3 years on , I still love mine. Still one of the most beautiful watches I've ever owned. The build quality is amazing, it beats many other watches twice it's price. Compared it to a mates pelagos, even he said it's better value , easily. But he loved the design and build quality too. If you get the chance to pick one of these up now in 2021, do so , because these are going to be huge in a few years time. The new reissues although smaller haven't the charm of the 051. These really pop , and are just so robust yet cool. Get one !!!
Great to read your love of your 051! 3 years on, I’ve still got my 055 on the 051 bracelet and still love mine. I get the sense that there seemed to be a bit of negativity about these models over time, perhaps once the newer smaller 62mas models came out. Awesome watches.
@@thetrentmeister, I got a sla043 now also, but I still prefer the 051 size wise. I saw a 055 only make £108 on eBay yesterday which is crazy considering how great these watches are. I still prefer them to the 143 range.
August 2022, just took delivery of one of these from Shopping in Japan. Was influenced by your video here in particular. I really like it, best watch I've ever owned. Wasn't sure whether or not to get this black one or the blue dial one. I wanted the metal bracelet so opted for the black. Do not regret it, it feels classic with the black on black. The lume is very, very impressive to me. My first Seiko diver and I'm knocked out by the lume. Always wanted a high quality Seiko watch, it's a pricey watch for me but have no regrets, I love it!
Incredible watch. Mine landed this morning. Well worth $750 USD. Sapphire, Diashield, 6R15, machined clasp, excellent bracelet, very nice finishing. What's not to like?
Agreed, Bruce. These are outright winners. The 051 on bracelet is arguably the nicest $750 watch available on the market right now. I can't see anything touching it. I just landed the 2017 Oris Aquis in gradient blue and this Seiko isn't all that far behind it.
Nice review, and yes I'm one of those Seiko nuts, have owned everything which goes from the 007, MM300 to a Spring Drive so I followed your lead and contacted the same store and yes Kenta was more than happy to help. Mine is shipping out Monday so I should have it in a few days!
Now all they need to do is make one in a smaller size as well, and I'm sold, this one is just a tad too big for me! Great video as usual, I love your closeup shots :)
@@mcstarling07 This is key, i see this comment about size so many times. I have 6.5" wrists and this is the best fitting watch i have. alongside my sumo
I really like this watch and think this is what most people were looking for in the Seiko-Prospex SBDC039 Transocean, a watch that doesn't have that proprietary bracelet that doesn't allow you to switch it out. You trade out the ceramic bezel but you gain putting on whatever strap you like. Easy trade for a great looking Seiko at a better price than the Transocean!!!
Was lucky to be in Japan when they released this. My first seiko! I am surprised with the fit and finish. On par with many Swiss brands! I agree that the bracelet is quite superb. Can match other divers 3x the price of this. Happy I chose this over the tudor black bay!
Federico Talks Watches is a RU-vid channel here; he's a friend of TGV of The Urban Gentry and has lots of videos (I think he's a watch dealer in Miami). Anyway, he says that Tudor movements aren't really much better than Seiko's and he doesn't understand why Tudors are suddenly becoming popular out of all proportion to their quality. Apparently, in Europe, Tudors are still considered "the poor man's Rolex".
Hi Bruce, I've had this watch for at least 2 years. I think it's a beautiful piece, am so looking forward to the new 143 series. The new reissues look amazing, seiko have a massive hit on their hands with this new reamaging !!!! A winner !!!
Great review. Just picked up a new 051 of my own. Very classy and understated. This watch will grow on you the more you wear it. Seiko's nicest Diver IMO.
Your review helped persuade me to order myself one of these. Ordered through the same retailer - great service, although it took 7 days to work it's way through customs on arrival in the UK. The watch looks great on the bracelet, but also works well on the MM300 waffle strap or NATO.
I JUST GOT MINE.......I agree, it is a very nice time piece. Love the size. Love the hacking feature. Love the manual wind capability. Love the chasers work. I think it is well worth the price (I got it from a US AD for $800.
