62MAS / SEIKO SPB453 REVIEW
I had entered the watch world with what I must confess was my gateway drug as it was for most people the world-renowned Seiko SKX007. Now having a pure need for a tool watch entering my welding technician career post service in 2018 I felt that this watch fit the bill quite nicely. I lived an outdoor lifestyle growing up on the Great Lakes I tend to travel around water and having a capable diver seemed a no brainer. Since then, Seiko had left my radar almost completely other than a Turtle I received from a dear friend the brand to me seemed to mass produced and cookie cutter.
Credit: Google
Ridiculous right? This is not like me to dismiss a brand solely on their ability to mass produce or to push watches to people of all walks of life. This thought process was foreign to me and really humbled me when I decided to give Seiko another chance. A journey back to the basics of what a watch is, what reliability at a cost means, what truly following what my heart wants in a watch. Reliability and function are paramount but undeniable history has always been my driving force when selecting watches. Seiko has nothing short of an amazing history and today I will tread carefully through some of it and describe why I landed on my recent acquisition.
I was determined to get back into the Seiko world, so I decided to dig deep and travel back to the 1960s not only because well it was one of my favourite timeframes to study as a kid, from the Vietnam War to the Cold War to Ocean Exploration to Space. One thing these important timeframes all had in common was the men of action during these times relied on a certain breed of watches. You guessed it were diving into the 62 MAS legacy and giving new depth to this topic. Rich with history the 62 MAS bloodline needs to be discussed to keep its history alive. So, grab your fins, mask and favourite board shorts and let’s get ready to dive into the history of 62 MAS, Seiko Divers and my recent acquisition the Seiko SPB 453J Black Dial 300 Meter diver.
Seiko 62MAS, why is it so Important to Seiko dive watch History?
The Seiko 62MAS line was introduced in 1965 and was immediately considered Japan’s First Diver’s watch. The 1960’s across the watch world was a pioneering time where many different watch brands were sharing information on what truly made a capable diver. Seiko emphasized that the 62MAS was a design that remained steadfast in putting reliability and legibility first and foremost at the request of professional divers.
Seiko’s Diver Icon
Credit: journal.craftandtailored.com
- Seiko's diver's watches begin their journey in the 1960s during a boom in commercial and sport diving.
- An iconic dive watch profile slowly starts to take form with keys such as timing bezels, powerful contrast, simplistic dial layout with cases that could handle the pressure of multiple atmospheres.
- The 62MAS design was sought out for its robustness and dependability by aquatic military units around the globe. Having seen service in space programs and the Vietnam War.
What is 62MAS and what does it stand for?
The nickname 62MAS has been used by the international watch world, collectors and enthusiast which is derived from the “62” standing for the reference and the “MAS” which stands for “Automatic self-dater”. The amalgamation of these two describes the historical significance of Seiko’s first diver.
The O.G
Credit: Google
The original 62MAS was a 150-meter water resistant time piece with acrylic glass and housed the Cal. 6217Alpha Automatic Movement. The 62MAS era fit right in with the skin diver style and esthetic. It should be noted that the original Seiko 62MAS models 6217-8000 were pre-ISO standards. Which since then has changed, and they have fallen in line and are compliant with.
62MAS Specifications
Seiko 62MAS
Case: 37mm Diameter 13mm Thick with a 19mm Lug Width
Water Resistance: 150 M With a Screw Down Crown (comparable to Swiss equivalents at the time)
Bezel and Dial: An Aluminum Dive time Bezel Bi-directional. Applied Lumed indices made for ease of legibility with a Date window at the 3 o’clock. Simple white print for branding and dive rating above the 6 o’clock.
Movement: Automatic Cal. 6217A, 17 Jewels, 18,000Bph No Hacking Quickset date was included
Note: in 2017 the Prospex line released the SLA017 and this specific model was what the watch enthusiast world deemed to be the most visually faithful re-creation of the 62MAS of course this came with modern updates for the current time in a 200M water resistance diver with sapphire glass replacing the acrylic. In true Seiko style it was only produced in 2000 units which of course then fueled the collectability of this specific model.
3 Years later Seiko Continues to Improve
In 2020 Prospex brings us SPB143 / SPB 145 / SPB147 / SPB149. Now were getting closer to modern dive watches you can expect to see even cleaner lines and retro inspiration. Personally, I am not a fan of Faux Petina I know shoot me, but I just feel like if I buy a watch, I don’t need it to look like its aged Ill do that myself. Aside from my personal preference the 2020 62MAS was modernized with the focus on everyday use not just diving. The case has been bumped up to 40.5mm Case size and holding firm at the 200meter water resistance and dive standard housing the 6R35 movement.
