WatchProSite|Market|Digest
WatchProSite|Market|Digest

Seiko

SLA has arrived

 

I read a lot about the SLA017 since it's announcement and knew I had to have one. Finally got my hands on one without ever seeing it and have some initial impressions. All over the forums people said it's not worth $3400 MSRP. I did not agree then but now totally do. Although the watch is nice there are things holding it back. For starters the presentation from the China made outer box to the whole package just felt cheap in my eyes. I understand we don't wear the box on our wrists but these thing matter when charging such prices. The overall watch design and finishing is pretty nice in my book. The strap however is a huge let down as it attracts insane amounts of dust. It's comfortable but very dusty! Now the 8L35 movement is supposed to be Seiko's undecorated version of the GS 9S55. Now I have owned a grand seiko high beat and I can tell you that the movement is easily the best I have had from any watch. This includes winding and overall crown action. I can tell you on my particular SLA the crown wiggles when I pull it out which literally is the same thing an SKX does for $200 dollars. I have no had a chance to test accuracy but something tells me it will run +15 as Seiko says it can. Now I LOVE THIS WATCH. It's amazing in some areas and fails in others. I also own the SBDC051 and I have to say for $700 bucks it's a hell of a bargain and a hell of a watch. I actually think the bracelet that comes on the SLA is cheaper feeling than that of the SBDC051. Overall I rate this watch a 6/10 and feel there is better value for the money. With that said I do love it and will be keeping it. This is just my honest personal opinion.




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25 Comments view entire thread 

A very honest review

 
By: 41northpole : August 16th, 2017-13:54
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

Whoww

 
By: Seamaster2254 : August 16th, 2017-13:58
.. that review was honest and brutal at the same time. That's what i love in a review.

Thanks for the review

 
By: jml_watches : August 16th, 2017-15:48
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

That's a good question

 
By: ripper444 : August 16th, 2017-17:16
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... 

That's good to hear

 
By: jml_watches : August 17th, 2017-00:05
That despite the issues & even knowing them in advance you'd have still bought it. Enjoy your watch & hopefully you won't have to wind it too often & suffer the wobbly crown. Cheers JML

That is a well thought out and honest review.

 
By: Bill : August 16th, 2017-16:48
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 ...  

Indeed it is tough

 
By: ripper444 : August 16th, 2017-17:24
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 ... 

Congrats, it's a keeper

 
By: Greenwatch : August 16th, 2017-23:35
I read about your personal candid take of this model vs. the other Seiko models and found it to be interesting. As someone who's just into recent foray of both Grand Seiko and Seiko, I was prepared to accept certain differences between these two brands in... 

100%

 
By: ripper444 : August 17th, 2017-05:56
I am with you on the fact that this is a near 1:1 reissue. This is how any brand that considers doing a reissue should approach it! I am wearing it now and loving it. It's different and it really does have a dial/hand marker quality of a GS. It plays with... 

Sounds good

 
By: Greenwatch : August 17th, 2017-07:18
I wish to share that I also own the GS253, another reissue and am perfectly happy even if it is an upsize version (again love it on my wrist) and if the dial is missing the word "Chronometer" and a "*" at both 12 and 6 o'clock. I'm loving this watch despi... 

Great review

 
By: pv45 : August 17th, 2017-06:26
I recently acquired this watch and agree with your review. It is well overpriced, the box, rubber strap and bracelet feel and look cheap but the dial, crystal and markers are great. I still like this watch very much but feel Seiko will never ever really m... 

Yup

 
By: ripper444 : August 17th, 2017-06:46
I think it all comes down to their vertically integrated manufacture process. They reuse parts from cheaper pieces and make them work on higher end ones to save costs. It's pretty apparent. In the package we received the blue box is clearly from a grand s... 

Ha ha! That made me laugh!

 
By: pv45 : August 18th, 2017-00:31
''man this watch is so nice and different but damn did I get ripped off here price wise"! Very true, I do enjoy the watch and will no doubt keep it but yes I do feel ripped off price wise. I read on another forum that this was is both a $10k and $300 watc... 

Haha

 
By: ripper444 : August 18th, 2017-07:21
Yes indeed! Now I have had a chance to wear this watch for days and my opinion is slowly evolving from the initial impressions. The box and bracelet are put away never to be touched unless years dow the road I decide to sell this! The accuracy has been +8... 

One other thing..

 
By: ripper444 : August 17th, 2017-09:04
Every time I look at my wrist I get a happy feeling. That happiness also has a value associated far greater than $$$! So Seiko definitely did something right here.

Let's hope Seiko is listening and takes notes about the opinions expressed here

 
By: cazalea : August 17th, 2017-09:15
I have heard the same thing repeated in person and expressed privately via emails. The watch is great but multiple things detract from its appeal, especially the presentation. They have just about sold out, so you could argue "so what if a few things feel... 

Let's hope so...

 
By: pv45 : August 18th, 2017-00:34
...but I feel Seiko firmly see themselves in 'the watch business' rather than 'the luxury business' and hence their somewhat workmanlike approach.

Interesting perspective and comments. Allow me to share mine as well after some time has passed.

 
By: RabidManatee : August 18th, 2017-10:06
My watch is #18XX, purchased from and delivered to me straight from the Miami boutique. After a little over two months (I think) of ownership and being worn approx. 75% of that time, here are my notes/impressions: I too have noticed a wiggle in the tip of... 

Great write up

 
By: ripper444 : August 18th, 2017-16:26
I also have that strange little raised paint looking imperfection on the pip! Looks like ours were made by the same person! I will continue to wear it all weekend but really am enjoying it. The best is no one knows what it is and it's not flashy yet eye c... 

Hahaha... well at least we know they're made by hand then???

 
By: RabidManatee : August 18th, 2017-19:09
Yeah, this watch is a bit of a conundrum. Despite its flaws, the whole is greater than its parts. Maybe that's where the genius lies..? What can I say... I just... like it. And $3400 (okay, plus tax) be damned!

Well, putting aside the fact that we're not supposed to be talking about price on this site, I feel compelled to provide a counterpoint to this review

 
By: descartes1 : August 20th, 2017-05:33
I think the SLA 017 is a winner. Build quality IMO is very nice, especially the case polishing and depth/beauty of the dial. Most of all it feels so sweet on the wrist and really evoke the cool of a 60s era dive watch. All that said, I do agree that the b... 

Well a few things here.

 
By: ripper444 : August 20th, 2017-12:04
I also agree that this SLA is a winner. I too felt it was the best watch announced at this years baselworld and I also love mine. What I don't fully agree with and it's just an opinion of course are two things. One is price. I feel as that price is the bi...