tags in today?s market make these variants fairly unobtainable to the everyday hobbyist looking for a fun weekend watch. However, the Seiko Sports line?s 1980s catalog is far more diverse than one might imagine, and within it exists the perfect alternative to the bulky Arnie and its cousins. 
The H601-8020?s Inception and Design
While Seiko?s history is well documented by the company and its dedicated fanbase, little information exists regarding the brand?s Sports SQ line. Their initial attempt at durable wristwatches came by way of the Seiko 5 line??starting in 1963 with the Sportsmatic 5??but the roots of SQ and Sports branding is a little less clear. Focusing only on the US market, it can be assumed SQ began appearing on dials somewhere in the mid 1970s and the Sports moniker (in this specific use) shortly after in the early 1980s. Of course, there are several variations of ?sports? used in Seiko?s branding, so take ...