Review
Ripper444 shares his candid initial impressions of the highly anticipated Seiko SLA017, a limited-edition reissue that generated significant buzz. His review critically examines the watch's value proposition, comparing its presentation, strap, and movement quality against its $3400 MSRP and other Seiko and Swiss brands, offering a nuanced perspective for potential buyers.
The Marine reference 3400 represents a notable offering within the Automotive brand's catalog, distinguished by its robust construction and functional design. This particular reference is recognized for its straightforward presentation, focusing on reliability and legibility, characteristics often sought by collectors interested in the brand's foundational models. It embodies a period-specific aesthetic that reflects the design trends of its era, making it a point of interest for enthusiasts of vintage timepieces from this manufacturer.
This reference features a case crafted from stainless steel, providing durability suitable for regular wear. The watch is equipped with a manual winding movement, a common and respected choice for its mechanical purity and direct interaction with the wearer. The crystal protecting the dial is made of acrylic, a material frequently used in watches of this period for its resilience and ease of maintenance. The case diameter measures 36 mm, a versatile size that offers a balanced presence on the wrist.
For collectors, the reference 3400 appeals to those who appreciate the brand's heritage and its commitment to producing dependable instruments. Its unembellished design allows the quality of its construction and movement to stand out. Variants of this model typically involve different dial finishes or strap options, but the core technical specifications remain consistent, contributing to its identity as a solid and representative piece within the Automotive Marine series.
I do like this but I agree it's quite pricey. I hope you continue to enjoy it in spite of its failings (especially a wobbly crown) A really nice design though All the best Tim
.. that review was honest and brutal at the same time. That's what i love in a review.
It's refreshing to have a cautionary reminder about buying Swatch unseen. Pity you're disappointed with some aspects of it. If you'd seen one in a shop & it was like yours would you have bought it? Hopefully it'll grow more on you in time Cheers JML
It really is hard to come to grasps with the discrepancy in the perceived value vs expected value at 3800 vs 700 for the watch you referenced. Below the original big crown and small crown from 1966 / 1967
The thing is I have owned many many watches from across all the Swiss brands and I feel seiko makes some great bang for buck divers that can compete against the Swiss fairly easily. Would I still have purchased it if I saw and tried it on before hand? The answer is a solid YES!! This piece is very unique and being 2000 of them makes it that much nicer. I was just expecting grand seiko quality for the price they are charging. I fed like they reused their cheaper box, watch cushion and manuals whe
I look at it like this. The SBDC051 has a bracelet that looks ok but still feels semi cheap. The SLA017 should by default be of higher quality. Nope the bracelet is pretty much the same and one cost 3400 vs 700 Give or take. Same thing with the crown. On the SBDC it has some wiggle once it's popped out but for 700 and a 6R15 that's not really bothersome. Now a 3400 dollar watch feels 100% identical. It's not bad per se but one would expect for it to not feel the same. Same thing goes for the pre
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