People are LOVING the Black Series! (SEIKO SPB253 63MAS)

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Seiko's beloved 62MAS has evolved into a cash cow for Seiko spanning over 19 colors and or versions of their iconic first dive watch. This is the 18th version and it is a black series. This is a fan favorite and Seiko has been doing a lot of black series lately for their entire lineup of divers.
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[@EscapementWatch]

CHECK OUT THE NEW SAVE THE OCEAN 62MAS 63MAS Version: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4LdfGtsnNiImpI - Falling

[@rttoonist4275]

Yea for the orange lume! I just got to wear mine for the very first time this morning after accepting delivery yesterday! My first Seiko, YAYYY! I fell in love with the spb143 last year, but couldn't justify getting one as I wanted to build a small, focused collection with as little redundancy as possible, and I already had a stainless steel diver. When I heard about the spb253 last month, I figured it was a great opportunity to scratch both "black diver" and "Seiko" off my bucket list at the same time, while getting a version of the exact model I was most interested in. My first impression when I opened the box was pretty favourable without exactly having my mind blown away, but now that I've had it on my wrist for a couple hours, it's REALLY starting to grow on me. It's nearly the perfect size for my 6 7/8" wrist, the burnt orange accents and earthy brown strap harmonize quite well together, and scream "Halloween", but in a good way. It's going to be a fun watch that will fill it's niche in my collection quite nicely - you want a black diver, THIS is a black diver. :) One request: The included straps are perfectly fine, but I'd love to get a really good black steel bracelet that would match the watch as closely as possible - could anybody offer their recommendations?

[@EscapementWatch]

I have no idea who sells a black bracelet for this? possibly strapcode. But thanks for sharing and grats on the first SEIKO!

[@squinkygordon1322]

My experience with the 6r35 (Spb153) is that it took 5-6 months to actually break in the movement. Initially, it was - 8/10 secs a day and now it runs at +5 per day. Remember, it takes 57 winds to fully charge the 70hr power reserve. Imho, the first thing that should be done is to fully wind it, then with partial winds of 10-15 per day for a while. Once I started doing that the movement seem to settle down into good accuracy.

[@EscapementWatch]

Thanks for sharing!

[@squinkygordon1322]

@@EscapementWatch Thanks for the great review!

[@statuswan]

The 6r35 on my spb207 also had a decent break in period. First few months it ran about +15, now its running around - 2 to +5. It does vary a lot more than my swiss movement watches though.

[@shaagaknowsyou5295]

Same! My Sunbeam Forest Alpinist keeps time strikingly similar to my BB58! It's crazy good once it's settled in and totally worth it. Everyone who slates the movement seems to have issues as soon as they get a watch with it more often than not, it just needs wearing in.

[@miguelzap9269]

I can confirm. My SBDC101 was running -10 to -15 when it was new. Now 1 year later and it's usually-5 to +5

[@raksh9]

I've been watching (haha) a number of your videos lately, and I have to say that the image quality, lighting and overall look of your work is excellent. You show the watch from all angles slowly enough to be able to appreciate the details, and the macro shots are beautifully lit, and the subject movement is smooth. The pacing of the videos is also good - no annoying filler or dumb jokes,/meme content, just a pleasant look at the watch and its features. You definitely deserve more subs.

[@EscapementWatch]

Appreciate the kind words but we do some dumb jokes in some of our videos as well :P but usually in the intros when I'm standing there. But you can skip ahead! Thanks for watching!

[@amitjayakumar]

🤩 Totally love the watch mate ! It’s a “Yay” for the orange lume

[@khronokraze]

I don't mind the orange lume the way it is done. I'm more impressed that Seiko manage to make orange lume glow is rather impressive that it can seemingly glow about as good as their blue and green Lumibrite. Traditionally, anything but green and blue lume sucks. I know, I've owned a few that have tried to do orange and even red lume.. good for like first 10-15 secs after hit with a torch. The orange lume on my Zodiac Super Sea Wolf 53 Skin 'Blue' is maybe a little better than I expected, but, it doesn't last nearly as long as the blue lume that is also on the Zodiac watch. Anyways, I thought at first the accent color was yellow. It looked like it in a number of your shots.. maybe some differences on the other white balance? Anyways, I sort of thought I might like it more with yellow accents instead of orange. Cool watch. I'd still go for one of the many ss versions first, though.

