Does Seiko have a BIG PROBLEM? (SEIKO SPB299 MM200) 

Watch the SPB297 63MAS Review here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--QzK86gsUd0.html And sorry for the click bait title, but our Seiko vids can't compete with other channels Seiko vids so we are just trying some RU-vid tricks to try and boost them. 😅 -falling oh and sorry about the sound. Tried a new position for the mic and it failed. Everything is fixed now this was filmed last month.

If Seiko wants to increase their prices, they need to increase their QC to match.

Thank you for your content, appreciate your transparent and trust approach in reviewing watches. I’m considering to buy Seiko King Sumo, with 6R35 movement. And that movement is a dealbreaker for me. I heard you said that this movement needs oiling and regulating to become consistent. Would you please make a video “Before and After” about results of after purchase Seiko maintenance. . (Before -from factory timegrapher and After - oiling and regulating results on timegrapher. If results worth it, I would give a chance and buy Seiko Sumo and give it to watch master for maintenance. If you’ll have your own video of Seiko King Sumo that would be awesome! Thank you!

Bought the SPB299 last month, got to say it is an amazing watch, I wear mine on a Seiko silicone strap. Thankfully, my movement out of the box was running +9 seconds a day but I let it break in for a month and then regulated it. Now it is averaging +1 second a day and it has been consistent *knocks on wood*. The bezel alignment QC seems to be better these days but the 6R movements concern is always there being hit or miss.

I have two new 6R-35 Alpinists (the white dial with the cyclops and raised indices, and the blue dial "baby" no-compass version with printed indices). I have to adjust the minute hand slightly on both every few days.

Same-o with my Seiko Land Tortoise. The NH35 movement was running at +17 sec/day out of the box. Took it to a watchmaker for servicing - lubricating and regulating - and it came back running at +1sec/day.

The movement accuracy is within spec (they don't specify amplitude). As with any watch one that is regulated will cost more. I do my own regulation, and do a weight average based on the position of the watch on my wrist throughout the day. That should provide be the most accurate time keeping for an individual.

I had those 3 in the radar in December 2022. But if seiko would had done the willard with this dial if would not have been a question. I ended buying the seiko turtle blue turtle and a seiko alpinist in black. That trio was just missing something. The watch in this video I felt needed crown guards to balance the look.

I dont remember where i got the idea from, but i was under the impression that the 6r35 would be easier (and likely cheaper) to regulate and service than a powermatic 80. Is that true, and is that worth considering when comparing these Seikos to some of those Swiss watches?

As a swiss guy I say: nothing compares to Seiko

Got this watch and like it a little more every time i put it on wrist. I do find the bracelet clunky so i wear it on a premium leather strap or a artem sailcloth. But man does it wear wonderfully.

Seiko completed my watch collection and they saved me thousands in parking fines as a delivery driver. thank you Seiko.

My automatic watch was running slow 2.5 minutes a day! That's 150 seconds! And yet I loved it to bits, because it gave me more reasons to look at it and admire it and cherish our good times together. It was not perfect, but I knew that, and like to an old buddy, I had to tap it its shoulders every 3 days just to remind not to give up but keep up. As you would do to an old fiend anyway.

You can get a Longines Hydroconquest 39mm, for around $1200 at gray market. L888 movement is outstanding. Longines is my favorite brand, but last Saturday I got a new Seiko SPB147. Man, SPB147 is awesome ! It’s my first Seiko, I had Orient on the 80/90’s. People are saying the 6R35 is a crap. So far my watch is doing ok, and it will be always in my collection.

In love with spb 299!

I love Seiko as a brand and my rule at sticking in the 4R range seems to be where I’m comfortable 😎

I picked up the spb187 a few months ago and I was lucky with the 6r35. Mine on wrist is running -3 per day. I've tried out several gs divers and I really think this case is up there.

It is a bummer with the 6R movement being a hit or miss, but with a watch this sexy I wouldnt even care.

The 6R15 is more accurate if fully wound and worn on the wrist. It is just one of those Seiko quirks… it does not perform well on the timegrapher. Thanks for the video, and Happy New year!

Mine has a faulty scre down crown where it will block before popping out and being a "grind monster"

If they lumed the date wheel would iso let them delete the three o'clock lume pip? I prefer the dial with the frame around the date window.

