Is This the Perfect Travel Companion? SEIKO PROSPEX 1968 Diver’s GMT (SPB383J1) | 6 Months Ownership
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- Опубликовано: 6 июл 2024
- A watch that tells 2x? An ISO-certified dive watch at that? The SEIKO PROSPEX 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation GMT (Ref. SPB383J1) is an overlooked 2023 release that could mark a milestone for the brand's struggle for recognition in the mid-tier level closing the gap between SEIKO 5 and Grand Seiko. A rugged, tough as nails and fully capable dive watch with intricate - dare I say it - zaratsu-esque finishing and featuring a handy GMT complication could very well qualify for the title of being the ideal travel companion for any scenario! Welcome to my new channel! I hope the audio quality is not too anyoing. Anyway, please feel free to leave a comment to let me know whether I should "go full bear" in the future or tone it down a little. Bear with me folks!
Sources: justpaste.it/df7f9
Contact: The.Bear.Watch@gmail.com 
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🐻 probably the best Mini documentary and review of the SPB383J1 in the world, thus far 🐻
Thank you so much! 🐻🙏
Never thought of it as a mini documentary but it's quite fitting in terms of length. My analytics tell me though, that people prefer shorter content. 🫣
The first Seiko dive watch was the "Seahorse" in 1959. I remain perplexed that many people get this wrong.
Looked at this today. Its a beauty. Better finishing than a Tudor.
I've seen direct comparisons between BBs and SLAs and I have to say that in that price range Seiko really came out on top. Would love to see a direct comparison between SPB383 and a Tudor though!
Yes that'd be a good vid.
I was wearing my Black Bay in the store so I could do a good comparison, but the difference is clear. I was shocked. I cant stop thinking about the Seiko now 🤣@@Bear-Watch
Except the bracelet of course
I own a BB58 and the green SPB381, and in all honesty the case finishing is pretty much just as good as the Tudor. Bracelet and clasp are far from as good as the BB, but I was really impressed with the case finishing on it. Bracelet is pretty decent, but the clasp could use some work
Have the green one since release and i love this watch!!!
It's a real crowd-pleaser! Happy to see that it got more attention recently and some other guys are putting reviews out there.
Interesting on the history! Well done.
Thank you so much! 🙏 I've got more videos regarding Seiko/diver history in the works. Make sure to hit the bell icon!
I really enjoyed the long form review. The background historical context made it very entertaining and different than the norm when it comes to watch reviews. Subscribed! 🤝
Thank you so much!
There's so much to talk about, especially when it comes to the history of Seiko divers. I've got more in the works! Stay tuned 🐻⌚️
Very interesting & thorough. Also enjoyed your speaking style. Hope you continue!
Subscribed. Please dont change the way you review watches. I like knowing the history of watches i buy.
Thank you so much! 🙏
I definitely won't! The history of watches, of certain design decisions, technical solutions and innovations are very important to me. It gives a watch its significance and I get great enjoyment out of knowing what is on my wrist!
100% Agree.
Instant subscription. Keep it up. Greetings from Germany. Btw i own this watch since it was released in June 2023 and love it!
Besten Dank! 🙏 Grüße zurück aus Deutschland! 😁
I was slightly late with early August. Couldn't be more happier either!
Excellent video. Great work. New sub here. Good luck in growing your channel. You deserve a nice following.
Thank you so much! 🙏
Stay tuned, I've got a lot to talk about 😁
Thank You for your detailed review.
You're welcome! Thanks for the comment 🙏
Great video! Well researched and very knowledgable. Thanks for putting all the time in to this, the history was really interesting. I tried the 381 on yesterday, the green version of this, and it's really amazing. The green is stunning in person, especially in the sunlight, I'll definitely be getting one.
If I wasn't hesitant to buy yet another green dial after my Alpinist I would have bought this one for sure. It's objectively the better option!
Great video. Very knowledgeable and researched.
Thank you so much! 🙏
Great review! If only Seiko would put the flat case case back on this watch (no wave bump).😮
Thank you so much! The backs of their monobloc front-loading cases on their professional MM300s (e.g SLA021J1) are naturally quite flat. The placement of the mid-case section however shifts the center of mass and makes it feel more top-heavy on the wrist. I've tried one of those before and it felt just right although I can't comment on the comfort after wearing it for a whole day. At 44mm it is quite a brick of a watch!
Good job dude keep it up😊👍🏻
Thank you so much, mate 🙏
you forgot to mention the divers extension on the bracelet. lol I've noticed most RUclipsrs missed this when discussing the bracelet.
really great video though! loved the history and the in-depth review! Thank you for awesome video! Subbed
Thank you so much! Pretty sure that I've mentioned the extension at 15:30 though 😉
However, I probably should have opened it but it's quite hard to access with gloves on 😅
Excellent review, you got a new subscriber 👍🏼
Thank you so much! 🙏
Stay tuned, I've got a lot in the works!
Very nice 😁
What an excellent and well researched video.
Thank you so much! 🙏
Took me some time to do the research on that one 😁
@@Bear-Watch Well, it definitely shows. The discussion about the 60s Seiko catalogue was really nice.