[@tugrakulig]

Thanks for the review. I really love this one so much. Hope I can find it when I'm ready to buy.

[@EscapementWatch]

I hope so too!

[@gyrfalcon7332]

Just picked up a new one from an authorized dealer for $800! It’s running +17 per day but expect it’ll settle eventually. Wears amazingly and it’s quite the looker.

[@haping1]

Great watch. Love the black and orange combo. They should have stick with 1 lume. Not a fancy glowing Christmas tree... For $1.200 you get an aligned bezel, an amazing dial and watchcase and a beautiful strap. But... It looks like they improved one thing, the bezel, and mess up with another, now the movements. For a limmited edition It's not exceptable in my opinion. I go for a microbrand (I.E. Zelos, Phoibos, CW, to name a few). Also limmited volumes but put together with more passion... Seiko please get yourself together again and start making affordable quality pieces again. Thanks for another great review!

[@joasheedesilva386]

I have the Willard and I’m a big YAY for the burnt orange lume and hand!! So much so I might go for the MM200 too…for the 63mas I’m thinking of the SPB213 as I don’t have a white dial watch.

[@michaelbradley6488]

Yep, works for me. I am a sucker for black and orange.

[@michaelphilipvilla6595]

The orange lume is what made me pull the trigger on this one as i feel that it makes the watch unique.

[@EscapementWatch]

Right on!

[@kewlger]

That watch is sick!! If it was a bracelet I'd have to get one 👀

[@andyholton7959]

Yes for orange lume I like the watch, and top review as always 🤙🏻

[@EscapementWatch]

Thanks 👍

[@shafaqalvi8722]

Yay- orange loom on black coated hand elevated look of watch

[@siulungkwong]

I own a spb 149 and I love it

[@oribarsan9873]

love your videos (gorgeous macro photography!) and just subscribed. I also picked up this watch last week.... loving everything about it, except the silicon strap. the stay digs in to my wrist and is really uncomfortable.... i wish i could swap it with another seichu strap. Keep up the good content!

[@EscapementWatch]

Thanks for the sub!

[@rubensanmaurodelbosqur1950]

Excelente Relojes Seiko. 👏👏🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@celie1960]

I have this watch. It's beautiful.

[@camels3269]

How will the coating hold if you take the watch for actual dives in sea water?

[@TeaDoubleE85]

I got the 140th Anniversary SPB213 !

[@novirai5627]

wow seiko , i have to have it .

[@Tartandagger]

Just got this today ,stunning piece of kit ,3 months old paid £640 ...

[@timemeasured9137]

Love all the 62mas reissues!!!! You gotta check out the SBDC163 (royal blue dial)!!!!

[@EscapementWatch]

I saw it. It is 17th colorway but it is JDM only.

[@timemeasured9137]

@@EscapementWatch Yes indeed but it does look great and it also uses the same shiny bezel as the SPB213. On another note, Glycine just released the combat sub 39mm in a bunch of colour ways and has received absolutely no attention at all 🙁.

[@EscapementWatch]

Yeah I noticed the 213 bezel insert it looks great! But I haven't seen that combat sub and I had no idea. Unfortunately we do not have access to Glycine watches.

[@kikomachine8276]

Really tempting FT!

[@EscapementWatch]

Go for it!

[@kanemillard3315]

Yeah I really like this one.

[@John_Smith2302]

I own a SPB253J1 and I love it. It compliments my other two black series models. People crying over the accuracy is just laughable. It's a LIMITED EDITION collectors watch. People collect these watches and probably don't wear them everyday so accuracy isn't an issue. If it is an issue, get it regulated and stop whining. Enjoy the watch.

