|
|
Post by russtmurray on Jun 2, 2020 14:34:41 GMT -8
Apologies if this has already been posted but I stumbled upon this very good review of Seiko's latest iteration of their iconic 6105 diver. I had not heard of this chap before, but based on other reviews Peter Kotsa has posted on YouTube, I'd say he makes some fairly compelling observations.
|
|
|
|
Post by seiko2019 on Jun 2, 2020 17:29:32 GMT -8
Thanks for posting.
I think he's done a pretty good job of comparing the visual appearance of each reference and the superimposed images were great.
Nothing like holding the watch in your hand so I'm looking forward to their release and the subsequent comparisons.
After the initial demand it will be interesting to see where discounting takes the price of this watch.
|
|
suntzu
Needs a Life!
Posts: 3,597
|
Post by suntzu on Jun 2, 2020 18:08:34 GMT -8
I'm in for the SPB151. Not a fan of the other barfy olive color. I couldn't afford the SLA033 price tag so this is the next best thing as far as aesthetics are concerned.
It's a little rich in price given the same movement can be had in cheaper but high quality references like the new green dialed/bezel Sumo I have.
I have a feeling these things are going to be hotcakes. If I can find a seller less than MSRP I'll be a buyer. I bought the Arnie re-issue 25% off retail when it was released. Hopefully I can do that again.
I have the original so it will be neat to have a modern iteration of it.
EDIT: The one thing that kills me is that damn "X" Prospex logo. I hate it. Maybe get an artist to paint it black or something to hide it more 
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,667 
|
Post by HiBeat on Jun 2, 2020 18:19:17 GMT -8
I have USA pre-order #1 whenever it finally arrives at the Seiko Boutique in NYC.
That said this video review has me reconsidering. I love all the SRP777-based 4R36 New Turtles but thinking this is a variant, with the hand set I've been talking about here that seems odd (easy enough change) and now the dial closeup, kind of a buzz kill. Not digging the crown guards shape and size.
So if I can hold it in my hand I will decide.
|
|
cobrajet25
Needs a Life!
"Underweared curmudgeon!"
Posts: 3,357
|
Post by cobrajet25 on Jun 3, 2020 1:47:18 GMT -8
When the SLA033 came out, I asked Seiko (on this forum) to produce a less exclusive, non-LE reinterpretation of the 6105 for the 'proletariat'. It seems they heard me! 
Seiko appears to be taking the same route they did with the 6309 reinterpretation (no, I will not say the "T word"). Make a watch that is about 90% accurate to the 1970s original with modern materials and a modern movement, then offer it at a reasonable price. Purists griped about the minutiae when the SRP7xx came out as well, but Seiko sold boatloads of them and they are well-regarded by both consumers and collectors. I think they will sell boatloads of these as well. Call me a heretic, but I'd be far more interested in an orange version of this watch than this green version. But please skip the gold hands and accents! A 'pepsi' version might be interesting as well if Seiko is going to explore different colorways here...no PADI co-branding, please!
All that said, the $1200 buy-in gets you a pretty nice original 6105!
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,667
|
Post by HiBeat on Jun 3, 2020 5:10:50 GMT -8
When the SLA033 came out, I asked Seiko (on this forum) to produce a less exclusive, non-LE reinterpretation of the 6105 for the 'proletariat'. It seems they heard me!
Seiko appears to be taking the same route they did with the 6309 reinterpretation (no, I will not say the "T word"). Make a watch that is about 90% accurate to the 1970s original with modern materials and a modern movement, then offer it at a reasonable price. Purists griped about the minutiae when the SRP7xx came out as well, but Seiko sold boatloads of them and they are well-regarded by both consumers and collectors. I think they will sell boatloads of these as well. Call me a heretic, but I'd be far more interested in an orange version of this watch than this green version. But please skip the gold hands and accents! A 'pepsi' version might be interesting as well if Seiko is going to explore different colorways here...no PADI co-branding, please!
All that said, the $1200 buy-in gets you a pretty nice original 6105!
The issue for me is around the price point Just expected more at that level. Seiko fans are harsh critics. I try not to be. But this one is not adding up to a buying signal brand new at full list with tax and shipping on top of that from the NYC Boutique for me. |
|
cobrajet25
Needs a Life!
"Underweared curmudgeon!"
