On the Wrist, from off the Cuff: Seiko SPB143(SBDC101) vs. SLA017(SBDX019), Reimagining vs. Reissue

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

My wife caught me watching this and asked why is he comparing the same two watches. I love her so much.

[@AverageBros]

She's a keeper! 😂

[@KV_55555]

😂😂😂😂

[@Ae073001]

I understand the dial indices are applied better, and the movement is better in the SLA, but I have to say visually, the SPB143 is not only holding its own, but, to me, has a few things I prefer. I definitely prefer the case with bevels and brushing vs. the polished slab. I also prefer the bezel look of THE SPB143 as well. I even like the caseback better. Good comparison video.

[@d.kashani]

exactly

[@443playground]

Aesthetically I prefer the wider bezel of the spb143.

[@joed3613]

It's funny how you can watch a reviewer 100's of times and you imagine what they might look like, by their voice, complexion, mannerisms... and then you find out, you're waaay off! 🤔 Cool video man, I love my 143.

[@timmanion7459]

I was lucky enough to buy a SLA037 . Absolutely love that watch and consider it the pinnacle of my Seiko collection. Also have the SPB149which was the blue/gray dial . Beautiful peices, all . Good video !!

[@theenavybluemonster]

The SLA017 is more elegant while the SPB143 is more toolish. Love them both! And they can co-exist in a collection. Would love to see the SLA017 and a vintage 62mas in the metal someday. I have the SPB213 and love it.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Happy Birthday Bro ... Don't look a day over 39🎉

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

Thanks for the excellent comparison. I love both but the 017 is on a different level. I'll be curious to see if you put the 017 on a Tropic or a Waffle down the road.

[@d.kashani]

For the money, I think the spb143 is a really nice package. Above that, I really like the sje093 because of the proportions from the new slimmer movement. Edit: I preordered it and recently received it a few weeks ago now. I love it and it’s a nice companion to my spb143.

[@GaryGiffin]

I also own the Seiko SPD143 and its fantastic watch. When you see the Seiko SLA017 in person there is a bling factor and their is no doubt this is the Rolex of the colletion. SLA017 is the watch to buy if you can find one!

[@scottt.4596]

Great feedback/analysis! REALLY looking forward to getting your thoughts on the new SJE093.

[@DanGaskell]

I have the SPB143 and frankly, I can't find much that I would change. Perfect size for my wrist (7"), beautiful and it wears amazing. I would like Seiko to regulate it though as I'm getting +14 sec/day. Not great for a $1,200 watch. Otherwise, excellent. I personally like it better thank the SLA, especially for the price difference.

[@drazenbabich]

I own both, got the 017 first on its release then bought spb143 as its beater option. 143 while a nice Seiko diver as a whole, cannot compare not even hold a candle to the 017. The levels of refinement used on it are pretty much unmatched in any Seiko diver in this class. I got to the point I’m my life when I need to start shedding and rationalising collection of close to 60 Seiko divers, with 143 soon on a chopping block, sadly. All in all, if you have missed the 017 in it’s release and are unwilling to shed close to 10k from your bank acct for a NOS or unworn piece, go for the 143, you will love it.

[@Jason-hv4eu]

Great comparison video! I own the SPB and enjoy it. I like them both😊

[@welcomewrist]

Clean, crispy, and classy. The watches are also nice. Great comparisson!

[@PixelPeepers]

how do you compare these 2 with the new SLA065 release? I think it's a blend of them two, more of a spb143 with 8L movement... I am hard working on completing the diver trifecta. I have the Uemura (SLA063), the MM300 (SLA035), and now am looking for a good and not that expensive 62MAS. SLA017, 037 and 043 are pretty expensive on the used market right now, that's why i'm asking about the new SLA065

[@AverageBros]

I like them and agree on the blend, I just wish they would offer a more versatile option, since it's only currently available in a very specific style with the engraved dial.

[@PixelPeepers]

@@AverageBros yeah, that dial is the only thing that is keeping me away (and the price). Don't know if i like it or not, didn't see it in person, and seiko press material is trash 😂

[@MrCROBosanceros]

For me, a thinner bezel on the Diver watches always looks better aesthetically than a wider bezel on either vintage watches or modern versions of classic designs. Original skin-diver watches of the 1950s and 1960s almost always had narrow bezels and looked more elegant. From all modern versions of the original Seiko Diver watch I prefer references SPB053 and SPB051. Those two watches are slightly bigger than SPB143 (42.6mm, 49.8mm, 13.8mm), but I love that ratio of case diameter, dial diameter and width of the bezel better. Omega Seamaster 300 Heritage, and Omega Seamaster 300 The 1957 Trilogy are other examples of the most beautiful diver watches ever made.

[@jimclip2012]

Agreed, one of the biggest drawbacks of my 143 is the width of the bezel.

[@Tkeavz]

I thought the same until I saw them on a females wrist.

[@rbybcc]

Concordo, io sono possessore del SPB051 l'ho preso da poco in un negozio che lo aveva come fondo di magazzino. Lo trovo molto proporzionato come hai detto tu.

