Proxima Scubamaster MM300 ⌚ - Seiko MM300 homage - Full Review | The Watcher

'I really like this watch...' Yes I do. This is by far one of my favourite watches from AliExpress and one of the best watches from Proxima & ONE OF THE BEST WATCHES out there. It ticks so many boxes, looks awesome and is built exceptionally well!!
So, I need your help, apart from the smaller 'niggles' tell me what you really dislike about this watch and what you would have changed?
Check out the affiliate link below for the Proxima MM300 'Gilt' & in black
s.click.aliexp...
Check out my ebay store:
ebay.co.uk/usr...
email: [e-mail]
#thewatchereviews #proximawatches #proximamm300 #homagewatches #proximadivewatch

[@npg68]

I scored this same watch a couple of weeks ago at an auction - it is in mint condition. It was part of a collection being sold and I got it for half the price of a new one. I haven't bought or owned a watch in 40 years but when I saw it, it just spoke to me. One thing I have noticed is in direct sunlight, the blue turns to black, which I think looks kinda cool.

[@rhinowatches9738]

I bought this exact watch about 1 1/2 years ago ! Last week I ordered the Seiko Marinemaster gilt dial and I can’t wait to install it !! I absolutely love this watch!

[@neildavies4403]

Definitely the most handsome MM homage.....and now with a milled clasp, I'd say this is now king! Of course San Martin competes in quality but it's a full £80 more expensive...which in this case cannot be justified!

[@jamespayne6792]

Bought one a couple of months ago, really happy with it. My first gilt watch, and not disappointed. Also Proxima have done a good job on this watch, really well put together. Your MM comparison series inspired me!

[@keefs3941]

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!! Got to get my grubby littles on this piece. Great review too as always

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Thanks man

[@jananilcolonoscopu4034]

Gotta agree with your assessment; the Proxima has turned out a really fantastic range of MM300 watches, and the price is quite reasonable; makes me nostalgic for back in the day, when Seiko was selling high-spec, reasonably priced watches. These are great for modding too.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Too right, love this watch man

[@davebowman1982]

Wow. The more I see of this, the more I need one... now just to navigate their needlessly fussy website to get the right dial/bezel combo Great review mate 👍🏻

[@eugenethomas4647]

My wife got me the Scuba Master (mm300 homage) for Christmas. I'm a seiko lover and a bit of a snob and I absolutely love this watch. It's flawless! It actually makes me mad at Seiko. If Proxima can make a great watch at this price point, Seiko surely can as well. If you want to buy a brand new MM300 from Gnomon it'll cost you over 3 Grand (Canadian). You get the 8L movement, the diashield and ratchet clasp but is that worth the extra 3 Grand to get that over this one??? Watch prices have gotten out of hand and it's going to push people toward brands like these. This watch is an insane value.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Yeh exactly and tbh your wife made a very well educated choice. If you had say the steeldive version you would have not been impressed. Proxima do a very very good mm300 . One of the best watches hands down

[@janreeves5443]

This Proxima watch is an excellent homage of the Seiko sbdx012 - limited 50th anniversary edition - inky 1,000 were produced in 2018.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Yes you're absolutely right!! Thank for that info!

[@black79montecarlo123]

Lovely pieces for the price. Thanks for the video!

[@stevepodraza6363]

Need to pick one of these up! Probably won’t even mod this it’s so good!

[@atrixmike9049]

I have the titanium version of this Proxima. Only problem I've had is the spring bars that connect the bracelet to the clasp rusted out. One side broke and the watch fell to the ground. The other side was very hard to get out because it was rusted over and the spring bar wouldn't compress.

