Should you spend $1500 on a Seiko? Prospex GMT honest REVIEW...

Honest review after wearing the Prospex GMT reference SPB381 for a couple of weeks now, I have come to a conclusion. Have Seiko delivered a classic or will we come up with the same old complaints?

[DANIELCHIA]

Finally gotten this review, have been waiting for it, great work! I like what this watch has to offer mostly, the green colored dial & bezel, the flawless hands and indices etc. The only thing to point out is that the thickness is more about 13.5 mm than 12.9mm. The bezel action is silky smooth to turn, just that it can be a bit hard to grip when you are sweaty, wears very well, weight wise you can definitely feel it on the wrist, but still rather manageable and comfortable.

[keaixiaomeinv]

Excellent review my good sir. Oftentimes, reviews are nothing more than a commercial for the product being reviewed, but you really did a great job at talking about both the good and the bad. Very refreshing.

[stringfrolic]

I have the black dial 383 and absolutely love the look of it. Even though this is my first mechanical watch, I am impressed with the timekeeping too. Hard to find a better looking Seiko IMO.

[NYCEsq.]

I just picked one of these up while on vacation in Japan. $1, 200 and change. I love it.

[paranormalskeptic]

I find Seiko owners are more understanding as to any Seiko issues with QC and price. Yes Prospex watches have increased in price, but as a watch owner, I buy what I find desirable, the way it looks, the history of Seiko, I just find Seiko watches extremely appealing.

I’m a big fan of the 62 mas reissue design and the 1968 watch reissue design. Those are my 2 favorite Seiko watch types, followed by the Samurai style. I’m a history nerd, and a watch nerd. So Seiko watches just sing to me.

I have several higher end watches, but always seem to wear my Seikos, especially their dive watches.

[txmogger]

Handsome watch. I happen to agree with all your positive and negative comments. I dislike that 4:30 date window, but it could be worse. They could have used a white date wheel. Excellent review as always.

[Realracl]

I own the 385 glacier dial LE. I agree with most of what you said. However I do think the bracelet is comfortable and well made for the price although I don’t mind a bit of quick microadjust. Seiko needs to develop a clasp that had this function

[TheFuturisticVintage]

I got mine for $1050 in Waikiki and love it. Ask for Andrew at Gem Castle in Waikiki if you’re in the area. Great review.

[simonwright]

Great looking watch. I have no need for a gmt so I went with the spb187. I totally agree that the case is superbly designed and finished, one of my favourite cases in my large collection.

[clayrowden]

I just bought this watch and am very happy with it, I've owned 5 Seikos, the first was my very first watch. It is 51 years old and still keep very accurate time. So I'm a Seiko. I own Omega, Hamilton, Ball and will have my first Rolex in a few weeks. I love watches and fell in love with this on first sight at the AD. I believe is worth $1500 USD. I will replace the bracelet, which is the only gripe I have. It not horrible but it doesn't measure to this watch. Great review, for real!

[Worracle]

I got the limited one and I like it just as much as my submariner. The hands are cleaner, actually. My sub just came back from RSC with a visible blem on a hand. The seiko is running -1.5spd so far. The polish is indeed more refined then any other non grand seiko I’ve seen. I think the finish of the case is as nice as my grand seiko. Hands and dial a little less so. The reason I say that is because my GS indices are brushed but it’s so fine that it looks mirrored… but, I really want to put this dial beside a white birch and compare the texture and depth.

[yianpap]

I watched your video and found it well above average for someone with 66 subs. 645 now:) Beautiful watch by the way, always tempted by Seiko but haven't got one yet.

[Eclipscion]

Great review! I've owned the black version for a couple of days and agree with your points wholeheartedly, especially the flimsy dive extension which makes the clasp unnecessarily long. I don't mind the bracelet links themselves as they are individually small and make for a comfortable fit, but the fitment of the endlinks could be so much better, as you pointed out. All in all, the watch head is where this truly shines, literally! The ceramic bezel insert with the amazing finishing of the case makes this one an outright stunning piece.

[michaelsteelepix]

Great job on the review. That fact that you have a four-string over your shoulder lands you a new sub.

[bigdavedave]

I recently saw one of these in the window of a jewellers in Leeds, it really is a fantastic looking watch!

[BennyLlama]

Im picking mine up tomorrow, pending alignment inspection of course lol. Its one of the only models that seems to be priced reasonably that Seiko has put out recently.

[donkeytime]

I have this beautiful piece and your right, you need to see it in person to appreciate it's quality and attention to detail. I love how the dial shimmers in the light and how the bezel doesn't over shine. When it comes to collecting, it's all about the dial for me. As far as the accuracy of time, we all have our phones to reflect to. There are some points you've made about the piece that could've been better, but the good news is that can be improved down the road if someone chooses to. Perhaps a better movement if offered and exchanged by an authorized Seiko technician. For me, this piece is just fine as is.

[michaelturner]

I am tempted to install the Seiko rubber strap. Eloquent narration!

[richardhoulton]

I’ve got a SPB237 with a 6R35 and, bizarrely, it’s got more accurate over a year of ownership. It’s now gaining about 2-3 seconds a day. At first it was about 15 seconds a day. Movement seems to be a lucky dip though.

[mortgagemartin]

Good review, I tried this watch on today and I thought it looked fantastic on my wrist but didn’t spend much time playing with the bracket