Is The Seiko SLA055 Worth the Premium? Seiko Prospex Save The Ocean LE Owner's Review

[@KentuckyMan30]

He's back! As a SLA057 owner, it is on another level entirely than the Tudor Black Bay 58 I owned. The finishing alone is a big difference. Even side by side with my friend's Omega SMP 300, the Seiko is certainly on that level (and arguably above it in some aspects). I own the SPB187 as well (that I love), but the 057 has definitely become my "grail" piece. The case design/finishing, Everbrilliant Steel, the bezel, the gorgeously domed crystal, the dial design/finishing and the Grand Seiko movement all make this my favorite watch I've owned.

[@engineer_wannabe]

Well said, my friend. I agree! The case finishing is so good and I didn't do it justice here. Thank you for your input and glad to still be watch bros with you 😄

[@gergelytuskai8103]

Thank you for the review, I have this watch too and it is incredible. It was your review that pushed me over the edge to actually buy it. It is really just a hair below a Grand Seiko. There are only a few thinks that possibly could elevate it furter to GS level and these things are nitpicks: - the case finishing between the lugs is machine polish, not Zaratsu. But this is something only you the wearer would ever notice. - the movement is finished to Omega standards but not Gran Seiko standards, e.g machine finished. Bruce Williams have a video where he opens up a new Prospex release having this movement and the finishing is very pretty. - the movement is supposedly not regulated, however every review I've seen of these limited releases with this movement (and I've seen a lot) they always say it is between 1-2 seconds accuracy per day. Mine is less than 1 second fast too. My guess is that the watchmakers hand assembling them do some quick regulation out of professional pride. The only negatives I can mention is that the lugholes are drilled a little low, so even thick, bolstered straps are looking a bit thin. And as you say the strap holder that comes with the rubber strap is atrocious. Not just at this level, any level. A piece of sharp and pointy unsigned piece of metal and it is incredibly uncomfortable. I swapped it with a spare silicon holder from a cheap strap, immediate improvement from 4 to 9 out of 10. The ergonomics are fantastic, the fume dial is gorgeaus and it displays the Seiko mastery of the watch having a completely different character under different lights. Finishing is spotless. I see many people complain about the price which is...somewhat fair, but it is really an amazing piece. It is often compared to an Omega Seamaster or Tudor BB58. But I think it is better. Those are products, fantastic products, but made by machines. This is hand finished, hand assembled to a degree. It has a character that mass manufactured products rarely do, that changes with the envirnoment. Videos can't do it justice. I have no regrets buying it.

[@larry.l]

I'm infinitely valuable and I'm irreplaceable, precious and worth it I came for the watch review but got reminded of my worth. Thank you mate you don't know how much this means to me.

[@BB-gl7zt]

Hey Sanjay great to see you release another video! I've not seen this SLA before, thanks for bringing to our attention. It's definitely a looker with great features! Hope you and the family are well!

[@engineer_wannabe]

Hey BB, thanks so much for watching! Everyone is well thank you and I hope you and your family are well as well 🙂

[@WatchMalaya]

That looks really good in sailcloth strap. Awesome video! 👍🏻

[@Dadication3]

Thank you for the great review. The 055 is calling me.

[@clo2715]

I just bought this watch Sanjay, I love it. It's perfect for me it's running +2 a day. I've always like how the MM300 looks when your looking straight down at it and always wished it was thinner.

[@walklikeronald]

Our taste in watches is sometimes different, but you put out some of my favorite content. Hope the year is all you want it to be.

[@engineer_wannabe]

Thank you for your kind words! I appreciate you and wish you all the very best for the year ahead as well, my friend!

[@2536528]

I have the new SLA075 all but identical except a gray dial and U. S only not limited. I tried the Marinemaster 300, but just not my size. It was an anchor and I am a pretty big guy. I sat on the sofa at the AD with both while pondering my decision, but knew the MM 300 would not be as comfortable for me. I am very happy. I wear it on an Isofrane strap as I do my BB 58, Sinn U50, and first gen. orange monster.

[@matthewherrmann474]

Thanks for the review! Curious what problems you had with the 6R35 movement?

[@chia-mingyang5804]

Hi Sanjay, happy to see you again! This is a well finished and cool looking watch. I just checked the SBGW289 and my wife fell in love immediately. I always want a pink watch but she never allows. Finally it has got her heart so I am going to bring it home. It will be my first watch acquisition in 2022.

