MarineMaster 300

[searat]

Received from bazza today this absolutely mint Seiko SBDX001. Initial impressions are that in terms of fit and finish it's easily on a par with the Omega's I've owned, very solidly built, no caseback for seals to get damaged by deet or sun lotions (it's all a one-piece front-loading case design) and one of the best bracelet extensions I've seen. Beautiful tool watch. It is very heavy, most of my other watches are titanium so it's quite noticeable how much the beast weighs. Powered by the well-regarded Seiko 8L35 with 50 hours power reserve. An understated alternative to the more prestigious brands if you can cope with it being 'only a Seiko'. Makes a nice pairing with my Darth Tuna. More info/photos when I have a chance to get used to the beastie.
Cheers,
Steve


Edit: Here's a photo of the caseback..


and with my usual 'daily wearer' of late, SBQJ015:

[Dave E]

Have to agree about how good these are. I took one in trade in February, intending probably to move it on fairly quickly. In fact, it has displaced other divers in my collection and takes a big chunk of my wrist-time up now. If I look at it in isolation, there are things about it I don't like (the end links don't fit that well, for instance), but it is somehow greater than the sum of its parts. Hugely comfortable and easy to wear, and just a thing of solidity (mine is also stupidly accurate).

Oh, suits a bunch of different straps as well. I don't get on with the normal MM rubber, so I grabbed this silicon from Eddie this week and really, really like the combo:

[gentlemenpreferhats]

Lovely watch, well done. Do these have a ceramic bezel or is it just very polished? looks quite shiny in your picture.
Hope you & your family are well BTW :)

[Daddelvirks]

Congrats on this fine piece!
It's still one of my favorite pieces in my small collection.

Cheers,

Daddel.

[Dibetu]

Congratulations. The best looking diver there is in my opinion.
Fantastic watches and very well built. If you ever get a chance to have a look inside, its amazing how well the whole case, movement holder are machined. The only small let down is the whole crown assembly, while they have managed to eliminate the initial crown thread problems, there is still only one little o ring that seals the crown and no backup.
But never heard of one leak yet!

[Kiki Picasso]

Lovely watch, one day i'll get one.

In the meantime my MM says hello

[Toshi]

Another huge fan of the Marine Master here. I do however dislike the bracelet, but fortunately it looks great on one of Eddie's green Nato straps :)

[Daddelvirks]

Another huge fan of the Marine Master here. I do however dislike the bracelet, but fortunately it looks great on one of Eddie's green Nato straps :)

It certainly does 8)
Got mine on a black kevlar with white stitching.

Cheers,

Daddel.

[searat]

Lovely watch, well done. Do these have a ceramic bezel or is it just very polished? looks quite shiny in your picture.
Hope you & your family are well BTW :)

Hello mate, thanks very much, the family and I are all fine thanks.
That bezel is very shiny, it's not ceramic, it's highly polished and has the silkiest action. There's a thread on the seiko and citizen forum that suggests it's a one-piece steel construction with no separate aluminium or ceramic insert as others do. I'll have to get my loupe and examine more closely. Hope it doesn't scratch too easily! Only thing I don't like about the watch is that the crystal is Seiko's own 'Hardlex' rather than sapphire, but the various reviewers argue that's because hardlex crystals have better shatter resistance than sapphire, and since it's intended to be a working diver's watch the ability to take a glancing blow against pipework or a rock matters more than scratch resistance.

I'm wearing it now and considering the weight it's surprisingly well balanced and comfortable. The monocoque case sits very well in the right place on the wrist so that it doesn't move around. It's definitely growing on me, was a bit nervous that it wouldn't be all I'd hoped, instead it's much better!
Cheers
Steve

[S.L]

Fantastic watch for the money IMO, congrats!
Have enjoyed a few myself over the last couple of years (never managed to put even the slightest of marks on the bezel, not sure how they do it but it seems like a very nifty design), on the lookout for the SBDX003 now (anyone wants to part with theirs? :P ).

/Stefan

[Boeingdriver]

Steve Seikos don't get much better than that congrats buddy the lume is awesome on these and they're built like a tank.

[searat]

Agree it looks good on that green NATO - got one in the box at home so will try out that combo at some point. Nice thing with the drilled lugs at least strap changing is straightforward :-)

Another huge fan of the Marine Master here. I do however dislike the bracelet, but fortunately it looks great on one of Eddie's green Nato straps :)

[Dave E]

Doesn't wear as tall as you'd have thought on a NATO, either.

[abraxas]

.
Congrats!

Enjoy this thread:

Buying a Seiko Marinemaster ... :bounce:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=331436

john

[SternG]

I am a massive fan. It's absolutely brilliant 8) 8) 8)

I do have a niggling worry about servicing (back to Japan is easier said than done), but of course we'll cross that bridge when we come to it :D


Cheers

Stern

[thieuster]

Massive fan here! Not on the bracelet or on the rubber strap. I'm wearing the MM on Eddie's isofrane-ish strap. And yes, the lumen on my MM is turning cream coloured.