I was in Japan when this came out last week. Bought it in yodobashi in ueno. If any of you are going on holiday to Japan pick it up the because if you have your passport you can get it tax free plus an extra 10% off for using visa card. It only cost me 73000 yen which is about 600 bucks. Absolute bargain. Quality is spectacular, Seiko have nailed it this time. The bracelet is fantastic. Easily the best legit diver under 800 dollars.
Such a beautiful Sieko & I actually prefer the look of the SBDC051 over the SBDC061 mainly because of the different look. Only thing o wish it had was a signed crown but hey I’m still in love with it!
Absolute beauty.. might have to move a watch or two so I can add this one. I've got a Blumo and Blue Lagoon Sammy that I couldn't be happier with but this looks to be on another level. My Hamiltons and Steinhart should be very nervous right about now..
Now your reviewing high end watches like Rolex and tudor, do you still have the same affection for this seiko. I hope it hasn't changed your perception towards seiko, because I personally feel it's still fantastic compared to the Swiss models. What's your thoughts Bruce?
Does the crown have a manual winding for every day use, once kept idle for some time. Is the crown screw in type for securing water resistance or not. Otherwise the Watch looks elegant and stylish, like higher cost Swiss watches made by Omega and Tissot.
I like the classic case design but was surprised at the 800 dollar price especially as the finish wasn't as good as you had expected. Definitely a nice looking watch and probably a watch that most Seiko fans would consider.
This was actually my first Seiko. I've had Orients, Citizens, numerous Swiss pieces, but never a Seiko. I have to say the finishing is actually well executed on this watch. The sides alternate from polished to brushed (and the polishing is immaculate and the brushing is ingrained well), different case lines, the transitions are done well, the laquered bezel is a beauty, domed sapphire is great and gives nice distortion at angles, the bracelet is actually very nicely done. I only have two gripes that keep this from being the perfect watch in my opinion: a 4hz movement and a signed crown. While the crown is great and the polishing really sets off the watch to me, I still wouldve enjoyed a signed crown. And the 4hz movement preference is just that, a preference (and Seiko is stingy with their high beats). Overall, I was impressed with the watch and it looks to be finished as nicely or nicer than other watches at its price point (and above).
Nice review even though i viewed it a while back. Just checked and mine gains about 2 to 3 seconds a day..very impressed with the movement. Looks and feels great on, in and out of the water. The bezel has a few scratches on it, oh well. The alignment is good on mine too. Overall i'm more than happy with this buy!
Nice watch, great review. What I don't understand is: Why won't Seiko let you get a blue 053 with a metal bracelet right away? And why-oh-why does the (deployment part of the) clasp have to be sooo large?
Beautiful watch, the best Seiko I've ever owned. Such a step up from most Seiko's. I always wanted a Rolex submariner or a Tudor black bay, but after comparing them side by side , I couldn't justify the much higher price !!! I have handled a few rolexes, and haven't been that impressed considering they cost up to 10k. Great watches but over 10 times the price, no way. I think this Seiko is going to be one of the most loved of all time, it's an instant classic, although expensive for a Seiko, you don't regret the price paid, for such a mesmerising masterpiece !!!
I sure as heck don't need another diver but I sure do need one of these😎. Just by the crapy Seiko picture I knew this watch was good but your video shows just how awesome it is. I really like the 6R15's I have but think this watch is one the high side considering that movement. I guess the sapphire crystal and upgraded bracelet make up for some of that. Great review as alway Bruce. Thanks👍
Nice review. I agree about the bezel and case finishing - looks pretty sharp. Also the Indices look stamped through, as opposed to being applied, which is a nice reflection from the 62mas - If /when I get one of these I might just have to take the dial off and take a look. I'm a seiko nut (tunokies) and would like one, but the size may be a little big for my 6.5" wrist. I do however have a Turtle, a 6105 and a Tuna, so maybe I'll reserve judgement until I can try one on. I'm new to your channel, so need to do a bit of catching up. Good work
Regarding the alignment o the bezel, you said that you can pull it to the right a little bit and it is out of alignment by hairline .. Does the marine master or tuna behaves same like this ?
