Great comparison, as a 017 owner I'd like it if the crystal and bezel from the new models would fit the older ones. I do prefer the older dial with the marinemaster text.
Really appreciate that. I actually came very close to making a deal for the 017 but it fell through. I was kind of open to any of the versions and found mine locally from a collector. Totally happy with it but I do like the older dial layout too. Thanks!
TimeToGo Travel And Timepieces: I already have it on my wrist for a couple of hours (my local watch shop had one in stock) and it sure is an awesome watch. Can’t keep my eyes of it...😂👍. Thanks again for taking the effort to put this video together and sharing it with us. Much appreciated, you made me a happy man. Have a great weekend...👍👍
Arguably the best diver under 10K no chance, sloppy tolerances ie, movement play left to right between end link and case, sub 1k braclet the usual affair from seiko, fine crown thread begging to be cross threaded, bezal inlay that costs a fortune to be replaced as its one unit with the bezal its self. Not regulated so no guarantee of running accuracy. All these issues not present with a Tudor BB for a few hundred more, I should know I own a MM300. God help watch brands if I ever had a watch channel.
@@marcocastagnetti7086those are all fair criticisms, yet I sold my BB and bought the MM twice. For all of its faults, it’s better qualities make it a great watch.
I’ve owned pretty much every major diver under $10k and above, BP, Doxa, Omega, Tudor, Rollies, you name it, and while I love my MM, even the SLA017, 025, 033 I had were better. And FWIW, the Sub is better. For the money, however, the MM is hard to beat. I prefer it to the BB, Pelagos, SMP.
I got my Seiko MM300 with the blue dial 21 days ago SLA023J1. I got it for a good price, and I wear it every day, I am totally happy with it! It looks and feels great.
I love my SLA021 / SBDX023... dare say even more than my Omega Speedmaster as it gets more wrist time than all off my watches. Also, SEAL Team 10 guys wore MM300s... not sure if they bought them or what, but that was about 10yrs ago before I really got into watches.
I can say that this has definitely become my favourite in the collection. Hadn't heard of the Seal Team 10 guys wearing them. I'll have to look into that. Enjoy yours. Awesome watch to have!
My friend first of all well done for the comparison review. Your choice for getting the new over the old one is wise, upgrades are welcome. Also I would like to add that the insert on the SLA is zirconia ceramic which is even tougher than the normal ceramic. 😀
I d say that i agree with people who says the "X" on the dial is too much 'cause the crown is already signed.. i prefer to see the Marine Master written on the dial and a signed (Prospex) crown.
Great side by side review, Bob! The Marinemaster is a great watch. The new version has the sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel improvements. But, besides that, the watch is the same. A beautiful beast tool watch. Love it
Thank you thank you, this is the first side by side of new vs old, good job!. I have the SBDX017, 0010. I had noticed the meatball indices on the SLA021 looked different than mine and I was thinking they were larger, but you gave me visual proof they aren't. It's like you pointed out, the metal ring is wider. It gives an impression the hour indices are smaller on the SBD017. thanx again :)
The crafter blue is definitely the way to go. It keeps the watch from sliding around and takes away the top heavy feeling it has when it's on the bracelet. The rubber has a nice vanilla smell also.
@@TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces I had the opportunity to buy a MM 300 in 2010. Had it on my wrist in Japan, but thought (stupidly) that it was a bit too big (it's not). Then I saw it again in 2013, but bought something else instead. Now the price has gone up and I regret not getting one.
@@raksh9 The first couple times I tried one I felt it was a little big too but something about the design just works great. Hopefully you're able to find one at some point. They're a great watch. Thanks again!
@@TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces I went with the new one, I´m very happy with my desicion. What sealed it for me was the sapphire / ceramic materials, and that the original 6159 didnt have "Marinemaster" on the dial.