Posts: 3,357
|
Post by cobrajet25 on Jun 3, 2020 5:30:12 GMT -8
When the SLA033 came out, I asked Seiko (on this forum) to produce a less exclusive, non-LE reinterpretation of the 6105 for the 'proletariat'. It seems they heard me!
Seiko appears to be taking the same route they did with the 6309 reinterpretation (no, I will not say the "T word"). Make a watch that is about 90% accurate to the 1970s original with modern materials and a modern movement, then offer it at a reasonable price. Purists griped about the minutiae when the SRP7xx came out as well, but Seiko sold boatloads of them and they are well-regarded by both consumers and collectors. I think they will sell boatloads of these as well. Call me a heretic, but I'd be far more interested in an orange version of this watch than this green version. But please skip the gold hands and accents! A 'pepsi' version might be interesting as well if Seiko is going to explore different colorways here...no PADI co-branding, please!
All that said, the $1200 buy-in gets you a pretty nice original 6105!
The issue for me is around the price point Just expected more at that level.
Expected more...what? Fidelity to the original? I am sure it will be a very nice watch, almost certainly in line with the current $1000-ish models in the Prospex line in terms of fit-and-finish. People generally see the SBBNs as somewhat expensive for what they are, but nobody debates that they are very nice watches.
|
|
Fergus
Needs a Life!
Posts: 2,945
|
Post by Fergus on Jun 3, 2020 5:49:31 GMT -8
The price in $ will most probably = £1000+ here in the UK.
It would be interesting to know how many are sold here direct from AD's.
|
|
|
|
Post by leffemonster on Jun 3, 2020 6:21:45 GMT -8
RRP in the UK looks to be £1200 for the 151 and £1100 for the 153, available to pre-order. Too rich for me!
|
|
Fergus
Needs a Life!
Posts: 2,945
|
Post by Fergus on Jun 3, 2020 6:58:55 GMT -8
RRP in the UK looks to be £1200 for the 151 and £1100 for the 153, available to pre-order. Too rich for me! Even with the dealers 10% I would say the same for a 6R movement watch. Yes, its the 70 hour version but its not GS. An SLA017 is my only NEW Seiko and will remain so for a long while. |
|
|
|
Post by russtmurray on Jun 3, 2020 8:33:55 GMT -8
Well, I've been down this rabbit hole before. I have a number of 6309's & 1 6306 in my collection and to me, they are the iconic Seiko diver with 6105 running a close second. When Seiko released the SRP reissues, I jumped on board thinking how nice it would be to have a new watch with modern movements so that I could wear it worry free etc. Fact is however, I'm pretty easy on my watches anyway and eventually that SRP773 became surplus to my needs. So here we are, presented with yet another interpretation of the 6105 and kudos to Seiko for putting it out there. I have a slightly modified vintage 6105 (aka Mr Crusty) that I wear occasionally and a Typhoon that Jake made to scratch the 6105 itch and kudos to him too for putting it out there. As far as pricing goes, I suspect you can pick up a well cared for/restored vintage for what these SPB's go for. So it's a bit of a toss up. This review focusing on the case shape is what piqued my interest. Bottom line for me is to determine whether I'm more curious than itchy  Guess I'll have to wear my 6105 & Typhoon more often to diagnose my symptoms. For what it's worth, I like the green dial. Time will tell and I'm in no rush but we all know that such logic is precarious at best when you're an idiot. |
|
suntzu
Needs a Life!
Posts: 3,597
|
Post by suntzu on Jun 3, 2020 12:34:06 GMT -8
But this one is not adding up to a buying signal brand new at full list with tax and shipping on top of that from the NYC Boutique for me.Just a heads up if you're looking to buy and don't want to pay MSRP, tax and shipping, you can try an out of State authorized dealer.
I did that with a pre-order for the SPB145. I am using an authorized high end watch/jewelry dealer in Greenwich CT who gave me free shipping and $100.00 off MSRP. And since it's out of State done over the phone, no sales tax. He's also a dealer for all the high end Swiss brands down to the G Shocks. I wired him $500 deposit (with paid receipt) and balance upon arrival in his store.
I like Mimo's in California. He's super cool and a small time authorized dealer. I spoke to him to see when he's getting the SPB145 and if he's discounting. He said he's not exactly sure and doesn't know if he'll be discounting yet. I like to support him but had to look elsewhere for this purchase.
