Seiko Prospex SPB053 Review: A Modern Take on Seiko's First Diver’s Watch 

The SPB051 is my most recent Seiko and it very quickly became my favorite one.

I have more expensive watches but the 053 is my favourite.

Jeff D How is the scratch resistant of the bezel insert?

Does the buckle fit on the hirsch

I have 6.3 inches, is this watch fit me well? Thank

@@brojim3350 If you have a large build it would be okay. But if you are slim then a 38 will fit you better.

I've been calling mine the "blue nostalgia" because it's based off the very 1st Seiko and we'll it's blue. I know it's a copy of a copy(SLA) but that's essentially what it is. It's as though the designer had "the good old days" on his mind heavily.

Ted Davis def. These seiko watches they came out with are such quality pieces and a hugh step up from a sumo or srp turtle.

It is? It's only written Japan Mov on the dial instead of Made in Japan. If someone can give us an hand on this lol

@@94Ninsound94 It is the SBDC one in my opinion. Its JDM, marked as such on this seller too: www.gnomonwatches.com/watches/seiko-watches/prospex-200m-automatic-blue-ref-sbdc053

SBDC is JDM while SPB is Japan made for international markets

Steve Tackett same wrist size as u and it wears really well

My wrist is much smaller. And it looked good.

I tend to agree and I usually wear 42-45mm watches (Sinn U1 as a daily wearer). Had the black one (SBCD051) and flipped it. The dial looks too big in proportion to the thin bezel. If they reduced the case size down to 40-41mm, the proportions would be perfect.

Omega Control LOL, impossible. That part of your wrist does not grow with gym work. Either put on a lot of fat, or live with it.

Ok, I guess it's KFC then. :)

Adrian B try it on. Wears smaller and better than my Tudor black bay, which is 41mm. I always loved the look of this watch but discounted it due to the specs. My father in law took me into a watch store and I tried it on, loved it. He ended up buying it for me. Trust me, because if the under side bevels the watch wears fantastic for the size. I have a 6.75/6.85 wrist and thought 41mm was the biggest I’d go (my black bay). Specs don’t tell all the difference! What’s crazy is I just also tried on the sbdc063 which is listed at 44mm but the bezel is 41mm and the 063 wears even smaller (!) than this 053 and it’s 44mm. Sorry to rant, literally just discovered all of this wizardry in the last week so I’m excited

It'd definitely be easier to change the straps on the thing. But I bought some Bergeron spring bar pliers and it makes changes so much easier.

Seiko will NEVER do 40mm again for a diver bro. That ship has sailed. My Limited edition SLA017 is an exception, but I had to pay thousands of dollars for one.... anyways y'all better stop dreaming, Seiko have made their decision.

gmshadowtraders think again spb149 :)

@@gmshadowtraders Enter SPB143!

@@seabiscuit726142 Haha, okay you and salinas, are correct and I am mistaken. Wow, who would have thought it possible! But they've really diluted the 62MAS line now, with dozens of models! I've parted ways with my SLA017 and have been the proud owner of the SPB149 :)

JY C the word “blue” haha

Their RRPs are nonsense so now the hype has died down this is not much more than a sumo but has sapphire crystal, diashield and better finishing. They have a similar watch with a newer and I'm guessing better movement out now but prices are still retail on that

I used to think the same thing until I thought about how much it would cost to service the watch later. If you want them to put a 8L35 it's gonna cost you around $400-$500 to service the watch so it doesn't make sense for them to put that movement in this watch. 6R15 I think is the right movement for it.

CLO27 agreed. 6R15 is the right movement, just maybe better regulation to it would be nice. I guess I’m a lucky one, +5 or 6 spd which isn’t bad

pelagos is 5 times the price...you can get this for $670 USD

ok , the one I'm looking at is second hand but looks as new and hardly used.

Is it an in-house or ETA version ? What colour ?

Its the ETA Version in black with two lines of text

@@algorithm007ify All Seiko movements are in-house

53mas because loosely based in the 62mas plus its model number is 53

Got too many black dials, prefer the blue but they're both stunning.

@@gmshadowtraders one year later came out with a darth version, stumbled into one and brought it home. as long as you like that kind of shout from the lime yellow minute hand, absolutely brilliant.

yes there is one now, just bought one. sbdc085 is the reference number.

True,on mines the bezel is stiff and seams that it misses a click(click,no click,click)

Blue is the in-ting right now bro! I didn't get the memo either, regret passing on / selling some truly beautiful blues over the years, which no doubt must be approaching Rolex prices right now. gawdamm....

Look at the Squale 1521 50 atmos in blue!

It has a better movement (But seiko movements are luck of the draw to be honest), the finishing is better, sapphire crystal... it's a matter of choice. I've owned both (and a sumo and a mm300) and this is my favourite colour and size of all of them. You can get it cheap if you look around- I managed to get nearly new with warranty for $475 and got the steel bracelet separately. The samurai is too big for me but it's a good watch and more of a tool watch- this is a pure seiko desk diver I think

I have both. The SBDC053 is much more refined watch. It also has a domed crystal and a beautiful blue bezel. I love the case of the samurai. i bought both thinking i will sell one of them after reviewing it myself. Decided to keep both 1

GhostTech1 it’s for stabbing Daniel Wellington owners

*too

I have a 6.5in wrist and this is fine- so was my mm300. I think the lug to lug and shape of the wrist plus body size(I'm big- hence the name!) All factor in not just diameter. My Marinemaster looked much better and smaller than my speedy pro. This wears nice and not too big for me(and my girly wrists)

@@FatSamEIE that's good to know. I have 6.5 inch wrist here too so knowing that this watch is not out of the question is really appriated. Now I have to decide whether go for a 55 or 53. Thanks again Sam

J B try stuffing a 22mm NATO in it I did that on my Blumo and it worked fine and looks better imo

Wtf are you going on about

I have both. I would not say Samurai looks better but design wise they are both at the same level. The sbdc053 is more refined and has better finishing. If Samurai had the same refinement, finishing and better component then may be yes on Samurai looks better but I would have to see it to make a final

penny pinching assholes... even the japanese are forgetting what it means to be honorable, world today has truly gone to shit.

How do you know this is done in this watch?

Rare Bird, plastic is the "best" material inthe world to make movement spacers, due to its shock absorption qualities. Expensive isn't necessarily good always.

Spb053 and sbdc053 are the same watch, spb053 is the American market release and the sbdc053 is the Japan market release. Exact same watch tho

Perhaps you would like him to pay a Shakespearian actor to take it to another level or even have elocution lessons? Most of us think he does a more than fine job! Love the watch.

absolutebore constructive criticism; non insulting. Who named you PC police?

@@deltropico7 actually i was wondering the same thing with your rather negative presentation analysis!

Yet you felt the need to comment 😂

better then the stupid etching they do on the higher tier divers. engraved or leave it blank I say!

yea I kinda prefer without a poorly signed crown tbh.