Seiko's NEWEST Marinemaster 300 - SLA077 - Worthy of the title?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 12 ม.ค. 2025
- I show the new MM300 and compare it to my experiences with past Marinemaster generations. Is it a good name-bearer? Share your thoughts below.
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As a person with a medium sized 7 inch wrist , this is the smaller , thinner and refined MM300 I've been dreaming about for years now . Thank you Seiko for fulfilling my dreams of owning a 1968 diver inspired SLA MM300 !
Two things:
I think the date at 4:30 is undeniably an improvement, as it allows all twelve indexes to be fully present and uninterrupted. Note that ISO requirements changed within the last few years, and the older designs that didn't have a lumed marker at 3:00 would no longer be compliant if released that way now, and could not call themselves "diver's" watches. Given that the Marinemaster is the ultimate tool dive watch, it makes perfect sense to me to prioritize the tool aspect of it, and have a slightly less-than-ideal date window placement if that means the indexes are maximally usable.
Secondly, after the SLA021 gen (which I believe was the last monocoque case design), the Marinemasters no longer say "Professional" on the dial. This is meaningful; "Marinemaster" doesn't actually mean anything (and as you point out, has been omitted on some models), but like "Diver's", "Professional" has a meaning: that the watch is a saturation diver. That doesn't mean that it has to have a gas escape valve mind you; the older, thicker Marinemasters were simply built so strong, and benefited from the monocoque case construction, that they were able to resist the full 30 bar of pressure not only inwards but also outwards, to prevent the crystal from popping out if the gas inside the watch is pressurized and then brought up to atmospheric level.
So, to me, I think if you really want the ideal, classic, Marinemaster tool watch, it has to be one that says "Professional" on the dial. Personally, I already have SBDB013 (the 600m Professional Diver's tuna), so that scratches my itch for that, and I'll likely be getting something like SLA079 in the future once they release more colors. If they could release one with the same color as SPB475 or SLA055, that'd be an instant buy for me.
I learnt a lot from your comment, thanks. The SBDB013 is such a rad watch (both aesthetically and technically).
I think these new Marinemasters look fantastic. I recently acquired the SPB453 and I must say I have come to really like the small 4:30 date window and the symmetric indices. I do wish they had a better clasp on the bracelet.
If you want to sell watches, this is a better option than the very cool but not as wearable previous MM300.
Like this new Marinemaster a lot. The older versions are so cool but just too big for me. Screw back case doesn't have the cool factor of the older monoblock versions, but you still have a 300m rating and much easier to access movement for regulation. Smaller clasp vs. ratchet adjustment is also a fair trade off for me. Thanks for the review!
I appreciate that. I do think this watch will have greater market appeal over the prior versions which I personally liked more
Love seeing this review Bruce. You’re the MarineMaster guy, you literally are the reason I love them as much as I do. I’ve had the SLA023 in the past and currently own the SLA019 (which I will never sell). I’ve got 6.5” wrists and honestly it’s probably just too big of a watch for me yet I don’t care, I love it, it’s my favourite Seiko Diver. I wish it had retained the MarineMaster branding on the dial, but honestly, I can forgive it. It just feels special.
Having said that, the new SLA077 and 079 feel different enough that I can certainly make room for on in the watch box beside my SLA019. I much prefer the bracelet of these new models, and I’ll be transferring over the ratcheting clasp from my 019 to the 079 when I pick one up. Do I wish the markers were bigger and bolder? Yes. Do I wish they kept that absolutely gorgeous handset? Yes. Those differences are what will allow me to own both the new and the old, and not feel like it’s overlap.
It’s a good looking watch and it seems more wearable than the previous one, which I’ve owned two of.
Mm300 rebuy club!
A mono block is a must for a marinemaster.
Both this & the OG MM are available so take your pick. The bezel on the new MM isn't ceramic, it's coated steel.
why did they go with coated steel and not ceramic?
@@williambireley2529 Because they don't care about their customers.
I love the lume is so good it turns the dial green after dark
I haven’t seen one in the metal yet. This is my favorite Seiko diver design. I love the size reduction to make it a GADA watch. All those other changes don’t bother me too much except for that UGLY slanted 4:30 date. Deal breaker for me. After all this time waiting and hoping for the ideal size/weight reduction of a MarineMaster with an 8L, I ended up getting the SPB187 and will keep my SBDX017. Damn good combo but was really hoping for just having 1 ideal diver in this case shape.
