Promising Seiko Prospex - SPB143 and SPB151 Review and Comparison
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- #seikoprospex #62mas #capwillard
Seiko has taken two cult-classic designs and created smaller modern variations within the prospex segment. Priced at around 1k, these watches are helping Seiko improve their brand image. What do you think?
Thank you to Nick at Exquisite Timepieces for lending these two watches in for review. For those interested, you can contact Nick here-
Nick Lukas - 443-655-4800 ©
nick@exquisitetimepieces.com
www.exquisitet...
Stock footage by Videvo
Just purchased the 143. Being an ex-Tudor BB owner, I am very satisfied from the SPB 143. Great piece, very good quality for the money and looks great too. Really a good choice for a daily wear.
Word of advice. Don't be too quick to regulate. I bought the 151 which was losing 15 seconds a day. Very disappointed even if it is within acceptable range as stated by Seiko. However after six weeks it settled down to +3 where its remained ever since. I'm very happy and highly recommend this watch.
Similar experience. Mine’s now about 3 secs a day
@@richardhoulton4016 how long have you had it? Timekeeping usually gets worse with time
@@Ferien7 Since February. Still running around +3-5 seconds per day
How's the accuracy now?
I chose the SPB151. These days, I've learned to follow my gut more than my head when it comes to purchasing watches. It's working out well!
Great move going with your gut. We don't have to be logical in this hobby
Cant really go wrong with either one of this.. So it was a great choice! 😁
Keep goin, but don't go broke !
Saw the SPB143 at a watch shop here in Australia and knew at first look and wearing it that it was the one! Got a great deal also for it. It's such a good looking watch and many people have commented on it also. Very proud to own it and wear it! Great review as always mate!
Bought a 143 & said i was done with watches. Can't get enough of it tbh so it really has exceeded all my expectations.
I've come back to your video today and find that as the owner of the high-grade Seiko SLA051 you refer to, you are correct that the SLA051 has superior movement and finish, but I can't help but think that the SPB143, even though has some imperfections, a smaller case than I'm used to, and a movement that could be problematic, has an overall aesthetic that seems perfect to me. I may have to pull the trigger on one in 2022.
SPB151 is legendary for two names. One fictional - Captain Willard, another one real - Naomi Uemura. It has unique recognizable shape and character. I think it’s worth to pay extra $100 for wearing an icon watch.
Agree. The Willard is iconic
spb143 is my favorite modern seiko. it looks amazing i just wish the date window was framed.
I got my 151 last July. I love it. I think I finally satisfied my Seiko craving. I’ve been on a watch buying hiatus since then. Just enjoying what I got.
I’m planning to purchase a 151 within the next two weeks… I hope I’ll feel the same as you and finally put my timekeeper trigger to rest for a while 😅
Hope it does the trick!
Good review. Bought the 143 last year. It’s my daily wearer / beater. Runs minus 3 seconds a day. Weekends I take it off give it a wind and Monday morning still keeping good time. The green Willard on top of my next to purchase list . Some guys claim these are overpriced then fawn over oris diver 65 fake dive watch with generic selita movement that are priced nearly double these. Each to their own 😃
Great review. I have the green Willard and the spb149, so the blue / grey dial version of the 62 mas reissue. Both are absolutely stunning in person, with no alignment issues at all. I like the spb149 a bit better I think, as you say the case size and shape is just more versatile. I have 6.25inch wrists and both watches wear well, and the quality really is up there with my speedy. I doubt anyone getting either of these watches would be disappointed!
Great video Bruce. As a guy who owns the SBDC053 and recently purchased the 147 gilt dial, I can say I really wish they just minimized the 053 case design to 40.5mm and put the new hands in. I much prefer that case design- ended up trading the 147.