I hope you review the SPB240 boutique edition too. Love ur vids! ❤

Experiencing the disappointing 6r35 movement personally, my respect with the powermatic 80 is now way way higher.

My FIRST thought was…where’s the RED dot on the second hand? Other than that, I think they look pretty good.

Thanks for the legit critique of the 6R35 movement. I have 2 such Seikos, the SPB143 and SPB147. The time is okay but can't compare it with the 8L35 movements on my SLA021, SLA051, and SLA055. A Seiko buyer might be well served to save and just get an SLA model rather than accumulate mid-tier 6R35 models.

i fell in love with the dial.very nice..Would this be a watch to wear every day?

You can get this watch around 800 dollars brand new in USA now if you know where to look. I got one for just under that it is one of my best watch deals of 2022 for this watch quality and design.

For a watch in the 1k range I expect more also the mark in the dail in the 10 o'clock position sekio is selling on its name now

The blue dial is just captivating to my eyes 😍

I had problem with the SPB317J1, -4 minutes a day! I sent it to Seiko UK, they serviced and sent watch back and now it is almost spot on. Over a week only 5 seconds out. So they can make them accurate, it is just sloppy QC!

Love the bracelet but hate the diver extension…anyway to get rid of the extension or use another clasp that fits this bracelet?

Where did you find the info on the bezel insert? I can't find the info anywhere on it being carbon coated?

Have several 6r15 movements and seem to have had luck with them; the QC on these 6r35 seem to be wildly inconsistent-may need to go Longines or Seiko 6L or 8L for my next watch. Shame as I love the case and dials on the Seikos. Wake up Seiko!

beautiful colorway!!!!

Yeah, my luck, or rather unluckiness, with Seiko's that have the 6R35 hasn't been great. My SPB147 ran kind of shitty out of the box. -20 to 25 s/d, if I recall. I ended up regulating myself and it did end up being one of my most accurate watches at under +2 s/d. And, it held that performance. Sometimes the movement can slip out of regulation. Such as with my SBDC111. It was running about -8 to -12 s/d. I've been trying to retrieve it, but, I think the movement had some QC issues. The time greater shows style key erratic results of when. The readings can vary greatly and sometimes ramping up to +77 to over +100 s/d?! Out of nowhere. I'm just watching it in 12 down position and waiting for readings to settle to see where it's holding. Even if I seemingly get a more consistent reading for me to be satisfied enough to close the case back and give it another test run. It starts out ok then the deviation slowly accelerates it's increase over the day. It's quite frustrating and disappointing. I really feel like swapping out the 6R35 for a good old NH35. They seem more consistent and generally perform better with my experience. Additionally, I don't really care about the 70 hr of PR because these watches never hold their timekeeping when off the wrist as opposed to when they are kept on the wrist, in my experience. So, I'd have to be put in the effort to hack and reset the watch anyways. Adding a little hand wind or shake to get the movement running again isn't that much more to do. Thus, I find high power reserve near useless unless the watch is COSC or greater where it can and should maintain accuracy while both on and off the wrist.

The spec is +25 to -15. Not going to compare to many other modern movements by spec but Seikos usually tune to better than that. Shame the QC seems to have dropped. I kind of wish they had not gone for the slower beat rate, longer run time hack.

That's exactly the accuracy I get with my 6R35; after being regulated again by Seiko, it gains time in any flat position but loses substantially in any edge down position. Mine is now ok to wear and keep good time but out of the factory it was awful.

I dare say that had it not been for the beauty of Seiko watches, they would have been blown off the market. I have spb143 myself and I love it, but after 2 months it had + 46s / d and now it is waiting for a new mechanism under the warranty because it has not been possible to adjust it. My first and last 6r35 Seiko.

Eh in my part of the world you can find ADs selling it well below regional MSRP between USD855 - USD985 with real warranty. And that includes the major regional AD that also sells Grand Seikos. It's a sub-one-thousand-dollar watch...

I would say to this day Turtle and King turtle have by far the best looking bevel bezels ever,even better than MM200 and MM300.Those Turtle double square bevels are just the best!!

I didn't think it was a click bait title.... You didn't even mention the big scratch on the dial just under the 2 o'clock marker! Along with the badly regulated movement it's definitely got QC issues.