Congrats on getting one with +4spd ! Mine runs between +8 to +12spd ... oh well.. at some point ill send it back for regulation i guess. that being said, the specs are still within manufacture tolerance of within 15s. I heard but from unconfirmed sources that 8L35 is an unregulated ver of GS 9S movement so i guess with a little regulation it should work like a charm ! The problem will be on getting to the movement in the first place !
Yeah not the easiest task to get in there for a regulation. It is a 9s (undecorated) from my understanding too. Bet you can get it regulated to be very accurate. Thanks and have a nice weekend :)
For me, the upgrade to a sapphire crystal tilts the balance heavily in the favor of the new model. I am NOT a fan of Hardlex, particularly at this price point. Like the dreaded helium escape valve “wart” on the Omega Seamaster or the placement of the logo on a Christopher Ward dial, watch enthusiasts can get pretty rworked up over the silliest things, the Pro-Spex “X” being another bone of contention. My goodness, some of the comments you read filled with hatred for the logo makes you wonder how some of these people get through their day without collapsing into a heap of smoldering rage. Nice comparison, Bob. This is a unique opportunity to see the differences between two supremely capable automatic divers that offer tremendous value for less than half the retail price of their Swiss competitors. Me? I think the Tuna is the better buy in Seiko’s catalog, even with the dreaded Hardlex. It’s less top-heavy, more accurate, the same killer lume, and even more distinctively styled.
I found a thread that was about 50 pages long that was started when the sla was launched. Let's just say it was an interesting read and a good chunk of it was hatred of the logo. I just don't get worked up over things like that. Definitely appreciative of the chance to check these out side by side. I actually spent a portion of yesterday looking at Tuna's. Top of the list for me for my next Seiko buy. That and possibly the new Arnie! Thanks Lee:)
Love my new sla021! Have had the original and many tunas over the last 20 years. 021 is beautiful, zaratsu polishing, diashield and the brightest lume of all ! Nice review 👍🏻
It's such a great watch. I'm a big fan of the Tuna's too. Picked up one of the new ones s23633 last year and it's probably my most worn watch since. Thanks.
Just sold my sla021 and picked up the sbdx001 in mint condition! The 001 was the first watch I picked up 15 years ago. Can’t wait to get the 001! Don’t get me wrong the sla021 is beautiful but the 001 is cream of vintage 😃
I have the OG, with an upgraded sapphire crystal (IWW in Cary, NC). Mine was also regulated to +/-0 day originally, but is now about +4sec/day consistently (fell off my dresser during an earthquake!). I far prefer the OG version, but I do think I read somewhere that the crown on the newer model has an additional seal? This was a sticking point for some (not sure why-regardless, it's He-proof, and rater to 300+ meters) so at least a discussion point. In any case, you get a great deal on a world-class watch with either version
Well if that's the first time I've heard of a watch taking a hit due to an earthquake. Still pretty good at plus 4 a day though. I've heard something about the extra seal too. Not sure but both are definitely great watches. Thanks!
hell of a review man! thanks for the great content as usual! at the end of the day i think it comes down to personal preference. i baby mine now because i have a skx or turtle as a beater lol
Watching this video makes me almost regret having sold this watch twice. However, I remember how the MM300 was top heavy and the regrets fly away. The price of the new versions is too high. But what a beauty!
It is definitely a little top heavy. Not sure if you ever tried the Crafter Blue straps but they really make a difference with the comfort of the watch. Thanks :)
chris marchese Really? At the asking price, we could expect a much better bracelet and a regularized movement. Putting a Strapcode on a SKX is ok. But on a watch of this price, it's ridiculous.
@@maitrehg 1. If you shop around you dont pay retail 2. Original bracelet is great we just like to keep them mint. 3. It's a quarter of the price of a new submariner. That's ridiculous. In a good way to state the obvious
chris marchese I owned two so I know what I'm talking about. The bracelet is very bad and it should not end up on a watch of this price. In addition, the resale value of high-end Seikos is not terrible. For many people, Seiko stands for good low-end watches.
Great video! I prefer the newer model with the sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel, and better lume. But you can’t go wrong either way. Such beautiful watches!
