So a "preview" of my eventual pictorial of this latest 62MAS tribute, the 2023
SJE093 (SBEN003)
Some notes to go with the above pics:
The SLA017 (LE, 2000) was presented in 2017 as the first of a series of "tributes" to Seiko's venerable 1960s divers. Unlike the 1965 37mm original (6217-8000 "62MAS"), the SLA017 was roughly 3mm larger as well as approx. 1.5mm thicker. Seiko released other 62MAS-LEs, same as the SLA017 except with a blue dial (SLA037) as well as a blue dial & seconds hand (SLA043).
Many fans of the original 62MAS praised the releases but with several gripes, one that Seiko didn't adhere to the original measurements (given the "big-watch era" in full swing). Another gripe was the "laser-etched" vs. the original's "embossed" caseback. Last but not least, the printed vs. applied "SEIKO" logo.
So here we are in 2023 and Seiko surprised us with another 62MAS tribute, the SJE093, but this time in a size much closer to the 37mm original (@
38x12.5mm) as well as a (mostly)
embossed caseback. Alas, still no applied logo.
In order to manage the 12.5mm thickness, Seiko had to swap out the 8L35 with a new mvmt (
6L37) based on their 6L35. The 6L3X is usually associated with less expensive Seikos, however it has the SAME "guaranteed" accuracy (-10 <> +15) as their 8L3X mvmts. My 6L37 runs between +1 <> +6 which is very good, despite Seiko's broader guaranteed range... .
Otherwise, Seiko uses the
same "boxed" sapphire
crystal, same high-quality
markers and
hands, same quality finish of the
case and caseback as well as the "glossy" aluminum
bezel.
Both come with an extra-long silicone
strap designed to fit around a wetsuit. The SLA017 was also delivered with a steel bracelet, but IMHO, nothing to write home about and I've never used mine, opting for a shorter aftermarket "Tropical" rubber strap.
Seiko also made the following changes; they used thicker (or higher?) print for the
logo, which I assume was "a nod" to the original 62MAS's applied logo (the difference may be more apparent in real-time viewing compared to a 2D photo). The
crown is proportionally smaller. They "adjusted" the
seconds markers due to the loss in dial surface-area. They elected to go with a larger lumed
bezel-pip. Last but not least, they added a "drop" of lume at the
3 o'clock marker, despite the fact that the original 62MAS had none... .
I'm also assuming that Seiko has dropped the bad habit of
"coating" their cases as I didn't see any indication in their specifications for the SJE093... .
So ...I think I've covered everything ...
