I am happy to note that I have the original 300m Marinemaster or 300MM, SBDX001 (on the left of the photo below) in the collection as well as the latest SLA019, The 1968 Automatic Diver's Commemorative Limited Edition (on the right of the photo below).
In the year 2000, Seiko introduced SBDX001 as part of its Prospex line. The SBDX001 was in fact a re-craft of its first 300-meter diver, the Seiko 6159-7001. Due to Seiko's marketing strategy then, the SBDX001 was a JDM and sold only in Japan. In 2018, Seiko has decided to usher in a new era with the limited edition SLA019. It became the first of the line to no longer carry the name “MARINEMASTER” on the dial.
From the data above, although the SLA019 is deemed to be generally similar to the original 300MM (the SBDX001), there are some variances. The dome sapphire crystal on the SLA019 accounts for a few major differences such as the height as well as the overall weight. Apart from these two major deviations, other peculiarities generally involve graphics and shapes of some surface components.
As highlighted earlier, the texts on the dial is different between the two. A notable change is the exclusion of the word "MARINEMASTER" on the SLA019. The inclusion of the Perspex logo on the surface of SLA019's crown was also a departure from the clean surface found on the SBDX001.
Another subtle difference is the shape of the gear-tooth on the bezel edge. In the photo below, the SBDX001 (left) has a shorter gear-tooth top surface compared to SLA019 (right).
As the SLA019 now comes with the surface protection coating of DiaShield, the surface of the SLA019 (bottom of the following photo) looks more even compared to the SBDX001 (top of the following photo).
The original MSRP as published on the Seiko's Japanese website was YEN250,000 for the SBDX001 in the year 2000 and YEN320,000 for the SLA019 in the year 2018. For the last 18 years, the price revision was an increase of JUST 28%. With that increase, one gets sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel and DiaShield surface protection as an upgrade over the predecessor. This is a sweet deal.
Having said this that, if given a choice, I would still go for the SBDX001 over the SLA019. Both are made out of stainless steel with the same movement. Moreover, the Hardlex crystal used is value for money. Although slightly weaker than sapphire, the cost is so much cheaper. As a tool watch, you would expect 'battle' damage. Replacing a Hardlex or a stainless steel bezel insert is much cheaper compared to sapphire or a ceramic bezel insert.
Photo Gallery
In the year 2000, Seiko introduced SBDX001 as part of its Prospex line. The SBDX001 was in fact a re-craft of its first 300-meter diver, the Seiko 6159-7001. Due to Seiko's marketing strategy then, the SBDX001 was a JDM and sold only in Japan. In 2018, Seiko has decided to usher in a new era with the limited edition SLA019. It became the first of the line to no longer carry the name “MARINEMASTER” on the dial.
| Specifications | SBDX001 | SLA019 |
| Movement | 8L35 | 8L35 |
| Strap | Bracelet | Bracelet + Diashield |
| Dial | Black | Green |
| Diameter | 44.0 mm | 44.3 mm |
| Lug width | 20 mm | 20 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 50.0 mm | 50.5 mm |
| Thickness | 14.6 mm | 15.4 mm |
| Weight | 210 gm | 222 gm |
| Crystal | Hardlex | Sapphire |
| Bezel Inlay | Stainless steel | Zirconia ceramic |
| Base Material | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Manufacture | JDM | Limited edition |
| MSRP | YEN250,000/not sold in Malaysia | YEN320,000/RM15,600 |
From the data above, although the SLA019 is deemed to be generally similar to the original 300MM (the SBDX001), there are some variances. The dome sapphire crystal on the SLA019 accounts for a few major differences such as the height as well as the overall weight. Apart from these two major deviations, other peculiarities generally involve graphics and shapes of some surface components.
As highlighted earlier, the texts on the dial is different between the two. A notable change is the exclusion of the word "MARINEMASTER" on the SLA019. The inclusion of the Perspex logo on the surface of SLA019's crown was also a departure from the clean surface found on the SBDX001.
Another subtle difference is the shape of the gear-tooth on the bezel edge. In the photo below, the SBDX001 (left) has a shorter gear-tooth top surface compared to SLA019 (right).
As the SLA019 now comes with the surface protection coating of DiaShield, the surface of the SLA019 (bottom of the following photo) looks more even compared to the SBDX001 (top of the following photo).
The original MSRP as published on the Seiko's Japanese website was YEN250,000 for the SBDX001 in the year 2000 and YEN320,000 for the SLA019 in the year 2018. For the last 18 years, the price revision was an increase of JUST 28%. With that increase, one gets sapphire crystal, ceramic bezel and DiaShield surface protection as an upgrade over the predecessor. This is a sweet deal.
Having said this that, if given a choice, I would still go for the SBDX001 over the SLA019. Both are made out of stainless steel with the same movement. Moreover, the Hardlex crystal used is value for money. Although slightly weaker than sapphire, the cost is so much cheaper. As a tool watch, you would expect 'battle' damage. Replacing a Hardlex or a stainless steel bezel insert is much cheaper compared to sapphire or a ceramic bezel insert.
Photo Gallery
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