[@benanthony3985]

For a $1200 watch I find the timekeeping quite poor. It’s a beautiful piece but I wish seiko would invest a bit more in the accuracy of their movements.

[@EscapementWatch]

Agreed!

[@hugowang1767]

Spot on, Ben.

[@joed3613]

I haven't been able to find this watch anywhere in the US.

[@KoangPictures]

that orange lume 🎃

[@gregs.8895]

Lightsaber orange lume!

[@mstevens113]

Yay for the lume colour. But -10 to -15 sucks ass! I don't mind a watch running a bit fast, just hack and count to 10 when putting it on each day, very slow though would do my head in.

[@EscapementWatch]

Yeah I always prefer fast over slow!!!

[@daddykool9507]

I have the Willard SPB257 🤩😍 25% off RRP winning 😉. Great review Titan

[@EscapementWatch]

Nice 👍

[@vkan1991]

The orange is the only thing that throws me off

[@tywinn5786]

Let’s hope a silicon hairspring and other tweaks can save the current 6R35.

[@michaelkaliski7651]

For accuracy, seek out one of the models with a solar movement. Accuracy guaranteed with plus or minus 15 seconds per month on wrist and almost certainly within two or three seconds per month.

[@TheTownWatch]

🔥🔥🔥

[@defeodome2]

Yay!!!

[@AmcoAutoGlass]

Do the mm200 next

[@calebnathan9024]

Yea

[@TheCdM1981]

To me the watch diameter is too small at 40mm. I went with the 1968 reimagining based on the MM since slightly bigger.

[@mchitha]

Do you know when Seiko is going to release their new silicone movement? I did some research but could not find any reference.

[@EscapementWatch]

No idea. Probably when sales start to slow down. Silicone did wonders for the coaxial and should help the 6r tremendously.

[@mchitha]

@@EscapementWatch I already have a MM200 blue hole special edition with the 6R35 with an accuracy of +15s a day. I really liked this model but I am not sold on the accuracy of the 6R35 compared to other similar movements at the same price point. BTW, I found a great deal on this SPB253 for Roughly 650$ used in almost mint conditions. Would you recommend it? I've recently been looking for a PVD watch but also have the speedmaster in mind but I can't afford it for the moment. Should I pull the trigger on this one or wait untill the time is right to buy the speedy. Thanks for the help!

[@EscapementWatch]

Yes def pull the trigger if it comes with the strap. The seichu straps sell very fast online for $90-$100 if you want to put it on rubber.

[@varghejo]

Yay....i think.

[@TheNextMarx]

I like the orange in this watch, but the solid black is not my thing. Neither is the textile strap. I'm waiting on those textured dials. If only the 143 had a matte black dial. Tomorrow (on 4/20) I'm picking up a longines Spirit 40mm blue dial on bracelet. How do you haggle an AD?

[@EscapementWatch]

You say, "I'm really interested but is there any room a reduction in price?" You should be able to get 15% off. I bought the 37mm spirit blue dial and will review it once I get it!

[@ikiboisart]

6r35 movements are a bit disappointing just like on my alpinist recreation, running average of -15s sometimes more. 😢

[@EscapementWatch]

Yea I do not like it when my watch runs slow. I prefer fast a couple seconds.

[@tancreddehauteville764]

Piece of crap. You should complain angrily to Seiko.

[@hrs.ai2018]

Mine got +5-10

[@andrewagaloos6971]

@@hrs.ai2018 my sbdc101 also runs the same

[@hrs.ai2018]

@@andrewagaloos6971great, my alp is spb159j1

[@jerstolp1]

Love that black.. N dlc is great but will scratch fairly easily not super easy but u accidentally smack against something metal or like rocks gravel it'll scratch I've had alot of guns with dlc.. Don't get me wrong it's great live it n definitely better than pvd.. Just treat her right.. N get a scratch or 2 😁😉

[@drmanhattan225]

Wish Seiko would use something else for their midrange offerings. They could seriously challenge a lot of Swiss brands if they just fixed the movement. Surely there must be an Sw/eta equivalent which they could mass produce?

