When I tried it on, I immediately noticed how much thinner that re-contoured mid-case made it feel. This plus a few key changes really transformed this watch from one I always liked, to one I friggin love
I purchased the blue 451 a month ago. - date window is the perfect location to admire the symmetry of the watch although the numbers are a tad small and I'm sure older folks will have challenges. I prefer the location and purchased with this in mind to their competitors. - the bracelet came off the watch immediately for a silicone strap. Get different colours for whatever you are wearing and it's a stunner. - the blue just looks amazing in the sun. - the movement looses ~2 seconds/day. - the size of the watch could be a touch bigger for my taste, but I'm getting used to it and finding the overall experience on this watch from the bezel alignment to fit and finish to be excellent. Legit a great watch and I struggle to consider even more expensive watches as this watch punches above its weight class.
Watching this wearing my 143... 😎 I actually like having a date on a daily wearer, and prefer it at three by miles. The slimmer new case looks great, but I'm definitely sticking with the original - it's the most comfortable and pleasing watch I've got (despite being a long way from the most expensive). Love it.
The Date Window on Seiko Dive watches is the one thing that I hated about their watches, but came to accept over time. I am so glad to see the change. A full marker at the 3 o'clock position. Woot! 🙌🙌
I plan on picking one up after trying it in person. At first I disliked the date and 3 day text. However in reality everything works. Solid iteration of the 62MAS
Anyone sperging out about the new date window location must now move to total acceptance. It has been decided that this is the superior layout for all new date complications. You will learn to tolerate and eventually love it.
Great video. I own the SPB 143 and really love it. I don't have any issues with it. I agree with you about the date window. I actually prefer not having a date window.
Wearing the black version (SPB453) as I type this. Almost two months of wrist time, with a majority of nights slept on the wrist. Accuracy of the 6R55 has varied between 0 and -1 sec/day in the watch case, -3 sec/day on the wrist average, and -5 sec/day observed when my toddler bashed it a few times with her toys in passing. I've been loving it so far, comfortable and barely noticeable. Lovely to look at, and lume extends into the night for 3am time checks when the kiddo starts crying. My opinion: it does not need on the fly adjustment, unless you expect to swell with the tides on a daily basis.
The lack of compactness threw me off the SPB143 when I first tried it. I’m really looking forward to trying the new one on in person. Great video, love the detail!
I have the SPB239 on the Seichu strap (Currently the beige), and I love it. Its done some time in the Mediterranean recently, being used for its intended use. Ultimately you cant go wrong with these watches, very very nice with a nice selection.
To complément my first comment, I find particularly relevant the information concerning thickness. I have seen multiple reviews on the new releases from seiko and only now i get a true sense of the difference, which is clearly visible in minute 6 of this video. It does make a big différence to me. Maybe the colour is still a plus for the 143, but overall the new ones are definitely improved
Love the way this watch wears on the wrist, it's not only very comfortable but I actually don't feel like taking it off at all... something about the way it balances and feels on my wrist. Love the case design and things like date window, "3 days text" don't bother me but I would've have appreciated a better bezel-dial alignment at 12 o'clock. The movement is pretty accurate too. Personally, I think Seiko has another winner with this one.
It depends, if you like vintage then new SPB143 (SPB451) is your choice, BUT if you like modern dive watch your choice should DEFINITELY be SPB381/383 they are superb, design is perfect combination of MM300 and Grand Seiko and you get GMT function.
noticed a looseness in the spot where the bracelet attaches to the case.. anyone have similar issues? Have had the watch a few months know, don't know when it started or what happened but kinda annoyed by it.
I love my 149. The date at 3 and no marker. Perfect. The movement needed upgrading though. All over the place. Don’t get me started on Seiko moving the date windows.
Thanks for the thorough review. You need to be a watch nerd to enjoy it but hey, it works for me! Specially since I am in between those two models, eventually an SPB317
I have the 143 and love it. I rather not have a date option on automatic watches as I don’t wear them everyday and I find setting the date annoying. I don’t find having the date helpful although that’s just me. I guess some people would enjoy it.
