Seiko Best MM300 The SLA023

[@inspector1973]

It worths every penny. No words to describe, just superb. SLA021J owner here.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Nice watch I was thinking of going for the 021 but fancied a different colour this time round

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

I have a 62 MAS with Diashield on it, it does an amazing job of protecting the watch from day to day scratches, absolutely no complaints at all about it.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Its pretty good and has a hardness off around 500Hv were as standard steel is only about 220Hv . You can go as high as 1200/2000 of hardness companies like Sinn offer that level Harry

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

@@ClickSpringReview my Elliot Brown Holton Professional has 1200 Vickers hardness, it's the watch designed with and issued to the UKs naval special forces, the Special Boat Service.

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@HarryFlashmanVC I know those guys and I've already reviewed one about a year ago. Plus I was lucky enough to meet the team behind the brand Harry , There marketing guy use to work for a Pequignet watches which I'm a big fan of . When it comes to quartz models I like the Seiko Tuna or the Sinn UX which is the sole watch used by the GSG9 in Germany

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

@@ClickSpringReview I'm thinking about a 9F Grand Seiko as a daily driver..

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@HarryFlashmanVC I've reviewed a 9F before its a lovely movement you should check out my Quartz playlist Harry

[@MBrown-ct5zn]

I have the Sla021 and find it most comfortable on crafter blue strap or thick Jack Foster leather . The only problem I have with it is that I acquired some scuffs from use and was wondering if they could be polished out. Anybody who can chime in please 🙏 do so. I really like and enjoy my watch. I highly recommend getting one. I passed up a Tudor diver for this one. The mm300 has a very unique thing going for it. Built like a tank! Even swiss fans must admit this watch can contend with most out there. Timekeeping is +6 and slows down with crown up at night. Keeps very accurate and consistent timing. Amplitude is 260-280 dial up. I'm here cause of your Angus bracelet which I'm considering. Thanks for your awesome video.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Hi and glad you enjoyed the video :) I’ve not tried the watch on a leather strap yet but will do , As for polishing only light marks can be removed with say a cape cod but anything deeper can’t be removed without going passed the Diasheild coating and that will leave a line you can see as the coatings a little darker than the steel Ive found years ago

[@clo2715]

I wouldn't try polishing it. You might mess it up. These have diashield coating and you might remove some and it's gonna have a different color than the rest of the case wherever you decide to try to polish. I tried polishing the clasp on my Legend Diver mesh bracelet and you could see the spot on the clasp were I polished it and it doesn't have Diashield imagine the Seiko. I would just leave it alone. The Diashield gives the metal a greyish color and that's another thing I don't like because if you get an aftermarket bracelet for your watch the metal is not the same color so it doesn't match the watch.

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@clo2715 I say you can use a cap cod as its far to soft to go though the coating, I've even use a Dremel before with a polishing head and if you go light its ok but press to hard and you will go though , The problem is Dia-shield is it's only 500HV which is better than normal steel but not super hard like some other companies offer . I have some watches which are 2500HV

[@davidwatson3035]

Excellent review and useful Vickers info. Thank you!

[@ClickSpringReview]

Thanks David good of you say sir

[@TheMaclaughlan]

Got one on order, with a strapcode jubilee on order too. Thanks for a good video.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Thanks Jeff I'm now sporting it on a Strap Code Engineer 2 which I prefer even more then the Jubilee

[@markusf6964]

Great Video. The MM300 is not for everyone. I bought mine in 2002 in Japan relative cheap (1/3 of the current model). It looks like the current watch SLA023 has the same 8L35 movement and the same bracelet and clasp. Just the sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel are not justifying the price increase in my opinion. The SBDX001 has a 12'clock lume dot on the bezel. The dial color (matte black) and the lume color (creme) seems the slightly warmer in look & feel. The clasp drove me crazy everyday. I switched to the rubber strap and this was fine. The original strap had a black metal keeper and was relative medium/soft. It was miles better compared with a SKX or Turtle strap. After 15 years i was giving the MM300 to Seiko for a service and a new crystal. The Seiko Service Center did not service this specific model themself. It had to be send to Japan. The costs for service and new crystal was app. 50% of what i paid for the watch. The 8L35 movement is also very difficult topic. I also bought a SLA033 last year with 8L35 movement. The SLA033 was hand build and obviously regulated with +1second. My SBDX001 runs with -4 to -5 seconds. My conclusion would be, that MM300 is fatastic and rubber strap or a nato strap. Do not try to make this bracelet work. However the Seiko pricing is not realistic. I can get Omega Seamaster Professional (with discount), Breitling Superocean or a Tudor Black Bay for this money. I'm a big Seiko fan, but unaligned bezels for 1000USD and unregulated movements for 3000-4000k is not realy good idea for the reputation of Seiko.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Very true Markus I have to agree with you there , I got my SBDX001 for around £1050 back in 2009 from Japan I was lucky as it ran 1+ sec a day I was really impressed its a shame my new one doesn't do that but I know it can which is frustrating , Its a great movement after all but a shame Seiko don't take the time to regulate it , Seiko I think should half the amount of watches it makes and with what's left just refine them like making sure the bezel lines up if any other company did this people would go mad but Seiko fans are happy to but up with anything I find ( saying that I have 7 lol ) . I had to have my SpringDrive fixed and serviced once that cost around £800 .

