The Seiko SLA055 Is the Best & Worst Watch Purchase I've Ever Made
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- čas přidán 31. 07. 2024
- I explain why the Seiko SLA055 is the best & worst watch purchase I've ever made & how it's whetted my appetite for the Grand Seiko SBGE253, the Holy Grail to End All Holy Grails.
If you were up at 6am googling images of cheesecakes, that would be weird. Googling watches: clearly completely normal behavior.
Don’t forget about the SLA017, SLA037 and the SLA043. They are beautiful high end 62 MAS watches.
I like your crazy. It makes me feel less crazy and therefore justified at my current level of craziness. Thank you.
Get a bracelet from SLA073 for AUD$500. It fits perfectly
My experience is very similar. Recently purchased the SLA047 ( MM300 green dial). I spend way too much time angling that thing to catch the light to get that deep green sunburst effect. But, yes,...the siren call of Grand Seiko regularly seems to insinuate its way into my internet browsing. Like you though, I think I'll give it a year and re-evaluate. Love that Orange strap by the way, fortunately the self imposed moratorium on watch purchases doesnt extend to straps. Nice Video.
Would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on owning a Grand Seiko. I am still a few years away but hoping to save enough to get one for my 50th.
I wear my SLA055 on the muted blue strap from a SPB149 which has proved to be the perfect combination (for me). I'm not a collector... I usually have a couple of watches on the go which I wear and sell on after a few months. The 055 is the ONLY watch I have been unable to part with (so far). I get lost looking in to the dial... I see moonlight on the ocean which doesn't come across on camera. Like most of us I had many Seiko's and they always (just) fell short. I'd like a bracelet but otherwise it's fantastic.
sbge253 bezel is fixed so you can't use it for timing. But it is good looking, though to me your sla055 look the best over all seiko and grand seiko watches. It look kind of modern yet traditional simple design.
I really like watches, always have, but I also have other interests, like motorcycles. I recently started modding my watches to make them exactly how I want them. Watch modding isn't easy, but there are a lot of watch modding videos on youtube and modding is getting easier as I get more practice. I also do all the maintenance and mods on my motorcycles and other interests.
I really enjoy your videos and hearing your analysis and wisdom, but maybe you should explore some other interests too. Just my .02...
I've tried on the blue version of the GS gmt it's absolutely beautiful. If had been a 3 hander I would have bought it.
The GS that you are interested in has been one of the most resold and traded watches that I have noticed as of late.Something tells me that a lot of people are disappointed in one way or another when they get one (any one of the colors).If you must take that plunge buy "USED".They do not hold their value.
I suffer the same thoughts…the SLA is gorgeous…the execution and polishing are 🤯. The GS is inevitable 😅 time will tell
I have the 057 gilt. I honestly feel the same way. But my issue with the watch is that the price wasn’t justified. It really should have been 3 grand MAX but I still love it
I agree. 3 grand is the right price. I paid 3,400 brand new from Gnomon so I'm not too far off. The 057 is more limited and pricier than the 055.
Jeff, beware the spring drive, I don’t think you’d bond with it. I bought the SNR051 and even though I’m well aware that the spring drive is an electronically regulated mechanical watch, I almost didn’t get there. It’s almost too perfect to be mechanical… +3 seconds a month, perfectly smooth sweep. I got there after a couple months, but after watching you for years, I’m not convinced you could get there.
I hear you. The service schedule turns me off. I'm leaning away from it.
Love the cheese cake analogy.
I have the SLA057 and can’t wear it enough !
It’ll be collectable one day and it has a cracking movement which is a deal breaker aside from it’s unreal design and engineering.
The Watch OZ won't allow us to be content.
Good idea to wait on the possible grand seiko gmt purchase. The sping drive sport grand seiko's are pretty thick and the movement may not be as robust as the one you have in the SLA055.
Agreed. I'm content with my SLA055.
Very nice . How much again? I really enjoyed your video " Every Man Needs A Super Avenger". I bought one in 2017. Now I'm look for the next one. Thanks.
3,400 on Gnomon. Best.
@@JeffreyMcMahon Not bad. Thanks
I’m the same age as you McMahon and I wonder how the watch obsession will manifest once we retire. Don’t get caught with an oversized spoiler -Carlos’s words of wisdom to live by 😎! Best regards
How's the accuracy? BTW, I live by King's Hawaiian... I love the cheesecakes, but I (used to) eat the spam musubi a lot!