Bought the SPB143 six months ago, and it’s basically the only watch I’ve worn since; if it wasn’t for the crappy clasp and fiddly crown threading, it would be my perfect Seiko.
i've owned the sbdc051 for about a year now, still enjoying it and it scratches my itch for any of these newer seiko releases. i think that all these re-imagined, homages, or whatever you want to call these new designs, they are all relatively the same watch with minor differences. the price keeps rising but nothing worth getting any of them. they are nice though, get one and be done.
I have the 149, but sometimes I wish I got the 143 for the classic grey dial and versatility.
That being said my opinion is that this price bracket of prospex divers (including the new MM200s) are the best watches you can get at this price point.
I just bought an SPB239 having sold a Tudor BB41 and I have no regrets. I absolutely love the watch. It’s my beater, swimming, sports, do everything watch
Very cool video! The watches are great but Bruce your video production and quality is amazing! It’s being very cool to see how it’s progressed over the couple years I been following you! 🔥👌👊
Thank you! Really nice to read comments like this
Although it is true that there is nothing new under the sun, I did a bit of digging and there is actually no evidence that the Rodania Geometer was first introduced in 1954, no one has actually managed to confirmed that date let alone provide any evidence of it. While it is possible it does pre-date the Speedmaster, I doubt this is the case as the design elements makes sense on the Speedmaster's dial layout and not on the Geometer.
The most striking similarity between the two dials are the indices, particularly the unusually long minute markings, why are they so long? On the Speedy they reach all the way to the step separating the raised inner portion of the dial containing the three sub-dials and no further, framing the raised center step and creating a tracking effect for the minute and second markings as they are running in a groove on their own level around the dial, while on the Geometer, these long minute and second markings serve no purpose, and are truncated by the widely spaced sub-dials at the 3,6 and 9.
The second most striking similarity between the two dials are the hour indices, and similarly the question is asked: why are they so long? On the Speedy they reach over the step, and are only stopped when they touch the outer edge of the sub-dials, which not only creates a symmetry around the dial as the indices are of the same length, but also serves to connect the lower step running around the edge of the dial with the raised step of the sub-dials around the center, as they tie the two levels of the dial into together while maintaining their individual distinctive form. Contrast this with the Geometer - they again serve no purpose and are similarly truncated by the 3,6 and 9 sub-dials - furthermore, these truncated hour indices at 3,6 and 9 led Rodania to extend the length of the hour hand to prevent the dial from looking awkward when the hour hand is pointing in those directions, which in itself created a new problem of making the hour and minute hands indistinct from one another to the detriment of legibility, which is ironic as legibility was the central purpose of the dial design on the Speedmaster.
As a side note: take a look at another chronograph of the era that used the same Valjoux 72 movement as the Geometer: the Paul Newman Daytona. It is evident that unlike Geometer, the Daytona's dial was designed to be used with that movement - the wider spaced sub-dials of the Valjoux 72 led Rolex to use both shorter minute and hour indices to maintain symmetry - and in Rolex's case, they employed the use of a contrasting minute track to frame the center sub-dials.
The dial design in question was undoubtedly designed for use with the 321 movement and the shoehorning of the Valjoux 72 into its design destroys what makes it so great. Perhaps that is why the Geometer never took off.
I have several Seiko watches. I also purchased those two that Bruce presented. They are the best and I guarantee that they last life time.
That was a great idea to put them aside by side, thank for the review!
Bruce promised this and didn’t let me down! I went with the 143 and I LOVE it.
The 143 has my full attention. I think it's one of the best affordable seiko I've seen for years. After I've landed a sub I'm definitely picking one up.
I bought the SPB185 (also known as Marine Master 200) a few months ago which is the 3rd, a bit less popular sibling of these two and I am over the moon with it! I would love to see all 3 siblings in the same video!! 😁
These are both so cool. Thank you for a great review Bruce 😊👍
I bought the Seiko SBDC055 a couple of years ago beautiful watch I think you reviewed it for your friend and I fell in love with it. The Bessel is smooth,great movement and the loom last all night.
