Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

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smellody
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Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by smellody » Fri Jul 01, 2022 4:14 pm

Just in:

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First impression: wow. Quality unlike any Seiko I've had before. The movement was just serviced by Seiko. It is perhaps the smoothest movement I've ever set. It is a monster. Tall and deep. I really like it.

I've tried Seiko before with monsters, tuna fish cans, sports, and a few others, but the quality was not there.

This watch was a Y2K Japanese release only as part of their Historical Collection. Here is an article on the Historical Collection: https://www.fratellowatches.com/a-look- ... 2000/#gref

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gr8sw
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by gr8sw » Fri Jul 01, 2022 4:20 pm

nice SBDX003 :thumbsup: nothing like the MM300 :cheers:
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rockmastermike
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by rockmastermike » Fri Jul 01, 2022 5:15 pm

gr8sw wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 4:20 pm
nothing like the MM300 :cheers:
No fact check needed here

smellody
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by smellody » Fri Jul 01, 2022 5:55 pm

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So nice!!!

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by JP Chestnut » Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:34 pm

No stupid prospex on the dial. Just as it should be. The MM300 is probably the watch id like to own the most but never will because it’s too big for me to wear.

smellody
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by smellody » Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:38 pm

JP Chestnut wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:34 pm
No stupid prospex on the dial. Just as it should be. The MM300 is probably the watch id like to own the most but never will because it’s too big for me to wear.
Agree with you on the X dials. I'm big enough to pull it off... but also as happy wearing one of my 30mm Rolex.

This watch is leaps and bounds beyond any Seiko I've ever seen. I may have try a GS dive model if the love continues. . .

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bedlam
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by bedlam » Fri Jul 01, 2022 9:55 pm

smellody wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:38 pm
JP Chestnut wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:34 pm
No stupid prospex on the dial. Just as it should be. The MM300 is probably the watch id like to own the most but never will because it’s too big for me to wear.
Agree with you on the X dials. I'm big enough to pull it off... but also as happy wearing one of my 30mm Rolex.

This watch is leaps and bounds beyond any Seiko I've ever seen. I may have try a GS dive model if the love continues. . .
She is both beautiful and a manly man's watch at the same time.

The MM300 is nice but a GS is yet another step up in quality.

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toxicavenger
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by toxicavenger » Fri Jul 01, 2022 10:58 pm

bedlam wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 9:55 pm
The MM300 is nice but a GS is yet another step up in quality.
yes it is. and I do love the MM. but my wrist does not. :banghead:

smellody
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by smellody » Sat Jul 02, 2022 8:34 am

Image
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Selym
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by Selym » Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:48 am

JP Chestnut wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:34 pm
No stupid prospex on the dial. Just as it should be. The MM300 is probably the watch id like to own the most but never will because it’s too big for me to wear.
Have you ever tried one on? I'm able to pull it off with my ~6.75" wrist. :shrug:

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by JP Chestnut » Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:21 am

Selym wrote:
Sat Jul 02, 2022 9:48 am
JP Chestnut wrote:
Fri Jul 01, 2022 6:34 pm
No stupid prospex on the dial. Just as it should be. The MM300 is probably the watch id like to own the most but never will because it’s too big for me to wear.
Have you ever tried one on? I'm able to pull it off with my ~6.75" wrist. :shrug:
I haven't, but I've looked into it a lot. I wouldn't be able to size down the bracelet sufficiently to fit my wrist and the lug to lug is too big for me. Basically I can't wear anything larger than a 42mm 2500D PO and even that is probably too big.

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dukerules
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by dukerules » Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:23 am

It’s such a good watch, especially without the Prospex logo. Slightly too heavy and too thick, but other than that just blows away every other dive watch at its price point.

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jswing
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by jswing » Sun Jul 03, 2022 5:13 am

Congrats! I love the MM300. I have a current model with the X logo, but wish I had never sold my SBDX012. I believe yours is actually a SBDX012? The SBDX003 didn't say Marinemaster on the dial or have the red in the seconds hand, while the SBDX012 did.


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Ryeguy
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by Ryeguy » Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:15 am

dukerules wrote:
Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:23 am
It’s such a good watch, especially without the Prospex logo. Slightly too heavy and too thick, but other than that just blows away every other dive watch at its price point.
I agree 100%.

I often felt the MM300 was the point of diminishing returns for a dive watch.

You can certainly get a “better” watch, but the incremental improvements come at an expense that only enthusiasts can justify.

FWIW, the MM300 was the only watch a woman ever gave me an unsolicited compliment on. We were at a conference reception and she noticed the watch and said “now that is a man’s watch”.

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by JP Chestnut » Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:47 am

Ryeguy wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:15 am
dukerules wrote:
Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:23 am
It’s such a good watch, especially without the Prospex logo. Slightly too heavy and too thick, but other than that just blows away every other dive watch at its price point.
I agree 100%.

I often felt the MM300 was the point of diminishing returns for a dive watch.

You can certainly get a “better” watch, but the incremental improvements come at an expense that only enthusiasts can justify.

FWIW, the MM300 was the only watch a woman ever gave me an unsolicited compliment on. We were at a conference reception and she noticed the watch and said “now that is a man’s watch”.
That was absolutely true when the MM300 was released. However, I think a BB58 is at least as good a value in a much more wearable package. Seiko dropped the ball keeping the MM300 essentially unchanged for 20 years while raising the price.

