Seiko SPB143. Would you get something different in this price range?

I love my SPB143 and wear it quite regularly. It's beautiful without being too flashy. It's vintage-y without faux anything. And it's functional.

Before I bought the watch, I had seen several reviews criticizing the bracelet. But I often find that people are way too critical of bracelets, and that most of them are perfectly functional. In this case, I was wrong. The SPB143 is the only watch in my collection that I have ever replaced the bracelet on. It had to go. It was uncomfortable.

I like mine a lot. It’s definitely one of my favorite Seikos. Never had a problem with the bracelet.

I can suggest you the Aquitaine line from CW.

Similar price but higher finish.

For that kind of money I'd take a CW, a Mido Oceanstar Tribute, or the new Citizen Promaster Titanium.

I think the SPB143 is a great looking watch, I just think RRP is about $500 CAD too high.

Yes. If you replay this scenario numerous times, just tweaking a variable, I would buy something else each and every.

Why? Because £1150 is a lot of money, and there are a lot of great watches under £1500, and you even have a lot to play with going vintage if you were that way inclined for a diver. I’m just thinking of the fun I could have if that was burning a hole in my pocket…

I went with the SPB239 because I liked the vintage aesthetic. The dial has the same sunburst, black with gold hue. Quite a stunner under different lighting.

This came with two Seiko's seichu nato strap and I picked up the factory bracelet too for the watch. Plus ended up getting more nato straps. I miss out on colourful nato options with the this variant.

The SPB143 along with Omega Speedmaster look good on every single strap you put them on.

The squared off case is well suited for strap changes, even if you don't change the strap. I had an SPB185 and struggled to find a strap that worked with the case shape other than the original. The 143 is much friendlier for swaps. I didn't mind the OEM strap either but, let's be honest, none of us are ever going to use that diver's extension, and it would be nice if they offered a replacement clasp without the extension so that it's not so big and clumsy. (relatively speaking, it's neither big nor clumsy, but it could be smaller and more elegant).

Beautiful watch. I'd own one again if I was in collecting mode again. I'm trying to keep my collection at 6 watches or less, but if it ever goes to 7 this would be near the top of the list of additions. Love it.

Nice watch, I love the retro 63Mas skin-diver case, but that's Squale Sub-39 territory in my book o' preferences.

No doubt the Seiko is a good looking watch. For me, at half the price, I'm a big fan of the Vaer USA assembled dive watch. I might be a bit of a broken record on this watch. I need to get out more :)

It's funny how opinion can differ. My SPB147 is probably the reason why I won't buy another Seiko. It could be a great deal at 700US$ but I have too many issues with it to justify its +1KUS$.

I love the aesthetics of those 3 models; yours the 143, the 147 and @nightfury95 239. So, I built this one. I couldn't source the 62mas dial I wanted so I used a Marine Master 300 which looks ok, I think, until I can find a gilt 62mas dial.

Is it a black dial? Or brown? And the print is it gilt? And the markers are they silver outlined?

Man, I tried to decipher this model through online photos as I haven't seen one in person. And your photos made me even more confused 🤔. I love how it changes colors. It's gorgeous.

However, if you decided to still go with the SPB143 I recommend to take a look on the Japanese importers like Sakura Watches:

https://www.sakurawatches.com/seiko-prospex-sbdc101

The short answer is that I would choose another watch. There is nothing wrong about the Seiko, except its price. I'm with @Catskinner on this one.

Love it! Still debating between this one and the save the ocean version.

you're making my case (to myself)...looks great on all of those

I have stopped trying to justify the price on this one. I will one day get it, but only because I am a Seiko fan and I love this watch.

I don't think most watches are entirely priced objectively anyways, but for some reason people always expect Seiko to be the layperson's watch. I think they see themselves as more than that. So much like other brands they are not only just charging for the watch anymore, they're putting a value on their name as well. It's confusing to long time fans, but we will eventually be the minority.

Nice watch. I thought about this but bought a Mido Ocean Star Tribute in blue instead. And saved about £300.

I picked up the watch new for $900 including OEM bracelet for free which was $275 on itself during last Christmas. I got a good deal on this model.

No, I want a SPB147 really bad.)

I want the SPB187. Love the bigger size for my fat wrists and blue dial. Don't love the price but it's why I don't have one already.

I actually really love the design of this Seiko. But in my opinion the price is little too much.

In my case I love ceramic or sapphire bezels and in a range of 1K and up, I consider only such watches.

So I think the best diver style alternative is in my case the Tissot Seastar T120.407.11.051.00 with shiny metal inlay inside the ceramic bezel. The latest models are ingraved and white, which I don't like...but it's my opinion.

Then there are the other alternatives in this price range: Certina DS Action Diver (Titanium), Certina DS PH200m, Mido Ocean Star and if you are lucks to find somwhere cheaper the Longines Hydroconquest.