I have the SLA077. Love it! There are some details I would have liked improved or changed.. which watch doesn't? It isn't the same as prior mm300s, for sure. It is a modern reinterpretation. But, overall, it is about as close to perfect for me.
The decision to hold and skip the 6L and upgrade to the 8L in this was a good one. It's been running great at around +1.5 s/d.
"Marinemaster" moniker. There is a reason why it isn't limited to just the mm300 and started on another model prior to the 6159 style dive watch.
I really like the 8L. I know people complain because they allow +15/-10 sec. I have never been around an 8L that wasn’t within chronometer specs. I honestly think they don’t want a bunch of warranty claims every time someone does not wind the watch enough and then wants to send the watch back to them for repairs. They make too many watches to have to deal with that constantly. I don’t have this watch yet but I really like it better than any MM300 I have ever seen. Can’t wait to check it out in person.
@malkinmalone yeah. It's been excellent out of the box. Even at higher price points, Seiko's have their alignment issues. I was able to choose between 3 the AD had to find the best aligned one. I suggest you check out as many for the best example before committing to buying one if alignment matters to you. Otherwise, all the rest of it is pretty solid and great
I have been following you since the beginning Bruce and I always enjoy your Marinemaster videos. You inspired me to get one many years ago (017) before they got discontinued and it is one of my fav pieces! I'm also not so sure about the new approach with the Marinemaster branding, it sort of cheapens the original ones. Or makes them more valuable - depending on how one may see it. 😂😅❤
I share your evaluation, and you are right, nothing beats the monobloc case, but I think I like it more than you do. The black one is really balanced, and it would still make a great dedicated and hardcore diver on a nice rubber strap.
I think Marinemaster has become a family of watches rather than a specific model. Similar to King Seiko, for example. And that’s part of the reason why they have moved the word up in the dial just below Seiko.
Im a fan of this design, it reminds me of my snr029. If i have to nitpick i wish the date orientation was straight and not slanted. 430 placement is fine though
I love it. Would probably play it safe and go with the black dial variant.
Like this new Marinemaster a ton. The older versions are so cool but just too big for me/most... Bout time we got watch sizes in control
Man I love your style of content
All strength to you
Thank you
Think it is a great looking watch. Kind of reminds me of my sla055. Have that one on a bor bracelet. Stunning!
I own a 039, and 059. Stunning examples of a true marine master. They are a unique wearing experience. Not for everyone.
Think the newer smaller watches are a better fit for people, better sales for seiko. Outstanding watches, value for the money. Great case, beyond solid 8l35 movement, good bracelet.
My only gripe......there can only be one! (Highlander). The marine master can only be a mono block case.
The UK watch market is diabolical at the moment, dealers can’t sell watches unless at a ridiculous deal however these 2 are selling well. So home run for Seiko.
Good way to put it. The old MM300s are not meant for everyone
Love this one! For people that want a black dive watch you should review the Seiko srpd65!!!
I prefer this to the Omega Seamaster with the white dial.
This is stunning!
Beautiful watch. I prefer the black, but this is really nice.
Great review! I have the SLA075 "Marinemaster" 200m that looks like the SLA079 which has the same exact case 42.6mm. The only difference is the 300m is 13.4mm thick and the one I have is 200m but it is 13.1mm think. I had the SLA073 also and had that bracelet which is nice but Seiko has that bracelet severely overpriced at $415 from Seiko New Jersey. At $415 it should have the ratcheting divers clasp and Seiko needs to step it up to screw pins. The SLA075 also has the 8L35. I would love to get the black dial version and sell mine but if I cave in and overpay for the bracelet the the SLA075 would look identical to the SLA079 black dial model. I just cant justify the means.
I have a Breitling Avenger 2 in cobra yellow (the old one with the arabic numerals) and it is a hefty beast. It's what always turned me off of buying the older Marinemasters. When I saw these were coming out, I rushed to buy the black one and got a decent discount too. I absolutely love it, the bracelet is great but I've worn mine non stop on a black isofrane strap
Gorgeous watch
I have had all the mm300, 600, 1000 versions tuna and non tuna varieties and to me this just doesn't deserve to be called marinemaster.