[@ditmerk]

Nice video

[@wolfdna788]

I got the brownish cheaper one without the loom on the 3 o’clock on the way. I can’t wait I hope it’s perfect like yours. 🤞🏼

[@wolfdna788]

I think the sla is orders or magnitude more beautiful

[@malzahar33]

Nice to put a face on the voice. I am in the process to fall for the spb297, the STO version of the spb143. I don't really like the brushed chapter ring on the sla

[@chrispatterson8210]

I had once an Alpinist with the 6R35 movement in which it had to be sent in after two months to Seiko to be worked on. The SPB143 has always caught my eye, but I have heard of issues since its release with +/- seconds per day being too much. I really like it aesthetically...but I have concerns.

[@AverageBros]

I always just figure for every loud and upset person, there's another hundred who are silently happy with what they got. Not specifically for Seiko QC but in general for any product.

[@chrispatterson8210]

@@AverageBros I cited two examples of concerns that are objective, not subjective, and you come at me with that! Are you saying there are no issues with the 6R35?? You certainly didn't mention any in the video.

[@AverageBros]

@@chrispatterson8210 I own multiple 6R35 powered watches and have only had to manually adjust one out of the bunch. I've had worse experiences with Tudor movements, but most folks are more forgiving of Tudor for some reason.

[@jimclip2012]

I would prefer the SLA but own the SPB, because the latter is already pushing it price-wise!

[@hawkeye1184]

I wish spb143 also had a signed crown

[@MrCROBosanceros]

There is no comparison between those two watches. The Seiko SLA017 is one of the best diver watches ever made. It's got that vintage look with modern features like a screw-down crown, domed sapphire crystal and Seiko high-grade calibre 8L35.

[@martinharrison4245]

I have the sla043 , which i really think is even nicer than the 017. Annoying that it doesnt come with a bracelet, as it was about £500 more than the 017 originally. The 143 is a great watch , but in the hand the sla , is the daddy. Is it worth the extra though , well thats a tough one. I love my sla043, the build quality is as good as anthing you can get, but mine is a poor time keeper as it gains 2 mins a week . My 8L movement doesnt perform any better than my 6R movement, which at the price it should . My tudor black bay is around the same retail , and performs at 1 second a day out !!! But if im honest the sla is way above the tudor in build quality, if not movement accuracy. Imo the sla models are basically a grand seiko quality watch , and thats what your paying for .

[@Al_Prazolam]

5:40 Can you please confirm how you found the SBDC101 online for $558? I'm checking that same website right now, only about two weeks after your video posted, and the yen conversion is showing it selling for $850. Could it have changed that much in two wks? Thanks.

[@AverageBros]

Meant to say $858 and not $558, sorry

[@Al_Prazolam]

@@AverageBros Thanks for your fast reply to clarify that! No worries. I appreciate all the work you put in to your channel, take care.

[@stevebrown7207]

You mentioned the Sakurawatch price, $558, which is different than price listed on their website….did you get a further discount?

[@twoedc4202]

Yeah, that’s not right. Got excited for a second, haha!

[@AverageBros]

Nah, just misspoke by accident and meant to say $858

[@trickiwoo3573]

​@@AverageBrosGot me all excited for $558. Where's the visa, where's the visa. Lol

[@AverageBros]

@@trickiwoo3573 hey, $858 is still one hell of a deal 😂

[@AverageBros]

@@trickiwoo3573 $844 based off of today's exchange rate ;)

[@alexshavlo6701]

GorgHerous Gays ⏳

[@bryankc9644]

Just shows how fast things get expensive when you pull out all the stops and reaaly put in man hours of regulatimg and poloshing a single watch

[@francescob.8353]

Tecnicamente il migliore è lo SLA ma esteticamente preferisco SPB 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

[@Anirossa]

Prices makes me wanna puke, Seiko sure is marking a killing with these watches, rip the golden age of seiko watches 😢

[@AverageBros]

what do you consider the golden age of seiko watches?

[@Anirossa]

@AverageBros The time period where they made functional, reliable watches for normal people to use in their everyday life. The period up until they changed their model to selling overpriced underpreforming jewellery.

[@AverageBros]

@@Anirossa They still do make functional, reliable watches for normal people to use in their everyday life. They've also always had higher end models. The original 62MAS wasn't the cheapest dive watch when it was released either, it was more expensive to purchase than many of its Swiss contemporaries, the same goes for really all of their iconic divers. Their professional divers were never the bottom the market. Many of today's dissatisfied collectors thought that a few years ago, when they were purchasing overstock on 15-20yr old models like the SKX and SARB lines at huge discounts, thought that those models defined the brand but overlooked that the whole feeding frenzy was due in part to how undervalued those models were. These days, there isn't as much overstock and Seiko has become more active internationally, which means adjusting to wider market prices. JDM only models, could be purchased a lot more cheaply thanks to the yen exchange rates and Japanese dealers looking to move units in bunches. There are tons of premium and limited models from Seiko's past that folks thought we under spec'd and overpriced, this is no new revelation. It's why Seiko has gone out of their way to more clearly segment out their pricing categories, so as the brand has gained more visibility, folks don't confuse their entry-level offerings with their premium ones and get less upset that their are product lines that aren't exclusively targeting them.

[@Anirossa]

@AverageBros Still does not add up if you look at watches that exist in the rest of the market outside of just Seikos. If you pay more for a seiko outside of brand association, in engineering, design, machining and quality control, it does not add up in the entry level if compared to competitors like Citizen, Mido or Tissot. So where seiko put the profts of their watches are not clear to see, sure they relase a lot of models, but its a lot of copy paste with bin items involved, so it does not add up in cost.