A 62MAS fantasy, a roll of dices with the SPB147.
This week I'm trying to alternate between quartz and mechanical watches, which gave the SPB147 "almost 62MAS" a chance to shine under the warm and bright sun.
For me, the SPB147 is an odd duck. I bought it as a fancy 62MAS re-creation, a role at which it failed miserably, and kept it as a stylish desk diver where its gilt dial, together with the stunning chocolate sunburst, and the excellent pairing with the ColaReb Roma strap, manage to turn it into an eye catching combination.
I'm still struggling to find the best angle to catch the dynamism of the dial without emphasizing the misalignment of the bezel, but it's a dial that turn from matte dark brown straight into an explosion of warm gold and deep cappuccino that goes very nicely with my morning coffee.
I'm also aware of the unusual case color offered by the DiasShield coating. It's not unique to Seiko and it's not as scratch resistant as other treatments, but it still does the job and the gunmetal grey tint it gives the case is an interesting contrast to the dial.
The SPB is a nice watch to wear, despite being a tad larger than I would like and a lot thicker than it has any right to be. It's also a lot more comfortable to wear on the Roma strap than it used to be with the original rubber.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
I've wanted a SPB 143, 147, or 239 for a while now... But every time I get close to buying one I remember that it's essentially GSAR thick, but for no reason. The GSAR is 14mm thick because the dial, and hands all have tritium tubes, so they take up a lot of space. The SPB 143 has normal lume, so it could in theory be as thin as my DS30 at just under 10mm.
I've wanted a SPB 143, 147, or 239 for a while now... But every time I get close to buying one I remember that it's essentially GSAR thick, but for no reason. The GSAR is 14mm thick because the dial, and hands all have tritium tubes, so they take up a lot of space. The SPB 143 has normal lume, so it could in theory be as thin as my DS30 at just under 10mm.
The thickness of the SPB is inexcusable IMO but then there is the annoying misaligned bezel that makes you forget about it. Small blessings I guess.
Spot on review - I've got a 147 too ( although my Mrs has nicked it because she says it's the prettiest watch I own ! )
The 147 is an odd-one. It must a must pick-up for me, I bought it just after I picked up the Fujitsubo/Barnacle, and I don’t think the 147 stacks up to that watch. It’s more expensive while being less premium feeling overall. It keeps terrible time, which makes the 70 hour power reserve useless when you have to reset the time regularly anyway.
I still wear it, and I still enjoy it on the wrist. I don’t like it as much as I thought I would though and I don't think it’s worth the $.
Love your musings. I think the only thing that has stopped me from picking up the 147 is timekeeping. I've largely had poor luck with 6r35 movements and generally have gotten annoyed with them after several months.
But for the case, I'd write it off completely. But the 62MAS case is pretty much as beautifully rugged as a diver case needs to be and no more. Given the curving down lugs, I actually think it is the rare case that benefits from a bit of height, rather than being the consequence of design compromise.
Love your musings. I think the only thing that has stopped me from picking up the 147 is timekeeping. I've largely had poor luck with 6r35 movements and generally have gotten annoyed with them after several months.
But for the case, I'd write it off completely. But the 62MAS case is pretty much as beautifully rugged as a diver case needs to be and no more. Given the curving down lugs, I actually think it is the rare case that benefits from a bit of height, rather than being the consequence of design compromise.
I'm still not convinced that the 6R35 is any better than the 6R15 it replaced.
I'm still not convinced that the 6R35 is any better than the 6R15 it replaced.
I don't romanticize the 6R15 much, having owned enough of those calibers over the years. I do think that the 6r35 is objectively better than the 6r15.....but not by much which probably contributes to my annoyance with it.
It's not a bad movement even....ask Soprod Newton owners whether they'd take a 6r35 over their odd spontaneously unhacking watch that you can't actually set at the exact time because when you push the crown in, it jumps a minute.
I imagine that if I had no prior expectations, I'd largely be fine. But I do and so am disappointed.
Que sera sera.