@@unknown81360 idk just went into my local watch shop and it was the best one they had for an everyday wear. They had some dress watched I probably liked a little more but I didn't see myself wearing them daily
Thank you for the excellent overview. Not having a blue dial in my collection, I'm looking at this classic SPB297 and the Ice Willard SPB263. Very tough choice. Trying not to get both. Best.
I’ve received mine and the dial is gorgeous , love the fact that is not that light blue that the press pictures showed, as the light hit the dial on different angles that blue changes beautifully even it can pass as SPB149 under dimmed light, the lum is great as well as the bezel click action and alignment
I just paid deposit of $200 aud to a dealer in Vietnam who can get the watch directly from Japan for me. It was a great deal as I will have it for $400 aud cheaper. My friend will be picking up the watch for me in Vietnam, but he wont get back to australia until November. Time is killing me...
Picked this up around 2 weeks ago. Put it on a Strapcode rubber strap straight away as the bracelet was just disappointing . You’d expect a watch at this price point to at least have a decent bracelet. Not to mention the movement . Anyone know if I could get this watch properly regulated at a local watchmaker ?
I still like my version better - SPB149 dial in a 213 case, I call it the "BlueMAS." The dial and bezel color match perfectly, and no awful ISO compliance 3 o'clock lume blob to spoil anything.
Still a complete stunner! I still think the grey is the way to go, beautiful as this birch dial is. The blue just looks a little bit jarring to me for some reason. I think the "Icy Willard" you showed looks more cohesive as a whole.
That dial looks as good as I imagined from the initial renderings. Are those markers/lume the same as on the SPB143, or is that different in this version?
Is the lume on this and the SPB143 different in thickness? Or maybe the applied/pressed dial indices? Because I think the SPB143's indices look thicker than this one.
The original grayscale version worn by Shohei Otani brought the _Star Wars_ to the Tudor Black Bay 58’s _Pirates of the Caribbean_ . An amazing watch in every way, and even more brilliant with the deep ice blue dial model reviewed here (also worn by Otani). I may have to add to my collection and complete the Otani duo!
Beautifull blue dial in that amazing 62mas case. However, it's a shame the bezel could not be blue to match the dial. I agree, this also should have been paired with matching blue silicone strap or even a Seichu strap.
@@EscapementWatch cant wait for your review on it. I have pre ordered one already but stocks hasnt arrived yet with the dealer im getting it from. More power to your channel. 😊
I got both spb297 and spb299. They are both spectacular. The 299 is more photogenic and pops while worn, but it is not versatile as much as the 297. 297 is also more handsome looking to me bc it is more tool like and simpler looking, a la tudor black bay. Also works well w a variety of straps. But the 299 gets a lot of attention and compliments from others though.
@@bryanryan4504 i also already own the spb143 so it made going for the 299 easier since i can just pass off on the 297 right away. You're right though, both dials definitely look gorgeous.
@@ryangochuico yeah if you have 143, definitely pass on the 297 as it is exactly same watch but just textured blue. 299 is way more modern looking and although listed at 42mm, it looks and wears like a 40mm for some reason. It is best on its own oem bracelet. And I rarely ever use the bracelets that seikos come on. But to be honest, having both blues 297 and 299, it isn't redundant, and I do enjoy both in my collection.
I should also add that it's not really the markers being pressed that's causing the issue. ALL Seiko divers have pressed markers, including MM300, LX Spring Drive, all of the other SLA releases, etc. They all are. The difference is that the higher tier models like the previous generation 6RMAS and MM200 used to have pressed *outlines* for the markers, and then Seiko would deep fill the space inside those outlines with lume. The new ones don't have that. The markers are pressed out as one solid block, and then the lume is painted on *on top* of the block. You can easily see this when you zoom into macro level on the dials, they are totally different than the older ones. They layer of lume they paint on top of these blocks is very thin, and so the lume is very weak compared to older Seikos, and frankly, disappointing. I have that same AM Seiko "SLA037" dial, and I've compared it to several 63MAS dials that I have (145, 149, 213). It *destroys* them. It's not even a contest, it absolutely wipes the floor with them in brightness. Other after market dials I have that have applied markers with deep filled C3 do the same thing. That's just how they are now, Seiko diver lume is no longer special at all.
