Comparing $4500 Seiko SLA043 vs $1000 SPB047? Which 62MAS Diver is better?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 พ.ย. 2021
- As I own both the SLA 043 and SPB147, I thought I would do a more detailed comparison of both those watches. One watch costs $4,500 whereas the other costs $1,000. But more money does not necessarily get you a better watch.
If you are interested in Seiko Divers, check out Inspector's channel where he has great videos of Seiko Divers. In his MM300 SLA021 video where he talks about the other great Seiko Diver. The MM300 was the next diver watch after the 62MAS
/ @inspector1973
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I agree the 147 look is unique and can't be compared. However c'mon guys, the quality of the SLA is just way above. You guys are letting the price of it cloud your judgement.
Thanks for the feedback and I appreciate the point you make. I would say the jury is open. The SLA line is definitely premium by virtue of heritage (reissues), movement (8L) and availability (limited editions). In terms of finish, Grand Seiko is still a cut above SLA watches, so its GS>SLA>SPB. But for value the SPB line seems better than SLA if you don't care about getting an exact reissue and are happy with a reimagined watch, with a different level of finish. If they introduced a High beat movement in the SPB range, that's the end of SLA.
At $4500 you're now being compared to Tudor, Oris, Omega and a lot of other entry level luxury brands. I don't see enough design nuances in the SLA line to justify the money when I can buy a Black Bat 58 or BB41 for the same price.
@@jimmason8502 I've tried both and have owned an SLA. The finishing of the case is unreal on the Seiko. That classic skin diver look is killer. It's too thick though and ultimately the reason why I moved on. The Tudor 58 is a really nice look, can't fault it.
I second what @gmshadowtraders says about the SLA. Having owned the Tudor BB (and Submariner), it really does not compare to an SLA in quality and finish. The SLA (which is a Grand Seiko branded as a Seiko) punches above a Rolex Submariner in quality and finish. The BB is way way below a Submariner. I realize it's hard to associate Seiko with the league of a Rolex, but the key to remember is the SLA is a GS.
Love the honest review!
Great review, and I liked many points you said. Congratulations
Thanks for the feedback!
Excellent review. Honnest and very factual. I cannot think of anything that I would not agree with. I have the 147 and the 149. The dial on the 147 is something else and its unusual in the watch world. Congratulations that was a spot on review.
Thanks!!! I always wanted the 149 but it's hard to justify having both the 043 & 149. The dial on the 149 with its greyish blue and the black bezel is exquisite. Honestly I prefer the dial of the 149 to the 043, and if I get a good price I will probably buy myself a 149 as well.
Excellent video comparison between the two watches. Both watches are nice, however I really like the design language of the re-imagined SPB147 as well as its price. I think Seiko is doing a very good job here, they are undoubtedly smart.
I am happy that Seiko watches are becoming premium instead of just Grand Seiko as the premium brand. I like my Seiko watches and have often wished that they had sport watches that were competing with Rolex/Omega. With the SLA series they have exactly that.
Thank you Sir for you knowledge and sharing. Many people speak but they expel a lot of hot air.
Thanks for your feedback. Much appreciated 👍🏽
I have both the sla043 and the spb051. Is the sla 4x better, probably not, but the quality is amazing. I don't see how they could improve it to be fair, apart from regulating the movement. Mine keeps much better time than the 6r movements. The sla is a level above and is as good as an omega at a similar price point , if not better, in terms of build quality. Once you pay over 1k for a watch , it's hard to see what extras your getting for the money, with any brand . Most of seiko watches are good quality at 1k , so it is hard to justify the sla in terms of cost. That said it is the superior watch , and if you want that extra something special, well you have to pay for it .
Completely agree! The SLA is for the 1% who want the very best that Seiko can produce. Here is the long term review. th-cam.com/video/Ev3eEGjQVUQ/w-d-xo.html
I knew I could count on you Martin 🤦♂️
Just bought one just bought an sla043 for $2500. Awaiting delivery
I would rather lose time on a 1k piece rather than on a 3k piece so the SPB147 for the win. This is the reason I sold all my Seiko autos as they all had terrible time keeping.