Date window is good it blends in until you need it it's actually out of the way and I know people frown on the accuracy but if you can't regulate a seiko yourself it's like collecting knives and not knowing how to sharpen one
I know how to regulate a watch, but every 6R I've worked on has been a nightmare, huge variation between positions. The 4R on the other hand is very easy to adjust finely, and when you do it stays that way!
Definitely an upgrade! Only reason I wouldn’t buy one of the new ones are the colorways, which I think are too bland. But the same criticism could apply to the original reissues anyway.
A very good video. I purchased the SPB 147 because it's new version of the the 62 MAS.I am usually a 4:30 date window guy, but I am glad the version I have stays truer to the original. I believe I will pass on the new one.
I have the blue birch. It’s a handsome dial. My favorite part of this watch is the 6R movement. Mine seems to keep perfect time. I don’t ever have to adjust it. The only negative thing I can say is the bracelet isn’t great. Just blah for such an otherwise beautiful watch. I plan to try a nato on it. Maybe a rubber as well.
1. Very good looking watch with a 3 -day power reserve. 2. I think they can improve on the bezel action. I prefer clicking feel when turning. 3. I think if the connection between the case and end link of the bracelet is seamless, it will be very beautiful.
This is such a wild phrase that it can only come from a person who has truly experienced and hates it. I am going to trust you until seiko issues an official response to your comment then will see.
Still no micro adjust clasp is a deal breaker for me !! I have the SPB 143 and the clasp is decent but no micro adjust is really annoying in hot weather !!!
I really like the more refined size of this watch, but that Blue variant is so underwhelming. It's almost purple in some lights!! Seiko has so many better options in their locker, why this blue? A bluey-grey, or something akin to the BB58 Blue, would've been a much better choice I feel!!
stop blocking the mondaine clock and having it out of the shot since it's broken. just get it fixed and running again to have it going on in the background. As for the two seikos, i like the previous generation better with a standard 3 oclock window. I am not a fan of the small circular 4:30O'Clock date windows on seiko.
if they care so much about it being a dive watch, remove the date.... who needs to know the date while you're diving (like anyone even dives with these watches). and the automatic 3 days text is awful
I recreationally dive and the date is very handy when you are on a “liveaboard” to track the days elapsed (it’s very helpful for pro saturation divers apparently) Also, you are meant to not fly for 24 hours after diving so you can track that too. Lastly, usually when diving you are travelling so a date is always handy! The date does not hamper its utility underwater at all. Aesthetically I prefer a no-date though.
This SPB541 is the second Seiko I've had that has this 4:30 date and you honestly do not notice it at all unless you look for it. It's a great placement
I bought the original SPB143 in 2020 and have been extremely disappointed. The movement was running -30 seconds per day and so I sent it back. Seiko replaced the whole movement and after a couple of weeks, it consistently now runs at -35 seconds per day. Unacceptable for a watch that cost £1k. The bracelet is also very poor: the clasp and diver’s extension are horribly designed. This watch completely turned me off Seiko: I’ll never buy one again.
I think the bracelet is fine is the clasp that gives it the "cheap jangle" fasten clasp then gold it lot more solid. Also I reversed the clasp and 💯 more comfortable before couldn't wear on braclet the dive extension digging in corner of wrist 😬
Accuracy on my old 143 was horrendous, +30 seconds a day. Constantly having to adjust and never quite knowing how far ahead the watch was ended up being a complete deal breaker for me. Watch was also thick, top heavy, and had a cheap clasp. Insanely overpriced. More like a $600 watch which is about what they go for second hand. Finally bit the bullet and bought my grail BB 58 and never looking back. Total miss on this update too btw. Change a date window that didn’t need changing and didn’t fix any of the real problems. Seiko is trash honestly.
I got a blue SM version and compared directly to my SPB149. The SM movement loses 10 seconds a day, the bezel is misaligned, and the dial looks cheap. The SPB149 wins, hands down.