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jswing
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by jswing » Sun Jul 03, 2022 10:33 am

JP Chestnut wrote:
Ryeguy wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 9:15 am
dukerules wrote:
Sat Jul 02, 2022 10:23 am
It’s such a good watch, especially without the Prospex logo. Slightly too heavy and too thick, but other than that just blows away every other dive watch at its price point.
I agree 100%.

I often felt the MM300 was the point of diminishing returns for a dive watch.

You can certainly get a “better” watch, but the incremental improvements come at an expense that only enthusiasts can justify.

FWIW, the MM300 was the only watch a woman ever gave me an unsolicited compliment on. We were at a conference reception and she noticed the watch and said “now that is a man’s watch”.
That was absolutely true when the MM300 was released. However, I think a BB58 is at least as good a value in a much more wearable package. Seiko dropped the ball keeping the MM300 essentially unchanged for 20 years while raising the price.
Well, Seiko has updated the MM to sapphire and ceramic, although purists don't necessarily consider that an improvement. I do agree with your premise that a BB58 is an equally good value proposition in a more universally wearable size if you're shopping new. However, you can pick up a second hand MM for around $1600, and the same can't be said for the BB, so I think the MM still wins on value. Very different watches though, so I think it's difficult to compare the two.

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gr8sw
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by gr8sw » Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:26 am

jswing wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 5:13 am
Congrats! I love the MM300. I have a current model with the X logo, but wish I had never sold my SBDX012. I believe yours is actually a SBDX012? The SBDX003 didn't say Marinemaster on the dial or have the red in the seconds hand, while the SBDX012 did.
you are right, Jeff, he has sbdx012, not sbdx003... I wasn't picking up the gold accents on his bezel... one we both should've kept! :lol: :cheers:

dial.JPG
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Last edited by gr8sw on Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
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dukerules
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by dukerules » Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:27 am

Yeah I paid around $1600 for my lightly used SBDX017. While I like my BB58 more, it was more than twice the price. Hard for me to argue against the BB58, as I am absolutely hugely in love with that watch and will likely pick up a blue 58 or a 58 GMT if they ever make one to go with my gilt version. But for only a few hundred dollars more used than any of dozens of (albeit nice) mid-range Seiko divers, the MM300 is really an unbeatable value proposition. Monocoque case, 8L35 movement, near-GS fit and finishing, high quality materials. It's a watch that always should have cost $2500+ new IMO.

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jswing
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by jswing » Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:49 am

gr8sw wrote:
jswing wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 5:13 am
Congrats! I love the MM300. I have a current model with the X logo, but wish I had never sold my SBDX012. I believe yours is actually a SBDX012? The SBDX003 didn't say Marinemaster on the dial or have the red in the seconds hand, while the SBDX012 did.
you are right, Jeff, he has sbdx012, not sbdx003... I wasn't picking up the gold accents on his bezel... one we both should've kept! Image :cheers:

dial.JPG
Selling that and my SBDX019 were some of my biggest watch related mis-steps.

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by JP Chestnut » Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:42 pm

dukerules wrote:
Sun Jul 03, 2022 11:27 am
Yeah I paid around $1600 for my lightly used SBDX017.
So of the wholesale watch groups are failing to move newish B58 blues at around $2900. I think the real price difference is approaching $1000. Still a lot, but not double.

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andy tims
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by andy tims » Sun Jul 03, 2022 1:45 pm

Had one of those and sold it far too cheaply :banghead:
Andy

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JP Chestnut
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by JP Chestnut » Sun Jul 03, 2022 3:17 pm

I just looked it up. The MM300 hasn't increased as much in price as I would have thought. It's $2300 from the big Japanese exporter and probably the best watch available at that price.

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tyd450
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by tyd450 » Mon Jul 04, 2022 8:23 am

You guys are really making me want to track down an older mm300. I love my current 3 watch collection and the plan was to pick up a no date submariner and call it a day but the longer I wait to hear from an AD , the more I talk myself out of it. Maybe the mm300 would suit me better anyway. I need to find one to try on. Or just go with a black pelagos.....I liked the LHD one I had other than the faux patina lume.

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spring-diver
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by spring-diver » Tue Jul 05, 2022 10:35 am

Excellent pickup👍
Seiko: SBDB001, SBDX001, SRP777

Sinn: EZM9, T1, T1B, 836 & 857S

:cheers:

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gr8sw
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Re: Marinemaster. . . The first Seiko that will stick

Post by gr8sw » Tue Jul 05, 2022 12:30 pm

I sold my first sbdx001 because at the time I was liking it too much and was neglecting my other watches... dumb reason :lol:

came to my senses after a few years and realized the other watches were expendable and picked up a minty sbdx017 recently... replaced the funky OEM ratcheting with a sturdier milled adjustable clasp from Islander that balances the head much better, and I don't see taking the watch off any time soon... it's a heavy watch on bracelet, but I like that... HTFU right? :lol: would also make a good weapon in a pinch... the collection has been shrinking

and if you dare compare these to $10k+ Subs, the MM300 stands very tall, in more ways than one :cheers:

MM.300.jpeg


and here's Seiko's original glamour shot for SBDX012

SBDX012.jpg
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Last edited by gr8sw on Wed Jul 06, 2022 10:44 am, edited 1 time in total.
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