Hey guys, there were a couple of points I had missed: The SLA037 is limited to 1100 units and is CAD $8250 The SPB149 is limited to 5500 units and is CAD $1750 Sorry about that oversight!
You compared “so thank you for that.” But you didn’t conclude. What was your conclusion? At these different price points was there a valley of difference or not?
$6,000 and Seiko can’t throw a bracelet in as well? It baffles me when brands do this, ESPECIALLY if they do it for the cheaper option. Thanks for the content, keep up the great work.
Yeah for sure. My guess is that they didn't want to make a full "Ever brilliant" steel bracelet and they didn't want to dilute the "specialness" of the material by making the bracelet 316L steel....but that's just me speculating lol
Engineer Wannabe lol yeah it probably helped keep the price down in the long run, but I’m already spending $6K, I’ve already lost my mind in respect to “responsible spending” lol
Thank you, thank you for this video. I had been considering a used SLA for a while now, automatically writing off the SPB as the larger, inferior watch but after looking at the dimensions and your assessment it appears that the SPB may be the superior model...and 1/3rd the price! Yes, the SPB movement is inferior but I had no idea the SLA was significantly thicker. In terms of wearability, like you said, it seems like the clear winner is the SPB.
Thanks, for creating the comparison. The SLA037 is very nice. I do agree that the price is slightly high under the Seiko branding. Regardless, I'd take it over a 300M or Black Bay and those are actually quite good watches. If only Grand Seiko could release something similar.
Doesn’t matter how much you spend on a watch, there’s always some douche on the internet who will call it a „budget watch“. Watches above 1K are not „budget“, unless you’re a millionaire.
The SPB149's bezel is too wide, the triangle around the pip ruins the 'cyclopean' look of the 62MAS, the domed crystal does not have the beauty of a true box crystal. The indices are too short, eliminating the 'spoked wheel' look of the original. Seiko could have easily made a more faithful adaptation with a 4R35 or 6R15 movement that was way more affordable and NOT A LIMITED EDITION, which would make me wary of using it as a daily wear. Sorry, the SPB149 may be a nice '60s style watch, but, it doesn't possess anything of what makes the 62MAS so compelling.
Great comparison. There's no way the SLA037 is worth $6300 here in the US. I basically rented an SLA043 for a week before returning it. Yeah, these models hold their value better than most watches but for that price you can get a Seamster/BB58/Pelagos plus the SPB Seiko for the price of an SLA037. That's comical Seiko! Non regulated movement that varies a good bit in accuracy...the 8L35 was +8-10 a day and the 8L55 is the same rated accuracy. Seiko is screwing up with these watches by creating a limited amount to drive up prices. Come on Seiko!
Hey, thanks. No I didn't mention those points, sorry about that. The SLA is limited to 1100 pieces and costs $8250 CAD, the SPB149 is limited to 5500 pieces and costs $1750 CAD
I can't find anywhere the width of the buckle end 19:? Are you able to measure it? Looking at after market straps potential and guessing 19/16mm? Thanks, James
Grrreat video. I have the SPB and was worried to be missing out but after watching this, I have to say, not so much. If anything there are things I prefer on the SPB. I just wonder if Seiko will release in a year or two yet another version with a thinner bezel that’ll be pretty much just like the SLA.
I find it really difficult to justify spending 4x for the SLA over the SPB. My happiness would only be about 1.5x greater if I owned the latter over the former. Both beautiful but I would take the SPB and spend the rest on another nice watch.
I agree with you and I would as well. I would not pay the colossal premium for the SLA037...I have been considering the SLA043 but even that is a stretch haha Thanks for watching, my friend!
@@engineer_wannabe I've had the SLA043 since it came out last year. I thought about getting the BB58 before but I feel like like the SLA043 is a more unique watch and you can argue that its specs are superior as well. I say all that bc most people think that the SLA models are overpriced but I think it offers a different value and has its own niche. Just my opinion :)
Nice review man - like others, one I was waiting for. Surprising to see how similar the dial colour/ sunbursting quality is. I have the SPB143 (grey) myself so a lot of your observations run true to that. Would love to see a simple signed crown on the SPB. Not sure i would like the extra height on the SLA, even if it does mean you increase the accuracy. My only feedback would be to add a little pre order to your points and run thru- although I did like how casual you were!
Hello. Sorry I appreciate this is an old post, but how does the SLA size against the SPB, in reality. Both on the wrist & in the box, would you say one is noticeably larger or smaller than the other? Many thanks!
Thank you so much. Agreed, the previous reinterpretation was a nightmare on the wrsit for me personally haha My SPB has settled at around +7 at the moment. Not too bad
@@engineer_wannabe +7 is good imo. I'd be rather pleased if any mid-level Seiko I got would have that. In your experience, how do your other Seikos compare to that? Not GS obvs.
My other Seikos have generally been better than +7 (with a few exceptions). I'm quite happy with it. My Aquis Clean Ocean was +15 and that bugged me a bit but not too much 😁
It seems difficult to find now (at least in my local area) so I think 5500 worldwide is somewhat limited for a Seiko. I'd say it is worth the price overall 🙂
Both these watches are beautiful. You can definitely tell the SLA is the more premium watch, especially with the way the dial and bezel pop. Also the 8L55 movement is definitely smoother than the 6R35 when you compare these watches side by side like this. Good review bud.
@@engineer_wannabe I just got two Promaster in December since I couldn’t decide between the blue dial and the coke dial. As usual ended up buying both. I need some counseling 🤧
I was bit late for the party. The 149 is long gone. Ended up getting 2 bulova special edition black moon watches instead. One for the collection and one to use 😊
Had the Omega Seamaster 42mm Just Prefer the high end Seiko's better quality& just as good history. Maybe better history plus everything Seiko does is all in-house 🏠 Plus draws no attention in public which is Brilliant Specially in this current climate With loads of people losing jobs 🤔