[@EscapementWatch]

6L37 is an ETA 2892 competitor with similar variance on positional accuracy and can be a worthy competitor. But Seiko reserves it for 3k watches now a days. (See: SJE093) Maybe in the future they will bring it down a tier for base 1.5k watches. Then have an upgraded Silicon balance spring and longer power reserve higher spec for the 3k range. Thats what I would do. Seiko will probably do that in the future if sales drop too much.

[@CaptainSnappy]

I love the look of a lot of these Seikos, but I don't want to buy a watch with a 6R35 ever again. My Baby Alpinist has huge positional variance and is super inconsistent. I feel like I never know what I'm going to see when I check its accuracy in the morning. If the movement was better, I'd probably have a collection of recent Prospex models right now.

[@EscapementWatch]

Thanks for sharing! I totally understand.

[@CaptainSnappy]

@@EscapementWatch great job on the video!

[@bigdan2828ify]

I have one of these with the 6R35, I wind it every other day, been accurate now for 2 months, I love mine

[@CaptainSnappy]

@@bigdan2828ify You must be one of the lucky ones! Even on this channel the tests from model to model really vary for the 6R35. Mine is currently away for warranty repair, so I'm hoping it's better when it gets back!

[@ComplexCarlo]

TBH... its a YAY on the orange lume.

[@watchchimp3102]

I don't like black hands on a black dial, you'll only be able to see them via the lume! I'd like it better if the hands and the lume were orange!

[@ristic1]

Yay

[@JasonTheWatchGuy]

Got to say, I really love the black series! Is it worth it? I don't think I've ever paid retail for a Seiko so probably not haha.

[@jameshoward9700]

...Yea!! I think all the black series are pretty cool and that Uemura is immense! Seiko do such a great job with the design of these. But then they let themselves down with that Prospex 'X'! Like a zit on your nose! Gotta be said, always! An 'X' totally clashes with Seiko's mid-high end watch design, which is quite classic, refined and subtle. An 'X' was cool on a Burton in '92, but now it's strictly for Alibaba monster trucks! Then we have that movement. Longines laughs. Dude, even Hamilton laugh. Mind you, do the Swiss laugh?

[@EscapementWatch]

well actually the worst movement on this channel was a hamilton eta 2824! Khaki 40mm. It was dong +200s a day if I recall. Its somewhere on the channel. And it was the dirtiest (inside the crystal) watch I have ever filmed.

[@dhruviin]

yay

[@sorabdb9925]

So 6R35 for a USD 1200 watch .. with a -15 +25 seconds / day…. Isn’t it ridiculous? Why won’t anyone go for a Tissot 1000 SeaStar for that price ?

[@EscapementWatch]

we have a running joke on this channel about the seastar. Tissot has trouble giving them away to people!

[@sorabdb9925]

@@EscapementWatch haha Really? I didn’t feel that at all when the AD swiped my credit card for it May be he wasn’t in on the joke

[@timemeasured9137]

When it comes to dive watches Tissot is not even a thought……

[@sorabdb9925]

@@timemeasured9137 Why?

[@timemeasured9137]

@@sorabdb9925 Tissot is a great swiss brand that makes great watches all around; however they are more known for their dress watches. With so much competition in the Dive watch arena its a steep hill to climb.....So much other brands come to mind when talking dive watches. Cheers.

[@ShadowBend]

Its weird man, I swear youtube wasn't showing me your videos for awhile even though I was subscribed. Been catching up on some from the past weeks/months. I saw some of the black series when I was in EU a couple weeks ago. Ended up picking up the EU only Red/Gilt Samurai but one of the Black series is next on the list.

[@EscapementWatch]

Yeah it is actually how youtube works. They never show all videos even to subs! and even with notifications on! Strange but thats how it works. It helps to always click like and watch to the end and they will usually push it to you more often. But even then they wont show everything. But grats on the euro red sammy!

[@emoroje]

What is the difference of 62 mas vs 63mas?

