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Can you tell me about the SBDB001/011?

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buddy13

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have owned so many Seiko Divers' but have never owned a Spring Drive.

I would like to try one this year. I'm considering the LX or even a gently used and expensive (for me) SLGA001.

For much less than that I could get an SBDB001/011 and scratch the Spring Drive itch. I'm a bit worried about the size and I have no way to try one on. I wear my Tunas (incl. the Emperor) no problem, but a tall lug to lug is a bit of an issue on my 6.75 inch wrist.

As an example, I used to wear and adore the OS/Orient 300m,but I do consider it as too large and more so too heavy today.

I have had a few SBDX001 MM300, and I can easily handle that large watch. How larger does the MM600 SBDB001/011 wear please? Any experience from anyone who had both?

Thanks in advance for any advice/thoughts! :)
 
#3 ·
The LX Spring Drive diver, SNR029, does very well on my 6-1/2" to 6-5/8" wrist.
If you haven't already, you can read all about our adventures with it here: Seiko Prospex LX Watches - The Unofficial Thread!

Several folks have owned an LX diver and the MM600 or have moved from the MM600 to the LX for wearability issues. It's the more versatile and livable watch and is suitable for those who prefer a more "sporty" than "dressy" profile as is found in the Grand Seiko SD divers.
 
#4 ·
My wrist is around 6.75 inch to and I find it wears well. I find it wears alot better than my Orient Saturation Diver you mention you have had. Check out my instagram i have pics wearing sbdb011/os300/emperor tuna/mm300.

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#6 ·
Honestly Seiko does it best with the wearability of large watches wearing much smaller than you think. The Emperor tuna wears larger than this imo (having owned them both) and the lugs drop down from the bracelet allowing it to match the curve of your wrist.

You should have no problems at any wrist size above 6.5in imo.
 
#8 ·
You mentioned that you are looking at the SLGA001 (I have one). I agree that the LX models are very nice. There is a pretty big gap going from any LX model to the listed GS. If this is the one you want, then wait, save and buy it. The LX is not going to satisfy that itch for an 001. Looking at another titanium GS would be your better bet. I have come close to buying an LX a few times, but once I compared it straight to any of my GS divers, the urge immediately left and I remembered exactly why I bought the GS and not the LX.

Compared to my MM300 (since you have experience in that). It is night and day. You always know you have an MM300 on, especially on bracelet. The titanium wears almost weightless in comparison.

The GS will have a 9 series movement over the LX 5 series. This may not be a deal breaker, but it's something to consider. With the release of the SLGA015, you have yet another decision for a GS as well. The dial on that watch is really something special. It is much smaller and you could call this one paper thin for any GS/Seiko at 13.8mm thick. I would save your pennies and get a GS.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
brash47 said:
You mentioned that you are looking at the SLGA001 (I have one). I agree that the LX models are very nice. There is a pretty big gap going from any LX model to the listed GS. If this is the one you want, then wait, save and buy it. The LX is not going to satisfy that itch for an 001. Looking at another titanium GS would be your better bet. I have come close to buying an LX a few times, but once I compared it straight to any of my GS divers, the urge immediately left and I remembered exactly why I bought the GS and not the LX.

Compared to my MM300 (since you have experience in that). It is night and day. You always know you have an MM300 on, especially on bracelet. The titanium wears almost weightless in comparison.

The GS will have a 9 series movement over the LX 5 series. This may not be a deal breaker, but it's something to consider. With the release of the SLGA015, you have yet another decision for a GS as well. The dial on that watch is really something special. It is much smaller and you could call this one paper thin for any GS/Seiko at 13.8mm thick. I would save your pennies and get a GS.
Click to expand...
I know exactly what you are saying, but what I meant, is that I would be able to try out an SD, see if it is for me or not, before making the jump to the SLGA001.

I can always resell the SBDB and purchase the GS, surely losing some money in the process, but better than going all out for an SLGA001 and not warming up to Spring Drive.

Especially since some reservations with size also exist with the SLGA001. I have tried on (big and expensive mistake maybe lol) the Hi-Beat honeycomb 36,000bph GS while on holiday lately, and while big, I can wear it, even if barely. I certainly would have preferred it to be a couple mm smaller in diameter and thickness.
 
#10 ·
buddy13 said:
I know exactly what you are saying, but what I meant, is that I would be able to try out an SD, see if it is for me or not, before making the jump to the SLGA001.

I can always resell the SBDB and purchase the GS, surely losing some money in the process, but better than going all out for an SLGA001 and not warming up to Spring Drive.

Especially since some reservations with size also exist with the SLGA001. I have tried on (big and expensive mistake maybe lol) the Hi-Beat honeycomb 36,000bph GS while on holiday lately, and while big, I can wear it, even if barely. I certainly would have preferred it to be a couple mm smaller in diameter and thickness.
Click to expand...
Gotcha. The GS SLGA001 is going to fit close to the Hi-Beat. GS divers are large, but the lug-to-lug makes them wear a lot smaller. There will be a weight difference. But keep that in mind.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
brash47 said:
Gotcha. The GS SLGA001 is going to fit close to the Hi-Beat. GS divers are large, but the lug-to-lug makes them wear a lot smaller. There will be a weight difference. But keep that in mind.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Lug to Lug was suprisingly passable on my small 6.7 inch wrist when I tried on the GS.

To be honest my ONLY last reservation about the SBDB001/011 is the long L2L. I am not sure I'd be able to pull it off.

I have seen a photo of Ikuo Tokunaga wearing the 600m MM also, who also appears to have small wrists. I highly respect the man. Probably the only watch ad (unintentional) with a person in it that worked for me lol. But must say it does look giantly on his wrist.

I also read that the SBDB001 uses the sapphire crystal from the 100m Tuna. Is that correct? If so, it will have too long an L2L for me, as my 1000m SBBN040 does not leave much gap at the ends on my wrist. With the SBDB of course having longer lugs, hex retainer and a larger bezel diameter compared to the Tuna.

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