For me watches are emotive, there is a reason why people buy 90s and early 2000 Rolexes with awful clasps and hollow link bracelets. They are emotive. They are unique works of design / jewellery. The SM provides no emotion. But if you bought it and like it that’s all that matters but next time say. For you it’s better
When I tried it on, I immediately noticed how much thinner that re-contoured mid-case made it feel. This plus a few key changes really transformed this watch from one I always liked, to one I friggin love
Great to hear!
I purchased the blue 451 a month ago.
- date window is the perfect location to admire the symmetry of the watch although the numbers are a tad small and I'm sure older folks will have challenges. I prefer the location and purchased with this in mind to their competitors.
- the bracelet came off the watch immediately for a silicone strap. Get different colours for whatever you are wearing and it's a stunner.
- the blue just looks amazing in the sun.
- the movement looses ~2 seconds/day.
- the size of the watch could be a touch bigger for my taste, but I'm getting used to it and finding the overall experience on this watch from the bezel alignment to fit and finish to be excellent.
Legit a great watch and I struggle to consider even more expensive watches as this watch punches above its weight class.
Great points!
Watching this wearing my 143... 😎 I actually like having a date on a daily wearer, and prefer it at three by miles. The slimmer new case looks great, but I'm definitely sticking with the original - it's the most comfortable and pleasing watch I've got (despite being a long way from the most expensive). Love it.
The Date Window on Seiko Dive watches is the one thing that I hated about their watches, but came to accept over time.
I am so glad to see the change. A full marker at the 3 o'clock position. Woot! 🙌🙌
I plan on picking one up after trying it in person. At first I disliked the date and 3 day text. However in reality everything works. Solid iteration of the 62MAS
Anyone sperging out about the new date window location must now move to total acceptance. It has been decided that this is the superior layout for all new date complications. You will learn to tolerate and eventually love it.
Great video. I own the SPB 143 and really love it. I don't have any issues with it. I agree with you about the date window. I actually prefer not having a date window.
Nice looking watch. I'd prefer no date at all, but if it's going to have it, I prefer it at 4:30. Just my opinion of course.
Wearing the black version (SPB453) as I type this. Almost two months of wrist time, with a majority of nights slept on the wrist. Accuracy of the 6R55 has varied between 0 and -1 sec/day in the watch case, -3 sec/day on the wrist average, and -5 sec/day observed when my toddler bashed it a few times with her toys in passing. I've been loving it so far, comfortable and barely noticeable. Lovely to look at, and lume extends into the night for 3am time checks when the kiddo starts crying. My opinion: it does not need on the fly adjustment, unless you expect to swell with the tides on a daily basis.
Thanks for watching and your input!
What settings are you using on the winder?
@@isaacc154 no settings, I just have a cheapo combo box from Amazon. No winder used
The lack of compactness threw me off the SPB143 when I first tried it. I’m really looking forward to trying the new one on in person. Great video, love the detail!
I have the SPB239 on the Seichu strap (Currently the beige), and I love it. Its done some time in the Mediterranean recently, being used for its intended use. Ultimately you cant go wrong with these watches, very very nice with a nice selection.
Thanks for sharing!
I bought the Seiko spb 453 and ÖOVE IT ❤Its my dreamwatch.
Love the new Date-Position. It's there when you need it but blends in and doesn't get into the way of the symetry of the dial.
To complément my first comment, I find particularly relevant the information concerning thickness. I have seen multiple reviews on the new releases from seiko and only now i get a true sense of the difference, which is clearly visible in minute 6 of this video. It does make a big différence to me. Maybe the colour is still a plus for the 143, but overall the new ones are definitely improved
I'm thinking about picking one up the next time I'm in Tokyo. Looks cool.
Terrific review. I see the value in the new watch design . However, if one already owns the previous Seiko version, I would hold off.
Thanks for watching!
Love the way this watch wears on the wrist, it's not only very comfortable but I actually don't feel like taking it off at all... something about the way it balances and feels on my wrist. Love the case design and things like date window, "3 days text" don't bother me but I would've have appreciated a better bezel-dial alignment at 12 o'clock. The movement is pretty accurate too. Personally, I think Seiko has another winner with this one.