I found it hard to tell if the sla043 was pressed or applied as it was so tall off the dial. If they can press it out that much that is impressive. I'll have to take a deeper look. But good point they can press it out and leave a pool to fill in a couple layers. I noticed it when I woke up once at 5am and I could still see the AM sla037 dial glowing and the rest were dark. When these new models released the lume looked strange, rounded tops creates the illusion of lume. It is disappointing for sure. But on the SLA models that have filled in lume it lasts much longer.
SLA043 is 100% stamped. You can find pictures of the backs of the dials and see the stampings on them. Interestingly, Tortoise is not stamped, those are actually applied, and beveled which the stamps aren't capable of doing. I was curious why that was, why use applied markers on a $500 Tortoise, but not a $5000 SLA diver? Someone made the comment that maybe it's a durability thing, rather than cost cutting - stamped markers can't fall off during a dive. The lume blocks vs. older deep filled markers though I do think is just Seiko being cheap.
Still got my seiko sla043, and my spb051. The 051 had applied markers and I still think it's nicer than these new versions. The domed sapphire made it more interesting. I get the 40mm size of these are more wearable to most people though. Although I love my sla043, I do wish it was a tad bigger , for my 7 and a half inch wrist. I have thought about selling it, but it's probably seikos nicest offering of the 62mas to date. I still think these 63mas models are decent value for money though, compared to other major brands. The oris 65 for example is around 2k on a bracelet, and the quality is similar. All in all a nice watch, but not too different really to the spb149 , that was limited.
I would say that the reason Seiko went with pressed indices on this particular watch with this but very specific dial is because if the indices were applied then it would literally be a birch dial on a Seiko instead of a grand Seco and I don't think that they're trying to offer Grand Seiko at regular prices Zach said if this was a Spring Drive version of this watch I would expect applied indices
Date change, ok that make sense but on 3:20 and 4:25 min of video you see what I mean. Sick watch it would be a shame they ruined with misalignment date...
the 24 date is starting to change. I noticed it but was lazy to change it. And at 4:24 it is the angle of the camera. It is hard to get a flat shot of this because of the bracelet and how the milled clasp sits with all the links, I had to adjust the angle of the watch many times because of the full bracelet.
I am so happy that Seiko does the ugly lume pip at 3. It's the only excuse I have not to buy these recently releases. If Seiko starts doing tbe 430 date like they did to the Slim Willard, I'm done for. 😄
nice looking dial for sure...but those bracelet endlinks look once again mis-matched to the case (same as the mecaquartz Speedtimers). Seiko can't seem to make a bracelet well-matched to the case lately.
5:02 DONT what a awful way to kill such an expensive seiko Just buy a tokeilab replica 62mas case , 12.8 thick case, 47.5 lug to lug and 40.5 diameter Tokeilab makes the best 62mas aftermarket cases and especially he keeps the sizes small, especially want his willard case
![Seiko Glacier Marine Master Reduced: Almost Perfect! SBDC167 / SPB299 [ SBDC167J1 / SPB299J1] MM200](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CJqpR4tgR7s/mqdefault.jpg)
Want an ALL BLACK 62MAS Check out the BLACK SERIES Version HERE: ruclips.net/video/PNSluRsRLxQ/видео.html -Falling
absolutely freakin' gorgeous. Love the black bezel against that striking blue dial.
That is my fav combo as well. Blue dial black bezel.
Got my SPB297 two days ago. It's my first watch and I'm loving it so far
You got this as your first watch? Why?
@@unknown81360 I like it
Seems a bit straightforward
@@TheSickGman09 I understand you bought it because you like it, its a great watch.. It just surprised me someone would get this at their first watch
@@unknown81360 idk just went into my local watch shop and it was the best one they had for an everyday wear. They had some dress watched I probably liked a little more but I didn't see myself wearing them daily
So it's basically an SPB143 with a blue dial. I do like it a lot.
This is such a gorgeous dial!
Wearing mine!!! Killer specs!! And fit🤘🏻🤘🏻
Sweeeeeet!
Hey, as an owner of the spb297, i have to say that the dial is so much more beautiful in real life!
That is disappointing I could not capture the beauty on film with this one.
@@EscapementWatch not that the video is not awesome, it's just that the natural day light hits different :)
Bought it with the Seiko "scattered waves" NATO strap. It's friggin amazing.
