Cave Diver SLA073: I slated the dial two years ago, now it's Seiko marketing bollocks that looks splendid
Another Seiko, for goodness' sake
Another Seiko. I'm getting fed up with this now, but let's unbox. Different box to the new Marinemasters, because this is not a Marinemaster. I prefer a hinged box. That's the 073, courtesy of Seiko Steve, the lord of Japan, a shogun among the tribes of Japan. A sight to be seen, for the beach.
List price was £2,600. They're now available new, I checked today, for £1,695. That's quite insane. Seiko Steve paid £2,580. I've seen his invoice.
I changed my mind
I did slack this watch off two years ago. My bro Kirby Young from the Philippines, an authority in the world of Seiko, had a presentation about it and I didn't like this dial. But having seen it in person, I've started to become fond of it. It isn't to my taste specifically, but I cannot deny its beauty. Isn't it beautiful? Oh, I hate it. But I wish I had this. I don't know what I think anymore.
It's a light blue gradient dial, said to resemble a diver's torch illuminating an underwater cave. I think it's more Seiko marketing bollocks, but it looks splendid, and I love Seiko marketing bollocks, as does Steve and Mr Jun and all of you. Bubbles from a scuba tank, or cracks in a cave wall. Seiko are the masters of pulling off highly technical dials. Possibly or probably the best in the business.
The bezel rant
Let me get the elephant out of the Seiko room. Some reviewers claim ceramic, some sapphire, some lacquered. Geth thinks all of these bezels are exactly the same: DLC-coated steel inserts. I could be wrong, but it makes no difference to me. DLC is a surface treatment applied to a base metal, not ceramic, which is a solid material itself. Now shut up about it and enjoy the watch for what it is.
Case, trick, bracelet
13.1 mm thick, 42.6 mm across, 49.3 lug to lug, 20 mm lugs. Double-dome sapphire with AR inside, 200 m, screw-down unsigned crown with great knurling at 10 to 4, the best place to put your crown. It's the same case as the 077 and 079, 0.3 mm thinner than this one, which apparently adds an extra 100 m, because that one is a Marinemaster 300 and this is 200. Seiko doing Seiko things. Regular 316 steel, not Ever-Brilliant, which is what the SLA055 and 057 got at £1,000 more, with no bracelet.
It has a trick up its sleeve: blue lume, but the minute hand and pip are green. The 8L35 is plus 15 minus 10 and the tolerances are rubbish, but they usually run well within spec, and that's the gamble. I think it's a special edition, not limited, and I think it's discontinued.
The bracelet and end link are saluted, the pip, handset, dial and crown too. The clasp is the usual stamped mil swing arm, rubbish. Bezel teeth? Nah. Not sure.
Verdict
I think this watch is very nice. Same beautiful case and bracelet as its two brothers, a dial that won me over, and a price that's now insane. Max respect, beach bros.