My SPB299J1 runs at +2 spb on wrist and dial up at night. I have zero complaints, it’s a fantastic Seiko diver, and that dial, EPIC!!!! 🤙

Hey is there a scratch or a spect of dust on the dial just below the 10 minute Indecie

I don't mind the price because I look for sales and deals, I never pay full price. Amazon have great discounts.

Great video, many thanks for the extra discussion of movement details. Even if it is a minority of people who want their watch to reliably show what time it is, perhaps it should be a bolder minority. Watches can and should be as accurate as possible, or at least that option should be available for people who want their watch to show the time (I can feel the web-hate coming for saying that). Mechanical can be accurate. Regulating works. ( I love the sound of the 6R15, but I haven't seen one that keeps good time. Why are the 6r35 and 6r15 considered 'better' than the 4r3#? Better quality parts? Seems like the performance isn't as good. The 4r35 (and the version for export) is like the Drosophila of movements, seiko must have soooo much data on how to make those well. Curious to have a better low-end than a middle....

Where did you get that watch from?; I would like to take a look at it.

Is that a scratch on the dial near the 2 o'clock marker?

The SPB299 is beautiful and the bracelet is pretty good. But the bezel on mine is not properly aligned and has some play, the lume is unimpressive, and the movement was running at +25spd. I regulated it, but even then the positional variance for the movement is absurd. It’s just not a good value.

I tried this model today at the Seiko Boutique and I was blown away. It looks like watch worth 2x

I've sent a few of my watches back to Seiko for regulation. They'll do it at no cost but it's a pain that it has to be done in the first place!

another great review but you're right about the 6R35 it sucks!

Great review but my eyes keep going to that blemish on the dial near 10min indice. It’s like the mole in Austin Powers when under macro. It’s a shame considering the overall dna is great

Bought a prospect samurai manta ray. Wore it one/one day and it stopped working. So very disappointing

I have the glacier white Willard and this mm200 reduced from this save the ocean collection. Both these watches are extremely nice especially on my 7in wrist. They’re pretty perfect and always stay accurate. Btw if you’re going to wear a rubber strap get a crafter blue curved rubber strap.

Really shocked with the results from your movement - A year ago I got the SPB181J1 (PADI Sumo) with the 6r35 and it runs fantastically at +2s/d but it’s sounding more and more like I was lucky and got a ‘good one’.

That scratch or dust on the dial under the 2 o clock index...

Sent my prospex ginza 6R35 back for warranty regulation for being -23 seconds on average. Fingers crossed this sorts it out. Upside is that the warranty covers this so I’m not out anything here.

I have a 200 euro seiko 5, I can barely accept the accuracy for the money as its pretty bad. But for that kind of money its pretty sad. Got much better experience with miyota. I like seiko divers, but keeping to quartz

Does everything line up though?

I had to send mine for repair 2 weeks after buying it brand new. 3 minutes gain per day!

When you took it off that generic looking bracelet I fell in love. 1:44 😍❤️

6R15s had similar problems. I don't think they ever figured out a way to guarantee a solid 6Rxx movement in a new Seiko. They should just buy their movements from Citizen. The 90xx's are rock solid.

Great video. I like the price comparisons. Seiko is still the winner in my opinion.

compare the spb299 to citizen promaster

Sucks about the freaking movement. My spb207 was averaging -13 to -20 seconds a day. :(

Seikos prices are inverse of qc, as prices increases the quality still lags.

Uhm didn't have the sound on all the way, but is there blemish on the dial itself slightly below and towards the center of the 2 o'clock marker? The issues you mentioned certainly steered me away from Seiko. I really like their style and finish, but the hit and miss QC is just not okay for me. I will rather wear my Victorinox maverick for a diver or go the other direction and spend more to get something nice.

Just sold my black Seiko SPB255J1. I loved the watch. Its stellar looks, drilled lugs, fat spring bars, being a strap monster. Even the bezel aligned pretty good. Sadly, almost every Seiko automatic I've owned has given me the impression that Seiko has a very hit and miss chance when it comes to QC in the movement department, and that is just sad in my opinion. I got my 6R35 movement regulated (quick), and it went +- 2 sec a day for a couple of weeks before is plummeted back to - 10 secs a day. I regularly had to demagnetize it too. Not a big issue, but my watch was so inconsistent. I switched between the Seiko and my Glycine Combat Sub 42 (ETA 2824), and it was, and still is much more consistent and accurate than my SPB255J1. I'm not saying that the Glycine and ETA is better, but for the price I paid for my Seiko, much was left to be desired. If Seiko do increase their QC-department's quality, I will without hesitation go back to Seiko.