[@EscapementWatch]

62 is the original and it uses the movement the 6217. 63 is the reimagination and it uses the movement 6r 35.

[@emoroje]

@@EscapementWatch thank you! 62mas is so good and expensive!! Haha

[@lukewalker1051]

I would rather have the 143. OMO.

[@NotThatSlow]

Bah, the accuracy is so trash for a $1200 watch. My King Turtle is -15 spd, and that is annoying enough already.

[@m.l.679]

I would rater have a 4R36 to be honest.

[@EscapementWatch]

Just did a review on a 4R that will upload in a couple weeks. It was running better then cosc in 2 positions

[@m.l.679]

@@EscapementWatch My Turtle Pepsi PADI is running around -2 seconds a day and I'm not babying it. Wich is better then the 6R15 of my Alpinist (-7 seconds / day).

[@Anirossa]

Seiko wanting the money they do for watches with the R6 is silly. Got a powermatic at 1s a day new under 200 euros and my 4R seiko 5 that was under 200 euros isna lot more accurate than the watch reviewed. But its still oretry terrible. Miyota movements seems to be a lot more consistant. I like Seiko divers a lot, but not buying a mechanical one as long as they are this poor in their performance. At the price of around 1000 it feels like a scam when consider the alternatives.

[@danielkrause5175]

yey

[@WouterZtube]

Oh the orange on the bezel insert... 🤢

[@ThePlaiibox]

Seiko "limited edition" = limited to 50000000000 pieces 🤣

[@timemeasured9137]

I think the second hand and minute track should have been in orange.....but this does look very nice.

[@gusthesailor4885]

What ? a 1.200 USD Seiko watch who perform out the box no better than a 70 USD Vostok Amphibian !! Shame 😀

[@AlexanderB.]

Nay! 😆

[@KeithBeacham]

No bracelet no go.

[@blairdalgleish8247]

No doubt it will be very inaccurate!

[@martinharrison4245]

Seiko movements are robust, but the reality is they generally gain a couple of mins a week. I've got a sla043 and even the 8l35 movement isn't any better than the 6r15 in my opinion. It still gains a couple of mins a week !!! It doesn't particularly bother me, but for 4k , it should be more accurate. My rado captain cook is spot on and costs about half the price of the sla043. Seiko need to address this , because their high end watches are superbly made, but usually fall short timekeeping wise compared to tudor and omega etc. I quite like the orange hand , but I would prefer both hands to be orange to match better. It's why I don't like the padi versions much, as one hand is red. It just looks odd in my opinion.

[@EscapementWatch]

The 8L is not regulated from factory, so it's luck of the draw. I'm guessing it is Seiko's way of making you buy a GS. My SLA043 was doing +1s to +4s a day with 320+ amp. It is capable of much better as well if professional regulated to 6 positions.

[@martinharrison4245]

@@EscapementWatch I haven't seen a grand seiko diver I actually like. I think these high end sla models are basically grand seiko in their quality. Obviously the movements should be regulated at this price point. But hey ho that's seiko.

[@EscapementWatch]

so true! I'm not into GS divers.

[@martinharrison4245]

@@EscapementWatch yes the grand seiko divers look a bit OTT to me, and lose that tools vibe that make a great seiko diver, so appealing. And to be honest the finish on most sla models are just amazing, so it would be hard to really improve on them. I think that's why grand seiko concentrate on their dressier models like the snowflake and silver birch etc.

[@ToolwatchBoutique]

Holy chef. The movement is utter garbage. Limited or not, I don't understand Seiko's price scheme. If you pay over 1000USD for a watch, this deviation in rate is NOT acceptable. I have watches that cost half of that with a Sellita or ETA movement, that run within +3-4 seconds per day. I seriously considered buying this watch, but I'm out after seeing how bad it performs.

[@orwellknew9112]

Maybe it just needs to be regulated.

[@ToolwatchBoutique]

@@orwellknew9112 Of course it needs to. But for a >1000$ watch, I certainly expect that to already be the case as soon as it leaves the factory.