[@engineer_wannabe]

Wow congrats Leya! that's incredible! I really like the SBGW289 as well! 😍 Hope to get some time with it soon

[@sandsoftime3248]

Really appreciate the finishing on the sla055, I really want one myself.

[@engineer_wannabe]

It's good stuff! Thanks for watching Sam!

[@Kevinx3]

great review on the seiko. thanks for sharing. the seiko will be missed.

[@engineer_wannabe]

Thanks for watching and encouraging, Kevin 😀

[@rayestefania3725]

This is a great watch! I put a very high quality jubilee bracelet on it and now it is one of my favorite watches! I think it is on par with any diver out there, including Rolex. The watch is very high quality and I got it for about $3500 and I think it is totally worth that. The finishing on this watch is really close to GS quality. Thanks for the review!

[@FadeToBlack2181]

Hi, may I ask where did you buy the braclet and did it have fitted end links for this watch?

[@rayestefania3725]

I bought it from strapcode. No fitted end links but looks fine for me.

[@watchsixto]

Man for $4,600 it's crazy knowing seiko hopefully they lined everything up and thank for video Sanjay

[@engineer_wannabe]

Thanks for watching my friend. Yeah the price premium is a little wild!

[@ProperCh]

The everbrilliant steel and case finishing alone puts this piece on par with GS, Omega, Rolex imo. So makes this a huge value proposition if you like the style of it.

[@foochithsiang9329]

Hi Sanjay. Great review as always 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼. I have the same wrist size with u. May I know what is the size of the Artem Strap with deployment clasp u had there? Standard or short?

[@engineer_wannabe]

Thanks so much! It's the "short" strap!

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Is the 8L movement similar to the Soprod? Great review Sanjay and great to see you on the KZbin’s😎!

[@engineer_wannabe]

Thanks so much for watching, my friend! The 8L35 is actually an undecorated Grand Seiko 9S55. If I'm not mistaken, Soprod licensed the 6L35 movement (Not to be confused with the 6R35 haha)

[@rickylee9663]

Hey Sanjay, saw that you have the GS SBGE211 also, I believe that bracelet fits the SLA055, was just wondering if you ever tried it?

[@edmundchiang]

Thanks for your nice review of this gorgeous watch. May I know your wrist size and if you feel it top heavy on your wrist? I’m thinking of getting one, but wonder if it would be too big for my 16cm/6.3 inch wrist.

[@podfuk]

I have 16,5cm flat wrist and they are perfect! Silicone strap is big longer, but managable, they are so comfortable and sits very firmly on my hand, just a joy to wear.

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

I love the SLA055, and just received one. I currently have it on an orange Tropic. Are the spring bars 2.5? I ask because I want to buy a straight-end 20mm Uncle Seiko Beads of Rice for it. I tried the stock MM300 bracelet but the uneven fit would have scratched the case. .

[@KirbyYoung]

McMahon, your video on the SLA055 made me want to get the SLA055. And now I'm here in this guy's video to watch more! I've seen it in person and it is STUNNING!

[@meandertaker]

Hi! Might have missed it in some of your videos, but could I ask what happened to this watch? Thinking of getting one on sale but maybe just trying to convince myself it’s still not worth the price tag.

[@timemeasured9137]

This looks like a keeper!!!! Thought on the Seichu fabric strap? I've seen them on other reviews and they look amazing. Any idea where to get them?

[@engineer_wannabe]

You should be able to order them from a Seiko dealer. It's a wonderful strap but also, very thick...so I never used mine

[@GCPlati85]

Question - did you get the artem with fat spring bars or just normal spring bars? Leaning toward fat, but on the other hand, if I get normal spring bars, then I can use the strap on other watches where the fat ones wouldn't look as good...

[@EverydayWatchGuy]

Great review of the SLA055 Sanjay! Would you recommend this diver over the Omega SMP Nekton you owned?

[@engineer_wannabe]

Thanks so much Toran! Haha that's a tough question. I wouldn't recommend it to others over the Nekton. But it is better for me 😉

[@rowsefIUSM]

how have you found the Artem strap impacts the balance of the watch (e.g. does it feel top heavy on the sailcloth)? Any issue getting the big seiko springbars through the artem lug holes?

[@ShadowJ20]

I hope you post more reviews. I really like them.

