Seiko SPB187 Review

The SPB187 surprised me to say the least. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do when first buying it. This was my first blue dial watch and only my second Seiko diver. It is the model that made me fall in love with the MM300 design. It's probably the perfect size for my 6.5 inch wrist. 42mm with a lug to lug of 49mm would normally scare me (46-48mm lug to lug is usually what I like), but the case design definitely has that Seiko magic! It fits my wrist like a glove! 

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So, let's talk about the case. It's probably my favorite design on a diver. It's so angular and dynamic! Quite frankly, it's more impressive (and cooler) to me than something like the Tudor BB58 I owned. The finishing on the case with these SPB models is VERY good and I would argue punches above its weight class. Honestly, it holds up VERY well against something like my SLA057, which features the exact same case design, but with Everbrilliant Steel and Grand Seiko finishing. The case design/finishing alone is well worth the price of admission in my opinion.

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Now, let's move on to the dial. The dial is what made this a "keeper" for me. I'll start off by saying that the MM300 dial design is my favorite diver design. There's something about the handset and indices that just "does it" for me. Having tried the MM300 (SLA021), it's simply way too heavy and big for my wrist. From a size perspective, I could pull it off, but the weight of it was WAY too top heavy and made it uncomfortable/annoying to wear. That being said, it still has my favorite dial design. That's where these MM200 "reduced" variants fit me perfectly. I get this amazing dial and case design in a case that fits me. But this dial is phenomenal. The way the light plays with the hands and indices is my favorite part and the best I've experienced in a watch. This dial literally shines in dimly lit situations. I hate to use the word "dynamic" again, but that's what it is. The indices are pressed from the back, but they have just enough dimension, plus the polishing to really stand out on the dial. The blue is also a perfect shade. Not to bright, but just the right richness to be subtle in darker light and stand out in direct sunlight. 

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The finishing on the dial is fairly rough when you put it under a macro lens, with quite a few micro dust particles on the handset. However, these are completely unnoticeable with the naked eye and when looking down on wrist, it looks flawless. 

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The lume is excellent (what did you expect from Seiko?) and the bezel is solid. However, the coin edge can be a little tough to grip especially as my example has pretty stiff bezel action. It's smooth, but tight, if that makes any sense. If my hands are the least bit sweaty, it's actually kind of difficult to turn with two fingers. 

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Now, I can't really comment on the bracelet as I'm not a bracelet guy and the one that came with mine has been in the box since day 1. I wear this exclusively on a nato (like most of my watches). 

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The movement is the 6R35. Now, this gets a bad wrap and I think some of it is deserved. It really is a mixed bag on what kind of performance you'll get. I've owned 5 or 6 different 6R35 watches and generally they perform pretty well (some within 2spd when on wrist). I've also had one example that was +15spd. My SPB187 was giving me a pretty consistent -2spd over about 3 months of wearing it nearly every day. 

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In conclusion, the SPB187 is a knockout in my opinion. The way the case, bezel and dial all come together on wrist, it's an absolute treat to wear and look at. Frankly, it's one of those watches that you kind of forget you're wearing because it's that comfortable (unlike my SLA057 that I never quite forget I have on wrist). If you're a fan of the MM300 design, but don't quite have the wrist for it (like me) or the budget (or both), then I highly recommend picking up one of the SPB versions. I think it will be a great buy at retail if you're dead set on getting that MM300 design, but in a more wearable case. However, picking one up second hand is the way to go in my opinion as you can find them for under 1K. I got mine for $800 in pretty much mint condition and at that price, it's a stellar deal! 

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Seiko SPB187 Review

4.4
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  • Case design/finishing
  • Dial design
  • Finishing on hands and indices "pops"
  • Size and wearability
  • Coin edge bezel and action can be difficult to turn
  • 6R35 can be a "mixed bag"
  • Fairly rough finishing under the dial when viewed through a macro lens (not an issue to naked eye though)
Reply
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Great shots of the watch and a nice review of why you like this one. Glad you have such a perfect ‘fit’!

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great review. always a fan of your photography 🙏🏻🍺

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Unholy

great review. always a fan of your photography 🙏🏻🍺

Thank you!

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That watch looks fantastic I’m a sucker for a blue dial. 👌

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Excellent and honest assessments Very well done! Thank you for taking time to hit every element of owning this watch. I actually love this watch. I own an MM300 and love it BUT it's a monster. I call it the Mark V dive helmet of watches = built for pro divers big heavy and awesome to look at. I wish I would have purchased an MM200 or just spent more for the LX in Titanium to cut the weight.  You made the best choice. That blue dial is beautiful!

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I have a similar watch. love it. except I’m getting about +10 to +15 seconds a day, which is pretty sad. Guess I’ll try to get it regulated. 

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Great watch and a great review

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Thanks for the review.  Glad to hear you've connected to the watch 

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Blue is such a beautiful and underrated colour for watches .

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Great write up and photos. That is a sick watch!

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Great review 

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Nice review, have the exact model but mine's running at +20spd! these 6r movements really give you a heart attack sometimes

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Thanks for the great review and fantastic photos.

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Seiko Is King

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I wanted to ask fellow Watch Crunchers here for advise regarding movements, specifically, the Seiko 6R35.

I recently bought the SPB207 MM 200, and it's losing ~15 seconds everyday. Now, @kentuckyman30 stated that he has some 6R35 Seiko's that could do 2spd.

My question is, will sending my watch to Seiko for regulation service get it to ~2spd?

I know this is old, but I also have a 6.5 inch wrist, and I am blown away by how well that fits you, normally I think 42 is too big for me. The bezel is a bit wider than an Orient Mako (I have one, it's almost too big), and it's thinner and the lug turndown is very steep, I think all that contributes. I'm very tempted by this. Top notch photography and review. 

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Quartz_MemberBerries

I know this is old, but I also have a 6.5 inch wrist, and I am blown away by how well that fits you, normally I think 42 is too big for me. The bezel is a bit wider than an Orient Mako (I have one, it's almost too big), and it's thinner and the lug turndown is very steep, I think all that contributes. I'm very tempted by this. Top notch photography and review. 

Thanks so much! I absolutely agree. The 187 wears SO well on the wrist. I think it's more like a 39mm or 40mm in terms of how it wears. Seems to be how it is with Seiko's cases and measurements. They make larger cases (on paper) wear like a dream! 

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I so wish this was Smaller😭

Everything above 40mm is too big. For anyone. Change my mind😂

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Great review!! And Great Wrist-shots and Fotos too!

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kentuckyman30

Thanks so much! I absolutely agree. The 187 wears SO well on the wrist. I think it's more like a 39mm or 40mm in terms of how it wears. Seems to be how it is with Seiko's cases and measurements. They make larger cases (on paper) wear like a dream! 

Is that due to the big bezel, making the actual face of the watch appear Smaller?

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shooperman

I wanted to ask fellow Watch Crunchers here for advise regarding movements, specifically, the Seiko 6R35.

I recently bought the SPB207 MM 200, and it's losing ~15 seconds everyday. Now, @kentuckyman30 stated that he has some 6R35 Seiko's that could do 2spd.

My question is, will sending my watch to Seiko for regulation service get it to ~2spd?

If there is nothing technically wrong with it that shouldn't be hard for Seiko to do, but so could a local Watchmaker for probably a lot less if you know one.

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Bad,bad watch review…it made me go and buy one 😉

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Architime

Bad,bad watch review…it made me go and buy one 😉

Sorry! 😉