Menno

[Skyman]

What a great watch - loved mine. In a way, I wish I had not sold it (sourced new from Katsu san) now. I quite fancy a new beater......where's the number for Higuchi?.........oops, must resist! :wink:

[flugzeit]

Massive fan here! Not on the bracelet or on the rubber strap. I'm wearing the MM on Eddie's isofrane-ish strap. And yes, the lumen on my MM is turning cream coloured.

Menno

Been toying with the idea of putting my MM on Eddie's rubber strap, and so I'm really happy to see your pic. Looks great! 8)

My MM is a daily wearer and the only problem I have is that the more I wear it, the less I want to wear anything else. :lol: It really is (IMO) the best diver's watch out there... bar none (including those with a crown logo)!

-flugzeit

[SternG]

It really is (IMO) the best diver's watch out there... bar none (including those with a crown logo)!

I know how you feel about those Coady, but they do have their own charm :wink: :D


Cheers

Stern

[Omegamanic]

Apart from how the extension works I dislike the bracelet - it was the only reason I turned one down, as it is about on the limit of how much I would be prepared to spend on Seiko - but seeing on a selection of straps is making me think that maybe one day at the right price/condition it's a definite contender for adding to the collection.

[Molle]

Fantastic watch for the money IMO, congrats!
Have enjoyed a few myself over the last couple of years (never managed to put even the slightest of marks on the bezel, not sure how they do it but it seems like a very nifty design), on the lookout for the SBDX003 now (anyone wants to part with theirs? :P ).

/Stefan

no :lol:

[birdynamnam]

Congrats it's a very nice watch...
The best diver watch from Seiko IMO.

Never put the trigger on it...But,maybe one day...

[flugzeit]

It really is (IMO) the best diver's watch out there... bar none (including those with a crown logo)!

I know how you feel about those Coady, but they do have their own charm :wink: :D

I know, mate. I've nothing against them, of course, but I'm just amazed at the effect the MM continues to have on me... every day... which is something I can't say about my (now long gone) Rolex.

-flugzeit

[bazza.]

I'm so glad you like it don't know why I flipped it now :)
Its so much watch for the money at that price there are not many
Which come close to it and at +2 sec's a day it's a all round winner
Enjoy

[thieuster]

Massive fan here! Not on the bracelet or on the rubber strap. I'm wearing the MM on Eddie's isofrane-ish strap. And yes, the lumen on my MM is turning cream coloured.

Menno

Been toying with the idea of putting my MM on Eddie's rubber strap, and so I'm really happy to see your pic. Looks great! 8)

My MM is a daily wearer and the only problem I have is that the more I wear it, the less I want to wear anything else. :lol: It really is (IMO) the best diver's watch out there... bar none (including those with a crown logo)!

-flugzeit

Here's a pic showing Eddie's strap more clearly:



Menno

[McTeflon]

Is it possible to wind and hack the movement in these?

[SternG]

Is it possible to wind and hack the movement in these?

Oh yeah 8)

the lumen on my MM is turning cream coloured.

I've just looked at mine (which has spent the last couple of months in its box ) and the lume does seem a bit creamier :?

Why does that happen?

Not that I don't like it, mind :D


Cheers

Stern

[flugzeit]

Here's a pic showing Eddie's strap more clearly:

Thanks, mate. Is that the regular rubber strap or the one with the flatten off end (i.e. the end nearest the case)?

Is it possible to wind and hack the movement in these?

Sure does. The movement in the MM is brilliant!

[frp422]

Have to agree about how good these are. I took one in trade in February, intending probably to move it on fairly quickly. In fact, it has displaced other divers in my collection and takes a big chunk of my wrist-time up now.

That looks very much like my old (and sadly missed :( ) watch that was sold to Jon in November. The slight haze on the bezel around 11.00 gives it away. An excellent watch that was keeping to within 1s a day on the wrist during my ownership. If you fancy moving it on I'm getting closer to picking up another!

Anthony

[flugzeit]

...the lume does seem a bit creamier :?

Mine too. Still blows me out of bed at night, however. :)

-flugzeit

[thieuster]

Is that the regular rubber strap or the one with the flatten off end (i.e. the end nearest the case)?

The regular flat version fits the MM. The rounded version doen't fit. I know this for sure: I have a Sumo with the rounded 20mm version and I've tried this strap on the MM. That didn't fit: the MM's lugs are too short. (Sumo lugs are much longer).

Menno

[flugzeit]

That looks very much like my old (and sadly missed :( ) watch that was sold to Jon in November.