The Seiko SPB453 was Released in 2024 marking an outstanding achievement of 100 Years of Seiko’s Brand on the dial.
Enter a Modern Icon
“Keep Going Forward”
Seiko SPB453 Initial Impressions
It had been a while since I stepped foot in an actual watch store and had hands on before a purchase. I decided to head to my local shop Kavar Jewelers in St Catherines Ontario Canada and browse the Seiko Catalog. As stated, Seiko had fallen off my radar until I heard a faint ping from an IG picture, and something perked up inside my watch enthusiast arcs. The Seiko SPB453 was slowly proving to me that Seiko as I had mentioned earlier were pros at updating perfecting certain models. Now would I love to see Ford recreate the F150 Square Body’s I was born into back in the 80s to exact specifications? The answer is yes of course. But similar to the vehicle world the watch world would hold a lack in functionality and modern precisions. I feel this mindset also leans into why I do not agree with faux anything. I don’t want a 1980s F150 Body with an electric engine just like I don’t want a Seiko 62MAS with faux lume. To each their own of course but this is why recent models just never hit the mark for me. Until now.
The modern SPB453 jumped out at me in more than one way. It reminded me of my first eyes on the Seiko SKX007 the internal watch nerd started to focus in. I laid the 453 on the glass counter sitting shoulder to shoulder with a blue variant and the modern Alpinist. The first thing that stood out to me was the case size at 40mm a true sweet spot. In a watch case full of PADI divers it needed to be removed from the cushion and placed on wrist to see how this watch stacked up outside of its crowded case of beefed-up divers. The 453s overall feel and presence shocked me instantly. Once strapped on it felt like a super clean low-profile diver, super legible and functional. The bezel was the typical Seiko “squish click” and audible, ratcheting very well into the desired location and against all odds the bezel lined up perfectly at the 12 o’clock position with very little back play.
Now for the adjustment of the time and date. Unscrewing the unsigned crown, I was pleasantly surprised by the sturdiness and smooth operation of the 6R55. Having the unsigned crown at the 3 o’clock position harkening back to the watches of the past felt like it was a cut above. The hacking immediately stopped the seconds hand and the hands swung like swords across the dial to the desired time. The date function clicked over flawlessly. Speaking of the date window now moved to the 4.5 o’clock position it is a contested point in the watch community but in my eyes, I am all for it and for damn good reason. The date window is there when needed and fades away when not needed. It also gives you the ability to have an incredible reading experience in low light conditions when you want that lume marker back at the 3 o’clock that was absent on previous models. The bracelet was very comfortable but a little redundant in application which I will touch on in the detailed review. Outside of that small issue I was ready to drop some hard-earned cash on this what the world deems as a Mid Tier Seiko Diver. To me this watch is a culmination of working hard for the SBWC, organizing watches for our team to review and a wake up to legendary Seiko watch making. This watch is not Mid Tier to me, Tiers to me are placed to organize monetary value and organize a catalog. My outlook on life is the meaning of this watch trumps its place in the world most critical on labelling watches, its hard work paying off and will be utilized above and beyond as a daily driver for a lifetime.
Check Out the SPB453
(400) Seiko Prospex Diver's Promotion Movie (SPB453) - YouTube
Seiko Prospex SPB453 Detailed Review
Case
The Stainless-steel case is 40mm across,13mm thick and 46.5mm long. With drilled lugs and a 20mm lug width yes, this watch is going to be a strap monster and with its clean all black and stainless finish it will have endless opportunity. The case is very modern retro and has very nice lines with polished chamfers along the outskirts of the case that lead your thumb and fingers to the crown. On wrist it sits very comfortably and slides easily under a cuff at 13mm. The unsigned crown and screw down case back give this watch a healthy updated water resistance to 300 meters and keep this modern 62MAS firmly in the tool category. The case is 90 Percent brushed finish with a Superhard coating added to prevent unwanted scratches. Weighing in at 168gs the 453 is what I would say is on the lighter side for me which is a feeling of luxury from my normal heavy beater watches. The caseback is adorned with the Seiko Wave and Specifications around the circumference. It should be mentioned that of course this watch is an ISO certified dive watch and meets and exceeds the specs for ISO.
