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
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
Wait until you’ll get it, the movement belongs in the trash. Sold this one and got a Black Bay 41 instead. Best choice I ever made. Also the bracelet feels like it’s made from plastic
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!
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.
Thank you so much! 🙏 Yeah, kinda sad that more and more seem to use this platform to build a community to sell their Chinese-manufactured watches as well 🫠
Great work, love the history lesson & macro shots. And I loooove the watch. Though it's not a countdown bezel (like the blue Tudor FXD, in conjunction with the French Marine National for example). A countdown bezel goes 50-40-30-20-10; this one goes 10-20-30-40-50. But keep up the good work you got a subscriber here.
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!
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! 🤝
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!
Thank you, kind Sir! 🙏 I was sceptical at first but after handling and comparing it to other recent offerings (looking at you, 62MAS-MM) I came to appreciate it even more!
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!
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 😅
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.
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. 🫣
It shouldn't be running this bad after this short amount of time. Have you interacted with magnetic fields (loudspeakers, phone covers/bags with magnetic clasps et cetera)? Demagnetization requires a fairly simple and affordable tool (~10$) and is quite easy to do. However, from afar I can't definitely say that your watch is magnetized.
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!
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!
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" 😅
@@Bear-Watch I living in Madrid... my english is very bad... I have one Seiko Presage Arita Blue Limited Edition... I like one Seiko Diver Gmt, is very cool...
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!
There's nothing "controversial" about the Prospex logo. It's fine. If you don't like it, buy another watch. There are plenty to choose from. Everyone's a damn critic. Not the best way to grow a channel.
Lol, did you even care to watch that review? I have nothing but praise for this watch, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. But if everybody is talking about the Prospex logo, that makes it objectively "controversial" by definition, no matter how I personally think about it. Personally, I don't mind but my feelings won't magically make it appealing to every single person on this planet. Neither will yours.
True! And only very special people with inferiority complex and erectile dysfunction need to roam the internet to take a dump on other people. No sane, well-balanced person would feel the need to anonymously belittle total strangers because of small metal devices. Good day to you sir! You seem to desperately need it.
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
Wait until you’ll get it, the movement belongs in the trash. Sold this one and got a Black Bay 41 instead. Best choice I ever made. Also the bracelet feels like it’s made from plastic
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.
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 😁
Great video. Very knowledgeable and researched.
Thank you so much! 🙏
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!
Indeed, great vid! Only thing he got wrong is the case size (which is 40mm, not 42mm)
This was a real journey and not just a review. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
Thank you so much! 🙏
Appreciate it! Creating it was a journey for me as well 🤓📚
Finally a real watch channel. So many others are simply set up as a sales funnel. Keep doing what you're doing. It's good!
Too true.
Thank you so much! 🙏
Yeah, kinda sad that more and more seem to use this platform to build a community to sell their Chinese-manufactured watches as well 🫠
Nice time piece review there’s very few places I won’t even travel with that watch. But for sure it’s fun to wear and have to the collection.
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.
Bravo, thank you
Thank you!🙏
Great work, love the history lesson & macro shots. And I loooove the watch.
Though it's not a countdown bezel (like the blue Tudor FXD, in conjunction with the French Marine National for example).
A countdown bezel goes 50-40-30-20-10; this one goes 10-20-30-40-50.
But keep up the good work you got a subscriber here.
thank you for putting in the time creating this video. wishing you more subscribers. it is well-deserved.
Very interesting & thorough. Also enjoyed your speaking style. Hope you continue!
Thank you so much! Appreciate it! 🙏
Will be making more videos once the EURO 24 is over ⚽🐻
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.
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.
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!
THANK YOU !! I learned so much, from your review
Thank you so much! 🙏
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 🐻⌚️
Thank You for your detailed review.
You're welcome! Thanks for the comment 🙏
Great review. I own the green one and very happy with it.
Thank you so much! 🙏
If it wasn't for the versatility I would have chosen green as well!
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!
Superb video thank you!
Thank you so much 🙏
great history lesson, appreciate it
Thank you! 🙏
A very good review, Sir!😉 Maybe the first Seiko, after the SKX, I'm kinda ok with the price
Thank you, kind Sir! 🙏
I was sceptical at first but after handling and comparing it to other recent offerings (looking at you, 62MAS-MM) I came to appreciate it even more!
Very nice 😁
Thank you! 🙏
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!
The first Seiko dive watch was the "Seahorse" in 1959. I remain perplexed that many people get this wrong.
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 😅
Great review!what Is your wrist size?
Thanks mate!
My wrist size is 7 ¼ inch or 18cm!
Good job dude keep it up😊👍🏻
Thank you so much, mate 🙏
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.
🐻 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. 🫣
Excellent review, you got a new subscriber 👍🏼
Thank you so much! 🙏
Stay tuned, I've got a lot in the works!
My seiko sports 5 bought 2 months ago is running 2 minutes fast. Please help me to solve this issue.
It shouldn't be running this bad after this short amount of time. Have you interacted with magnetic fields (loudspeakers, phone covers/bags with magnetic clasps et cetera)? Demagnetization requires a fairly simple and affordable tool (~10$) and is quite easy to do. However, from afar I can't definitely say that your watch is magnetized.
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!
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
Subscribed. Please dont change the way you review watches.
Thank you so much!
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
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" 😅
It's beautiful pity they don't regulate them.properly!!
Seiko lottery 🥲
🤤🤤...
I know exactly what you mean...
@@Bear-Watch I living in Madrid... my english is very bad... I have one Seiko Presage Arita Blue Limited Edition... I like one Seiko Diver Gmt, is very cool...
🧸
Case size on this watch is 40mm, not 42mm… very interesting video, otherwise!
Thank you so much! Nope, it is 42mm exactly as stated by Seiko and according to my own measurement!
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
There's nothing "controversial" about the Prospex logo. It's fine. If you don't like it, buy another watch. There are plenty to choose from. Everyone's a damn critic. Not the best way to grow a channel.
Lol, did you even care to watch that review? I have nothing but praise for this watch, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. But if everybody is talking about the Prospex logo, that makes it objectively "controversial" by definition, no matter how I personally think about it. Personally, I don't mind but my feelings won't magically make it appealing to every single person on this planet. Neither will yours.
Seiko can never be perfect. Only I.D.I.O.T.S Buy a Seiko!
True! And only very special people with inferiority complex and erectile dysfunction need to roam the internet to take a dump on other people. No sane, well-balanced person would feel the need to anonymously belittle total strangers because of small metal devices. Good day to you sir! You seem to desperately need it.
Still...
Has a cheap/cheesy clasp!!!
Always has been!