[@lmadigan1971]

got my dark manta turtle on today and tried the mm300 and whilst the sla looks nice just too damn heavy for me to enjoy as a regular wear make it titanium and then it would be workable

[@ClickSpringReview]

The MM300 is a heavy watch and I found it far to top heavy on the OEM bracelet and almost sold the watch I just couldn't get on with the weight , I ended up fitted it with a Strap Code Super Engineer bracelet and now it feels much more balanced on the wrist

[@GapBahnDirk]

I have had a Marine Master SBDX001 since 2004 and it is a keeper. My local dealer has an SLA023 in stock and I plan to buy it. Nice review!

[@ClickSpringReview]

Thanks Sir I do miss my SBDX001

[@lavyanagdev8229]

How long can you keep the mm300 before servicing it?I think that would last a lifetime as well

[@jkgkjgkijk]

I built one for 166.00 with ebay and amazon parts. I have a green hulk sunburst Dial, with "automatic, professional 300" the stoplight second hand with the red dot, mm hour and minute hands, a white, alpine, silicone, stitch and steering wheel perferation strap, nh35, hardlex crystal, C3 lume, sapphire glass back, signed crown, gun metal mm bezel with lumed pip, white, indexed chapter ring. It's a head turner. The dial lights up in the sun like a flashlight. Best looking watch in my collection.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Sound really good its just a shame you can't get the 8L35 movement from Seiko as I believe they won't sale it outside of a case , As 8 beats per sec looks so much better than 6 of the NH35 or 6R range , You maybe better of fitting the Miyota 9015 as that is a 28,800hz movement and so would of had the same beat rate , I'm not sure if you can get a metal date disc for this one as the MM300 is known for this but would be a good project

[@adrianhargreaves2854]

Great review. I too had the sbdx001 also around ten years ago and sold it. Missed it more than any watch I've sold and finally yesterday bought one to put an end to my suffering 🙃

[@ClickSpringReview]

Sometimes it just has to be done :)

[@lavyanagdev8229]

How long can you keep the mm300 before servicing it?I think that would last a lifetime as well

[@adrianhargreaves2854]

@@lavyanagdev8229 over 10 years. I'd personally only service it one it ran terribly

[@japudjuha]

Absolutely lust after that model, thanks for the review. I just wish they would lume the whole bezel, I don’t understand why they stop at the 20(aside from maybe the diving aspect of the watch, but I would not be diving with that beauty)

[@ClickSpringReview]

Anytime Japudjuha glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@1968jpy]

I own the SLA047 now and am loving this MM300 .

[@ClickSpringReview]

Did you know there is a new MM300 being released

[@1968jpy]

@@ClickSpringReview I didn’t at the time but very shortly after . I’m loving the watch I got though and not sure how I’m feeling on the new one .

[@ClickSpringReview]

Yeah should be interesting

[@1968jpy]

@@ClickSpringReview I’ve seen the new MM300 umm 🤔 not really sure what to think 💭. What about you ? Have you seen it ? If so what do you think?

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@1968jpy The SLA077 looks good will be interesting to see what the new price is going to be. Still the endlinks dont match the case and they are continue to use the out dated 8L35 movement which takes a hole hour to make a date change :(

[@mickeylickey123]

So the strapcode bracelets for the older marinemasters fit the new SLA021 prospex branded MM's then? Great video

[@ClickSpringReview]

Yes they do Mike

[@mickeylickey123]

@@ClickSpringReview Great. Thank you

[@anotherwatch]

Own the same model. Very nice watch. Love it.

[@ClickSpringReview]

What bracelet do you sport it with Another Watch I've now gone with the Strapcode Engineer being as it doesn't trapper the watch no longer feels top heavy

[@anotherwatch]

@@ClickSpringReview I wear it on the original bracelet. I like the quick adjust.

