On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

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WIStful
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On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

Post by WIStful » April 28th 2024, 7:16pm

Slim Pickens
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Slim Turtle/Slim Willard Seiko Prospex SBDC171/SPB313
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Yeah ok, date window is controversial but it is small and matching background and without it, nothing to complain, for me anyhow, on this 6105-8000 reissue.

No truncated/omitted index is the yin/yang of that issue.

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41mm case width, 12.3mm case thickness, 46.9mm lug to lug, 20mm lugs, 6R35 movement.

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New 775 USD shipped, yen exchange rate doing its magic. Seiko Super Hard treatment on case/bracelet will be keeping it looking like new.

Five link bracelet is a nice touch for me. Watch gets props on wearability and readability. 2mm thinner case thickness than original 6105-8000 according to Internet.

Bluish lume against slightly cream dial gives some visual interest/pop along with red section on seconds hand.

Some object to Willard nickname on Seiko watches, contending the the watches have a much richer legacy than just being a movie prop. I could give a rat’s ass myself.

Mosrly brushed. Black hands and index surrounds. Seems fair to look at this as a toolish watch.

Other than the date window. One reviewer hypothesized the designer originally had no date but management insisted Seiko dive watches had to have a date window, so this was his grudging response.

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Last edited by WIStful on April 28th 2024, 8:16pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

Post by jason_recliner » April 28th 2024, 7:38pm

Cool diver. Nice pics, too. Love the case shape, love the white dial and lume. Surface hardening is a cool addition. Date window is fine, wouldn't have noticed it if you hadn't mentioned it. Bracelet is okay but I reckon it would look much better on rubber.

Is Seiko on a dive watch comeback?
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WIStful
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Re: On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

Post by WIStful » April 28th 2024, 8:27pm

They made two other variants with black dials (and matching date background) one two tone one on rubber

Thought long and hard about the two tone, really like two tone divers, but the white dial won out with me

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WIStful
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Re: On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

Post by WIStful » April 29th 2024, 10:02am

jason_recliner wrote:
April 28th 2024, 7:38pm
Cool diver. Nice pics, too. Love the case shape, love the white dial and lume. Surface hardening is a cool addition. Date window is fine, wouldn't have noticed it if you hadn't mentioned it. Bracelet is okay but I reckon it would look much better on rubber.

Is Seiko on a dive watch comeback?
If they can deliver the features of of this watch in 7XX USD seems like they have a fighting chance.

Recently have experience with two similarly spec’ed and priced dive watches, the Geckota Ocean Scout and Orient Star 1964 Diver.

The Geckota has 8 BPS movement the Seiko and Orient have 6 BPS ones. Geckota diameter 39.5mm, Seiko and Orient at 41mm, case thickness Geckota 11,8mm, Seiko 12,3mm, Orient 14.5.

Sapphire crystals all, Geckota box, Orient domed, Seiko curved, whatever that means, find out when it arrives.

Seiko has Super Hard anti scratch trearment, the Orient and Geckota no treatment.

All have decent bracelets.

The higher beat on the Geckota is nice, but if the Seiko Super Hard stuff is any good, I would give the value for buck to it. The Duratec on my Citizen NB1060 has it like new after 6 months of regular use averaging maybe 3 days a week and I take no special care with it.

That is a significant differentiator for me for aesthetics as well as resale value.

Exchange rate is helping Seiko no doubt. The SPB313 now lists on Seikousa for 1100 USD, was 1300 before.

Easy to find now at street price -825 USD, had to haggle a bit to get < 800 USD from a Hong King vendor but if present trend continues street prices n mid 700s should be readily obtainable soon.

If that happens and the Super Hard stuff delivers the goods, seems like they have pretty value for the buck.

As a 1K USD street price watch, I would say ok nice, but not especially compelling, paying a premium for established name brand over micros or Aliexpress offerings.


So maybe a green shoot for a comeback. All the PADI, Save the Ocean and otherwise themed stuff doesn't do much for me, generic dive watch is fine for my daily purposes, but I am only one guy.

Judging by WUS, it has gained a fair amount of traction among that constituency.