The SPB143 is the first Seiko watch model I picked up out of the sarb line and let me tell you, I LOVE IT!!! I almost have the whole collection of the sarb line after 5 years of hunting almost all the models down (sarb073 limited edition, sarb070, sarb072, Sarb011, sarb009,
sarb037, Sarb033, Sarb035.) With those being 38mm, this 40mm feels great and looks great on the wrist. Been diving with it twice and have had no problems with it falling off or moving around. If your in the market for a good diver watch or sport watch and want to stay on a budget, well this watch blows out the competition.
I just got the SPB153 and liked the comparison between these two watches today. Thanks for validation when it comes to enjoying the Seiko brand. I think that the Green Willard Jr is a good fit for me as the bracelet models are too heavy.
I got an SPB237 and immediately put it on the 153’s strap
Good informative video. I've got a hi-beat SLA 037J that was a fairly spendy seiko diver . Then they came out with the SPB149 , which is like the SLA143 that you just showed . Absolutely love that watch . I wear it on the rubber strap and it's so comfortable. After regulating the movement, it's keeping excellent time . Great series of watches by seiko. Thanx for the video.
Oh that is a sharp one! Hi beat an improvement over the standard 8L for sure
SLA037 is my grail diver. What a watch!
I just put a deposit down on a 143 I think it is a perfect proportioned watch. AD had the brown dial but I think the grey will be better.
Just got mine. 😊
Easy listening, easy watching, nice entertainment, always a pleasure. 🤙👍👏
Exactly the next two watches on my wishlist. Nice. Hopefully heading out this week to get the SPB143.
Excellent review of two historical Seiko rereleases. The price and quality are definitely on the mark for these two. I have found Seiko is bumping up bezel alignment and quality on their latest Prospex Watches. This video was very well done and full of useful information. Thank you Bruce.
Fantastic review as always. The only watch I can see Bruce adding to his Power Trio is perhaps the Grand Seiko GMT SBGE201.
I have the SBGE201 myself, Jeff, and it's an absolutely fantastic watch. It may not have the intricate dial of some other GS references but for an everyday wear? It's really hard to beat.
@@jonathanstoddard2081 If I were to sell all my watches and get one, the 201 would be the Grail.
as an owner of an SPB143 I really enjoyed this review!
Man so glad I saw this video. I purchased my SBDC101 last summer and noticed I wasn’t getting anywhere near 70 hours power reserve. Was starting to think I got a dud which was scary considering I purchased the watch from Japan and I wasn’t sure seiko USA would help me. I didn’t realize it takes 55 rotations to wind it properly, I’m used to the 4R movement in the turtle. Great vid Bruce.
I got my 143 from Exquisite recently. Worth every penny.
Just got mine too. 😊
That SPB143 is a total winner... I reckon it near blows the BB out of the park for the price. The bezel tone is much better, it looks mis-matched on the previous MM200, when compared to a Matte dial.
I was looking at those all last year and couldn't decide which I liked more. My wife got me the manta ray king turtle for Christmas and what is interesting about mine is that everything lines up perfectly and it only gains 1 second a day after settling in. I wanted a seiko diver in my collection and it has a ceramic bezel insert as well as sapphire crystal. The bracelet isn't the best but I like the stock look of it. I planning on getting my wife and myself the maurice lacroix aikon 42mm for me and the 35mm ladies for my wife. We will see if seiko catches my eye with another diver in the future but for now my king turtle manta ray is doing me just fine. Great review as always!!! Stay safe!!!
bought both ! quality is amazing and they wear as good as they look
I've been wanting the 151 since it came out then had a good look at both of these last week. I ended up buying the 143, but I feel like I'll buy the 151 when I can. :-)
finally.. I like the Willard better than 143
Always on point Bruce. I tried both on and def. like the 143 better, its very nice. Re 151 - I prefer the new turtle case over the willard. Its cool, dont get me wrong but the dial is just too small for me and it lacked wow factor for me and at this price it needs some. I do think the King Samurai and Turtle updates kind of make many go WTH as to why any of these more expensive Prospex divers have aluminum bezel inserts and you can find them for 20-30% off msrp where as these models largely dont budge in price. T
Big sieko fan, but head has been turned by Hamilton watches especially the frogman. Would love to see you do a review of this watch Bruce.