Nodus avalon. The newest version bad ass. It comes in bronze also. I think seiko looks great but overpriced. Nodus gives you alot more for the price there charging. Great company. Almost forgot regulated movement

My 6r35 runs at -9.5 seconds/day. Not the best but it’s within spec so 🤷🏻. Wish it was slightly more accurate.

Seiko has even increasing their price like crazy now, unfortunately they don't up their ante on their QC. I don't think they present value any more. For anything more than 1k I would rather go to other micro brand. These guys care more quality and can offer more than Seiko giant.

Seiko fan here but loosing the trust. Owned and sold few now based on (too) poor QC. Remained with 6r35 Alpinist and ran at +40 a day. Returned to AD for regulation, now barely at +15-20 a day. Really bad compared to Swis comps and seriously considering buying any Seiko again despite the love. Needless to say the compas dial is way off/misaligned. There is too much compromise to take with Seiko, they need to pick up on QC or loose the price increasing game

It's now a birdbox seconds hand

I think you've answered your own question really without actually saying it. When it comes to looks seiko pulls out all the stops and to me that is the main thing and makes it worth the money, so long as it not ridiculously inaccurate. I only wear my watches for two to three days at a time before changing, so for me 10 to 12 seconds out wouldn't be a problem.

It’s not in no man land price wise, actually it has excellent competition by the likes of Squale 1521, Doxa Sub 200, Mido Ocean Star Tribute, CW C60, and many others.

Esto lo resumo así: al que le gusta el durazno (Seiko) que se aguante la pelusa (movimiento), saludos Namber oan 👍

If the indices were real and lume filled, I'd buy this. Pressed and printed is garbage though. And regulate the movements ffs.

Plus... there's a scratch under the two o'clock indice. Talking about mediocre CQ...

No mention of the obvious mark on the dial? Continued QC issues from Seiko.

I LUV the Squale 1521... Check it out..

I think your wanting too much from the old girl.......well within spec. Love that dial and case.....

I gave my sumo PADI to my son , I paid around 800euro for it, the bezel alignment was not perfectly aligned, with the price I paid, I was dissatisfied.

You can opt out by making a mod wherein seiko still benefit about it.

I really wanted the Spb211 but seiko is to greedy to offer it on a bracelet, i'm not paying 750 with a damn nato.

GS dial on a budget

Tengo dos Seiko con calibre 6R 35 el SPB147 y el SPB 169 los dos han venido con problemas de exactitud, por lo tanto Seiko ahorra a cuenta del cliente. Relojes de más de 1000 eur dls es lamentable. Estoy defraudado con Seiko. Saludos.

No bad batch of the 6r. It's just bad in general. Wildly inaccurate. But it is what it is

Talking diver competition and not mentioning Doxa is a major oversight.

I would be happier without the date complication.

The 6r35 is ruining so many of Seikos nice looking watches

Seiko should start to offering quartz movements, along side autos so customers can choose. I know what I’d go for!

I love this watch but Seiko is not paying full attention to the competitors. Someone convince me why I should buy this watch over Christopher Ward C60 Pro 300 ? I don't care about the 70 hr power reserve at the expense of the beats per second... For me, all the 3 hz movements with 70 or 80 hr of PR don't add any extra value.

Tissot seastar 2000 profesional is more in that price range

What about Mido Ocean Star?

Where did you get that black pro diver strap in 20mm size?

Seiko's problem is that their recently discovered love of extracting lots of extra money out of its customers for what once were good value watches, is not being met their end by the improvement in quality or QC (two different things). Seiko's mediocre bracelets and non-chronometer accuracy for $1200 watches is an example of the former, whilst often poor hand / bezel alignment is an example of the latter. Ok on a $300 historically priced SARB 033, but not good enough on the now average $1000 Prospex.

I'd say the biggest problem they have is "the person who does the chapter ring and bezel alignment for their divers and gmts, needs to be fired." Who am I kidding, we all know its a robot that installs all that crap.

Cotton candy hand

looks like a blemish below the #2 lum, $1200????

If seiko just remove the x