[@mrseotester743]

I've got 2 proximas; a tuna thats absolutely impeccable and the new MM300 which I'm not happy with at all. The ceramic bezel insert has 2 small cavitations (holes) and the brushing on the right case side near the crown is abysmal with little lines going into the polished part. Allthough I think Proxima are great and they we're nice enough to send me another bezel insert i think your mileage may vary. Ask for high res QC pics if ordering on Ali just to be sure.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Agreed and by all means hold them accountable on poor qc. Ive had maybe 5 different proxima watches and no qc issues so far

[@criatorioaltamogiana-bicud2204]

Great review. I own the seiko, but after seeing your proxima mm300 homage videos I ordered the gilt version one. The watch just got here and it is very nice. Love it. To me, the mm is the best diver design ever. I think it is inspired in an egg shape. It has a large diameter that narrows down toward the face and the back, making a watch that is large with great wrist presence and yet looks and wears small. I opted for the full lumed ceramic bezel insert, but I regret. Should have got the gilt insert. They want 43 US for this insert alone. No way.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Hey , yeh the watch is indeed one of my favourites. I went with the guilt as you saw as it matches the overall look well. 43 dollars does seem a bit steep but it is a very well made insert

[@criatorioaltamogiana-bicud2204]

The one thing that I noticed rigth away is that the proxima does not have the dial depth of the seiko. Why do you think that is? The nh35 is thicker than the 8l35? I think that makes all the difference. I got mine through aliexpress. Do you think I would get a better deal dealing the extra bezel and insert directly with them? Thanks.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

@@criatorioaltamogiana-bicud2204 i think so, as that bezel insert is hard to get hold of from elsewhere

[@Pathfinder-Sarawak]

A really nice review , great attention to detail . Great looking watch

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Thanks Rich

[@sixtring73]

I really like your videos and I'm very interested in buying one of these. It seems the San Martin version of the MM300 are no longer available which is a shame but these look very good and a lot cheaper. The only thing I would disagree on is that I encourage the idea of having as many options as possible. The problem is not choice, rather it's the lack of clarity when trying to make that decision. The pictures of the bezel insert options are just not clear enough to really know what your looking at. If you hover over the picture you sometimes get a brief line of text which is a help but I really think they need to show much better pictures of each available option. The main generic pictures they use are excellent so let's have the same quality for the options please!

[@janreeves5443]

It almost appears as if Proxima designed their website to be a confusing as possible. I just received a new Proxima mm300 - black ceramic bezel with white numbers and lumed pip. The dial face is black with guilted outlines around the white markers and date window. The white hour/minute hands are also outline with guild. The second hand is gold with the Seiko red/white traffic light. The overall appearance is stunning - very close homage to the Seiko sbdx012. I have a new Seiko mm300 ratcheting clasp on order to complete the watch (mine did come with the new milled clasp upgrade and it looks and performs quite well). My only “concerns” with this $200 watch are the accuracy and the bezel action. The bezel is outstanding in appearance and alignment - but it is difficult to turn. Since I hardly ever use the bezel on my divers I suspect I will “live with it.” After only a few days of wearing the watch my accuracy is running +17/day - perhaps it will settle down with time. Overall I would rate this watch as outstanding and on a par with most Seiko’s including my Seiko Alpinist, sbdc 033 mm300 Tuna, and sbdc063 mm200 - it is that good.

[@davebowman1982]

100% agree with this. Their website is pretty awful

[@pimporoex]

I really like the watch, but I would love it if it had the same configuration and the dial in a green color like the one on the San Martin. For me it would be perfect.

[@kengachira]

The meteorite dial looks sweet

[@JavierEspi77]

Great video and excellent review

[@jamesg4670]

This is crazy that this watch can be had for the price of a seiko 5kx...i still cant wrap my head around this hahaha

[@fvlok]

Get the Heimdallr with the ETA 2824. Love mine. Oh and you get the cool shark logo rather than some name that means nothing anyway

[@rs.p]

This will be my first Proxima purchase... do you know if it's possible to get the bezel insert with the thinner debossed numbers? Their online promo photos show a bezel insert with thinner "font" for the numbers if that makes sense. I love they supply photos of the actual watch purchased and would like to spec that style. Your comments on the bezel options from Proxima is so true! Again great review, immensely helpful!

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Yes just ask that its a black ceramic with gold lettering

[@rs.p]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, cheers!

[@tc6578]

Thanks for this detailed review. My only concern with this watch is the thickness of 16mm.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

I have a 6.5" wrist an believe me its no concern. It depends on your taste, if you do like the MM300 then it will be thicker than usual as that is the style of the watch. This is by far one of the most premium feeling watches on AliExpress

[@poshakthapa679]

how do i get this one and how much ?

[@heyerrock6432]

I dont like this strap brecelet proxima cant fix. This buckle have stop on my wrist hand..any suggest wicth brecelet or jubilee is better ?