As you said, probably not a true MM but still a great watch! I like the more modern dimensions and that bracelet is actually one of the better ones Seiko makes. They put the 8L35 movement in it and it is still less money than some other SLA models. Those SJE models were overpriced for what they are, in my opinion. I think it’s a great watch at a pretty good value, especially if you can get it under retail.
The SBDX017 was the best MM300 (except it didn't have sapphire crystal or ceramic bezel) I would go the Prospex LX diver now except they are very expensive with the spring drive movement. This new version is ok but prefer the old monoblock case.
The short threaded crown made it a no go IMO, you're always one twist from cross threading and destroying the case.
The name issue seems to recur with Seiko and the confusion over Seiko vs Grand Seiko vs King Seiko is another example of a kind of bungled marketing strategy
Dear Bruce Williams
MM300 VS SLA077 whos lume brighter and longer ?
Thank you
I’m sure I read that the bezel is polished/coated steel and not ceramic? Shame if that’s the case. Lovely watch though.
I’m really glad they got rid of that old mm300 bracelet. That was the biggest downside to the watch in my opinion. I really like this watch. I will definitely be getting one. Probably not either of these two colors though. Hopefully they release some different color ways in the near future. The black dial is a little boring to me. I love the white dial, white dials are my favorite, but it would look so much better if the bezel were not black. A gray, blue, white or any other color bezel would have made this watch look amazing to me. Even the omega planet ocean with red/orange bezel on a white dial looked so good and I think this white dial could have been the same. I love the mm300 case shape and dial. I was really excited to see this watch get released.
Are they going to phase out the older generation?
Is this the same case and dimensions as the SPB381J1?
Slightly different.
I would have liked the minute hand in orange. The hands get lost on the white dial.
Però che senso ha 300 metri come i nuovi 62 Mas???che sono più fini e più portabili?
Bruce. Buddy. Pretty sure Seiko are the ones who get to decide if it’s a MarineMaster or not.
There are places were a Submariner is out of place. This is the best alternative.
Here come the "Watch Designers" and "Multi billion dollar watch brand CEO's" to say whats wrong with this.
Bezel insert is hard-coated stainless steel NOT a ceramic bezel insert.
Will there be a chronograph?! 🤞🤞
Hard to accept a Marine Master without that unique mono bloc case!
It’s a great watch. Seiko should ditch the date altogether.
The original Marine Master 300m has more character. I don't like the amount of text on the dial of the new one and it is not a saturation diver.
On a side note. I have found the original marine master wears better on a bracelet. My 039 always felt so top heavy on a rubber strap. Wore it on a bright orange rubber strap for a while. Looked very cool, blue diver on orange.
Fitted a strapco bor bracelet to it. Magic! The weight of the bracelet balanced out the chunky hocky puck. Feels perfect on my wrist now. Just saying!
Your assessment of this 4th-gen Marinemaster is spot on. A very nice watch to be sure, but not quite a MM300, no.
Ditch the date window Seiko.
I'm a recovered Seikopath. Watch looks good and I love that they moved the Prospex logo to the bottom. I think they should do that for all Prospex watches. I just wish that Seiko listens to its customers and do what even smaller microbrands have managed to do- improve the clasp!
Nowhere near the unique WOW factor, character, and depth of an SLA023.
That's a great watch at face value but I don't think it deserves to be the 4th gen mm300. Its more like an mm200 crossed with a Grand Seiko. Very similar to the GMT spb381 I have. I would have loved to see this bracelet with an improved ratcheting style clasp on a 45mm monobloc case. Maybe find a way to shave 1mm thickness off the monobloc and still retain that keep porthole like crystal. MM300 deserves more incremental changes. Crossing my fingers that is still to come! Great review and really appreciated your take on it Bruce.
It was a $3,000 Seiko. I don’t think broad appeal was their goal!!
Definitely a very good looking watch, but as an owner of a 017 I still prefer it even though its quite tall.
STOP GETTING MY MONEY SEIKO !
I find that the prospex logo really cheapens the whole design; it makes it look tacky and also dates the watch to a particular time period(in this case the late 2010s). I didn't mind the more classical logos they used to include on their timepieces(Daini, Suwa, etc.), but an X on the logo seems very silly to me, almost like an xbox live username from 2011. I can't wait for the day they remove it.