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@anotherwatch Fair play I'm using that clasp on my MM200 GBH model, I found I only ever use the adjustment part once in a blue moon but its better to have than not 👍

[@anotherwatch]

@@ClickSpringReview I wear my watch to the gym and steam room and hence why I need to quick adjust quite often :-)

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@anotherwatch no you have me there that makes prefect sense then Sir 👍🏻

[@eyebidder]

Just picked up a new Seiko SBDX023 and would like to find a 20mm Hexrad Oyster by Strapcode if anyone knows where to get one at a good price.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Sometimes Amazon is the best place to find them on special offer

[@eyebidder]

@@ClickSpringReview I checked there but they don't have a 20mm only 22mm...thank you!

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@eyebidder www.strapcode.com/collections/replacement-band-for-seiko-mm300/products/metal-ss-bcl05-b054

[@BoricuaTraveler]

Gorgeous piece and very thorough review. Just curious, how does this compare to the SBDC065? I’m aware they are in very different price ranges, but still...

[@ClickSpringReview]

I was planing to do a comparison video in the next few weeks :)

[@BoricuaTraveler]

Great! I’ll be on the lookout when it comes out. Thanks!

[@1968jpy]

Definitely agree with you on this being the best Marine Master to date . I’ve tried this watch on recently and it’s amazing. Love the blue dial and ceramic bezel. Yes definitely worth it even being out of my price range at the moment but worth it . I own a sbdc033 or Blumo/Sumo and that’s my best and favorite watch I own. Adding this grail to my collection is a dream 👍🏻

[@ClickSpringReview]

Joseph Pyburn I think the SBDC065 is a great watch and almost a 1/3 of the price, I plan to do a review next week comparing the two you may like

[@1968jpy]

Time Out Watches awesome 😎 looking forward to watching 👍🏻

[@crispinhurndall9911]

Hi. Just bought one of these, but the SLA021. Love it to bits. It’s a real shame about the original bracelet because it is lovely but the links are just too long! What possessed them to do that I wonder? How did you get the original clasp off? Is it just spring bars either side? Thanks and great review.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Thanks Sir , I've now got a StrapCode Super Engineer 2 bracelet fitted to it, I find it balances out the weight of the watch far better, The clasp its just fitted with spring bars , I'm now using the clasp on my MM200 as the StrapCode is a non tapering design which means it has a 20mm clasp and the Seiko is smaller

[@pauljackson6593]

Great review . I can’t make my mind up

[@ClickSpringReview]

Now I had it on a Strapcode Super Engineer bracelet I love it it just took some time to get there 😁

[@shipmate3577]

I sold mine about a month ago. I didn’t like the off-yellow/green color of the indices; I prefer white

[@ClickSpringReview]

Thats a fair comment Sir I was thinking of going with the black dial but just wanted something different this time round and less Rolex like

[@greenerick]

Like Seiko SEIKO FOR LIFE

[@ClickSpringReview]

I don't hold myself to anyone brand yes I do like some brands more than others but I like so many watches I could never be tried down to just one Sir

[@kabatake]

where did you get the jubille bracelet?

[@ClickSpringReview]

Hi Andrew I got it from Strapcode I now have the super engineer bracelet from them on it I prefer it more than the jubilee

[@garethliversedge8407]

Just purchased this watch, the bezel action is really odd, super smooth then turned holding the 12 and 6 position and really notchy and gritty when turning from the 3 and 9 position. Just odd.

[@ClickSpringReview]

That doesn’t sound good my one is smooth all the way round , Maybe try turning it under a running water as there is a chance some grit may of found it’s way under the bezel , if that doesn’t work try some WD40 give it a good few turns and then wash it with some soapy watch Gareth let me know how you get on 👍🏻

[@garethliversedge8407]

@@ClickSpringReview will do, thanks for the quick reply mate, and fantastic video. I’ve subscribed 👍🏻

[@lavyanagdev8229]

How long can you keep the mm300 before servicing it?I think that would last a lifetime as well

[@ClickSpringReview]

If you wear it everyday I'd say around 5/10 years I'm not sure of service cost, My last Spring Drive when it had a problem cost almost 1100 USD to be done ,

[@nicn3087]

Discontinued now-shame as it’s a stunning watch

[@ClickSpringReview]

I sold mine in the end as it always felt to top heavy

[@jaewooklee5862]

The bezel quality is better on sbdx017 (finishing of stainless part is different)

[@ClickSpringReview]

I do like the old ally bezel finish and colour its true but the new ceramic its very nice plus it triangle is off the scale when compared to a pipe for the amount of lume it has , I do also like the sapphire crystal most people with the older models would mod them for one , I'm still not a fan of the bracelet and end links they are simply crap

[@Ge0rGi.]