[@ericgabriel3902]

As always a great video. I have the titanium version with gilt dial and a Merkur SS version incoming next week to see the difference in wearability. Do you happen to know what the size of the crystal is in case somebody can't live with the blue AR.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

That merkur should be really nice, sorry I don't know the size of crystal, not measured it, when I do, i will let you know

[@arkiepoo]

I have this beast too... extremely solid. Whats that bronze piece on your wrist during the review'?

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Its the heimdallr 6309 bronze with green dial

[@LaithFaouri]

It possible to use the Seiko OEM part in the Proxima such as the bracket dial etc ?

[@ragnarone5409]

I wish Proxima would made a smaler MM200

[@michaeldonovan5107]

The Aliexpress link above takes me to the Shark Master. The Scuba Master on the Proxima page does not show the gold numeral bezel.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Some pics are old

[@michaeldonovan5107]

@@TheWatcherReviews I thought as much considering you noted how ‘busy’ the number of variations there were. Great review by the way.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

There's just so much variations which is a waste of money. Too many options and people don't know what to get.

[@videowatch399]

Link to your other channel?

[@dondulah]

I'm worried about the font on the bezel quality. I want the gilt version and I want the numbers to be sharp.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

They're not exactly sharp but they look fine to me, it gives a granier slightly vintage look. However its about how you like it

[@dondulah]

@@TheWatcherReviews Thanks! You do good work.

[@BCallum]

Great vid...16.5 mm "reasonable thick" More like unreasonably thick. I agree, the pictures on their store leave little to be desired. I passed on buying a Proxima and went to the black\gold 1000M Heimdallr Tuna. Blue AR on a blue watch is spot on, this one needs clear AR. I am still not sold on the "cute dolphin" logo. Beautiful looking watch, you will likely need to be a big guy to carry it off. As a big guy, you can ship it to me if you ever get tired of it :) I can carry it off nicely! Once again, great video, great channel.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Haha, yeh I do think this is an awesome watch. The 16.5 mm thickness does suit the build. Nice one 👍

[@awatjack5638]

I 'm deciding to get one mm300(black dial with nh35) homgage between Heimdallr and Proxima. Can you please suggest me which one has better quality? Thanks

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Proxima

[@awatjack5638]

@@TheWatcherReviews which mm300 homage with nh 35 is the best in your opinion?

[@TheWatcherReviews]

@@awatjack5638 proxima

[@awatjack5638]

@@TheWatcherReviews Thanks for your advice. Your channel is the best.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Thank you!

[@1968jpy]

This is a beautiful Marine Master homage watch . I’m very tempted to buy a MM 300 homage watch . My question is which is the best MM300 homage watch ? The Heimdallar or sharkey watch or this proxima watch ?

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Proxima all the way

[@1968jpy]

@@TheWatcherReviews thanks much appreciated. Do you recommend the Seiko NH35 movement or the PT5000 movement?

[@HOS457]

if you don't have $ for Seiko get this one, work fine with Seiko movement in it,

[@bigshoe84]

I wonder how it’s possible to get the crown out of this watch to get the movement out? Typically you would take the case back off and push the button to release the crown/stem but this has no case back to remove.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Opens from the top, remove bezel, screw out crystal and unscrew stem collar.

[@bigshoe84]

@@TheWatcherReviews Oh nice, thanks for the reply.

[@princeofwetland]

Hello, Thanks for the video ! I would like to buy the Proxima MM300 Meteorite / GILT but with an AR Clear glass and not blue. Do you think it exists?

[@muckcity355]

Hey brother I bought the blue dial one and really want the black dial too! But can’t find it anywhere I only want proxima..if you know where I can find one please lmk

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Discontinued now

[@jimg8887]

Do you have a link to your new channel

[@TheWatcherReviews]

kzbin.info/door/ln-Hm-kgImqL3x2G8NBrkQ

[@hansbischoff8391]

Heimdallr told me that they sell a Jubilee strap who fits my Proxima sbdx001. Anybody now about this?

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Yes i believe it does

[@danielhovet5675]

i don't understand. i followed your link to Aliexpress and i see in the picture that the watch hes the old simple laser dolphin. how can i find your watch?