From an operational perspective the lack of accuracy is a shame. But maybe I am just spoiled by Spring Drives.
@@DesignReviews Can't go wrong with a spring drive for accuracy.
How much discount can we expect for SLA043? Did you get any discount or paid full retail? Thinking of getting one. Thanks
You should absolutely get a discount since this watch has been out for a while now. Dealers will be happy to clear out any stock that's been sitting on their shelves. Mine was an early purchase so not much of a discount. You can easily expect a 30-35% discount.
I expect prices to drop as the recession hits, however prices will start rising once all 1800 watches are sold. Since the dial is true to the original and does not have the Prospex logo, this will become a much sought after watch.
@@DesignReviews thanks heaps for that
Just got 26% from UK AD. £4080 to £3000 on the nose.
@@Chase28ify that's great. What other watches were you considering?
@@DesignReviews I sent it back. The quality wasn’t in the price. I know they are hand made but honestly it felt and looked cheap when in hand. I was ready to love it but even with the discount it’s not a 3k watch. It’s a sub 2k watch with an inflated price due to being a limited edition. I own a Black Bay 58 and a Seamaster 2220.80 which are another level in feel and quality. I also own other Seikos.
The accuracy of the 6r35 is concerning. I was excited to save up for it but I don't think it's worth it. Any other models I should consider around that price ?
The 6r35 is great when regulated. I personally am not that bothered about accuracy (and I own a 1 sec/yr accuracy Citizen HAQ) and I don't think anyone should be. The design of a watch matters way more that pure performance.
Have you looked at Citizen Series 8? I have one of those and it's a good mid range watch. I need to review that watch before I get rid of it. (too many Citizen watches )
You are simply wrong when you say that GS is better finished than the SLA series. The cases are literally made in the same factory by the same machines by the same people. Yes the case finishing is simple since the original was simple, but the finishing is on par with GS.
Thanks for the comment. I mostly agree with you but the SLA043's simplicity, while a positive attribute from a historic perspective, just doesn't look as good side by side as any of my GS watches with their more refined case design (and I have quite a few). Having said that, I am sure you will agree the best GS dive watch is actually a Seiko SLA043. It blows away my 2000s Submariner anyday. Not many have the mental latitude to see a SLA as a GS.
I like how you beat up the TH-camrs. Hahahaha
Haha! And I was politely restraining myself as I know a few of them.
sla is way better if you can afford it lol .
True. It's the pinnacle of the Seiko brand. A Grand Seiko watch without the sometimes ostentatious dial.
This is why I will never buy a Seiko unless it has a spring drive! The accuracy is pathetic! Tudor is better and with good accuracy
I actually got another SLA recently and it has a +1 second accuracy. The 8L GS movement is really a very good movement.
Btw, the problem I have with my Tudor's (and Rolex by extension) is that they don't look like what you paid for it. A $3500 Tudor has the same finishing as a $500 watch. And there is no Rolex that can come close to a GS in finish. However, Tudor and Rolex do have well regulated movements at 2 seconds, and you can get them regulated again in the 5th yr of ownership. However, in reality my Tudor and Rolex watches are rarely worn as the SLA look so much better on the wrist.
Disagree, my SPB143 keeps time to about +10sec every few days when I check it for accuracy. Ditto my SPB211J1 Alpinist with the 6R35 movement.
They are both too big! It seems a shame that they increased the case diameter. We have to go to Seestern or San Martin for a reproduction of the original size.
You are correct. My 37mm original 62MAS from 1966 wears so differently from the SLA at 39mm. It's the extra lug length that makes it seem larger.
@@DesignReviews I couldn't have afforded the Seikos anyway but I have a sub 7 inch wrist and do think the lug length of the re-issues would be too much for me.
I have the Seestern copy and although I think it could have been a tad thinner, the lug to lug is perfect and am very happy with the build quality - great lume, (lumed date wheel!) the bezel action is firm and positive, no back play at all and the lume pip lines up perfectly with the '12' index (no I don't work for them 😂 - paid full price 😭) .
@@Meic3 Good to know. I will check out the Seestern one of these days and compare it to the original.