I have the SPB053 and SPB143 and love both of them…can I really go and buy another generation of the 62mas?! 😅
The movement is the most annoying thing about my SPB143, the accuracy changes wildly depending on the position. Apart from that I love it
Agreed .. had the same problem before with spb143 .. accuracy was out of the window and much worse than my SKX009 that was made in 1997!
I have a similar experience. My SPB143 frustrates me with its positional variance. My 2018 SKX009 runs within COSC.
mine also runs 20s/d slow.
@@blubb7711 I had the same issue and regulated it in one position
It depends, if you like vintage then new SPB143 (SPB451) is your choice, BUT if you like modern dive watch your choice should DEFINITELY be SPB381/383 they are superb, design is perfect combination of MM300 and Grand Seiko and you get GMT function.
I like the looks of this one
Agree - the 4:30 date is there when you want it, ignorable when you don't.
This is the best _until the next_ ... LOL Just wait until they make these with an 8L or 6L movement, then _that_ will be the best.
@@tuberaider for $2-3k though
the blue is gorgeous! will be my next blue diver!
Hope you get it!
noticed a looseness in the spot where the bracelet attaches to the case.. anyone have similar issues? Have had the watch a few months know, don't know when it started or what happened but kinda annoyed by it.
Love the blue but i already have a blue mm200 and i have a black slim turtle. Please seiko can we have a grey version 🙏
Grey would be great!
I love my 149. The date at 3 and no marker. Perfect. The movement needed upgrading though. All over the place. Don’t get me started on Seiko moving the date windows.
Did the DP leave a finger scrim on the shelf behind you? Can’t take my eyes off of it.
Thanks for the thorough review. You need to be a watch nerd to enjoy it but hey, it works for me! Specially since I am in between those two models, eventually an SPB317
Well said!
I have the 143 and love it. I rather not have a date option on automatic watches as I don’t wear them everyday and I find setting the date annoying. I don’t find having the date helpful although that’s just me. I guess some people would enjoy it.
I really don’t mind these kind of date windows at all. Don’t think I would have ever even thought about them if it wasn’t for watchtube
Date window is good it blends in until you need it it's actually out of the way and I know people frown on the accuracy but if you can't regulate a seiko yourself it's like collecting knives and not knowing how to sharpen one
I know how to regulate a watch, but every 6R I've worked on has been a nightmare, huge variation between positions. The 4R on the other hand is very easy to adjust finely, and when you do it stays that way!
Definitely an upgrade! Only reason I wouldn’t buy one of the new ones are the colorways, which I think are too bland. But the same criticism could apply to the original reissues anyway.
Thanks for watching!
Tried both the new and the old models. The new model wears much better on my smaller wrists.
Whats your wrist size?
Same here, 17cm wrist. Unfortunately some of the other design choices are a step back in my opinion
Is the bessel material the same? does it have those concentric brushed look of the older models?
No it is now anodised aluminium
A very good video. I purchased the SPB 147 because it's new version of the the 62 MAS.I am usually a 4:30 date window guy, but I am glad the version I have stays truer to the original. I believe I will pass on the new one.
I’ll stick with my 213. Still tempted by the 143 though. If they ever make a no date with the 143 dial then I’d make the move.
I have the blue birch. It’s a handsome dial. My favorite part of this watch is the 6R movement. Mine seems to keep perfect time. I don’t ever have to adjust it. The only negative thing I can say is the bracelet isn’t great. Just blah for such an otherwise beautiful watch. I plan to try a nato on it. Maybe a rubber as well.
I LOVE the symmetry now the date at 3 has moved. The 3 days line isn't necessary though
To my eyes, the 4:30 date window is better than the 3:00 date window. Going stealth and 4:30, even better.
The "3 days" text kills the dial! I'm actually ok with the new date window. Prefer no date but its pretty inconspicuous.
These will appear even more compact once Uncle Seiko releases bracelets with female end links...
