Is my logic flawed?
I want a Seiko Spb143, pretty bad. I have been stalking the forums, watching youtube reviews, and checking out #spb143 on insta. I think they are great. I think it would be the perfect watch to leave on a nato and wear almost everyday. Here is where I think my logic is flawed, I have a BB58..... Every review of the SPB eventually compares it to the 58. "Its a great bb58 alternative." "It wears like a BB58." "Is this the perfect 58 alternative???" I think I need both, to me they are different enough. Is my thinking flawed, should I just rock the 58?
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Nick
Just a dude into watches, posting from my cubicle at work. @southern_watch on IG.
Newnan GA
Member since
Last active: 2 hrs ago
By one preowned and find out for yourself. Worst case you lose 50 bucks to find your truth. In a small collection, I don't like a lot of overlap, so if I owned a BB58 and a SPB143, I'd probably wouldn't last long with both, but lots of other people are happy with 5 similar looking dive watches in a 10 pc collection.
Definitely different enough and has it's own history, so I'd totally have both in my collection. 😍
By one preowned and find out for yourself. Worst case you lose 50 bucks to find your truth. In a small collection, I don't like a lot of overlap, so if I owned a BB58 and a SPB143, I'd probably wouldn't last long with both, but lots of other people are happy with 5 similar looking dive watches in a 10 pc collection.
To be honestly the used ones are selling for $900-$950, and I can get a brand new one from Gnomon for $1100. So I would probably get a new one. They are similar but I dont have a plain dark dial watch with silver hands/markers, which makes me think it would be different enough.
I have been contemplating a SPB143 for some time as well. I see why people make the BB58 comparison, but at the same time I personally don't think they are all that similar beyond being vintage styled divers.
I also don't see a problem with having two or more watches that are similar (i.e. black dial divers), if it's a style you like you're more likely to wear them than a different style that you don't like as much.
Honestly I think you’re fine to want one. I get that it’s nice to have a nice beater that you can do anything with. Something to take place of your more expensive piece. So I think your logic is fine.
Minor points, but the SPB143 has a date complication and (in my opinion) a better bracelet option than the BB58. That said, they wear very similar and are both strap monsters.
I'd say try out a SPB143 to see if it can co-exist with your BB58, and if you want to sell it later, you won't loss your shirt. Cheers.
Some of yall are enablers. Haha
I have both (and they are my 2 favorite watches in my collection). They do not wear the same at all. The SPB143 wears chunkier and is heavier on wrist. They have a quite different look and character too with completely different indices and handsets. I would say definitely get and enjoy both. They are not interchangeable at all. Here’s some more enabling for you with pics…
I'm assuming @TimeEQ is thinking you can buy one used and resell it and with a $50 dollar loss. If I could find a source of SPB143 watches for $50 I'd have more than one. If your going that route you could pick up a Hommage and see what you think, I believe Seastern does one with the same dimensions. I do use the term Hommage loosely as the SP143 is a traditional skindiver design at it's core.
I did a build using a 62mas aftermarket case to see if I liked it and well I love it but only on the bracelet not as much on a Nato but I'm not a Nato guy. I don't own a BB58 and likely won't because I'm cheap and can't bring myself to spend that much money on a Sports Watch but I may take the plunge a SPB143 at some point. Anyway, I don't think that answers your question. I did watch this video the other day on this exact topic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuLbf_XO33A&t=290s
"Flawed" logic is the only acceptable logic when it comes to watch collecting. Most of my purchases and sell offs make no sense on paper. The heart wants what the heart wants, ya know? ;)
get the Seiko! I can see the similarities yet it is distinct enough, the Seiko is a different creature. If it is affordable for you-go for it.
"Flawed" logic is the only acceptable logic when it comes to watch collecting. Most of my purchases and sell offs make no sense on paper. The heart wants what the heart wants, ya know? ;)
Agree 100%. Follow your heart.
The SPB comes in many different colours. The white dial and brown dial with gold accents are very nice!
I have 16600 and SLA043. Guest what, the Seiko is getting more wrist time as it's more special :).
I have 16600 and SLA043. Guest what, the Seiko is getting more wrist time as it's more special :).
