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Seiko Prospex "62MAS" SPB453 (SBDC197) Watch Review

June 28, 2024 Nick Lehner

Over 3 years later, my review of the Seiko SPB143 (a.k.a. the 62MAS) remains one of the most visited pages on the StrapHabit blog. It was also one of my favorite watches, especially for the price. When Seiko released an updated version, the Seiko Prospex SPB453, I pre-ordered one to write a watch review review of it as soon as I could. Keep reading to learn more about this version.

Check back to the blog soon to read comparisons between the new and old 62MAS, as well as a comparison to the new Marinemaster.

Seiko Prospex 62MAS SPB453 First Impressions

The new generation of SPB45x watches are currently available in three colors. A Blue version is called SPB451, while SPB455 is a warm gray with gilt-style gold indices. I decided to go for SPB453, which is the standard black model with silver markers.

With a more traditional bezel insert, SPB453 takes on a more traditional dive watch look compared to the black machined stainless steel insert on most of the previous generation models. The new insert has a satin finish. The tucked in dimensions also give the whole watch more of a classic dive watch look.

It does retain the recessed white painted numerals that I loved on the original.

Seiko Prospex 62MAS SPB453 Details

The case shape and finishing will be familiar to owners of the old model, just slightly shrunken down. It features attractive polished chamfers on the sides of it's brushed case (plus drilled lug holes!).

The bezel still has an attractive coin edge. It's still easy to grip and feels a bit more precise than I remember the old one feeling. This bezel lines up perfectly too!

Despite its slimmer design, Seiko increased the water resistance of the new generation models by 50% from 200m to 300m. While 200m was surely enough for anyone who ever bought one, it does add to the tool watch credibility.

My SPB143 was a later version with the small extra bit of lume crammed next to the date. This was a late countermeasure to allow Seiko to meet updated standards for dive watches. SPB453 has a full size marker at 3.

New Seiko divers like SPB453 that have been revamped move the date window to 4:30. While many collectors have voiced displeasure, I think that this is a good way to incorporate the date. It's oriented correctly, and I like that it's black. It's noticeable in photos, but in person it tends to hide in the dial.

Wearing the Seiko Prospex 62MAS SPB453

I personally find the dimensions of this watch very appealing. While the straight(ish) lugs lead it to stand a bit off the wrist, I like the size and look of it. It looks substantial on the wrist without being too big.

The handset features a brushed and polished finish, allowing the hands to reflect light in and condition, standing out against the black dial. Additionally, large white plots on the hands and hour markers make it easy to read.

Seiko Prospex "62MAS" SPB453 (SBDC197) Watch Review

The slightly domed sapphire crystal provides a charming distortion without making it too difficult to read at most angles.

The lume is equivalent to the old model too. Not as bright as some of the Marinemaster models I've owned, but still excellent.

Bracelet and Replacement Straps for Seiko Prospex 62MAS SPB453

While some variants of the previous 62MAS came with silicone rubber straps, all of the initial SPB45x models include a stainless bracelet (special edition SPB455 also includes a gray strap). I expect Seiko to release more variants with straps, but the bracelet is my preferred option anyway.

The bracelet is an oyster-style design. The top surface is fully brushed with polished sides (plus Seiko's super hard coating on the whole thing).

The clasp is standard Prospex fare. A machined clasp with polished sides and a stamped dive extension. The clasp does appear shorter than the old 62MAS, but it also goes from four to two micro-adjust holes. Something with fewer rattles and a quick adjust would be preferred, but even Seiko's more expensive models don't receive such a feature.

To size the bracelet, a collar sits inside one of the middle links and secures a pin. This makes it more difficult to size (and likely cheaper to make) than a screw, but is more secure, and less likely to strip out.

While the bracelet is nice, I love swapping straps. 20mm lugs mean that there are lots of great strap options for SPB453. I've been wearing it on our Ribbed Rubber Pass-Through. Scroll down to the end of this article if you'd like to see photos and purchase different strap options for yours.

Here is a list of some of the straps that would fit and we think look great with this watch. You can also view our Guide to Choosing a Watch Strap. At the end of the article you'll also find photos of some of our favorite combinations.
-Deployant FKM Rubber strap
-Ridge Rubber
-Tropical Rubber
-Premium Sailcloth and Sailcloth Colorway Collection
-Smooth Rubber
-Rubber and Sailcloth Hybrid Straps
-Pro Diver
-Vented Rubber
-Slim Ridge Rubber
-Waffle Rubber
-Epsom Leather
-Elastic
-Seatbelt

Like most Seiko Prospex divers, SPB453 features larger-than-standard lug holes and thicker spring bars. While all StrapHabit straps are compatible with it, many other straps aren't. Some people also don't prefer the slight bit of play that is present when installing one of our straps. That's where StrapHabit's Thin Spring Bars for Seiko Fat Lug Holes come in. These can be installed in some StrapHabit straps as well as most straps with standard spring bars. They have 1.1mm tips, but are 1.8mm thick at the center, fitting Seiko divers perfectly.

Seiko Prospex 62MAS SPB453 Movement

While the previous 62MAS featured the then-new 6R35 movement, this is another area where Seiko made incremental improvements. The new-again 6R55 adds two hours of power reserve, providing SPB453 with a full three days.

It has 24 jewels, hacks and hand winds, and is rated to +25/-15 seconds per day. Not particularly accurate, but the Seikos I've owned tend to run better than spec.

Conclusion

Based on my experience with SPB143 (and SPB153 and SPB297), I already expected to like this watch. Seiko didn't reinvent the wheel with this updated version. The changes are incremental, and much less noticeable than when Seiko went from SPB051 to SPB143.

But this means that they didn't mess anything up either. For a small $100 price increase, the watch is slightly more desirable, and remains one of my favorite watches for around $1,000. You can learn more about it at the Seiko US Website.

Seiko Prospex 62MAS SPB453 Specifications:

Name: Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch
Reference Number: SPB453 (SPB453J1, SBDC197)
MSRP: $1,300
Diameter: 40.0mm
Height: 46.4mm
Thickness: 13mm
Lug Width: 20mm
Weight (Mass): 168g
Movement: Seiko 6R55
Power Reserve: 72 hours
Water Resistance: 300m
Crystal: Curved sapphire with inner AR coating
Crown: Screw-down
Bezel: Unidirectional rotating, 120 click
Bracelet: Stainless steel Tri-fold push button release clasp with secure lock and extender with super-hard coating