[@c8a2s9e7y]

I have two. Both run +/- 10 or better when worn and kept at least half wound.

[@727coolstuff]

Does absolutely nothing for me

[@EscapementWatch]

fair enough bro!

[@Tartandagger]

I bought this watch ,it's lovely looking watch but trust me the movement is utter shite got to reset every 2 to 3 days ,honestly it's fkin shite

[@jaer.6540]

they are really overcharging for this line...they should be coming in in more the $800 range MAX for a) the movement and b) the bracelet (although this one doesn't have it) that doesn't fit in terms of size of style at all.

[@goo4tube]

Careful when buying this Black Series as Seiko has dropped the ball yet again with its QC even with these so called limited editions. I purchased my SPB255 last week online and upon receiving it immediately noticed that the bezel does not line up properly at 12 o'clock. Also the hour hand only lines up with the hour markers at past 5 mins. This is totally crap QC from Seiko and will be my last. Wish I could add a photo comment here to show you the issues I had.

[@FuturisticMaestro]

I wish the orange wasn't there.

[@EscapementWatch]

I think that's how I'm leaning. That plus a black polish bevel and it would be a buy!

[@blairdalgleish8247]

Nay

[@mickeylickey123]

Terribly regulated. If I bought it I'd definitely regulate it but it should never be that bad.

[@mrjones6770]

Any watch with this movement is just a paperweight... I've had 4 watches with this 6r35...all were unable to tell the time.....if a watch can't give you near enough time then it's not a watch

[@GabrielVescovi]

Great watch, garbage movement.

[@hrs.ai2018]

The movement performance is broken

[@tancreddehauteville764]

The Seiko 6R35 movement is a piece of crap. Very inaccurate and shameful for Seiko to sell this junk as 'high end'. The previous version, the 6R15, was much better, despite even that one having some issues, but 6R35 is just a fraud on the consumer. I only buy Seiko quartz from now on.

[@EscapementWatch]

It really is their low end movement. the 6 "L" and the 8L are above it. Then we have spring drive for Seiko as their top movement like in the seiko snr049.

[@akjackson009]

Can we get one without that shitty Prospex logo?

[@EscapementWatch]

Some ppl like it!

[@Adam-eh4fq]

Those movements are trash for the money. For the money i can get Longines that will perform within COSC. Seiko is now overpriced cheap watch and its going for higher price with almost no quality improvement. They aligned bezel put substandard "new" movement and increased price $200-$500

[@EscapementWatch]

Longines cannot be touched when it comes to movement quality price ratio that's for sure! These Seiko movements can perform well after regulation though. I am tempted to open her up and regulate it before sending it back but I'm not allowed.

[@Adam-eh4fq]

Personally got dissapointed i have spb149. Watch is well made but movement is disgrace and should be improved for the price. Mine within couple of weeks went from +15s to - 12s a day without a reason (no drop, no hit to watch)

[@Adam-eh4fq]

If Seiko wants to increase price they have to compete in quality with brands in new price range.

[@EscapementWatch]

that is a huge break in swing from +15s then to -12s. If it is doing -12 consistently, then now would be a good time to regulate it but I agree they need to up the level of movement in the $1000 dollar range and hopefully silicon will fix it. They will never put the 8L in as it is hand assembled and for these mass produced watches you need to print out the movements. Maybe the 6L will hit the 1500 dollar range in the near future.

[@EscapementWatch]

Riki they do have a 28,800 version of the 6'R' as their entry level 4hz. They use it in some presage models. Also, after that they have the 6 "L" chronometer grade 4hz that competes with eta 2892 in architecture. Then we have the 8L hand assembled movement that uses mems tech as the upper range not the entry.

[@CocoKoi321]

Still crap.. that price literally is unreasonable

[@MrJamesDuffy]

Silicon, not silicone. (*strokes douchey neckbeard*)

[@EscapementWatch]

same difference!

[@DarthFungHole]

Yea

[@superluminal54]

Yay