Oh for the love of God , finally !! The two Seikos I might consider .
Excellent review. I just went backwards and got the orange bezeled absolutely huge Orient Mako XL ! It's become a nostalgic almost iconic old watch now. Will definitely look at getting one of these too, budget allowing!!
I couldn't choose one between these two... So I bought em both...
I ordered the SPB143 today. What a beautiful Seiko diver
I just picked up the sarx077. I love this change of pace for seiko.
I have a 143 (also from Exquisite) and I really like it. To be honest, I didn’t get along with the bracelet, so it has ended up on a StrapCode one. Been wearing for about 5 days in a row and it has gained about 5 seconds.
Great review, Bruce, thanks. SPB143 really speaks to me. Been spending $$$$ getting a few watches serviced, though, so NOTHING for me ☹
I wasn thinking about SPB143 but went with used Breitling chronometer quartz. Couldn't be happier.
I am sorry but I really don’t understand why you praise these two watches and bashed the 187 that have the same qualitycontrol as the 143 and the 151. I personally owned all 3 of this watches they all have the same flaws and the same strengths in terms of over all quality. But I have to say I liked the 151 the most. It is the most luxurious feeling watch because of the domed crystal and the mat dial. The other watches look rather cheap with their sunburst dial.
But I am happy that you came back to liking the new Seiko releases.
Don't apologize. The 187 was laughably misaligned and had poorer lume than these two. Poor dial cleanliness. Poorer bezel action. I've seen a couple other (different colors) 14x and 15x locally and they were just as sharp as these two. I also don't see many complaints online. I have to call it like I see it. Honesty goes in both directions for me
I bought the SPB151 11 months ago and the 143 3 days ago.
Do you still have them both?
@@alloy2172 yes.
Great video, fantastic comparison!!
The bezel on my spb143 is crazy tight.
Iv been lusting after a grey SPB143 - it looks great , good price for the watch - I wish however Seiko had gone integrated bracelet with a square design - the movement just bugs me in terms of its +\ - per day performance should be better .
I generally see 10 sec or less per day with this caliber. Its a shame though cause you could get
+23 and it would still be within spec
@@BruceWilliams my Seiko turtle brought for me by my brother operates around the same -10/15 seconds per day - and it’s a fantastic watch , it goes most places with me etc however after one week I find myself resetting the time and it just takes the shine off . I really want an spb143 but afew details are holding me back . I think I’d actually have preferred the spb143 with a quartz movement.
I tried on the 143, 145 (rubber strap, different color), 151, and 153 (rubber strap). I like the 143 more than the 151, but the 153 much more than the 145. If I had to choose one right now, it'd be the 153.
I think the bracelets are pretty meh, and the rubber straps are FANTASTIC.
Without doubt spb151 was so easy decision and choice and it happens first time for me.
SPB151 slightly larger, so slightly more bux? Great reviews, lingering comparison answered!
I have the Blue LE version of the Willard and it's a nice watch but I think I'll be flipping it and sticking to just one Seiko and that is my Marinemaster SBDX017. I'm starting to understand the 'less is more' philosophy that you have Bruce. My intention is similar. I currently have 11 watches and eventually wish to get it down to 6.
i still don't get how reviewers take that "+15/-25spd" seriously from seiko, they're known by now to seriously undersell their movement variations idk if it's bcs they're humble or wat but almost all my seikos with this movement hav not even deviated from +/-10spd
Hey Bruce. Great vid, thank you! Just wondering, do you think the 143 is an improvement on the 051,053,055,059?
Seems like if you want a Seiko diver that has square or rectangular indices, and you don't like the Samurai, you're spending +1k. These are nice but too expensive IMO.