But the clasp...I have that clasp... I hate that clasp
I think Seiko needs to stop fucking around with their shitty clasps. At 3k you’re competing with Tudor, Longines, Oris, Vulcain, used Omega, Sinn, etc. This watch only appeals to Seiko fanatics and even then it’s a tough sell when you can get a very similar Seiko for half or less
Seriously! I don’t know what kind of blind spot they have where they can’t see that their clasps have been trash since forever it seems. Get it together!
Even Monta etc are offering on the fly adjustment. Also Ginault for instance
They really don't care about good bracelets and clasps haha
@@BruceWilliams yeah, it’s super obvious 🤣
Noooo the moment I saw the date at 4.30 and it is not a mono block case and smaller, I thought the old version is better.
Wow, I just picked up two Longines Master Collection watches for that price.
One of which is an annual calendar!
I am a dive watch fan but that's a hell of a lot for a Seiko IMO.
Just like used longines, good discounts can be had on new Seiko 👍
@@BruceWilliams Not used ; )
Brand new with five year warranties.
100% would not pay list for a Seiko though.
@@BruceWilliams £2660 GBP the pair.
That Seiko looks like all seiko dive watches.
I'm sure its nicer quality but my feeling is that even Grand Seiko dive watches are very Meh, so I see Seiko (and I love Seiko Corp.) watches as very £/$1k max, and would be putting that kind of money towards something else/better.
Sacrilege calling that a MarineMaster 🤮
Why? The marine master name was never exclusive to 1 model of watch.
They have a mono block case@@hammalamiri12
More mm200 with a 8L movement IMO
All they had to do is remove date from previous gen. That would been perfect for many, if reduced size is required then previous gen reduced mm200 was just fine. I feel all these changes like no monoblock, no bigger lume, date at 4.30, different hands completely messes the DNA of marinemaster 300.. don’t fix something if it’s not broken..
Absolutely hate the 4:30 date window! It’s so small I can’t even read it. It looks like a blemish on the dial to me. I’d rather have no date at all.
That's not a Marine Master. Marine Master is more than a name! It Has to be a mono block case
Monobloc case was cool but not many people knew how to even service it. The large mm300 case was thick and chunky it had a cool design but too many complaints of it being top heavy and Seiko had to do their marketing research and slim things down for the masses.
Its a downgrade from the normal SLA....no ever bright steel 🤬 why why why....we need to have more features when Seiko keep increasing their pricing....
Contrast is no good to aging eyes .
No that is not a marine master. that horrible clasp doesn’t belong on an Ali express special much less a watch approaching grand seiko. Boggles the mind why seiko can’t make one watch that has it all .
The marinemaster has been my grail for the last 9-10 years. Finally, after I saw the new model, I ordered sla047 from exquisite
The "OG" version is far superior imo- the bezel is taller , ceramic and lumed, has the 6159 dial markers, the case is monobloc and bracelet has the marinemaster clasp. Also I don't like the marinemaster text at all.
Congrats on your new 047 welcome to the club 👊
@BruceWilliams thanks! 👊
Eww that looks cheap af they’re ruining marine masters with every update. Why can’t they keep it simple like the first generation
4: 30 dates are terrible and look super super lazy. If san martin dan make a 6 o clock date seiko has zero excuse. They need to wake up.
I'm a big fan of previous generations and currently own a sbdx017 and a SLA023. Unfortunately this new Marinemaster has lost something. To put it bluntly: I dont recognize it's face. It looks like a different watch. Not a bad looking one, but it does not look like the Marinemaster 300 we all know and love. Sorry!
Calling this a Marine Master is a bit sus... Great watch but not a MM300
I was waiting for your opinion and review of this unique beauty . A few weeks ago I asked the Istanbul Seiko dealership if they had it . They had both the black and the white dial hidden somewhere . Wow ! Perfection . I feel you're the Marinemaster 300 expert and was looking forward to hearing what you thought about this new release.
They destroyed an icon. So sad. Only good thing was bringing back the Marinemaster on the dial,athough an ugly font.
It's just NOT a real MM300
+/- an hour per weekend
I do prefer the new omega seamaster 300 although they didn’t remove the ugly horn and the weird skeleton hands.🥴