WARNING BEFORE YOU BUY: Seiko SPB143 / SBDC101 One Month Review!

[@jdcnyc]

I’m so glad I found this video prior to my search for this watch. Finding a 1st gen dial was certainly more difficult but not really more expensive. Thank you for this! 💯

[@clintonshiells3095]

I really appreciate the care, accuracy, and honesty of this review. Many thanks! I’m a fan of Singapore by the way.

[@k0pper]

Years ago (probably 15+) I saved for a long time and found a decent deal on a used no date 5 digit submariner. I ended up selling it a couple of years ago when the prices started getting ridiculous and I didn't want something that expensive for day to day wear. This watch ticks some of the same boxes for me (no I'm not saying Seiko is better than Rolex by any means), but it's a legible, well designed, well proportioned, functional dive watch with an OK bracelet, which is the same role the sub filled for me for many years. People forget that until Rolex got into the 6 digit models their oyster bracelet was pretty bad/flimsy. Strapcode does make some options for better bracelets if someone has an issue with this one.

[@andrewsantos8402]

after watching this video 5 months back, i finally pull the trigger for the SPB147, stunning piece

[@evh4611]

The no-lume-on-3-o-clock version will be collectible and a classic in the making

[@Studat]

I was going to ask that...

[@j-sonS]

Just got mine in the mail. I also ordered 3 aftermarket straps. I figured out how to size the metal bracelet it comes with and have worn all straps. So far I like the original metal one. What a great watch.

[@earlbee3196]

🕗 ✌🏻 Thanks for sharing.

[@evh4611]

I absolutely love my SPB143 and wear it right now on a tropical strap

[@ryangochuico]

Also got mine from gnomon back in late July 2021. I got the lume pip at 3 oclock version and it is the one i want for reason of uniformity in the dark all hour markers glowing. The 3 oclock lume is very tiny and nonintrusive for me so it does not bother me at all. Of course it would have been nicer if it was like the samurai where it doesnt get put on top of the chapter marks. Anyway, this is my most expensive seiko currently and i love it. I wear it daily and at first it was gaining 9 seconds per day, then 15 seconds per day, then 20 seconds per day. After 3 weeks on wrist daily, it has settled down at 6 seconds per day. Thanks for the review. 🥰

[@yakubekartawidjaja]

Is it still 6 seconds per day?

[@ryangochuico]

@@yakubekartawidjaja honestly i cannot say. I now have 18 watches in rotation so i wear a different watch each day that i have stopped paying attention to how many seconds they deviate daily. I just know that they keep time well enough on the day i use them. 😄

[@topquinn]

How was your experience purchasing from gnomon? I am in the US and considering it.

[@ryangochuico]

@@topquinn quick and easy from the site itself, but i got roosterblocked by my local customs and wouldnt release the item unless i paid for a customs broker and customs taxes. Altogether i ended up spending about $1,750 for this $950 watch because of the local customs fees involved. Hoping your experience would be less expensive 😄 Gnomon site is cool though and they fulfilled their end of the transaction without any problems.

[@topquinn]

@@ryangochuico sorry to hear that. What country did you have it shipped to?

[@62strat27]

Just picked this model up today :) the dial is absolutely stunning i hear a lot of people complaining about the bracelet I think it’s perfectly nice

[@tickbacktime]

I can kinda understand their gripe with the little things about it but I enjoy the bracelet as well!

[@bogarbill6331]

Same here

[@HarryFlashmanVC]

So I don't have an issue with Seiko bracelets not matching the head unit, there are reasons for this. On original watches of the period, such bracelets were often aftermarket. Dive eagches came with rubber. It's only been recently, with the advent of milling technology that bracelets have made a huge quality leap. For a vintage look then the bracelet should look a bit 'aftermatket'

[@tickbacktime]

That's a good point. I've never looked at it that way before. It didn't bug me though!

[@earlbee3196]

A superb point. Thanks for sharing. 🕗 ✌🏻

[@Huwberts_Emporium]

I'm really glad I've got the original version, as you say, the lume pip sitting within minute track totally ruins the symmetry. The bracelet is okay but could be better for the price.

[@lowersaxon]

COSC means - 4 to + 6 spd.

[@resjon7981]

This is such a classic looking Seiko that although mine has no misalignment or rattling end links if it did have those flaws I would not be bothered. In years to come one will be glad to own one regardless of the flaws. I have seen Rolex watches with flaws, misalignment etc. Until you mentioned it I did not know that the newer ones have no bevel edge date window, glad I have the older model.

[@toetz4491]

if its not misaligned...its probably fake lol

[@AndreAndre-yd5gw]

It's easy to fix the misaligned bezel. You can find a video on it here on youtube.

