whick seiko diver for a rolex/tudor guy>?

[sambb]

For a rolex/tudor guy, interested in branching out into seiko, which one is the icon or something that is the classic first diver to get? Trying to gift for a friend who mentioned that he would like to get one.

Prefer to get one with availabiliyt for the holioday

[Mifune]

there are MANY seiko standouts in the diver realm... MANY!

you might say it's really their niche and expertise.

SBGH255-hi beat, hobnail with precious metal indicies
SBGH257-hi beat, hobnail with precious metal indicies
SLA033-retro 6105 release, built in the grand seiko facilities
SLA017-retro 62MAS release, built in the grand seiko facilities
SLA037-retro 62MAS release, recolored and built in the grand seiko facilities
SLA041-Top seiko Tuna case with 1000m capabilities.

and the new top dog with it's brand new top of the line Spring drive caliber 9RA5


SLGA001



of course there are many other great seiko divers, but I think that list above is the tops.

[ArtNouveau]

I would suggest one of the many Turtle variations. Very good value, MSRP around $600 but generally available for much less. I’ve currently got two Turtles and a Seiko 5 Brian May edition.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I would suggest one of the many Turtle variations. Very good value, MSRP around $600 but generally available for much less. I’ve currently got two Turtles and a Seiko 5 Brian May edition.

Agree with this. The Turtle's hacking & winding features are an improvement over the SKX divers. I have and enjoy both SKX & SRP [turtle] divers though.
dP

[thenewrick]

A001 or bust. It's the new king and representative of the brand in 2020 going forward.

[drockadam]

I've had a SKX009 for 5+ years and I love it.

My brother has the SRP777 Turtle and it is an incredible watch for the value.

[CPRWATCH]

Some great choices already given , but it really depends on your budget . As Seiko has great Diver watches to suit all budgets . But my personal recommendation would be either the SLA017 or SLA037 .Slight edit , every thread needs pictures ,

[Nikrnic]

X2 > SLA017

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[TimeRookie]

I’m not sure what the budget is but I’m thrilled with my SBGA231. That’s the titanium version. The SBGA229 is the stainless model. It’s $1,000 less.
Comfortable, accurate and easy to read in all lighting conditions. It’s one to consider. Good luck with your choice.

[Dsmith1974]

Any Grand Seiko diver would be the pinnacle. Choose between HiBeat or Spring Drive.

A MarineMaster would have the ultimate Seiko diver heritage, but not as fine or good looking as the above.


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[1William]

As a beginner Seiko I would and did go with a version of the classic Turtle. I have several still in my collection and they get a lot of wrist time. I purchased the new version of the King Turtle with the sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel and if it had to be a one and only Turtle this would be it. These watches can be had in the $500 range with some discounting.

[brandrea]

If you want to go way down stream, I'd suggest the SKX.

Don't be blown away by accuracy. The bracelet is rattley and it doesn't manually wind ...

Probably the best watch and the most fun factor I've experienced in all my collecting, and it's also incredibly awesome compared to watches that cost 30 x the price .
IMG_20191222_130845_270.jpg

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[juve]

Srp773

[javier]

Seiko skx 033

[ddaly12]

SKX007 (Black) or SKX009 (Pepsi) are all time classics and would make great gifts. I’ve given several 009s myself.

I just so happen to be wearing my 007 today (and I have MANY Seiko, Rolex, Omega, GS to choose from... it’s just that good).




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[Aussiexplorer]

My favourite is the Green Sumo. Excellent balance of price, specs and quality feel.

[thenewrick]

The OP is coming from Rolex and Tudor. He wants something to really impress him not just a good Seiko.

Go for the A001. It’ll be special and it’ll make you want to wear it and show it off more than a Turtle or Sumo.

[asiparks]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

The OP is coming from Rolex and Tudor. He wants something to really impress him not just a good Seiko.

Go for the A001. It’ll be special and it’ll make you want to wear it and show it off more than a Turtle or Sumo.

He said classic/iconic, so a Turtle would fit the bill, as would the others mentioned. Turtles are fun, easily enjoyable good looking watches.
Up the ladder, any of the SLA retros would fit the bill very nicely.

[thenewrick]

Iconic for Seiko is Spring Drive, 4 o clock crown, titanium construction. To me at least.

While the dial may be a little plain on the A001 it is Seiko blue at least.

Still going with the A001 over the turtles and samurais and whatnot for someone coming from Submariners and Seadwellers.

[HiDive]

I have two Seiko Divers and 1 Grand Seiko Diver and I have had a slew of other models over the years but the All around best and Seiko's answer to the Submariner is definately the 300 M Marine Master. I have had a couple of the older versions of this watch but this latest model the SBDX023 is a cut above the older ones. Here it is on the surface and at depth.

[Dantelito22]

I'd recommend the SPB (143, 145, 147, 149) series. Released earlier this year (2020). I have the 147 and has tempered my desire for a Tudor BB58.

[Nikrnic]

Marine Master 300 is the ultimate Seiko diver to me and wears like my Omega PO. I don't own one yet however it's the one Seiko on my radar. Going back and forth on new vs used, thinking new lately as my Rolex AD is now a Seiko AD as well.

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[stockae92]

Seiko makes amazing quartz diver

[Danny83]

I suggest one of the new Captain Willards

[DoctorA]

I’m a big time Rolex guy but figured out the Seiko value and really am digging it
I have a couple of high end GS that I would take over a lot of PP and VC
for divers, I got me a number of seiko divers but this one is the best imho
Beautiful dial
I love the case design
It’s keeping time as good as my sub watches
Bracelet is super comfortable
Honestly if it’s a white sub it would go for over $10K

[Mifune]

Originally Posted by Danny83

I suggest one of the new Captain Willards

[Mr_Pacman]

Originally Posted by HiDive

I have two Seiko Divers and 1 Grand Seiko Diver and I have had a slew of other models over the years but the All around best and Seiko's answer to the Submariner is definately the 300 M Marine Master. I have had a couple of the older versions of this watch but this latest model the SBDX023 is a cut above the older ones. Here it is on the surface and at depth.

I agree with you. I've owned various Rolex sport watches and Tudor subs, hydronauts etc.

I recently bought the SLA021 (which I believe is the North American model designation for the SBDX023) and it's fantastic. The head of the watch is right there with any Rolex I've owned. The bezel, ceramic insert, sapphire crystal, dial/hands/indices and the detuned grand seiko movement are fantastic at even 2x the MSRP.

The bracelet is good but not fantastic. The clasp is a bit of a sore spot for me compared with other clasps but again ,I can't think of a better value in a dive watch and I've owned lots of models from various brands.

[petay993]

I would go for a retro themed Hi-Beat as Rolex don't offer this so really SLA037 or SLA039.

Both of these will give any Rolex a good run for their money in the desirability stakes.

[Gary Busey]

Originally Posted by Dantelito22

I'd recommend the SPB (143, 145, 147, 149) series. Released earlier this year (2020). I have the 147 and has tempered my desire for a Tudor BB58.

This


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[Oyster Sauce]

My recommendation is to either get something from the extreme low cost end (SKX or Turtle) or the pricey recent reissue line (SLA0xx). These, almost equally (though at different price points) represent a classic design approach that earned Seiko divers their cult status. Some mentioned the Marine Master...it is upper-mid priced and a classic as well.

I agree that GS divers are top class timepieces. Indeed, the entire GS collection is class. However, divers are not what GS is known for (although maybe that will change in time). For a Rolex/Tudor person dipping their toe in the Seiko pool, for GS I think their reputation is really built on their non-rotating bezel models (ex Snowflake).