With the announcement by Seiko back in 2017 that it will 'reissue' the Seiko 62MAS, the Seiko fan base got very excited. The Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017J1 did not disappoint the fans at all. The only comments heard were the limited numbers available and the high price. Nevertheless, Seiko has in planning to also offer something similar yet more affordable to its customer base. This is the Seiko Prospex Diver SBDC053. In the photo above, the SLA017J1 in the left and the SBDC053 is on the right.
As tabulated below are some of the specifications of both watches in comparison to the iconic 62MAS.
62MAS | SLA017J1 (or SBDX019) | SBDC053 (SPB053) | |
Dimensions |
37 mm wide;
19 mm lugs
|
39.9 mm wide;
19 mm lugs;
14.1 mm thick;
47.9 mm lug-to-lug
|
42.6 mm wide;
20 mm lugs;
13.8 mm thick;
49.5 mm lug-to-lug
|
Water resistance | 150 meters | 200 meters | 200 meters |
Movement |
6217 movement;
18,000 BPH;
32 hours power reserve;
No hand wind;
Non-hacking
|
8L35 movement;
28,800 BPH;
50 hours power reserve;
Hand winding;
Hacking
|
6R15 movement;
28,800 BPH;
50 hours power reserve;
Hand winding;
Hacking
|
Crown | Push-in | Screw-down | Screw-down |
Bezel | Bi-directional | Uni-directional | Uni-directional |
Crystal | Plexiglass |
Box-shaped sapphire crystal with AR coating
| Curved sapphire crystal with AR coating |
Others |
Rubber strap;
Standard production run from 1965 to 1968
|
Silicone strap and metal bracelet provided;
Anti-magnetic 4,800A/m;
DiaShield metal surface
protection;
Produce in 2017 of just 2,000 units (limited edition)
| Silicone strap; Standard production run from 2017 |
In the photo below, you can see that the SLA017J1 (top) has faceted angle surfaces whereas the SBDC053 (bottom) is more rounded. Furthermore, the SLA017J1 has more 'work' done to it (which in a way justify its price point) with a signed crown and boxed sapphire crystal.
The waffle textured strap on the SLA017J1 is more representative of the 62MAS compared to the strap design of the SBDC053. The strap on the SBDC053 is more modern with the accordion kinks near the lugs. Personally, I am not too keen on the accordion design.
Both watches have metal strap followers with the SLA017J1 painted black and squarer in design compared to that on the SBDC053. The buckle on the SLA017J1 is also simpler.
Although I have yet to peel off the blue plastic covering over both the case-backs, you can still see that the SBDC053 has the now famous tsunami logo whereas on the SLA017J1 has a killer whale image.
Overall, I find the SLA017J1 to more balanced which again justify its price point. Nevertheless, the SBDC053 is a close second and would be good additional in any collection.
For more information on the following watches, please refer to the link below for a complete write-up on each one of them:
SLA017J1 => http://easternwatch.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-seiko-prospex-diver-sla017j1-or.html
SBDC053 => http://easternwatch.blogspot.com/2017/11/seiko-prospex-200m-diver-automatic.html
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I have the SPB053 and it's really beautiful. Since I can't or won't get the SBDX019, I may just buy the homage by Heimdallr :)
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