Thanks Bruce. I had overlooked this one until now. Great review. I have a MM300, a few LE sumos, some monsters and tunas........... I love Seiko. Do you think this one is DIFFERENT enough to justify a purchase? Thanks man. Appreciate your vids
Hi Bruce, I am looking to make this my first Seiko diver, and I don't see why I should go with the turtle first. The feature set here is superior and there are no other watches, from any brand, with such a great design and feature set, for $800. Correct me if I am wrong please! Thank you
My first seiko was an 800 shogun and I didn't like it. One of the best things about seiko is the amount of watch you get for how cheap the price is. The turtle is the sweet spot in my opinion
Beaitiful watch and an even more beautiful... beautifully informative video....simple and 100% watch enthusiast like..man I wish if I could have both the black and blue (sbdc51 and 53) right now. God bless, KC.
A great watch...hopefully the streetprices are dropping later...would make this watch even more competitive. At the moment I would rather get a swiss watch e.g. Glycine, Steinhart...for significantly less which also would have a better movement.
Hi Bruce, I got mine from the same online store where you got yours, however, I noticed that there is an issue with the watch hands not lining up well... I mean it has a five minute deviation before it zeros/centers in on the o' clock position. Any suggestion other than sending it back? Thanks
Good advise ie start with a turtle and then go from there....I got a turtle, then a Samurai, then a honeycomb presage, then another turtle and on it goes. Now it’s time for one of these and then a flightie
I have a $1000, I want to buy either a dress or a diver watch, what are the best choices for a diver and for a dress watch in this price point? Shall I get a Seiko or a Swiss watch? What do you recommend? I want to get the best value for my money, and I want a new watch not vintage.
And the Blue Dial 53J1 has a stunning blue sunburst dial. Better IMO than the latest hot Seiko Mas 62. I'm a bigger guy and the 40•5 mm - with a bezel, looks like a medical alert bracelet on me.
They need to put that lollipop on the other side of the second hand .Other than that , looks perfect . I've never had much luck with the 6r15 movement but hopefully yours will treat you well . Nice purchase , Bruce!
I live in the Netherlands, I can buy the watch for like 1100 euros in stores here but if I buy it from japan-online or seiyajapan I can get it for like 750-800. I'm not sure about the differences.
What’s the daily accuracy of the watch?can this watch fit in small size wrist?any issues problems while using the watch and in comparison to orient Triton which one is best in ur opinion boss??
Thanks for the review, but I fear it is a little bit big for me with my 16,5mm I think 6,5 inch wrist. What is the lug to lug on this watch. I have the 779 and it fits fine.
Tanks A lot. Maybe it fits. I tried the Tudor black bay and I think it has 50mm and was the max lug to lug for me. A comparison with the Tudor BB and SKX would be great :)
i understand you've sold this watch, but ia ma curious as to how to wears. at 42.6 mm or so it is small by most seiko diver standards. some watch channels say it wers small others say it wears big. what is your opinion?
I initially thought those hands are big and ugly. It was almost like what I thought about Seiko Monster gen 2 hands but now they have grown on me. They are distinct from other watch hands which make them unique to Seiko brand.
My AD just got this one. I have the blue already and love it. Now this black one disappointed me. First and most importantly the QC was horrendous. Three or four applied markers were totally misaligned with the chaptering. I couldn’t believe how bad it was. Secondly, it’s heavy as hell with the bracelet. It didn’t help that I was comparing it to the Shogun which I loved and ended up buying instead as I got a very good price and all was aligned. Lastly, I think this black version is quite bland. There’s just not much going on with the face and bezel at all. I bet you that it’ll also be updated next season with rectangular markers all around and maybe a bit of shine to the dial. I wanted to love it but I just couldn’t go through with it.
