New Seiko SJE097, SJE099 & SJE101 "Marinemaster"

I want to know what people think about their prices in general. Maybe it’s just me thinking that paying around $1000 and up doesn’t sound right for a Seiko and I hate the Prospex and Presage logo on the dials. I don’t mind the Grand Seiko pricing.

The black one is the only one decent 😅

I am not a fan at all. The prior model in the monobloc case is iconic, and you can't beat it. I agree with your bracelet comment too, it just doesn't work. Maybe it is the polished center links, or maybe it is the fact it should be a tool watch on rubber.

It depends for me. I have no problem spending BB54 or Omega SMP prices for certain SLA or SJE models. I will die on the hill that the SLA057 is simply on another level compared to the BB54 in terms of finishing (and overall design). It's Grand Seiko assembled and finished afterall. I'd even take the SJE093 over the BB54. This though? Nah. Awful design and execution and more expensive than the "real" Marinemaster.

Glad to know I'm not alone. 😀

Do look a bit naff imho. But folks will buy 'em & Seiko is in the money making business.....

I've never been a fan of the 62mas so I actually quite like these, but that's mostly irrelevant as I know I won't like the price.

I’m just like wher is the Marine Master design language? It doesn’t exist. I still like it though. I’ll wait on the reviews. My SBDC101 (JDM for the SPB143) was a turd of a watch.

Eh, I like them. Not gonna buy them but, if I was in the market for a Seiko diver, I’d consider them.

I haven’t seen any of the higher priced prospex line up in person, but I checked out the website and looked at a few. I wonder why Seiko doesn’t make a no tool adjustable bracelet on any of the high priced models. Doesn’t seem like a hard thing to make and produce with their capabilities.

“They look like a mod project or simply a mish mash of parts and designs.” 🤕🔨 Completely agree. This is a total miss for me, Seiko taking a little bit of everything and losing any originality.

Seeing SLA's in person is akin to seeing Grand Seiko in person. Renders of the watches online (and even good photos to an extent) simply don't do them justice.

I remember watching a YouTube review of a certain Prospex watch and the reviewer asked why not just call it a Grand Seiko at that price point. Which I agreed with.

Big Seiko fan and its a nice piece, the price not so nice at $3.7k.

Take Marinemaster off the dial

$3K+ for a steel Seiko and they can’t even be bothered to make a bracelet that fits the watch head properly, unbelievable.

Unless it’s a truly crazy independent that is making something unique imo many 1k+ watches have gotten grossly overpriced. In the case of seiko if they are charging it I imagine someone will pay it or at least pay more when it’s discounted.

Man, I LOVE those GMT models.

A marine master dial would have helped, marine master hands and indices. I have a 6MAS and this does confuse me a bit. I feel like the 62MAS is successful for them, so this seems like a win for them? Idk 🤷‍♂️

Wow… it has the same issue as the SPB143 / SBDC101. Save your money and buy a Tudor instead

Definitely need to see these in person first and on a strap. Seiko divers on a bracelet do not interest me. As an SLA/SJE 8L/6L owner Already, the movement accuracy that so many have concerns with, doesn't concern me. I think these (the black and silver) will be beautiful on a strap. For me, like with any watch ever made, you can say, "you can buy XXX for less with better specs", yes of course, but I don't lke XXX so why would I even consider that? As for the Marinemaster name, As awesome as the original MM's are, were, they are unwearable for most. Phenomenal watch though. Here, we have something that can practically be worn by anyone. Seiko cannot do anything right for the critics. "Marinemaster" was created by and is owned by Seiko, so I am pretty sure they are more authoritative than most, on what A MarineMaster IS or IS not. If you like it, don't listen to the haters. They aren't going to like anything Seiko makes, unless it says Tudor or CW and costs $600. Think back to all of the amazing brands/designs that have kept the name, but evolved over time.

💯

Completely agree with the sentiment you shared: "you can buy XXX for less with better specs", yes of course, but I don't lke XXX so why would I even consider that?"

I owned an MM300 for a VERY brief time and yes, perfect in every way except for how unwearable it was on my tiny wrist. Haha. I also owned the SJE085 and was very pleased with the 6L movement in that. Finally, I owned the SLA057 for nearly a year and LOVED that. It wore so much nicer than the MM300 and the movement gave me a VERY consistent +6SPD throughout my entire ownership (and the power reserve never died the entire time I owned it so it got worn A LOT).

I love so many Seiko designs, but I just don't understand this release from a design perspective. I'm sure there will be plenty that will like it though. As for me, I'm still jonesing to see one of those beautiful SJE093's in person. I know several online friends who own one and see photos of them daily, but I really want to get my hands on one!

Yeah, the 093 looks beautiful. I'm just concerned with the size and it will comflict with my sp143 and sla043

the more i see people complaining about this release the more i start to like this watch with its unique design. imo this represents the start of a new marinemaster line with different watches.. i guess the new mm300 will be the best version of this line with better specs and in the 4 to 5k range... this mm200 u will probably get with discount at around 2.7k i guess... so not a bad value imo because quality wise the sje watches are miles ahead compared to spb watches. i ve never owned a sje but i have handled them and sla watches at my ad and they are really top notch. i think it is time to safe up for my first marinemaster 🤷

I bought my Rolex's at a Mall. does that make them Mall watches?

I feel like you know what I mean when I say “Mall Watch”. Sort of an unspoken category of pieces. They tend to be rather busy, large dials, usually not terribly expensive. Things that maybe have some level of mass appeal but no real character or history of their own as a product line. Not that it’s bad to own or enjoy, but a lot of what many love is the lineage of watch models and how they change over the years. That’s something you simply don’t get with the most entry level offering that’s the most widely available.

I recently tried both the black and blue variant at a Seiko boutique and I liked them a lot more than I thought I would.

Having never worn an 'original' Marinemaster it's hard too compare. But the watch on its own,wheter it's called an Marinemaster or not, impressed me.

Not 3.8k good though but definitely a very solid Seiko diver. More impressive than the spb, in my opinion. I say, Go Seiko for trying out different sizes and models.

Great point, for you Seiko is not much more than $1000 and I reckon many would argue much lower and that's where your perceived value and expectations come in. If Seiko was inroduced to you with starting prices at $2000 - $3000 then no one would raise an eyebrow and this $2700 Marine Master would be in line and represent value.

Every brand wants to elevate their image, their desirability, the market position and their average selling prices because wouldn't you rather sell 1 watch versus 3? But where do you start? You can't just change the price overnight and simply reposition your brand by asking for Rolex money, it's needs to be strategic so Seiko only increases their prices with new models and as new collectors enter the market, their expectations of the price is also higher, it's a new model so there is no comparison.

Besides, this is Seiko's flagship product, it's top shelf and the exiting MM300 was $3100 and this one is $2700. With that, I don't see a problem.

These are much better in the flesh. I’m quite tempted.