Not so long ago there was a long thread on here inquiring into why people were off-loading their MM300s. Now I'm beginning to detect a growing sense of remorse at such rash behaviour... :wink: :lol:

-flugzeit

[Orange Peel]

I do like the looks of this very much.
What's the dims on this beasty?
I'd bet it's too big for my 6.5" wrists to get way with :cry:

[Dave E]

That looks very much like my old (and sadly missed :( ) watch that was sold to Jon in November. The slight haze on the bezel around 11.00 gives it away. An excellent watch that was keeping to within 1s a day on the wrist during my ownership. If you fancy moving it on I'm getting closer to picking up another!

Anthony

Could be, it's within a second a day for me, and no plans for it to go anywhere I'm afraid :)

[flugzeit]

...it's within a second a day for me...

Time keeping on these is really amazing. Mine is about +1 second/day on the wrist, and touch more when left face up on a flat surface.

-flugzeit

[docrwm]

Is it possible to wind and hack the movement in these?

Yes. It has a Grand Seiko movement in it that is not as polished or regulated as the GS's are but is the same mechanically. It's the 26 jewel 8L35 Automatic movement. This is also the only regular production Seiko Professional Dive watch that uses this movement.

[gentlemenpreferhats]

I do like the looks of this very much.
What's the dims on this beasty?
I'd bet it's too big for my 6.5" wrists to get way with :cry:

She's a Big Beauty. Seiya says 44mm x 14.6mm. Another watch thats too chunky for me :-(

[crazyp]

Alas, I must be an odd one out, never quite 'got' the whole MM 300 :?

I prefer the MM600 to be honest or the grand seiko apring drive diver which is just :drunken:

[bazza.]

The watch looks good on a Sinn deployment clasp and rubber too

[Daddelvirks]

The watch looks good on a Sinn deployment clasp and rubber too

Certainly does!

Cheers,

Daddel.

[no.3]

stunning watch.
been on my wish list for some time.
super movement and costruction.

[laser8]

Is it possible to wind and hack the movement in these?

Yes. It has a Grand Seiko movement in it that is not as polished or regulated as the GS's are but is the same mechanically. It's the 26 jewel 8L35 Automatic movement. This is also the only regular production Seiko Professional Dive watch that uses this movement.

I'm sorry but I need to correct you, there's another one housing the same movement for some time already:



I spent a loooong time deciding between the two (would like to have them both actually, had to go for one, but never say never...)

[S.L]

Fantastic watch for the money IMO, congrats!
Have enjoyed a few myself over the last couple of years (never managed to put even the slightest of marks on the bezel, not sure how they do it but it seems like a very nifty design), on the lookout for the SBDX003 now (anyone wants to part with theirs? :P ).

/Stefan

no :lol:

:blah5:

You want to sell it to me, you want to sell it to me...

[sunster]

One of the most stunning tool watches out. I believe it also has a hint of vintageness in the looks side for it to be very fashionable at the moment.
I've seen some pics of this with the new isofrane strap and it looks the part

[SternG]

I've seen some pics of this with the new isofrane strap and it looks the part

Can I ask what new isofrane strap that is? :?

I've considered trying the rubber strap that comes with the watch, but it's really no better than the Z20/22 :|


Cheers

Stern

[burnsey66]

I've seen some pics of this with the new isofrane strap and it looks the part

Can I ask what new isofrane strap that is? :?

I've considered trying the rubber strap that comes with the watch, but it's really no better than the Z20/22 :|


Cheers

Stern

http://www.deskdivers.com/Site/Isofrane.html

Steve

[S.L]

I've seen some pics of this with the new isofrane strap and it looks the part

Can I ask what new isofrane strap that is? :?

I've considered trying the rubber strap that comes with the watch, but it's really no better than the Z20/22 :|


Cheers

Stern

http://www.deskdivers.com/Site/Isofrane.html

Steve

AFAIK the new isofranes are only available in 24mm right now, 22 and 20mm (and other colours) will come later.

[Kiki Picasso]

Or you could just buy one of Eddies :wink:

[thieuster]

Isofrane.com

At the mo 24mm only, other sizes later this year.

Menno

[frp422]

Could be, it's within a second a day for me, and no plans for it to go anywhere I'm afraid :)

Not so long ago there was a long thread on here inquiring into why people were off-loading their MM300s. Now I'm beginning to detect a growing sense of remorse at such rash behaviour... :wink: :lol:

No worries, where there's a will there's a way. Sold my Doxa last night after trying (unsuccessfully) to trade against a MM300 on SC. First thing this morning found a MM300 and it's on its way to me tomorrow. Curious thing is the outgoing and incoming are both deals with Denmark! For me, the MM300 is a watch that could end all this madness after owning and flipping tens of watches in the last few years. It was the only watch that ticked all the boxes for me. I flipped the MM300 in November under duress. And now I've got another incoming it's tempting to try a new hobby!

Anthony