Seiko SPB143. The best Seiko diver for around 1000$?
The Seiko SPB143 comes at just 40.5mm wide, 13.2mm tall and 46.5mm lug-to-lug, which makes it very comfortable for a wide range of wrist sizes. The design of the watch is inspired by the popular 62MAS. It uses the 6R35 movement with 70 hours power reserve. This makes it a very compelling choice for around 1000$ and it has become one of our favorite Seiko watch of all time. It looks amazing on a bracelet, but you can have a lot of fun trying out different rubber, NATO or leather straps (even though some of you don't like the leather strap/diver watch combo). Here we put it on our Full-Stitch Indigo and Two-Stitch Rustic Black straps.
Which Seiko would you get for around 1000$?
We take pride in handcrafting our watch straps from the finest quality leather. Our strap manufacturing process is highly time-consuming, and each strap is meticulously handled with great care and att...
I am wearing mine right now and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldnt have bought it. Its a great watch but I have had a lot of movement issues. I am probably going to just swap a NE15 from ebay into it. Other than that its been great.
I love how the watch looks, and what it represents. It's just that the alternatives at that price point are plenty.
I love how the watch looks, and what it represents. It's just that the alternatives at that price point are plenty.
For someone who would be interested in buying something similar to this watch, what are some good alternatives at that pricepoint?
What comes to my mind are the C60 Pro 600, the Longines Hydroconquest, and Hamilton's Khaki Navy divers. I think the Marathon (GSAR) just moved out of the price range. (MSAR may be still an option.) You're also just below the line for Oris divers.
It's not that these options are necessarily similar, but they are great divers, without having to question the choice of the movement.
I chose the SPB 149 and I love it with Uncle Seiko’s bracelet!
I have had my eyes on this for quite some times now (but love the white dial more, the special edition 140th anniv), but as I grew loving symmetric dial, I would prefer the slim willard (SPB313 White Dial) over this, as it has date at 4:30.
Both has similar sizing I believe, and are similarly priced, at least in my locality.
What comes to my mind are the C60 Pro 600, the Longines Hydroconquest, and Hamilton's Khaki Navy divers. I think the Marathon (GSAR) just moved out of the price range. (MSAR may be still an option.) You're also just below the line for Oris divers.
It's not that these options are necessarily similar, but they are great divers, without having to question the choice of the movement.
Not sure whether you ruled out Seiko, but I prefer the Marine Master reduced (SPB187) which I think would also look good in the straps shown by @twostitchstraps.
Not sure whether you ruled out Seiko, but I prefer the Marine Master reduced (SPB187) which I think would also look good in the straps shown by @twostitchstraps.
No, I didn't rule out Seiko, since we were already talking about a Seiko. My point was that there is no shortage of dive watches in that price segment. I would agree that Seiko has more attractive watches (in general, not just divers) in that price category, your example included. The original 62MAS had a rather plain case, and so does the SPB143, as it follows that heritage. Unless you care about that heritage, the SPB143 doesn't really stand out, in Seiko's own offering, but also against other brands.
What comes to my mind are the C60 Pro 600, the Longines Hydroconquest, and Hamilton's Khaki Navy divers. I think the Marathon (GSAR) just moved out of the price range. (MSAR may be still an option.) You're also just below the line for Oris divers.
It's not that these options are necessarily similar, but they are great divers, without having to question the choice of the movement.
Hamilton Khaki Navy (Frogman maybe an exception) is one of the dive watches I never recommend to anyone, even though it has good movement inside, the rest of the watch for the price is just not right. Similar offerings from the Swatch family like Mido Oceanstar, Certina DS200 and Tissot Seastar (only if you have a massive wrist) are better options for the same price or lesser.
Marathon moved way up the price range these days, looking anywhere north of $1500 for their 40mm divers.
I've got the 147, brown dial gold indices. Beautiful watch, my Mrs has nicked it 🤣 - no worries, I do my best to encourage her!
As for the watch I honestly prefer my Willard. My favourite watch, even over my Seamaster 300 & Aqua Terra quartz 😱...dunno why, can't explain it,I just have really bonded with it. It used to bother me that my posher pieces took a back seat to the Willard, but now I just enjoy it.