Another option would be the German brand Circula with their line Aqua Sport

They are still offering a model with an meteroit dial

As an micro brand I would consider the Wise Adamascus AD8 for around 600. The brand is from Thailand but definatly worth to Check.

Dave from Just the watch made once a good review about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-wrv_Lms-w

Got the 147, but it's often to be found on my Mrs wrist ( she loves it), it's an awesome watch - I've also got a JDM mm200 which is nice but rarely worn, but my favourite in that price range is the Willard. Dunno who, just gel with it.

For those that prefer other brands in this price range I'd suggest they lack Seiko's history, vertically integrated construction and in many respects their build/finish quality...for example both my Omega's that are carefully worn have more marks on them than my daily beater,my aforementioned beloved Willard - due to Seiko's diamond like coating. I'd happily pay extra for that alone.

😉👍🏻

I had to decide between the SPB149 and the SPB187. Both were nearly the same price. I really wanted to have a blue diver so I went with the SPB187 because of the rich blue sunburst dial.

I also prefer the case and the bracelet. First of all the shape of the case is beautiful to look at with those polished and brushed surfaces. And the watch doesn't wear big. Of course 42mm is definitely not a small watch by any means but it sounds bigger as it wears. I've got small wrist with 16.5cm and I can pull it off.

I know many people don't like Seiko bracelets. But I like the look of the middle links with the tiny polished surfaces between them. So you don't buy the watch for the bracelet but I would say it's a solid bracelet and I had the feeling that it's more refined than the one of the SPB149.

The movement is the same. Well what should I say... The 6R35 is not so good in keeping the time when you put it down on the table over night (nothing like an ETA 2824 or a Sellita SW 200 they are much better) but on the wrist its not that bad.

Might be interesting for some of you that there will be a GMT Version of the MM200 which looks great on photos and will be around 1700 € if I remember correctly.

Seiko SPB143. Would you get something different in this price range?

I'm a Seiko fan, but...

You could get two comparable watches for $1200.

It would be a good watch at $600 (maybe $800 if you could get one with good alignment and a better bracelet.) Personally, I'm not interested in playing the Seiko alignment lottery- I think the one in OP's pic is misaligned.

So many better watches in the segment, plus I get the impression that Seiko gouges you on their "historic" remakes- 62MAS, Willard etc.

The movement is nothing to get excited about either.

This will be real popular: I’m not a fan of this watch. I mean, the watch is fine, but not at that price. I won’t go into all my issues with Seiko, just the shallowest of them.

I’m having trouble swallowing watches >$1000 from a company that also makes cheap watches. I know it’s just naming, but human psychology says we associate things. Everybody except Seiko seems to understand this. If you sell cheap stuff but would like to sell expensive stuff you form another brand. Lexus, Infinity…you get the idea. Grand Seiko was already pushing it, but now they want to sell me a $4000 dive watch with “Seiko” on the dial. Just no.

Yes, I’m aware that watch nerds know Seiko can do great things so they don’t mind the price, but I can’t seem to get over this. It’s like Timex trying to sell me a $4000 watch. Stay in your lane or come up with another brand I can just associate with expensive watches.

And it’s not even about what others think of my watches, as I’ve said many times, nobody ever notices them. Except, sometimes my wife. It’s me. I object to the association between these two…

I haven’t spent this kind of money on a watch yet but I feel like justifying any watches price tag will be divisive. Always seems to be an alternative to any watch with better this or that but the alternatives may not speak to you on the same level.

Of the watches in this price tier I’d personally go with a Seiko. This 143 or the 151 most likely. The design and history and brand (amongst everything else) justifies the price for me.

I had and loved the SPB149. I wound up selling it due to the size feeling slightly too large. The case and dial were impressive and it’s probably the best looking diver I’ve ever owned. However, I can’t help but feel the 6R movement doesn’t belong in a watch over $700 (or this one at $1350). However, this hobby is also about emotion and there is something to be said for Seiko movements that last a long time even if they aren’t keeping COSC time. My bigger issue is that their upmarket push has seemed to come with a dip in QC and this watch had to go back for warranty service twice.

I think it’s hard to argue with Chris Ward for value here. Even less expensive micros like Traska are compelling choices. Longines is another value prop around this price. At the end of the day, you have to choose a watch that feels right on your wrist and makes sense to your wallet.

I have an SPB149 that I've sort of fallen out of love with. The weight is awful and there is far too much reflection off the crystal. I much prefer my Zodiac Super Sea Wolf.

Ive had an SPB143 for around a year now. I wore it solidly for 4-5 months or so, then bought the SMP300. Since then I have only worn it occasionally. Ive tried it on several other straps to try and spice things up but keep going back to the bracelet. Im not sure whether its a bit to dainty for me!