Haha, non-limited Seikos are more limited than limited ones - true! But I love them. :)
I owned the SPB149, it looks so similar just different dial and the added lume on the 3o clock position
Hey, currently torn between the the two, would you stick with the 149 or go with the 297 if you did it again?
I love it. The dial looks very good!
absolutely charming! your presentation!! ...and the watch!!! just added to my list. Thanks🙋
Awesome! Thank you!
I got this SPB297! Very gorgeous watch. With an amazing review.. Definitely I will subscribed on your channel.
another beautiful watch, very nicely reviewed! Yes, please, to the lume battle.
I scooped up an SPB297 a couple of months ago and it hasn't lest my wrist. What a watch
Thank you for the excellent overview. Not having a blue dial in my collection, I'm looking at this classic SPB297 and the Ice Willard SPB263. Very tough choice. Trying not to get both. Best.
I absolutely love this! Really handsome watch! 😍 seiko definitely isn’t my wheelhouse, so I learned so much here! Thank you so much for this video!
I’ve received mine and the dial
is gorgeous , love the fact that is not that light blue that the press pictures showed, as the light hit the dial on different angles that blue changes beautifully even it can pass as SPB149 under dimmed light, the lum is great as well as the bezel click action and alignment
Yes reminds me of the 149 while wearing it indoors a couple times.
I just paid deposit of $200 aud to a dealer in Vietnam who can get the watch directly from Japan for me.
It was a great deal as I will have it for $400 aud cheaper.
My friend will be picking up the watch for me in Vietnam, but he wont get back to australia until November.
Time is killing me...
Picked this up around 2 weeks ago. Put it on a Strapcode rubber strap straight away as the bracelet was just disappointing . You’d expect a watch at this price point to at least have a decent bracelet.
Not to mention the movement . Anyone know if I could get this watch properly regulated at a local watchmaker ?
I had it regulated and its 3 sec/day now if I leave it dial down at night.
They should make the date wheel lumed, so it would be more uniform.
I still like my version better - SPB149 dial in a 213 case, I call it the "BlueMAS." The dial and bezel color match perfectly, and no awful ISO compliance 3 o'clock lume blob to spoil anything.
Cool mod
It’s a seiko say no more 😍🙏
Still a complete stunner! I still think the grey is the way to go, beautiful as this birch dial is. The blue just looks a little bit jarring to me for some reason. I think the "Icy Willard" you showed looks more cohesive as a whole.
icy willard is for some reason 100 dollars more....no extra strap. hmmm
@@EscapementWatch Huh. That's a bit odd...
That dial looks as good as I imagined from the initial renderings. Are those markers/lume the same as on the SPB143, or is that different in this version?
Same as the mark 2 spg143 dial.
I always wanted a Seiko and I think this one is the best one, a bit pricey tho.
I have one of these incoming. What kind of strap are you wearing the watch on?
Is the lume on this and the SPB143 different in thickness? Or maybe the applied/pressed dial indices? Because I think the SPB143's indices look thicker than this one.
Whats the lug to lug on the male endlinks?
Yeah…. i need this.
The original grayscale version worn by Shohei Otani brought the _Star Wars_ to the Tudor Black Bay 58’s _Pirates of the Caribbean_ . An amazing watch in every way, and even more brilliant with the deep ice blue dial model reviewed here (also worn by Otani). I may have to add to my collection and complete the Otani duo!
Beautifull blue dial in that amazing 62mas case. However, it's a shame the bezel could not be blue to match the dial. I agree, this also should have been paired with matching blue silicone strap or even a Seichu strap.
Totally agree
to each their own, of course, but I like the black bezel against the blue dial. Such a great color combination.
Let me clarify that I love black bezels against blue dials, I meant I totally agree they should have done a matching seichu or tropic strap.
@@EscapementWatchHave you seen the Royal Blue dial JDM SBDC163?
Still photos don't do it justice. Incredible watch, I might do it.
hello , Whats Ref Strap Black ?
Love to see the mm200 one if you will review it later.
That one did not arrive yet for some reason. It looks like it has a tiffany blue dial. Should be great!
Just added this one to my collection, and it is wonderful! 🙂
Why not show the dial in the sun light ?
Vampire Watch collector.
I have a sunlight video on Instagram.