They're essentially the same watch. The 143 is more dressy and the 151 more rugged and casual. The Willard is better suited as part of a collection.
I have an SLA017 & the SPB149 so truly love the 62 MAS modern variants. I thought the 1965 original was inspired by the Blancpain Barracuda?
Both nice but I went for the SPB143 and the SPB051 as my two Seiko's and although the SPB143 is my favourite the SPB051 is hard to beat.
I really like these watches. I came close to buying the SPB151; but I just cannot get used to the crown not lining up with the 4 o’clock index, as the original 1970 Willard did. I know this is picky, but it bugs me endlessly. The SPB143 is gorgeous. Thanks for the reviews, Bruce.
Rodania shout-out! 👍😎🔥🔥🔥
Just sold my 6r35 Sumo recently, along with my Alpinist - both were less accurate than my Turtle! Done with Seiko for the time being, just wish they stopped putting dates on them, or at least moved it to 6 and sorted out the positional accuracy.
Good review, Cheers mate 👍🏻👍🏻
No worries Steve, you have one good turtle. Which is enough for most Seiko fans!
Yeah my Alpinist accuracy is not very good either.
@@hambone988ubet a shame, coz they're a lovely watch otherwise. For me, the 6r35 was even worse than the 6r15!! (maybe due to the longer power reserve it spends more time with the mainspring more unwound?) thanks for your comment 👍🏻
I bought the SBDC109(Same as SPB151). I was disappointed in the bracelet tolerance as well as the fact it was clearly just taken from the SPB143 and slapped on the Captain Willard. Rhe end links don't match at all. I bought an Uncle Seiko rubber strap to replace it.
That lumeshot, the lumebibs are all over the place.😊
I like the 143 but I have to say that my Squale Montauk looks very similar to this time piece and with its Selllida Sw200-1 Swiss movement it is a very comparable watch with a $595 price point.
Still hate seiko clasps they need an overhaul
Biggest bugbear
Nice video bruce 👌
Thanks brother. Funnily enough this clasp is the 'upgrade' from last year haha
Bruce - is the SPB143 better than say a Mido Ocean Star? Is it worth the $500 premium?
These are my top two diver choices. Love both.
Any input would be appreciated! Thanks as always!
I think the answer is opinion based and there will be many who fall on both sides of the aisle. I like the Seiko more than the Mido I reviewed a few months ago. Mostly down to fit and comfort.
Is the bezel wider on the SPB143 than the bezel on the SPB151?
To my eye the bezel looks just bit too wide on the 143. I wish it was slimmer like on the SLA017.
That is putting me off the 143.
But the 151 will be my next watch purchase without a doubt. I will put it on a black waffle strap and then watch Apocalypse Now!
you're not complaining about the QC but I have a feeling it's because you got two good examples. Would you say the same thing if you had gotten a 143 with a messed up lume pip on the bezel (like many did) or with alignment issues? I've seen sooo many of these with QC issues that I would be a bit upset if I paid that kind of $ for a seiko just to get one with QC issues - which I was because I was unfortunate enough to have issues with both these models.
Ah that sucks. I haven't heard of many issues with the 143 or 151, and I've seen a couple locally (other colors) These are miles nicer than the 187 I bought a few months ago. One of the reasons why I like to buy from ADs, you can get a good one and not left to bottom of the barrel leftovers
@@BruceWilliams yes if you read up on them many 143s had lume pips that were either crooked or the hole wasn't centered in the triangle. I even bought 143 and 151 dials to build some customs but the damn applied indices were not aligned with the markers on the edge of the dial. I couldn't believe it!
@@lucacadianalbert Lame!
Chose the 151 because I have the SBDC053 already
I always would like to buy one Seiko but people around me always told me pay the same money you can get a better swis watch.
