Seiko Prospex SPB105 Review & Complete Guide
Seiko is known for making high-quality, robust, and durable dive watches at affordable prices. The brand has a long and rich history in making dive watches, and throughout the years, it has released many different models that have become iconic.
For someone who is looking for a robust, high-quality dive watch at an affordable price, Seiko is definitely a brand to consider. With its vast collection of dive watches, there is certainly something for everyone.
If you are in the search of something fresh and vibrant, Seiko’s release on the 16th of June 2019 may be something for you. This is the Prospex SPB105 with a green dial.
This watch has a lot of vintage-inspired design features, but most importantly, is built on the Prospex Diver 200m collection that Seiko presented in 2018. This collection is in turn based on the original Seiko 6159-7001 diver. From 1968 With that said, the SPB105 is a vintage-inspired timepiece with modern build quality and technology, and now, with a vibrant and bold green touch. Sounds like a recipe for success, doesn’t it?
Seiko Prospex SPB105 Review
As an Amazon Associate, we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Those who know the 6159-7001 dive will recognize the resemblance of the new SPB105 with that exact model. The case shape and design is more or less identical, and much of the dial layout and design are similar too.
The green color of the SPB105 adds a modern touch and takes it from being a classic and toned-down dive watch, into something bright and bold, that simply feels more modern.
In this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at the SPB105 to see what makes it so special.
Photo: Fratello Watches
Seiko Prospex SPB105 case
This new edition of the 2018 Baselworld released (which were re-issues) is at its core identical apart from its colors.
This means it has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 44mm, a lug-to-lug of 51mm, and a thickness of 12.7mm.
In addition, the case also has Seiko’s Diashield coating to protect it from scratches and to keep it looking flawless for a longer period of time. Do note, however, that the Diashield coating only protects against lighter scratches and wear. Not heavy dents and deep scratches.
It’s nice to see that this watch uses sapphire crystal, which is what to expect from a watch in this price range. The sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating on the inside.
Photo: Watchonista
As mentioned, the case design is very evidently vintage-inspired. Since this is a sporty dive watch, we can’t expect the case to be anything but big and robust, but it actually wears smaller than what the dimensions indicated on paper. In terms of finish, the case is exceptionally finished. The top of the case has a lovely satin-brushed finish, contrasted by polished bevels along the whole side of the case. It’s really nice to see the polished bevels around the whole case, including the end of the lugs.
The crown is positioned at the Seiko-classic 4 o’clock position and sits slightly recessed into the case. To ensure its water resistance, the crown is of course a screw-down.
As a dive watch should, it has a unidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute graduation scale. The bezel has ”teeth” all the way around it to allow for better grip and easier operation. The bezel has a black insert with a slightly polished finish. The markers are printed in silver. The bezel has a luminous pip at 12 o’clock.
A serious dive watch needs good water resistance, and this one has a water resistance of 200m/660 feet which makes it suitable for swimming, diving, and virtually any water sport.
Seiko Prospex SPB105 dial
Looking at the dial, you may be surprised at just how well gold goes together with green. Of course, this may not come as a surprise if you have seen, for example, the Rolex Daytona 116508 with green dial, which also happens to have become extremely popular and now command a big premium over its original retail price, with year-long waiting lists.
With that said, the gold accents go incredibly well against a green dial and create a beautiful warmth.
What makes this watch stand out is the green dial with a lovely sunburst effect. Because of the sunburst finish/brushing, the dial catches the light beautifully and changes look depending on how the light hits it which makes it extremely vibrant. The dial can go from dark green, almost black in some angles, to light green, almost lime green in others. This is definitely a dial that stands out from the crowd and is something very different.
The watch has large applied hour markers with polished metal frames around them. The metal is gold-colored, which definitely looks better against green than steel. The hour markers are filled with Lumibrite
Around the outer edge of the dial, the watch has a beveled chapter ring. The seconds markers are printed in silver.
At 3 o’clock, the watch has a date window with a gold-painted frame around it. The hands are very large and thus ensure great legibility. The hour hand has a large triangle tip. The minutes hand is sword-shaped. Both are filled with plenty of Lumibrite for a long and bright glow.
The dial is kept relatively clean with 4 lines of text, but what is great is that Seiko made the dial printing in a gilt color to match the hands and markers, and to not stand out too much against the green.
Photo: Watchonista
Seiko Prospex SPB105 movement
The green Seiko Prospex SPB105 is equipped with the in-house Seiko caliber 6R15 which is an automatic mechanical movement. Unlike Seiko’s more affordable automatic watches, this one has both a manual winding function and hacking seconds.
The movement offers a power reserve of about 50 hours and beats with a frequency of 21600 BPH. It has 23 jewels.
This movement has proven to be sturdy and robust, which of course is just what we need in a sporty dive watch. This movement is able to take a beating and will operate like a workhorse for years.
Seiko Prospex SPB105 bracelet
The watch is presented on a sporty three-link bracelet with a satin-brushed finish which adds to the sporty appeal of the watch. The bracelet has a foldable clasp with a diver’s extension, safety lock, and push-button clasp.
A common issue with Seiko’s (and other manufacturers) affordable timepieces is that the bracelet is the part that is compromised the most. But since this one has stepped up a bit in price, it definitely doesn’t feel inferior. It feels solid, and robust, and gives a sense of security on the wrist. Not much to complain about here.
But if you wish to change to something else, you can do so, for example, a NATO or rubber strap.
Photo: Ablogtowatch
Specifications
- Power reserve: 50 hours
- Accuracy: – 15 to + 25 seconds per day
- Thickness: 12,7 mm
- Diameter: 44 mm
- Lug-to-lug: 51 mm
- Jewels: 23
- Water resistance: 200m/660feet/20ATM
Conclusion
All in all, the Seiko Prospex SPB105 is a vintage-inspired classic dive watch with a modern vibrant twist. The design is nothing new – in fact very old. Is that a negative thing when it comes to dive watches? Of course not! But Seiko has perfectly captured the design essence of its vintage dive watch from 1968 and combined them with modern build quality and durability. And as a cherry on top, given it a stunning bright green sunburst dial.
The watch is priced higher than many of Seiko’s other dive watches, but looking at this watch in detail, it is still evident you get incredible value for money. From case finish to details, to movement, and everything in between.
The Seiko Prospex SPB105 is available to order on Amazon.
Main Photo: Ablogtowatch