[@MrTripsJ]

I’m lucky to live in Japan and bought it used very good price from a guy who owned it for 3 months

[@tbonewalk]

Wow, you got in my head about the lume pip at 3 o'clock. I have the 101 with the lume at 3 and now I will hunt one down without it!

[@kikomachine8276]

I've put it in alot of straps and it looks amazing!

[@izecubez]

Chio watch! Recently I got my hands on the King Samurai in white. :D Straight up removed the rubber strap, slap on a nato and it now becomes my going out watch.

[@tickbacktime]

White King Samurai really chio!

[@MrBacchus18]

I have one also, great watch, I put it on a crafter blue fitted rubber strap but it works well with so many straps.

[@BuckNaked2k]

You got one of the good ones without the lume pip inserted at 3.

[@lowersaxon]

Signed crown? What for? For the feel of luxury and perfection, right? Seriously? Any crappy watch can have a signed crown. Completely superfluous, like „divers extension“, imho.

[@WuBloodKin09]

Facts

[@JinKee]

they should have made a fully lumed date wheel

[@tickbacktime]

Oh yes that would be cool. Sadly that's not a common trait for Seikos

[@ciripaciripa4373]

Are u proud having this watch??

[@jaredhill1021]

I had a SBDC101 with a misaligned bezel and movement running out of spec. Where it's made doesn't impact QC...

[@tickbacktime]

That's unfortunate! Seiko really needs to get their act together.

[@timemeasured9137]

Great review! If you had to choose…. Seiko Spb143 vs Oris Aquis?

[@tickbacktime]

Thanks! I don't really enjoy the short lugs on the Aquis. I only felt it looked weird when I tried it out and had it on wrist, so I suggest you try one on in store before deciding. Hope this helps!

[@MrBacchus18]

I picked up a San Martin 62mas for $200 a while back. The Seiko is a better watch all the way around but the San Martin is pretty good and has better Lyme than my Samurai

[@earlbee3196]

I don’t like fake watches, Or homologies, whatever you call them , The original and best way to go And I am a Seikohollic 🕗🕗🕗 ✌🏻👱🏻‍♂️🕗

[@paulpoon7253]

Which shop in S'pore can get the best price for it ?!

[@mentalplane]

The new pip at 3 o'clock completely ruins the dial and therefore ruins the watch for me

[@MSH3423]

When you say lined up the bezel... does it mean the pear and the 12 clock marker some times does not line up?

[@tickbacktime]

Yes that is correct!

[@manuelnegrete2168]

Hello, as to your observation. I have a skx007, a Alpinist sarb017, a Samurai STO and a Seiko 1964 reissue and none have misalignment issues. Now Seiko offers more expensive watches with alignment issues. Seiko an keep their junk watches, to many other excellent watches available.

[@paulpoon7253]

I'm from S'pore too 👍👍

[@Chris.Strange]

No signed crown and end links that look like they're for a different watch, for that price? Seiko really need to have a look at what you can get from other brands for a much cheaper price.

[@tickbacktime]

It's not a dealbreaker for me but I see how it can be for some!

[@kewlger]

Never really understood the obsession with a signed crown. Plus the S they use on the presage models is ugly but I guess they could've put an X but I mean that doesn't even scream Seiko.

[@1bojanbojan]

Was at the seiko retailer this morning with intention to buy SPB143J1 but with my wrist being 8.25” it seems a bit too small. What are my options now? Dose seiko made any watch similar to SPB143J1 in 43-45mm? Thank you

[@harkatdz]

Sbdc051 42.6mm

[@ChaPPie01]

Ssiko samurai models will be fit perfectly for that size wrist👌

[@luisguevara7402]

Nice Review

[@lucapetreri1770]

hello. could i know your wrist size pls?

[@tickbacktime]

Just a tad under 7 inches

[@bryansenulis7242]

How much r they in us dollar? Nice watch man

[@tickbacktime]

oh they really vary in price depending on whether you get the jdm release or the international ones. I sugguest you check out Gnomon Watches for the exact variant I got (SBDC101)

[@markwolfson9811]

How is the accuracy?

[@tickbacktime]

I'm getting +2 to +3 spd for this piece. But as you know, its luck of the draw with these Seiko movements

[@mohammedislam5130]

I bought a SPB 147 and it was running plus 20 -25 sec a day. I sent it back for warranty and came with same crappy accuracy. It also has bezel alignment issue. No more seiko for me.

[@tickbacktime]

@@mohammedislam5130 very sad to hear that. Seiko really needs to step up it's game.

[@spirospolitis6939]

I recently got this SPB297J1 Save the Ocean Special Edition. Accuracy is pretty amazing, running 1-2 seconds a day fast. Fairly impressed, as it is on par with my Black Bay.

[@kirill2028]

It’s rubbish boring dude for 1000 dollars + all the vintage stuff beats it easily