Time will tell.
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Re: On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

Post by WIStful » April 30th 2024, 6:47pm

Got an olive Joseph Bonnie tropic strap winging its way here from France as the Seiko SBDC171 is doing the same from Hong Kong.

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Olive seems like it works well with this watch

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Haven’t ordered it yet but I am thinkiing the Uncle Seiko z199 recreation will be a better bracelet option than the OEM one

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Re: On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

Post by WIStful » May 1st 2024, 5:11pm

This thing arrived here today, amazingly. Closed the deal at 7:01 pm Sunday, arrived here in Oregon at 2:15 pm from Hong Kong, amazingly.

The bracelet is better than in pics. All brushed including sides, super low key, has extension and the 18mm clasp is a lot less bulky than typical Seiko dive watch clasps. The bracelet also has no gratuitous bulk and the links are all pretty flat and even with each other.

The case and dial are similarly bling free, overall bling free. Thinnest diver ever in Prospex line and 41mm not huge. The pillow case makes it look smaller.

Definitely does not scream dive watch as opposed to everyday tool watch that has a handy bezel, which I actually use for various in my day to day.

Wears great and comfy on my 7.5” wrist. Notable lack of “wrist presence” for a diver, which is great for me.

Could easily be my daily, which is unusual for me with divers. And the tool watch vibe, lack of polished surfaces and diashield makes you feel like you don't need to baby it. Surprisingly utilitarian watch.

Probably sell the Geckota Ocean Scout I recently picked up in my 2024 buyathon. It is rather fey by comparison.

I think the olive tropic will look great as well. Nice to have bracelet and strap for a diver. OEM bracelet is good enough fir me that I have cancelled any plans to replace it.

I got the JDM reference SBDC171 vs the SPB313 international one for the imaginary snob appeal.

Nothing to drool over on this one. Seiko did a good job here if one wants a Prospex diver for daily wear if you can get it <800 USD.

Surprisingly basic watch, and that is what I am looking for these days.

After my buyathon is complete, and it nearly is, a sellathon ensues and I would say this one is the ine least likely to be put on the block.

Curved crystal means ever so slightly domed and not breaking the plane of the top of the bezel.
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Re: On The Way: Seiko SBDC171/SPB313

Post by smellody » May 2nd 2024, 12:24pm

WIStful wrote:
May 1st 2024, 5:11pm
This thing arrived here today, amazingly. Closed the deal at 7:01 pm Sunday, arrived here in Oregon at 2:15 pm from Hong Kong, amazingly.

The bracelet is better than in pics. All brushed including sides, super low key, has extension and the 18mm clasp is a lot less bulky than typical Seiko dive watch clasps. The bracelet also has no gratuitous bulk and the links are all pretty flat and even with each other.

The case and dial are similarly bling free, overall bling free. Thinnest diver ever in Prospex line and 41mm not huge. The pillow case makes it look smaller.

Definitely does not scream dive watch as opposed to everyday tool watch that has a handy bezel, which I actually use for various in my day to day.

Wears great and comfy on my 7.5” wrist. Notable lack of “wrist presence” for a diver, which is great for me.

Could easily be my daily, which is unusual for me with divers. And the tool watch vibe, lack of polished surfaces and diashield makes you feel like you don't need to baby it. Surprisingly utilitarian watch.

Probably sell the Geckota Ocean Scout I recently picked up in my 2024 buyathon. It is rather fey by comparison.

I think the olive tropic will look great as well. Nice to have bracelet and strap for a diver. OEM bracelet is good enough fir me that I have cancelled any plans to replace it.

I got the JDM reference SBDC171 vs the SPB313 international one for the imaginary snob appeal.

Nothing to drool over on this one. Seiko did a good job here if one wants a Prospex diver for daily wear if you can get it <800 USD.

Surprisingly basic watch, and that is what I am looking for these days.

After my buyathon is complete, and it nearly is, a sellathon ensues and I would say this one is the ine least likely to be put on the block.

Curved crystal means ever so slightly domed and not breaking the plane of the top of the bezel.
That's awesome. Quick delivery.
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