@@EscapementWatch I don’t have a ig…
This is the one that I bought, it's reasonable to its price point
That dial look purple in certain light at all ?
No just a dark deep blue
The 143 is and will always be the best version of the 62 mas reissues IMO, but that blue does look nice
fair enough... but just check this one out in person....
I just noticed that the number in the date window is not centered
It was starting a date change and the angle.
I was hoping the blue would be lighter, like a sky blue. Still beautiful, though. Great video, sir. Been waiting for this one.
It is very dark in most situations. I have a video reel on my instagram in bright sun
would this be your pick over spb301, which you compared it to?
Yes
Does the watch have any misalignment when at 12 o'clock? I've seen this model's hour hand running slightly behind.
Love this model, not my favorite dial. Great video bro.
Understandable
This is a great dial but i think the spb299 is the star in this trio. Just my opinion of course. Thanks for the review. 🥰
That one hasn't landed yet. Can't wait to see the color
@@EscapementWatch cant wait for your review on it. I have pre ordered one already but stocks hasnt arrived yet with the dealer im getting it from.
More power to your channel. 😊
I got both spb297 and spb299. They are both spectacular. The 299 is more photogenic and pops while worn, but it is not versatile as much as the 297. 297 is also more handsome looking to me bc it is more tool like and simpler looking, a la tudor black bay. Also works well w a variety of straps. But the 299 gets a lot of attention and compliments from others though.
@@bryanryan4504 i also already own the spb143 so it made going for the 299 easier since i can just pass off on the 297 right away. You're right though, both dials definitely look gorgeous.
@@ryangochuico yeah if you have 143, definitely pass on the 297 as it is exactly same watch but just textured blue.
299 is way more modern looking and although listed at 42mm, it looks and wears like a 40mm for some reason. It is best on its own oem bracelet. And I rarely ever use the bracelets that seikos come on.
But to be honest, having both blues 297 and 299, it isn't redundant, and I do enjoy both in my collection.
Great content, thank you. Just wondering how to tell the different between SPB and SBD ? thx
there is no SBD. There is SBDC but that is different watch line.
@@EscapementWatch ah typo, SBDC, are there different markings on the case? e.g SPB297 (SBDC165) how to tell the difference? thx
ohh those sbdc numbers are just for the other side of the world. I haven't seen many in hand but they seem to be the same watch just different market.
I like my spb 149
I love the design but with today's economy I am eyeing the Islander Newport instead at under half the price.
Hey, great video! Is that +2 seconds per day?
Yes, correct
If they only would do a green "save the forest" 😅 also what are you wearing in the video? 🧐🤔
That would be cool! King Seiko KSK sje083
@@EscapementWatch an absolute beauty 👌🏻
It is!
Fire 🔥
Love this one!
Me too!
@@EscapementWatch best quality i’v seen from Seiko in a while. You keep up the great content. Watching from Malta 🇲🇹🍻
I should also add that it's not really the markers being pressed that's causing the issue. ALL Seiko divers have pressed markers, including MM300, LX Spring Drive, all of the other SLA releases, etc. They all are. The difference is that the higher tier models like the previous generation 6RMAS and MM200 used to have pressed *outlines* for the markers, and then Seiko would deep fill the space inside those outlines with lume. The new ones don't have that. The markers are pressed out as one solid block, and then the lume is painted on *on top* of the block. You can easily see this when you zoom into macro level on the dials, they are totally different than the older ones. They layer of lume they paint on top of these blocks is very thin, and so the lume is very weak compared to older Seikos, and frankly, disappointing.
I have that same AM Seiko "SLA037" dial, and I've compared it to several 63MAS dials that I have (145, 149, 213). It *destroys* them. It's not even a contest, it absolutely wipes the floor with them in brightness. Other after market dials I have that have applied markers with deep filled C3 do the same thing. That's just how they are now, Seiko diver lume is no longer special at all.
I found it hard to tell if the sla043 was pressed or applied as it was so tall off the dial. If they can press it out that much that is impressive. I'll have to take a deeper look. But good point they can press it out and leave a pool to fill in a couple layers. I noticed it when I woke up once at 5am and I could still see the AM sla037 dial glowing and the rest were dark. When these new models released the lume looked strange, rounded tops creates the illusion of lume. It is disappointing for sure. But on the SLA models that have filled in lume it lasts much longer.