I like the format of this review but they could be a little shorter by not talking about so many non Seiko brands. I have the green version and agree that the quality is really noticeable in this watch. My only gripe is the tiny font for the 24-hour marks. They are not easy to read at a glance, and since Seiko used a dive bezel the 24-hour marks are needed for the GMT hand. Good job and keep the reviews coming.
Thanks mate! 🙏
I'm planning on separating them more strictly in the future with more general videos about design history, horology etc. and more specific in-depth reviews. Appreciate the suggestion!
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Great video. I'm definitely going to be getting the SSK003. But this in the green is beautiful!
The SKX-GMT really is one of the most interesting releases in recent years! And as I said, I really think that the release of the NH34 and competing Miyota 9075 mechanical GMT movements will have some impact for years to come. Will definitely check it out some time. Make sure to send me a wristshot once you've pulled the trigger!
@@Bear-Watch Where do you want me to send it when I get it? I'm getting it as a celebration watch. Reaching Tier 1 Partner on RUclips. Also, what do you think the next big affordable innovation is going to be?
@@ColinLack Congratulations for hitting that milestone! Not sure if it's going to be affordable, but seeing the trend of smaller case sizes I can see them offering more watches with the smaller, thiner 6L35, maybe some new variations based on it. Just tried the new 39,5mm Marinemaster. I will talk about my impressions in the near future!
@@ColinLackFeel free to use the.bear.watch@gmail.com, I'm going to link it in the video description
@@Bear-Watch Thanks. Also, I love that watches are downsizing finally! I have a fairly small wrist.
Perfect case, nice bracelet! But we need spring drive or high-beat movement inside! At least 8L35. Ready to pay x3 for that)) And, Seiko, your diver extension is sooo ugly))
I'd like to see that! I just recently tried the SLA-MM300 and its quite a hefty metal ingot. A lot of folks would be glad to have a reduced version I reckon. Haha, yeah, the extensions are nothing more than "functional" 😅
Great review. Very knowledgeable. Never heard of the silverwave.
It is pretty much overlooked outside of some forums. The "Japan's first" topic really is an interesting one. I might make a video in the future solely dedicated to this, where I'll also talk about Citizen's claims!
Awesome video, definitely subbed! I love everything about this watch except one thing: AUTOMATIC 3 DAYS. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but I feel like it’s such an unnecessary addition to the dial. They could have just left it with the gmt and depth rating. Even the 4:30 date window doesn’t bother me, I’d much rather have it there instead of a big dark spot of missing lume at 3:00 or having that awful offset pip that just looks out of place. The ceramic bezel insert is also great, I don’t understand why they don’t use it in some of their more expensive watches. Makes no sense to me. Seiko does some things that really make me scratch my head, but I do still love them lol!
Thank you so much! 🙏 Now that you bring it up, Automatic 3 Days really seems a little odd. Putting information on the dial is an art in itself. The brand-new SPB-62MAS models are bragging about 3 automatic days as well. The date window sounds awful to many people in theory, but I frankly won't notice it on the dial if I'm not looking specifically for the date. Maybe because I would naturally suspect it to be at 3 or 6. I heard that Seiko uses this kind of hybrid bezel for some of their more expensive offerings but there is no specific information. For example, there is conflicting statements floating around that the SLA MM uses either a ceramic or steel bezel with Seiko stating the latter on their official website. My guess from the looks of it is that it uses both. Next time when I'm visiting the boutique I will definitely ask them about it!
@@Bear-Watch I can definitely confirm, I have a SLA055 and the bezel insert is definitely not ceramic. I think it’s some kind of enamel coated steel, but it scratches if I look at it wrong. Really disappointing that a watch from the same brand that costs 1/3 the price uses more durable materials. Granted I didn’t pay full retail for it, but I really wish they’d have used actual ceramic for it instead of some mystery coating that just looks like it.
@bighaggis4825 Thanks for the info! Seiko should really be more open! It can get really confusing at times.
very ideal as my travel watch, but will be even better if it's just 2 mm wider...
Who knows, maybe there will be a new MM300 GMT as a successor to the SBDB011
My seiko sports 5 bought 2 months ago is running 2 minutes fast. Please help me to solve this issue.
How accurate is the movement running? Positioning variance?
Hi there! Dial-up was -1, 6-up +2 and 9-up -4. At least one guy I spoke with had worse accuracy on his SPB381. I could be lucky with mine. I don't need to reset it at all unless I have to due to its power reserve running out after I wore something different!
I just picked one up and it’s running 0 to +7. Very happy with it.
Mine has been running at around +5 dial up, haven’t measured other positions on the timegrapher
It's a fantastic watch but lume could be better.
Agreed, the lume and the clasp are my only to points of contention. The lume is decent, but it’s worse than my 5 GMT 😂
Better 😮 Seiko have the best lume of world Lumibrite
3 days is cheap and tacky. What were they thinking? 😮
I think they were just proud that they extended the power reserve 😄. I quite like the golden accent it adds on this particular model though. Expect to see it on more models featuring the 6R54/55 movements like the upcoming SPB 62MAS models!
I thought that too, but after owning the watch for a while I don’t even notice it. The text is super small