The SPB143 is just a tad bit too large. The 62MAS was a 37mm case, which might be too small for today's standards, but the 143 is almost 14mm thick, it is super chunky, the endlinks protrude quite a lot (effective l2l is 53mm). If they made it a good 2mm thinner, and with female endlinks, it would be perfect even with the 40.5mm width. But as is, it is just a too thick piece, it is super heavy on the factory bracelet that should have a 3-4mm taper rather than 2, and a simple, smaller clasp with some sort of on the fly adjust. As it currently is, with it being 13.7mm thick, it is too top heavy on the rubber, so it is neither here nor there. Just not a comfortable watch on the bracelet, and not a balanced watch on the rubber in my opinion(and i tried them on in the Budapest Seiko Boutique). The Willards on the newer ribbed nato straps feel amazing though, I tried the SPB237 on, I love that pattern on the dial, and the faded black-grey color. That's a stunner, and I hope to buy one second hand some day.
SPB147 and 149 here and love them both, especially the 147 with a brown kudu leather strap is insanely good looking. I often pick it over my Rolex, BP, VC etc, because it’s just so perfect.
Looks like Seiko nailed it.
Ahh, can't decide!
Got me! I own a SKX hahaha but that's the only Seiko (for now)
This is the dilemma I'm currently in. Having a Doxa 300t int he collection I love so much makes me lean Willard. But that 143 just looks like strap monster. And I love switching up my straps.
As a 300t owner and many seiko divers I’d say get the 143 it’s a little more casual, I love the Willard but the Doxa is already a quirky case diver.
I’ve just bought the one on the left not the turtle .it’s loosing 15 seconds or more a day. Is this normal? Because I just paid £1100 for it . And I’m very disappointed and want to take it back. Is there a better watch with good timekeeping for a similar price. How does one deal with such
It's more expensive cause martin sheen used the 151 in apocalypse now
SKX lover all the way..
Modifications for those two will be active soon, too?
I wouldn't know. I left the mod scene years ago
The 151 looks better (and more 6105-8110ish) on a silicone strap. It’s the no brainer winner here though.
Hi Bruce, I need your advice, I would like to take a diver (no rolex) in the 4-6k price range, in your opinion what's the best solution on the market? My wrist diameter is 17.5cm. Thanks for your attention and your video!!!
I would say BB58 is ideal on your 17.5 wrist!
When you showed the lum, the lum dot on the bezel appeared to be completely misaligned with the 12 o'clock hour indices on both watches. I've never owned a Seiko, is this what people refer to when they complain about misalignment on Seiko watches?
It's normally the chapter ring not lining up with the 12 o'clock marker that most people have an issue with. I've got a SRP779J1 Turtle & it doesn't have any alignment isses
Bruce, willard or doxa sub 200 sharkhunter?
"... probably have one (SKX) in their collection" pffffff of course I have the 007 and 009 ;) Still my favorite Seikos, no idea why but no other can compete with them.
Me too sold off everything and kept both of mine💁♂️
If you're going to release new editions of the Seiko Fanboy NATOs, may I make a suggestion.? Go with light colors (orange and/or yellow) to provide the greatest contrast between the strap and the printing. I love the green straps. I do not wear the red straps because the gradient red merges into the black printing, and the result is the image disappears. In fact, the red straps look like they're dirty. Even a brighter solid red without the gradient could be nice if the contrast is there.
Both are lovely watches, but I've got an 051, that's equally as nice, and they were a few hundred cheaper too. Seiko still make great watches, but they aren't the bargains , they once were . I still believe they compete well though compared to other brands in the price point. Great video as usual Bruce, hard to get too excited about a seiko, with your 3 watch collection, though.
Agreed, now they are standard value. Not the steals they used to be!
Hey a quick one. Do you know why on some spb143's is there a lume pip a 3 o clock marker and on other one there isn't?
The upgrade to the lume pip was to adhere to iso standards.
Cos’è quel punto bianco sulla lancetta dei secondi?
I like sbdc051 more than both these watches
Can't go back to cheap watches once you go luxury
HAQ or solar/HAQ please.