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Thats an old picture, you will receive the new model with 3d dolphin

[@danielhovet5675]

@@TheWatcherReviews thanks mate🙏🏻 i just wanted to be sure. great review as always

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Cheers!

[@screamao8841]

whos better?proxima or san martin.never bought proxima before

[@TheWatcherReviews]

On the marine master, i will have to say Proxima

[@screamao8841]

@@TheWatcherReviews i hope it has better click spring mechanisme than san martin.i tried to replace the bezel insert on my san martin diver.took of the bezel and it was hold by a slim spring like a wire and it broke.i wish they use spring like seiko skx.easier to install and take off

[@TheWatcherReviews]

@@screamao8841 it still uses the retention wire but its very good. I will be doing a demonstration on how to do this on my other channel so make sure you subscribe to that!!

[@hansbischoff8391]

Hello, I just bought a Proxima sbdx001 Ss case milled clasp ( manta ray) Im very satisfied the watch is really beautiful But I would like to try a beads of Rice strap or a Jubilee strap. Cant find nothing fits Proxima. Can anyone help me? Thanks

[@possumsam2189]

Only thing that bugs me about Proxima is their refusal to use other movements. I mean it is hard to justify another NH-35 purchase when every Tom, Dick & Harry Micro and OEM sells them. That and their sales photos. They would do better if they took the San Martin or Sea-gull Approach. Even Steeldive uses more appealing pictures for their products.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

100% agree with you and i know where you're coming from. Imagine my whole collection is just NH35/36 😬😅 With this, it has the best aesthetics and looks the part. They do the miyota 9015 but only with HIMQ dial, which doesn't make sense. If this was a 9015, spot on!

[@possumsam2189]

@@TheWatcherReviews I don't mind a 9015 or a PT-5000 or a ST-2130. And I know there are a few who wouldn't mind forking out for a SW-200 or ETA-2824. It also keeps the cases slimmer

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Yeh i agree with you. Pt5000 are actually very affordable and even cadisen can get away with using a 9015 in a £100 watch. I like the dims as its meant to be a chunky watch. I need to have a chat with Proxima then...lets see what we can get out of them

[@neildavies4403]

Total respect to your opinion, but I just don't understand the quest for different movements.....The beauty of this sector is VFM right? The fact that the NH movement is as solid and reliable as it is at what...£40 quid to replace, is astonishing if you think about it! High beat is more refined and nice to have but also needs more frequent service and actual gains in accuracy are inconsequential....... Enjoy the sweet spot of quality and value gents! Love your channel.....very thorough with no snobbish waffle....:)

[@TheWatcherReviews]

@@neildavies4403 appreciate the comments..stay tuned!

[@flat4-]

Ordered one, I hope customs here does not play dumb and let it pass.

[@rimas.kalpokas]

Is it really sapphire on this one? They have it unclear in the Ali's listing..

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Yes it is really sapphire

[@NathanChisholm041]

Noice! I've got one in my Ali cart alongside a San Martin! I hate choosing lol

[@Norbert_Delarge]

PLEASE, MAKE REVIEWES IN GLOVS AND LEVEL OF YOUR CHANNEL WILL SEEM MUCH SERIOUSER, THaNK YOU FOR GREAT REVIEW

[@LeeTanczos]

Would be lovely to see the details on the watches, can you turn off the lamp which is around the camera? Your videos seem to all be overexposed and the details are always washed out due to being too heavily lighted.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

You think i need to reduce the light? Il try, i dont like it to be too dark

[@LeeTanczos]

@@TheWatcherReviews yeah definitely change the lighting... we’re really not seeing the details, and the devil is in the details :-)

[@stevepodraza6363]

Anyway I can just order a bracelet?

[@stevepodraza6363]

Found them on AliExpress 😃

[@stevepodraza6363]

I just picked a year old mint condition for $125! It’s the himq version!

[@TheWatcherReviews]

Sweet!

[@muhammadaleemshahid5b2]

Very good watch this watch also avialable 40mm and 47lug to lug and solo sks also must available same length

[@leonardodavinci6625]

Could you share link to 40mm variant?

[@Emmepi37]

Don't like the dolphin, it's ridiculous.

[@TheWatcherReviews]

How can you not like Dolly the Dolphin?