Seiko Prospex Sea SPB Date 40.5mm

Built as a modern day successor to the original skin diver, the Seiko 62MAS, the SPB143 is a compact, slim, skin diver style watch with a silvery sunburst dial paired to a black bezel. The SPB143 is a dive watch that has grown on me with time, and I would argue it handles better than it photographs. 

Specc'd satisfactorily (but not mind blowing) for the price, the SPB143 has a 70 hour power reserve, a pleasingly crisp and smooth 120 click bezel, and some nice polished highlights to compliment the predominantly brushed case. While the squared off interface between the case and bracelet isn't my favourite, it is faithful to the original watch it is based on and I think the more diehard enthusiasts would have rioted if Seiko had changed it. In a wave of recent retro re-issues, with this watch Seiko has some serious history and design cred to draw from and does a good job of preserving that in a modern format.

The main challenge Seiko faces with this watch is internal competition: compared to the more budget divers in Seiko's own line up, on paper the SPB143 offers a sapphire crystal and bump in power reserve compared to watches like the Turtle, Samurai or 5kx but asks for double or even triple the rrp in return. When handled in person the difference in build quality and finishing is more pronounced than you may think between the SPB143 and its more affordable stablemates, but in an increasingly digital marketplace where both entry level and premium options have the same name on the dial it can be hard to stand apart. 

If you're considering the SPB143 I would recommend trying it on in person. On paper it feels underwhelming, but in person it makes a lot more sense. To give you an idea of how well this watch fills the vintage skin diver role, I cross shopped the SPB143 with a Tudor BB58 and while I ended up purchasing the Tudor, the fact the SPB143 was in the running at all for a third of the rrp of the Tudor should tell you all you need to know.

This is a Seiko diver that goes beyond your expectations. Although limited to 6,000 pieces, you can easily find them for sale online. Don't let the pictures mislead you; the white dial is actually more silver with a sunburst. The bezel looks black but turns blue in bright light. The bezel action is great with good tactile feedback. Fits well on my 6.5 inch wrist. I've got mine on a bracelet from Uncle Seiko.