SPB143 vs SLA065
Geth put them head to head in "Seiko SLA065 vs SPB143". Scores, specs and verdicts side by side.
Seiko · Prospex
Seiko SPB143 62MAS Modern Re-interpretation
9/10
Beyond thunderdome
An almost perfect watch and one of Seiko's finest masterpieces; not worth £1,100 new, but a steal used at £750-850.
Seiko · Prospex
Seiko SLA065 'Astrolabe' Save The Ocean
6/10
It wants to be good
One of his least favourites: 'an SPB143 on growth hormone' with a silly dial, though still a lovely 8L35 Seiko.
Too close to call
I won't pick one. Is the SLA065 really worth more than double? Not really. The cases are identical, and the extra money buys Zaratsu, a better bezel and a better movement. They're both for the beach, and we love them both.
Spec sheets
| SPB143 | SLA065 | |
|---|---|---|
| case diameter (mm) | 40.5 | – |
| thickness (mm) | 13 claimed / 13.8 measured by gethin | – |
| lug to lug (mm) | 47.5 | – |
| lug width (mm) | 20 | – |
| weight (g) | 180 | – |
| case material | Stainless steel with Diashield coating | – |
| crystal | Double-domed sapphire, inner AR coating | – |
| water resistance (m) | 200 | 200 |
| crown | Unsigned, screw-down | – |
| caseback | Screw-down, tsunami wave in relief | – |
| bezel | Unidirectional, brushed stainless steel insert, painted debossed numerals, lume pip at 12, coin edge | – |
| dial | Anthracite grey-black sunburst, trapezoidal applied indices | Pattern modelled on an astrolabe |
| date | 3 o'clock, with lume sliver (ISO 6425 update) | – |
| movement | Seiko 6R35, 24 jewels, 21,600 vph, 70 h power reserve, hacking and hand-winding, -15/+25 s/day | Seiko 8L35 |