Man, I just sold my BB58 for the SLA057 and the 057 has been blowing me away. Certainly has that X factor I couldn't seem to get with the lovely BB58. Now I'm jonesing after the SLA043. From what I've seen, it's a knockout! Thinking that and my 057 would make a killer combo.
Practical considerations:
Seiko has really wide tolerances for the 6R35 movement (-15/+25). Buying a watch with a 6R movement is like signing up for the accuracy lottery. You might be annoyed / disappointed if you are used to having a chronometer spec watch.
Context. My first mechanical watch was a Rolex Explorer II. My second mechanical watch was a Seiko SARB033 (6R15 movement). I tend to wear the same watch for several days (weeks) at a time. When I bought the Seiko, I was surprised / annoyed that it was gaining a minute every 4 days.
I don't think it would bother me too much, I tend to not wear the same watch more than 2 or 3 days at a time. I do have a timegrapher and have regulated a few Seikos before, although I don't know if I would be brave enough to do it on a spb.
It's unlikely you're going to get talked out of buying another watch on this platform. We're all pretty much inflicted with watch obsession!!
Seriously, there's plenty of difference between them... Go for it.
See what I mean? 😂
I honestly never understood that comparison, they might as well have said the SPB143 will scratch your Rolex Submariner itch as the BB58 looks similar to the Submariner, and thus the SPB143??
I don't think it would bother me too much, I tend to not wear the same watch more than 2 or 3 days at a time. I do have a timegrapher and have regulated a few Seikos before, although I don't know if I would be brave enough to do it on a spb.
That's really cool! Now I want I timegrapher
sounds to me like you're thinking of buying the same thing twice.
maybe get a dress watch or something to diversify?
I also have a bb58 (navy blue) and was looking at the spb143.... but i decided for the willard instead because it looked different and i like variety in my collection..
Well.... One just popped up on WUS too cheap to pass up... So I have one on the way. Im so dumb.
I have both and I 2nd @gbelleh comments. They complement each other very well. The slender BB58 looking back vs a bit chunkier SPB looking forward.
Flawed? By this thinking, our whole hobby could be flawed. Some would argue that owning more than one watch is flawed OR owning more than one tool watch/ beater is flawed OR . . .
Once you are in so deep that you have gotten more than a few watches, obsessively read and watch videos about watches, and post on channels like this, I think there is no problem with owning both as, in my mind, they are different levels of price ($1k/ better used/ and $3k) so semi dress diver and casual diver.
As someone said above, it may boil down to the size of your collection and whether buying this watch will prevent you from buying another . . . WAIT, Congrats, I see you pulled the trigger.
Now I have FOMO. Time to look at this one again (not that I need another diver ;).
I can understand the temptation.
My biggest problem with the beautiful BB58 is the lack of a date window (I know, some love 'em, some hate 'em). Nonetheless, I don't really think that particular Seiko is in the same league in terms of sophistication. After all, the BB's grandpa was the genuine Rolex Submariner they are both created in homage to.
Wear your Tudor to the store and compare them together to see if lust turns to love. Any watch over $500.00 you should have more than a passing interest to buy it.
I honestly never understood that comparison, they might as well have said the SPB143 will scratch your Rolex Submariner itch as the BB58 looks similar to the Submariner, and thus the SPB143??
As a matter of fact there is a YouTube video specifically saying that the spb143 scratched his submariner itch 😂
It's a little bit weird, your situation. I mean, if the Seiko was, like, a $500 thing I could maybe see the logic. One could be the beater, and one could be for dressier occasions. But with the Seiko multiples of $500, it's beyond beater status so you wouldn't be using it in situations where it could get trashed, I presume? If so, you'd have two watches, of similar feel, to be worn in the same circumstances. And that's a bit weird.
Not entirely weird, of course. But if variety's your thing, like it is for me, it's weird.
I have both (and they are my 2 favorite watches in my collection). They do not wear the same at all. The SPB143 wears chunkier and is heavier on wrist. They have a quite different look and character too with completely different indices and handsets. I would say definitely get and enjoy both. They are not interchangeable at all. Here’s some more enabling for you with pics…
This 100%. The Seiko wears bigger and the quality is not on the same level.