Seiko SBDC165 (spb297) “Blue Birch” 62mas

[@WatchDisplay]

Seiko dials are amazing. I will forever be a fanboy of Both seiko and grand seiko due to how they do dials. It’s just different.

[@snackyxchan]

The dials are a main point of a watch 100 % for me.

[@BigNews2021]

That Blue Birch dial is simply gorgeous.

[@Brajin1]

Man Seiko is undefeated in dials.

[@Xxblaze191x]

"Seikopath", that cracked me up! I own this exact watch and absolutely love it. Looks great on a black tropic strap and that dial is even better in person

[@floydmorrison2025]

Love the dial on this watch! Another factor when deciding whether to buy your watch from either Asia or a USA AD are the import duties. The $975 Gnomon price of this sbdc165 is over the $800 threshold, so the 'actual' price will ultimately be much closer to the US price after paying the relevant duties.

[@Klingonmastr]

I'm real sucker for a watch with a pretty face. My only real complaint with these watches are the price. I was able to get a Seiko Alpinist SPB155 from a USA AD with a 30% off discount. That of course is a much cheaper watch. With the SBDC165 the cheapest I've seen it is $821 but then it's a Japanese seller. I'd rather just buy my Seiko watch from a USA AD.

[@stefanotattifrongia3612]

@@Klingonmastrthis thing of the discounts in the shop doesn’t work in the modern world of online shopping. If this was £800 so many more people will push the bottom on the website. When you saw for £1000 or more people feel automatically push out. I love chrono24 or ebay because you can actually send an offer to the seller.

[@TennesseeMike]

Great to see you crushing on Seiko again. Such a great brand. I need to add some more to my collection for sure.

[@williamrizzo1285]

Another great looking dial from Seiko!

[@sneakyscorpia]

"Seikopath" 🤣🤣 Love it. I like how the blue "ice" effect is a lot more subtler in your footage then in the 3D mock-ups online, won't draw unwanted attention. Thanks for the video

[@timbaker4879]

Stunning, I was always a sucker for a pretty face - I have the recent blacked out version which I love.

[@timemeasured9137]

All the 62mas variants are home runs, not perfect of course but very satisfying to wear. The drilled lugs is a huge Pro on these. All these variants should have been paired with a matching silicone strap (which are very good) and also the steel bracelet.

[@tatanleanduck]

There you are again, reviewing another watch that appeals to me...

[@mathieulandry2181]

Thanks for the vid Rob. I was debating between the SPB143 and the SPB297… finally decided on pulling the trigger on the SPB297. Love these dials! Cheers!

[@ChrisNewman-fu8ez]

How's yours running mate, my version is running about 30+ seconds a day

[@mathieulandry2181]

@@ChrisNewman-fu8ez mine is running about -25 sec/day… disappointing considering my SKX007 is bang on. oh well

[@Crisnav83]

Have this same watch on an SLA049 blue rubber strap. Wears and looks amazing.

[@vernon5blue]

Take a look at the sbdc167. The blue dial on that is stunning.

[@noelmurphy3450]

Hi Rob, I did have an issue several years ago with a Squale Giramonde GMT that I purchased from Gnomon watches (I live in England) and Gnomon were brilliant and sorted the issue and replaced the watch immediately at no cost to me. I do agree with buying local if you can, but wanted to give you some personal feedback on Gnomon. Cheers Noel

[@ChrisNewman-fu8ez]

Good news, I've the opposite view with h Samuel,.,.got a Seiko prospex samurai and the crown started cross threading and they wouldn't change it or send it away, anyway I've got this blue birch version and it's nice but doesn't keep great time, only payed £600 in the sales . lovely watch though

[@mathieulandry2181]

Who likes this more than the gray SPB143 ??? I'm on the fence debating between this one and the gray dial SPB143.

[@theenavybluemonster]

I went with the SPB213 over the 143. I struggled between the two for a long while. Can’t go wrong with any of the 63mas. Good luck!

[@billmurphy893]

Spb147 if you already have lots of black divers.

[@mathieulandry2181]

@@billmurphy893 I only have an SKX007

[@padde88]

SPB143 is way more classy.

[@ChrisNewman-fu8ez]

This looks amazing

[@williambireley2529]

What’s your opinion on the Seiko movement in that watch compared to something like a Powermatic 80 or an SW-200 found in other divers in this price range? I’ve read some others's complaints on the Seiko not being accurate or losing time.

[@TickSweep]

Love that Blue Rob god I love a seiko dial

[@timchan334]

Dont let the 14mm thickness fool you…wears like a 12mm and Im not kidding

[@CACOPHONIE]

Wish i had a Seiko diver 😭

[@tooroptube4980]

Sweet watches ⌚️!!

[@barryvercueil2346]

I got all my Seiko's from an AD. So much better. No misalignment and no QC issues.

[@anonymouswatchguy4223]

Really like this one

[@dillonm4794]

If Seiko put half the effort into their bracelets as they do their dials they’d be much better for it.

[@jimwatchyyc]

And of course, more expensive.

[@lookatwrist]

Surprised you don't have a Tuna. I'm surprised I don't have a 62MAS.

[@justinclabots881]

Is there any real difference between the 165 and 297? I was recently gifted a 165 from Japan.

[@genclikonboard]

Sbdc165 is the Japan model number for spb297

[@vladorlovsky6623]

Great review. Thank you.

[@Luke-qv3co]

I may have missed it in the video, but is the bezel ceramic?

[@ChrisNewman-fu8ez]

Steel I think

[@japanesewatchresearch]

I cahged watch belt seikoSBCD165

[@RocasThePenguin]

"Sized for Jeff wrists". If Jeff a giant?

[@bryanryan4504]

Jeff looks like an ex navy seal , former cop , football coach.

[@HamishCarpenter]

Wish Seiko would start using ceramic bezels.

[@RedwoodAggie]

My King Turtle has a ceramic bezel.

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

The bezel has the smell super hard coating that is on the rest of the watch. I am a VERY hard user of watches and have clunked mine on several occasions, no scratches at all, certainly as durable as ceramic

[@HamishCarpenter]

@@HarryFlashmanVC That is my main concern. I am not very careful as I prefer to use watches as intended. Thank you.

[@timchan334]

Disagree, ceremic could make it too shiny

[@pregardt]

@@timchan334 there are brushed styled ceramic bezels as well. I used to own one.

[@gmotionedc5412]

I love mine on a strap.

[@watchingwatches4889]

I like SPB149 more 🙂

[@lukewalker1051]

My personal opinion is that watch is a hint too small for your big-ish wrist. OMO. Its a better fit on a 7" or smaller wrist. I also am not a fan of the vertically grained dial. I like many Seiko blue dials and have owned a few but this denier look doesn't fit my sense of aesthetic. Hard to fault the watch however. A beauty.

[@ind_i_gox]

Blue Birch is insane