Seiko Prospex SPB143 Review: Why Snobs Can't Get Enough Of This Dive Watch

The Seiko Prospex SPB143 debuted back in 2020, alongside three other dive watches that represented a modern reimagining of the classic 62MAS from 1965. These were warmly received, in part due to their smaller case sizes and relatively accessible price points at a time when those two issues were beginning to become regular sticking points for enthusiasts. The SPB143 that I am reviewing here has gone on to become a beloved staple in Seiko’s higher-end Seiko Luxe family, due to just how much it offers for the $1,200 price tag. This mechanical dive watch has real vintage roots and while it isn’t perfect, represents how Seiko really has the ability to dominate this category.

It’s not easy to stand out as a Seiko diver, considering how many iconic collections we have from the brand that brought us the Turtle, Marinemaster, Tuna, SKX, and others. But, by sticking to the best aspects of the 62MAS while incorporating state-of-the-art machining and manufacturing capabilities, Seiko hit it out of the park with the SPB143. Before I get into the nitty gritty of the watch, let’s take a brief look at the history it’s drawing from.

The Seiko 62MAS Connection

Though the story of the 62MAS has been told countless times at this point, it remains foundational to understanding the SPB143. Back in 1965, Seiko released its —and indeed Japan’s — first dive watch, which was the 62MAS. This watch was water-resistant to 150 meters and was put through its paces when crew members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition wore them from 1966 to 1969. The 62MAS was an iconic diver that holds a spot in history alongside the likes of the Blancpain Fifty-Fathoms and Rolex Submariner, even though it had a relatively short production life of just three years.

The Seiko 62MAS (Image courtesy of Wind Vintage)

There have been a few reissues and reinterpretations of Seiko’s first dive watch, though 2017’s SLA017 might be the best. Of course, there were only 2,000 pieces of this watch produced and I distinctly recall the chorus of “overpriced!” comments when it launched with a price of $3,400. A quick look at the secondary market shows just a handful of these watches available, with asking prices between $6,000-$8,500. With that brief context laid out, let’s get into the SPB143 and why it might be the most approachable and value-packed higher-end Seiko dive watch out there.

This watch is in the Seiko Luxe collection, which boasts more elaborate finishing and movements that justify the premium here. While there are pricier options in this family, I think anyone who pays attention to the market these days will agree that the $1,200 price tag of the Seiko Prospex SPB143 is very fair. Now that we’re done with the table-setting, let’s get into this watch and why it has remained one of the most beloved Seiko dive watches for over five years now.

Seiko Prospex SPB143 Case and Bracelet

The SPB143 has a stainless steel case that measures 40.5mm wide and 13.4mm thick with a lug-to-lug measurement of 47.6mm — which are specs that land right in the sweet spot for broadly wearable and versatile sizing. And for those who might be thinking it’s on the bigger side of that case width, you can see how the subtly curved lugs keep things compact, as they allow the case to fit snugly on the wrist. With 200 meters of water resistance, the SPB143 has a 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel in brushed steel with white markings and a lumed pip. Finally, there is the unfussy screw-down crown that has a nice grip to it.

The case of the SPB143 is well-finished, with brushing throughout and some attractive beveling that runs down the sides of the case. I appreciate a tool watch that can stay true to its nature but also has those little, thoughtful bits of flair and finish. This is something that Seiko Luxe is actually quite good at, and it’s on display perfectly here. Also, the stainless steel case and bracelet are both finished with Seiko’s “super hard coating” which just about doubles the resistance of the steel to scratches. Other noteworthy bits here are the drilled lugs for those of you who like to change out straps.

The three-link bracelet is fairly straightforward, with its brushed finishing and solid end links. It measures 20mm at the lugs and tapers down to 18mm where the three-fold clasp is. The clasp itself is appealing, with dual push-buttons in addition to the foldover lock which makes for a secure wear. As for finishing, there is a combination of milled and stamped finishes, made more upmarket by the beveling that runs across the outer area. There’s a micro-adjustment feature with four points of give though there’s also a diver’s extension for when you need a little bit more or less room.

Seiko Prospex SPB143 Dial

Beneath the AR-coated, domed sapphire crystal is the crisp and legible dial, which is a faithful, yet contemporary, take on that of the classic 62MAS. The charcoal grey dial has a subtle sunburst finish and keeps things appropriately simple otherwise. The baton-shaped hands and the polished, applied hour markers are coated with Seiko’s proprietary Lumibrite lume.

The hands have some really nice finishing to them, with faceting along with both brushed and polished finishes, while the seconds hand has a rectangular lumed tip. You’ll see the simple date window at 3 o’clock and I appreciate how it’s not too large but still very legible and easy to read. And then you’ve got the Prospex logo and two lines of text at 6 o’clock. I think the “automatic” text could easily go away if we’re gonna have the Prospex logo, but that’s just a personal preference.

Seiko 6R35 Movement

Beneath the enclosed steel caseback (which has an embossed typhoon wave design) is the Seiko 6R35 movement that you’ll start to see right around the brand's $1,000 price point. The 6R35 is an automatic movement that has both manual-wind and hacking seconds capability and operates at 3 Hz with a very healthy 70-hour power reserve.

Final Thoughts

The Seiko Prospex SPB143 is one of the best values out there for someone seeking a refined dive watch but doesn’t want to shell out the several-thousand-dollars premium commanded by certain Swiss options. The SPB143 really is one of the most well balanced and value-laden options in its class, which is why it’s been such a hot seller since it debuted five years ago. The classical, vintage-inspired design, excellent finishing, and near-perfect proportions come together to solidify this modern staple in the Japanese dive watch category.

For those who have graduated from the more basic Seiko divers but are not quite ready to break the bank with the Marinemaster, this is most likely going to be your best bet. And there have been additional iterations to this line if you want to shake things up design-wise. For example, there is the SPB297, with a brushed blue dial, while the SPB419 has a textured blue dial, and the SPB423 has a really cool, textured gradient grey dial. And if you want to inch up the budget a little, there is the newer generation consisting of models like the SPB451, which slightly shrinks the case by half a millimeter, updates the bracelet, and contains the newer 6R55 movement. That said, I would still prefer the SPB143 simply due to the fact that its date window is at 3 o’clock as opposed to the 4:30 position on those models.

It’s hard to imagine $1,200 getting you a significantly better dive watch than the Seiko Prospex SPB143, so if you’ve been in the market for something like it, I would definitely encourage trying one on and seeing how it suits you. You can learn more at seikowatches.com.