Maybe he'll offer the SPB151 with a discount like he did with the Arnie re-issues. Plus he ships for free and no tax. But with the Arnie pre-issue I had to wait a couple months before I got it from him because he's low on the food chain when it comes to stock and restocking.
I'm still in for one, but won't be in a rush. I'm feeling it but not "rush out and buy it" feeling it.
I'm really happy though that Seiko is offering this iconic piece in a more affordable line even with the opinions of the guy in the video whom I tend to agree with. I still think it's padded a little and a sub $1,000 watch, more like $850. But, I understand the whole dynamic. But it shows they're listening to crusty underweared curmudgeons like cobrajet25 who groused about "helpin' a brother out" by offering this. So who knows what's next in store?
On the flip side, maybe it shows a little lack of ingenuity and aesthetic innovation that Seiko has to rely on these re-issues and using older designs (SRP)? I'm a coin collector too and it's the same way with the US Mint. I turn my nose up at all these new gold commemoratives (for one, they cost a fortune) because the designs suck ass. But, they do a gold re-issue of the old beautiful designs of dimes, quarters, halves, etc... and I'm all over it. These old designs are what got me into collecting when I was a kid with my dad. I don't know. I see a bit of a parallel. But I guess watch companies can't come up with new designs every single year (unless you're Casio G-Shock).
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,667
|
Post by HiBeat on Jun 3, 2020 20:00:54 GMT -8
The issue for me is around the price point Just expected more at that level.
Expected more...what? Fidelity to the original? I am sure it will be a very nice watch, almost certainly in line with the current $1000-ish models in the Prospex line in terms of fit-and-finish. People generally see the SBBNs as somewhat expensive for what they are, but nobody debates that they are very nice watches.
Expected the case to not be smaller for one. And the SRP777 overlay shows where it comes from, just added a sweeping crown guard.
Yet the crown guard looks so odd. Surely the original is odd but it set the design but got revered why not do a better job at the task at hand? And speaking of hands, ok ok ok easy to swap out, and so what if not really faithful to the original, but what is the H&M design element they were seeking if not willing to just repeat the original design? Weird. Finally the killer is the dial lume. Not up to snuff aesthetically for $1300+ delivered timepiece.
Look I support Seiko for design reaches with the Street Series and all, no stick in the mud here. I love my SLA033 re-issue and it has its own flaws but what I like about it is the fact that it is not a direct copy but rather a really good new luxury watch with an 8L35 and the legacy aspect of an iconic watch.
I like suntzu's idea to grab one down the road. Lord knows I wish I had done that with my SLA033 
|
|
HiBeat
Global Moderator
SEIKO Iko Iko GDTRWS
Posts: 8,667
|
Post by HiBeat on Jun 3, 2020 20:02:38 GMT -8
RRP in the UK looks to be £1200 for the 151 and £1100 for the 153, available to pre-order. Too rich for me! Even with the dealers 10% I would say the same for a 6R movement watch. Yes, its the 70 hour version but its not GS. An SLA017 is my only NEW Seiko and will remain so for a long while. I got my SLA017 at 20% off MSRP back when they were taking pre-orders. It is probably now worth twice what I paid. Kind of offsets the bath I am taking dollar-wise on the SLA033. That said I could care less about either one because resale is not in my future.
|
|
Fergus
Needs a Life!
Posts: 2,945
|
Post by Fergus on Jun 3, 2020 20:35:04 GMT -8
Even with the dealers 10% I would say the same for a 6R movement watch. Yes, its the 70 hour version but its not GS. An SLA017 is my only NEW Seiko and will remain so for a long while. I got my SLA017 at 20% off MSRP back when they were taking pre-orders. It is probably now worth twice what I paid. Kind of offsets the bath I am taking dollar-wise on the SLA033. That said I could care less about either one because resale is not in my future.
I only managed 10%. I am not so sure they are fetching 2x though but with the SLA037 coming soon at 2x the 017 original RRP the prices for the 017 may be drawn upwards. |
|
Guess I'll have to wear my 6105 & Typhoon more often to diagnose my symptoms. For what it's worth, I like the green dial. Time will tell and I'm in no rush but we all know that such logic is precarious at best when you're an idiot.