SLA043 is 100% stamped. You can find pictures of the backs of the dials and see the stampings on them. Interestingly, Tortoise is not stamped, those are actually applied, and beveled which the stamps aren't capable of doing. I was curious why that was, why use applied markers on a $500 Tortoise, but not a $5000 SLA diver? Someone made the comment that maybe it's a durability thing, rather than cost cutting - stamped markers can't fall off during a dive. The lume blocks vs. older deep filled markers though I do think is just Seiko being cheap.
Good to know. On my Instagram I shared my wifes Frederique constant the 12 and 6 applied fell off a couple weeks after the 3 year warranty ended.
Still got my seiko sla043, and my spb051. The 051 had applied markers and I still think it's nicer than these new versions. The domed sapphire made it more interesting. I get the 40mm size of these are more wearable to most people though. Although I love my sla043, I do wish it was a tad bigger , for my 7 and a half inch wrist. I have thought about selling it, but it's probably seikos nicest offering of the 62mas to date. I still think these 63mas models are decent value for money though, compared to other major brands. The oris 65 for example is around 2k on a bracelet, and the quality is similar. All in all a nice watch, but not too different really to the spb149 , that was limited.
I would say that the reason Seiko went with pressed indices on this particular watch with this but very specific dial is because if the indices were applied then it would literally be a birch dial on a Seiko instead of a grand Seco and I don't think that they're trying to offer Grand Seiko at regular prices Zach said if this was a Spring Drive version of this watch I would expect applied indices
Yes that is a very good reason to not apply them.
SPB149 vs SPB297???
297
What about that date window, is it aligned? I don't think so....
Look @1:38 that is head on flat shot. The 24 that looks off is starting to do its date change plus the angle of the macros exaggerates it.
Date change, ok that make sense but on 3:20 and 4:25 min of video you see what I mean. Sick watch it would be a shame they ruined with misalignment date...
the 24 date is starting to change. I noticed it but was lazy to change it. And at 4:24 it is the angle of the camera. It is hard to get a flat shot of this because of the bracelet and how the milled clasp sits with all the links, I had to adjust the angle of the watch many times because of the full bracelet.
They are asking 1,1K, I offered 2.5K because I want to feel like its more special and it isnt like the other 550 dive watches they have made
Dial size?
28.5mm
@@EscapementWatch thnx so much... it'd be gr8 if you include this in every video! it's a very useful measurement
I am so happy that Seiko does the ugly lume pip at 3. It's the only excuse I have not to buy these recently releases. If Seiko starts doing tbe 430 date like they did to the Slim Willard, I'm done for. 😄
I like your video but you cant review a watch and put in on wrist with a diff strap! Please review it with the original strap next time..thanks
I have to as I can't size the bracelet. It is not my watch. sorry
@@EscapementWatch I see, no worries…keep the video/reviews coming 👍
Is this really all that rare?
Not rare
nice looking dial for sure...but those bracelet endlinks look once again mis-matched to the case (same as the mecaquartz Speedtimers). Seiko can't seem to make a bracelet well-matched to the case lately.
These SPBs are Sub-killers for sure!
Nope
七転び八起き
5:02 DONT what a awful way to kill such an expensive seiko
Just buy a tokeilab replica 62mas case , 12.8 thick case, 47.5 lug to lug and 40.5 diameter
Tokeilab makes the best 62mas aftermarket cases and especially he keeps the sizes small, especially want his willard case
It's pretty, but I hate the idea of some of the money going to a cause.
Nice but I purchased the SPB299J1 in my opinion it’s nicer
One of the worst matching between case and bracelet ever seen on a Seiko watch. 😩
I hate the 63mas style doesn’t have the chapter ring, feel cheap!
Nothing aligned 😮
Blob 🤮
MEH...boring design. Nothing like the Manta Ray.
Nah, don’t call the 62MAS “professional”… you are confusing lines…
I wouldn't eve npay $300 for that...
Find me a better watch that's $300
@@livefit8936to be fair you could probably get one custom built by someone that does Seiko mod watches for not much over that.
@@Danny_Transition_Patrol an NH movement lol
Wrong 6r35, but I get your point
Code another seiko blu? Is?
$1250 lol what a joke...