@@ClickSpringReview I like the hardlex on my sbdx017 ; I don't like the ceramic either . It's perfect for sbdx017 because its an old school diver .

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@Ge0rGi. I do like the 17 but if you really want old school then you have to get the 001 I used to have one myself but sold it , I like the lume on the new bezel as it's so much brighter then the older models , I'm not a big fan of the watch but I have to say it has the best lume of any of my watches and I'll a fair few , I'm still not sure if I'm going to sell it as it runs 6 sec a day which at the price isn't good as I have 6R15 movements which are only 1s, The end links are a joke the bracelet and clasp aren't the best and its very top heavy lol

[@Ge0rGi.]

@@ClickSpringReview I prefer sbdx17 because it has the improved movement over the 001. I had a Rolex submariner which was running -4 , that's the cosc limitt -4 +6

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@Ge0rGi. Rolex are guaranteed to 2+ 2- for 5 years which is very impressive you could of took it back under warranty , The MM300 on the other hand is pot luck , my old 001 model was great at 1 sec a day which is the same as my MM200 and much better than my new model , My biggest problem with it is the bracelet end links and clasp they are 20 years old and need improving they have improved over areas and now they need to sort this without adding more to the price . I paid £1000 for a new 001 back in 2010 the watch now is £2800 and still has end link which rattle around

[@TheChef11111]

The older version of sla023, the new version has small marker on 3 o’clock.

[@ClickSpringReview]

I personally think the little hour maker looks ugly what do you think ?

[@joechino9022]

I have a 6 1/2 wrist... It probably will look huge on my arm....🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ClickSpringReview]

Its border line Sir you may just get away with it

[@Goob2112]

I have a 6-3/4 wrist and my SLA013 fits me great. I think you can pull it off.

[@lowersaxon]

If you have 28800 bph this is not for viewing a nice hovering of the hour hand but accuracy. It should have COSC accuracy at least and what is more guaranteed. Though Seiko doesnt do anything like this.

[@ClickSpringReview]

Hi Thomas , the beat rate doesn't have anything to do with accuracy sir I have a Panerai with 21,600 bph and that's still COSC rated movement , The higher the beat rate the smoother the second hand flow's around the dial , Seiko should regulate the movement at this price point after all its a dam fine movement and can obtain COSC levels easy

[@seamasterist]

I agree Sir, look at FP Journe for example. Expensive pieces well beyond my means, many of their models COSC certified yet all of their movements as far as I am aware are 3hz, 21,100bph. Frequency has nothing to do with accuracy in mechanical watches. I do wish people would understand this!

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@seamasterist Watch companies sometime slow the movement down to 3hz just to get a longer power reserve , A interesting side note AP watches are not COSC rated, I got one once the Offshore Drive new and it ran 12+ a day I complained and they got it down to 9+ ,I complained again as this watch was very expensive and they said its with in there specs as they are not COSC rated and its good enough ,

[@ji1787]

i love this watch, but it is 4times more in price than my sumo ... my head wins this boxing not my heart ... :(

[@ClickSpringReview]

I know where your coming from it is a lot, I believe you can get used once for as low as £1650 all be it not the blue model but the older 017 model

[@kirill2028]

What i is still can't understand, is why would anybody need a 5k dive watch. You can dive or snorkel with100 dollar watch. Dive watches are quite simplistic in design in my opinion brutal and quite ugly , everyone talks about lume how often do you actually read time in darkness.

[@ClickSpringReview]

I can see what your seeing but why do we love sports cars with lots of power and go at 200mph when a Smart City car can do the speed limit , As for lume I wear my watch when I sleep and if I wake up in the middle of the night I like to be able to read my watch to see what time it is , So lume I use a lot Sir

[@Chineseguy001]

to be honest dive watches are only used as backup. Divers have electronic equipment which is more reliable and tells you more info.

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@Chineseguy001 Thats true Vlach

[@levedia]

you put a crappy bracelet on the marinemaster.

[@ClickSpringReview]

I’d say it’s the other way round sir the standard end links rattle from side to side there design doesn’t match the case in anyway, the links of the bracelet are to long and still use pin and collar system Seiko are not known for quality bracelets or even Grand Seiko for that matter

[@levedia]

@@ClickSpringReview i disagree cold harldly lol

[@ClickSpringReview]

@@levedia To be fair I now have it on the Strap Code Super Engineer 2 bracelet it’s the same as I use on my Tuna ,I love the fact it doesn’t trapper and so evens out the weight of the head of the watch far better :)

[@levedia]

@@ClickSpringReview the rubber strap there ?

[@levedia]

@@ClickSpringReview just ordered solar tuna. Which tuna you have ?