[@engineer_wannabe]

That's very kind of you to say. I have quite a few more on the backburner 🙂

[@ShadowJ20]

@@engineer_wannabe The reviews are a lot better than the "watch talk".

[@KirbyYoung]

You have an excellent review of this watch. I have a question. I am torn between this SLA055 and SLA061. Yes, it is a Black willard with black bracelet. I have the SNR029 and the SLA055 is just like a little brother that what the SNR029 should be. On the other hand I want to have a black coated watch. But this one is just so shiny and stunning in person. I'm not sure if I'm going to be buying the same watch twice since I have the LX already. What do you think? Apologies for the long comment.

[@briandorsey6437]

SLA053 is my Darth Blue love

[@El-AYE-Ra1s3d]

How long is your wrist from side to side?

[@77door97]

Is the case similar to the MM300 or SPB383? cheers

[@wick-trimmer1980]

Hi Sanjay thanks for this review. I’ve just received a call from my AD with a SLA057 and offered it to me he says the watch is listed at $5975.00 but will give me a deal🤔but I’ve heard it sells elsewhere for $4600 CND. Any suggestions what would be a fair offer? Sorry if this puts you in a difficult spot. How would you compare it to SMP300? Thanks.

[@life90559]

enjoyed your review! its a really comfortable watch and very well-finished. However, I found the dial would reflect too much light under direct sunlight, making readability slightly tough.

[@engineer_wannabe]

Thanks so much for your kind words! 🙂 I personally didn't have a legibility issue but I feel like it's brother, the SLA057, would be even more legible!

[@ShadowJ20]

How come you sold this watch?

[@josevasquez1781]

Nice review, I own the SLA039 and others with hi beat. The only thing that bothers me with this one is the light blue on the bezel insert and the color of the lume being cream color which crashes with what's on the bezel. White on the bezel and lighter on the lume would be much better. Enjoy your watch.

[@engineer_wannabe]

I can completely understand where you’re coming from. It took me some getting used to as well! thanks so much for watching, hope you have a great day!

[@josevasquez1781]

@@engineer_wannabe it’s still a great diver with perfect design and size. Let’s not forget the Ever Brilliant Steel is cool. Cheers.

[@davidhiller6995]

What is the brand of "blue sail band" you have on the watch???

[@jimmysegg1728]

Yes i like that color and clasp - lets find out

[@novocainekarma]

Artem

[@ShadowJ20]

Does it wear as big as the size suggest?

[@gmshadowtraders]

It will be right on the edge but lug to lug of 49mm curves the wrist nicely enough

[@jimmysegg1728]

Can you measure the dial diameter Please?

[@AldermanFredCDavis]

Maybe it's just that I'm old, ornery, and cynical, (but I don't think it's the case here), but it SEEMS like, in days gone by (30+ years ago), when companies were selling a "premium" or "luxury" product, it was not common to "cheap out" on quality. Theoretically, I would not have a problem spending $4,600 (SRP) on THIS Seiko however, there is absolutely no damn reason (at this price) why this watch doesn't have either a ceramic bezel OR come on a (decent) bracelet. RE: The Marine Master 300, I'm sure someone will fact check me however, I have read that, unlike the SLA 055/057, the crown tube assembly of the Marine Master 300 is not repairable. At best, you'd have to hope that Seiko will replace the entire case.........and heaven only knows how many millions of dollars Seiko would hit their customers up for.............IF they'll even do it. IF I am correct about the crown tube assembly on the MM300, that is a travesty of poor design on a +$3,000 watch.

[@yashara1e]

Needs a nice bracelet with adjustable clasp

[@engineer_wannabe]

That would have been really nice!

[@AK-jl5xt]

At that price point, QC has to be better in my opinion. An off centre chapter ring/bezel is not nearly good enough. Sloppy.

[@Hard_7_Iron]

Stop making excuses for poor quality control! SLA’s cost WAY TO MUCH to forgive poor workmanship. Im shocked really! My SLA021 is perfect. Why not the newer model? Nice watch…make them fix it!

[@podfuk]

There is literally ZERO misalignment, look at 11:13 and stop the video. You cant possibly judge bezel alignment from the angled view while watches has strongly domed sapphire on top of that!

[@lamadoo]

Seiko...the king of misalignments

[@nbrikha]

I came here for a watch review and was instead called precious