Both are great...the only thing to watch out with the original is that it will need to be serviced soon and it has a GS movement (expensive). The Crafter Blue is a great choice. Thank you for another great video :)
if it aint broke dont fix it. ive heard of a few seikos that have been worn daily for 40 years and are still keeping time. seiko is kinda like some toyota models, they just never break lol
Congratulations on Raptors win! I’m a Kings fan so seeing the Warriors lose is epic lol! I picked the SLA021 recently and absolutely love it! I love the upgrades compared to the first gen but I have to say I wish the Marinemaster text was somewhere. Love the gloss of bezel and deep black of dial also. What bracelet is on your SLA021?
Thanks man! Yeah the Warriors have had their fair share of titles. Love my SLA021 for all the same reasons as you. Totally awesome watch. The bracelet is a Strapcode Super Oyster. I like it but the Crafter Blue is really comfortable.
I was sooo close to the 023, but for that gold second hand, and the gold 300 print... Pulled the trig on the 017 instead (still available), yes it's not sapphire but I've never had any issue with hardlex. The dial is virtually identical to the 001 here, and so I'm glad I sidestepped the 023. The 023 lacks a bit of gravitas I feel. That 001 is a beaut though.
A few people I've talked to weren't into the gold on the 023. I kind of like it but would be probably just as happy with owning the 001 or 017. Enjoy yours, it's a great watch for sure. Thanks.
Love the Marine Master but seriously why does anyone need anything more than an SKX? That’s why I just can’t justify spending that amount of money on one. 🤔🤷♂️
II believe the thicker bezel on the SLA is due to the fact that the insert is debossed into the bezel. Probably to protect the insert from impact. On the SBDX, the insert is embossed. More exposed, but it gives the bezel the right proportions imo. Ive always forund the SLA´s lume look a bit prefabricated?? As if it is not hand-lumed? (I believe the SBDX is handlumed) The SLA lume is very flat and sterile, while the SBDX is more uneaven. Both are ok, but the bone white color of the SBDX is a winner :-)
I think you're right on the difference with the bezel thickness. Not sure how the lume is applied on the SLA but it doesn't have the imperfections of the SBDX. I do like the look of that on the SBDX. Thanks.
One notable difference for my is the old domed crystal vs the new inner domed crystal. I'm a sucker for domed crystal. Also the bracelet you portrayed is not the original I think
Yeah it's an easy one to knock on a door jam for sure. The first scratch hurts a bit but once it happens I find it makes it easier to wear the watch in a way.
ok good morning from Athens . Giannis Sina Ougko Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association
Great comparison! I'm considering getting a sla021 myself but was wondering about the feeling on the wrist. What's your wrist size? I've read it fits quite well on smaller wrists, but mine is 20cm so I don't want it to be too small.
Thanks, Bob, for the excellent comparison. The crafter blue looks nice on the watch. Would like to get one for my mm. May i know if it fits to a 6.25 to 6.5" wrist. Is it comfortable? Which of the 3 color do you prefer?
Tks, Bob. I have most of the popular seiko divers, including the 1st (new), 2nd(vintage), and 3rd(vintage) which i like a lot, but, it's the mm that is most rugged. Btw, you know where to get this same rubber strap in 22/18mm? I would like to get one for my GS diver with the same type of clasp. Have you seen the clasp on the new LX? I read it's better. 😊
It's not X logo,it's P and X logo together,by far the best sub logo on any watch, allegedly from 2026 all sla models and more expensive divers from Seiko will have a prospex logo,Turtle,Alpinist and others more cheaper models will lose prospex logo.
Hadn't heard that about the Turtle, Alpinist etc. Yeah the logo is a P and and S to form the X. Looks like an X so I've just went with that. Thanks though. Interested to see if they do get rid of the logo on some of those models.
DIFFERENCE. You could use it to get to your goal of accumulating funds but they are overpriced, if it was not fo the internet propaganda all watchmakers would find it challenging with selling Stainless steel watches for 10k+, it's all instagram hype likes and so on...