The Bezel
The Stainless-steel coin edge bezel is a breeze to operate. With a black aluminum insert that has deep recessed white markings keeping that vintage alure alive and the contrast makes it super legible in all conditions. Speaking of markings they have been updated aswell. There now is a mark for every minute on the bezel insert giving greater accuracy overall and very clean look without becoming too busy. In operation the bezel feels like I said earlier that “squishy click” audible familiar to Seiko operation. It aligns perfectly and feels like it is meant for this watch.
The Dial
Moving inward through the Curved Sapphire Crystal which has anti reflective coating on the inner side we are met with a stunning deep black dial. This of course has changed from the predecessor which was more of a sunburst effect. Entering natural light, the watch really shows its picture-perfect contrast. Around the circumference of the dial we have a printed seconds/minute track in white. Thinner seconds/minutes in between every 5 seconds/minute marker being thicker. The indices are polished and sit monolithic reminding me of archway stones in roman design appearing tapered in shape at the 1,2,4,5,7,8,10 and 11. The 12 o’clock indices are the classic Split double lume giving proper orientation. With the 3, 6, and 9 being rectangular. All lume is heavily applied and incredibly powerful for this level of watch throughout the night.
The date window a contested application that has gained considerable attention from haters and Seiko enthusiast. In my opinion the date lands perfectly with the esthetic of the watch. This is an evolution not a update. The circular appearance gives it a touch of Marinemaster with its high contrast white numbers on black background disc truly make it a chameleon on the dial. It’s there when you need it and barely noticeable when you don’t. It also brings symmetry to the dial in low light making way for a full lume indices at the 3 o’clock position.
Moving in the Branding under the 12 o’clock is simple “SEIKO” in high contrast white with the other specs above the 6 o’clock reading the “Prospex Logo Automatic 3 days Divers 300m”. Some may say that’s too much text but to me it pushes the evolution of the 62MAS line in its achievements. To the center the hand stack starting with the bottom hour hand a classic pencil/chisel style hands with half polish and half brushed give it a two-tone effect and leads to better readability at all angles. The minute hand is a thinned-out version of the hour hand stretching to the minute track perfectly and with healthy lume on both again giving you accurate time displayed no matter the conditions. The second’s hand is polished completely reaching the seconds minute track and has a rectangle of lume just shy of the tip that helps seconds timing in low light. Something that truly is a pet peeve of mine is if you cannot see the seconds hand in all lighting conditions are you really timing? Some of us current military and vets truly appreciate that when seconds count.
Bracelet
Now to my only negative about this watch. The bracelet, it wouldn’t be a Seiko if the bracelet was its Achilles heel. In Seiko’s defence the bracelet links are unbelievably comfortable. Tapering ever so slightly from 20mm to 18mm around the wrist brushed to match the case with polished sides to the links. The fold over clasp is typical of Seiko and does feel very secure understanding you’d have to tear your whole hand off for the watch to come off. But its 2025-2026 and a glide lock system that is widely used by many brands could be so advantageous here there would be nothing negative to talk about. Instead, we have a challenging fold open dive extension. Thankfully it does not cost a hand or a leg to get a solid clasp replacement which I will do in due time. For now, though I’ll rock the OG bracelet to get more data on this watch for a long-term review in the future. (There will be NATOs and Rubber straps on standby as always with extra spring bars as I travel for different outfits and conditions as needed)
Movement
The 6R55 Seiko Movement is perfect for those who appreciate simplicity and reliability. It features three central hands-hour, minute, and second-with a date display at the 4.5 o’clock. The 6R55 matches the 6R54’s 21,600 frequency and with 72-hour power reserve you have a dependable everyday watch that after a weekend away it will be ready when you pick it back up. The 6R55 is all about clean looking classic Seiko Movement (not that you’ll see it under the solid case back) but like its brother movement the 6R54, it maintains Seiko’s standards for accuracy and durability, with 24 jewels and dual winding options.
Takeaways
This modern 62MAS SPB453 has been updated to an almost flawless performance for the tier that the world constricts it to. I believe for a modern diver this watch with the backing of history in the realm of the 62MAS is a no brainer and a very welcomed addition to the Seiko collection and my personal one. I have had the ability to travel the world a couple times over and my strong companion has always been my Squale 1521 Militaire but recently I have been leaning towards a more faithful do it all brushed steel diver, the SPB453 fills that role perfectly and I cannot wait to take this watch with me to the ends of the earth and back.
Whether you like the originals or modern interpretations of the past I strongly believe the SPB453 stands out against the other models with feelings of a achievable Sub-Marinemaster.
I hope you have enjoyed the review!
As Always
Stay Sketchy
-66
Special Thanks to KAVAR Jewelers in St Catherines Ontario go check them out!