Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 Review & Complete Guide
When it comes to affordable dive watches, Seiko is considered one of the best in the game. Seiko has established itself as an expert in making high-quality, durable dive watches that offer great value for money. And as the popularity of Seiko’s dive watches has increased, so has the brand’s offering of models. Today, you can find all kinds of different dive watches from Seiko ranging from about 100 USD up to the thousands, in endless sizes and designs.
In this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at one of those watches, the Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063.
Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 Review
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The Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 is, as the name suggests a ”Prospex” watch. This simply means that the watch is made according to ”Professional specifications”, in other words, it is built according to the needs and wants of professionals, in this case, divers. Having said that, you can expect a durable and high-quality dive watch with great performance. After all, if it’s good enough for professionals, it should be good enough for you.
The ”Baby MM” is based on Seiko’s vintage dive watch from 1968 with reference 6159. With that said, it breathes 60’s vintage Seiko diver inspiration. And if there is one thing we have learned by following the watch market closely, it is that vintage-inspired dive watches are extremely popular. Therefore, the success of the SBDC063 was given,
Worth noting is that Seiko has two reference numbers for the same model. First, there is the reference SBDC061 which is the Japanese Domestic Model, and the SPB077. These two watches are identical, but one is made for the Japanese market, whereas the other is made for the international market. Therefore, you can opt for either the SBDC061 or the SBDC063, depending on which you find. But from here on, we will refer to the reference SBDC063 for the sake of simplicity.
Photo: Gnomon Watches
Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 case
The SBDC063 features a bulky and robust stainless steel case with a diameter of 44mm. It has a lug-to-lug of 51mm and a thickness of 13.1mm. With that said, it is a rather large watch, which is perhaps what you’d expect from a sporty diver.
The ”Baby MM” name derives from the inspiration of the Seiko MM300 which the watch is based on when it comes to case dimensions and design. However, the SBDC063 has a slimmer profile which makes it sit less bulky on the wrist.
To keep the case protected and looking good, it is treated with Seiko’s DiaShield coating. This coating prevents scratches and hairlines, but note that it does not protect against deep scratches and dings.
The case has large polished bevelings along the sides which extend around the lugs. The top of the lugs are satin-brushed, and the sides of the case are polished too. This combination of brushed and polished elements enhances the impression of a well-finished case.
In true Seiko fashion, the crown is positioned at 4 o’clock. The case doesn’t have crown guards, but since the crown is slightly recessed into the case, it is somewhat protected still. To ensure its water resistance, the crown is a screw-down.
Speaking of water resistance, it offers a water resistance of 200m/660 feet. This is the minimum depth rating for a dive watch, and it is also enough for diving, swimming, and all kinds of different water sports.
As a dive watch should, the SBDC063 has a unidirectional rotating bezel with teeth around it for better grip. The bezel has a blue bezel insert with a polished finish that has a slightly faded look to it. This looks great as it adds some color to the watch, but can also work as a reference to the vintage inspiration of this timepiece. At 12 o’clock, it has a luminous pip.
Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 dial
Legibility is key in a dive watch, and the SBDC063 has great such too. The hour markers and hands are large which provide a good contrast against the matte black dial. Again, matte black dials are common design elements of vintage dive watches. The matte dial gives a rich texture and also prevents glare, which is a great thing.
The dial has applied hour markers with polished metal surroundings. For legibility in the dark, they also have generous amounts of Lumibrite applied to them for a long and bright glow.
The hour hand is designed as a broad and short arrow and the minutes hand has a sword-shaped design. Around the outer edge of the dial, Seiko has added an angled chapter ring on which the seconds markers are printed.
At 3 o’clock, Seiko added a date window with a white painted frame around it. The background is white and the dates are printed in black. This of course makes the watch more practical as most people will wear them for everyday use, not below the surface.
Printed on the dial, you’ll find the Seiko logo, the Prospex logo, ”Automatic”, and the depth rating.
Photo: Gnomon Watches
Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 movement
The SBDC063 is equipped with the in-house Seiko caliber 6R15. This is an automatic movement that beats with a frequency of 21,600 BPH (3 Hertzs) and has 23 jewels. The movement offers a power reserve of 50 hours. Unlike Seiko’s most affordable automatic watches, this one has both hacking seconds and manual winding functions. The movement is also equipped with Seiko’s Spron 510 mainspring.
All in all, this is a sturdy and durable movement that is perfect for a sporty dive watch that needs to be able to handle shocks and bangs. It is a workhorse that will continue to tick for years without needing much or any maintenance.
Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 strap
The watch has a lug width of 20mm and is presented on a black silicone strap. Silicone/rubber straps go very well together with dive watches due to their water-resistant properties but also their sporty look. In addition, the rubber strap allows you to adjust the size to either your wrist or for wearing on top of a wetsuit, without the need for a diver’s extension.
Specifications
- Water-Resistance: 200m/660 feet
- Diameter: 44mm
- Lug-to-lug: 51mm
- Thickness: 13.1mm
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal, flat. Anti-reflective coating
- Lug width: 20mm
- Crown: screw-down
- Accuracy: +25/-15 sec per day
- Movement: In-house Seiko caliber 6R15
- Frequency: 21,600 BPH (3 Hertzs)
- Power reserve: 50 hours
- Jewels: 23
Conclusion
To conclude this review, the Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 blue, or the alternative reference SBDC061 is a sporty and durable dive watch that has everything you may want in a dive watch.
It has great legibility, a large and sporty case, a timeless and classic dive watch design, and long-lasting durability.
At its price, it’s safe to say that the SBDC063 offers exceptional value for money if you factor in the build quality, the durable automatic movement, and its versatile yet sporty design. If you want a watch to depend on when you really need it, that can also be worn as a daily wearer, you really cannot go wrong with the Baby MM.
The Seiko Prospex ”Baby MM” SBDC063 is available to order on Amazon.
Main Photo: Gnomon Watches