1. Very good looking watch with a 3 -day power reserve.
2. I think they can improve on the bezel action. I prefer clicking feel when turning.
3. I think if the connection between the case and end link of the bracelet is seamless, it will be very beautiful.
Seiko’s 6R movement sucks the sweat off a dead man’s testicles. All 3 Ive owned have had crappy accuracy and are inconsistent across positions.
This is such a wild phrase that it can only come from a person who has truly experienced and hates it. I am going to trust you until seiko issues an official response to your comment then will see.
@@coolguyii58 lolll
No date. You’d have a winner.
At least they are working on the bracelets.
Yep, 2 holes micro adjust !
Still no micro adjust clasp is a deal breaker for me !!
I have the SPB 143 and the clasp is decent but no micro adjust is really annoying in hot weather !!!
Seiko has been like Tudor lately. "Ah. I've seen that before."
I really like the more refined size of this watch, but that Blue variant is so underwhelming. It's almost purple in some lights!!
Seiko has so many better options in their locker, why this blue?
A bluey-grey, or something akin to the BB58 Blue, would've been a much better choice I feel!!
love the watch, hate the clasp
stop blocking the mondaine clock and having it out of the shot since it's broken. just get it fixed and running again to have it going on in the background. As for the two seikos, i like the previous generation better with a standard 3 oclock window. I am not a fan of the small circular 4:30O'Clock date windows on seiko.
You should be off pudding… sorry, not sorry. 🤣
I do mind date window!
Looks ridiculous.
No the sje093 is
O'Hara Mount
Tromp Stream
The date is a crime
if they care so much about it being a dive watch, remove the date.... who needs to know the date while you're diving (like anyone even dives with these watches). and the automatic 3 days text is awful
I recreationally dive and the date is very handy when you are on a “liveaboard” to track the days elapsed (it’s very helpful for pro saturation divers apparently) Also, you are meant to not fly for 24 hours after diving so you can track that too. Lastly, usually when diving you are travelling so a date is always handy! The date does not hamper its utility underwater at all. Aesthetically I prefer a no-date though.
This SPB541 is the second Seiko I've had that has this 4:30 date and you honestly do not notice it at all unless you look for it. It's a great placement
I mean the CWC SBS has a day-date which if I remember correctly was requested by the MOD.
@@PickledJalepeno that makes sense!
@@Mackster248 yeah I don’t dislike it, I have another seiko with the same treatment
I bought the original SPB143 in 2020 and have been extremely disappointed. The movement was running -30 seconds per day and so I sent it back. Seiko replaced the whole movement and after a couple of weeks, it consistently now runs at -35 seconds per day. Unacceptable for a watch that cost £1k.
The bracelet is also very poor: the clasp and diver’s extension are horribly designed. This watch completely turned me off Seiko: I’ll never buy one again.
I think the bracelet is fine is the clasp that gives it the "cheap jangle" fasten clasp then gold it lot more solid. Also I reversed the clasp and 💯 more comfortable before couldn't wear on braclet the dive extension digging in corner of wrist 😬
No, the date is in a stupid place. Better to go no date than this ugliness.
Better than the MM300 🤡
too bad about the crappy 6r movement!
No it's not
Accuracy on my old 143 was horrendous, +30 seconds a day. Constantly having to adjust and never quite knowing how far ahead the watch was ended up being a complete deal breaker for me. Watch was also thick, top heavy, and had a cheap clasp. Insanely overpriced. More like a $600 watch which is about what they go for second hand. Finally bit the bullet and bought my grail BB 58 and never looking back. Total miss on this update too btw. Change a date window that didn’t need changing and didn’t fix any of the real problems. Seiko is trash honestly.
the SM version is much much better
I got a blue SM version and compared directly to my SPB149. The SM movement loses 10 seconds a day, the bezel is misaligned, and the dial looks cheap. The SPB149 wins, hands down.
@@typebflieger hey seiko fan boy bot. u are wrong
For me watches are emotive, there is a reason why people buy 90s and early 2000 Rolexes with awful clasps and hollow link bracelets. They are emotive. They are unique works of design / jewellery. The SM provides no emotion. But if you bought it and like it that’s all that matters but next time say. For you it’s better
SM?
@@ajh5407 u new to the game