Seiko SPB239: Under the radar model in the 62mas lineup unlike the SPB143
Picked up this model at the start of December, and been literally wearing it more than my Presage GMT these days.
After selling my BB58 last march, I wanted to buy an SPB143 but then came across this color when I bought my Presage GMT in June. Waited long enough to pick this up with a nice discount during the holiday season.
Nice proportions and the dial is just magic in different lighting....matte black under bright light but under the sunlight, it has a gold sunburst tone going around the dial. Got to see it in person, hard to explain 😅
Fortunately, no QC issues in mine. The movement runs at +6 a day which is nice out of the box for a 6R35. Also, the factory bracelet bought extra with the watch fits perfectly. Either Seiko improved their tolerance of the bracelet or I just got lucky.
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I like this version a lot! Maybe even more than the 143. Why’d you sell the BB58?
I like this version a lot! Maybe even more than the 143. Why’d you sell the BB58?
Ironically I had quite a bit of QC issue with my BB58 after I purchased it during 2021 Christmas. There were a few specs of dust on the dial and the crystal, and the lume plots at 1 and 2'o clock were not filled evenly. I didn't notice the dust under the shop lights and the lume issue became apparent at night when the two lume plots were not glowing as much as the others. Between the few days before I could go back to the AD to get it sorted out, the flip lock became loose with some bearing issue. It took two months for them to get it fixed and when I got it back, never connected with the watch and ended up selling it.
Loved the BB58 so much, probably will pick one up again in the future when they update it with the new T-fit clasp and hopefully they change the faux rivet bracelet design.
Irresistible!
Ironically I had quite a bit of QC issue with my BB58 after I purchased it during 2021 Christmas. There were a few specs of dust on the dial and the crystal, and the lume plots at 1 and 2'o clock were not filled evenly. I didn't notice the dust under the shop lights and the lume issue became apparent at night when the two lume plots were not glowing as much as the others. Between the few days before I could go back to the AD to get it sorted out, the flip lock became loose with some bearing issue. It took two months for them to get it fixed and when I got it back, never connected with the watch and ended up selling it.
Loved the BB58 so much, probably will pick one up again in the future when they update it with the new T-fit clasp and hopefully they change the faux rivet bracelet design.
That makes sense! Sounds like you had bad luck with your 58. I love mine and I hope they add the T-Fit in the future! Definitely revisit it at some point. You could even try to get the new Ranger bracelet which fits the 58. No rivets and new clasp!
Looks great. A bit more vintage looking than the SPB143, with its grey/monochromatic scheme that I own and enjoy.
I've owned the SBC143 three times, I keep selling it when I get a new diver. I like the look but hate the performance for the price point. Very disappointing for a $1,200 (USD) watch. The one you speak to? Does it have a better movement then the SPB 143?
It is essentially the same watch as SPB143, just the dial color is different. This model is part of their vintage special edition. I own a few Seiko watches with the same 6R35 which are present in their watches above $700 and I have had no issues apart from the accuracy being sometimes off out of the box. I usually regulate my watches after a month of use once the movement settles, and the accuracy is always between +/-5 seconds.
Seiko doesn't regulate their movements in the factory so it may be a hit or a miss, but you can usually just ask your Seiko AD or a watchmaker to regulate it for you. Watch at that price point should not come unregulated but I prefer the Seiko movement reliability and easy serviceability.
Nice catch! But I believe this is the most under the radar SPB model, of course just my opinion;
Nice catch! But I believe this is the most under the radar SPB model, of course just my opinion;
True. This was a very specific limited release for a Seiko dealer in Japan. A proper JDM model.