Accuracy is about 2 seconds a day; in other words, very accurate. King's Hawaiian's French Toast is excellent also.
I am currently in the process and price negotiation for this exact watch SLA055 but I must have a bracelet and from my research the bracelet from mode SLA073 will fit this piece perfectly and match. Its insanely expensive at $415 dollars. Anyways my AD has this Seiko diver in stock and whilst its not my ultimate Seiko Grail which that would be the SNR029 which in my opinion is basically a Grand Seiko but this I found to the next best thing. Its madness because I seriously set out to simply purchase the latest gen Seiko Sumo SPB321 Blue dial upgraded Sumo King Sumo its referred to that retails at $1,200 or the SBD185 mm200 Steel bezel 42mm if I got that model number right but it too has a retail of $1,200. I of course would not pay full retail but how the hell I set out to purchase a nice Seiko diver at $1200 that I would end spending under $900 to now all the sudden discussing and negating the price on a $4,600 dollar Seiko Diver plus add another $415 to that for the bracelet. That is insane yet I'm still doing it! The SLA055 is incredibly fine!
I have the SLA073 bracelet for my SLA055. It cost me $400. It's a great bracelet though.
Awesome watch, I hope it remains a permanent fixture in your collection. It might be about time to update your profile pic wearing the SLA055 with the bright orange tropic. Will look cool.
Or an orange Isofrane.
@@JeffreyMcMahon I've never tried an Isofrane, I only ever hear positives plus I do love the look. I like the orange rubber look your currently going for, its unique. Keep up the awesome content mate. Kind regards Rosco
Very beautiful watch. What do you called that orange strap? Can u pls tell me.
This is the original Tropic strap.
What company is the orange strap from? Strapcode?
My orange Tropic is from original Tropic. I have an orange Isofrane and an orange Borealis.
Much vacillating and perseverating with Seiko. 💦🎰
I’ll got the same illness & symptoms regarding watches 😂
I bought spb079, but I'm thinking of building a homage to sla055. The watch is far too expensive for me.
Due you asked the question I ask myself. Why did I spend all last night looking at watch review on CZcams? Why did I ended buying 2 watches last night? Watches I don’t even need😮 is there treatment for this disease? And even if is a disease I don’t know. And maybe is the McMahon syndrome.
Every time I see any Tudor watch I say to my self
“I don’t get it”
This Seiko or my mm600 with spring drive is galaxy above any Tudor for a same price!!
The SLA055 reminds me of a Sumo for some reason. Well, the reason I say that is because maybe you can make that connection in your brain and then sell me that SLA055. That watch is the bomb. It's like the Seiko Arkenstone for me. It could rule over my Seiko Collection. You would be happier with an Omega, Tudor, Rolex, or Grand Seiko. Yes, sell it to me. Remember, you can always buy a similar watch again.
This is a true story for many.
McMahon, I strongly suggest You get and artem sailcloth strap for this seiko! It’d look amazing in navy blue….I’m telling you, that strap would set this watch off!
Sailcloth is nice. What do you think of the Artem Nato Commander?
I think that’s a great strap as well. I think you would definitely be happy with the Navy sailcloth. I’ve got one of the sailcloth straps and they really are fantastic. Can go underwater with no issues and the quality is impeccable
Why?
Agreed Jeff, once you've handled honey, you cannot help but to lick your fingers [pass me the expression]; what i mean is that there is no turning back to that mid-tier crap. None whatever. And i can relate with an analogy: i've always been a fitness enthusiast [more like a die-hard fanatic] but as it's common knowledge fitness equipment is expensive. So for a long time i've tricked myself into thinking that i could do just fine with what i had and what i had were some cheapo dumbbells with screws as collars (that would never tighten up properly making the workouts horrible), a crappy bench and a standing pull up bar that i had a friend of mine weld for me, and for a while that was fine but here's the thing: i've recently decided to upgrade my home gym with some proper equipment and i did by buying a half rack, a sturdy bench and a set of adjustable dumbbells, all by the Eleiko and as soon as i've put together the rack and slipped the bench between the posts and handled the dumbbells i felt relieved: the quality, the craftsmanship, the attention to even the tiniest detail, it was all there. I have some kettlebells on the way and even though this whole package has cost me several thousands of dollars, it's worth every penny. It has left me literally in awe and wondering how could i have possibly done without for such a long time, using shabby equipment.
You see what i mean?
Bought my grail some time ago, enjoyed but realised after wearing a smartwatch on my other wrist, that I had now lost the desire to search for watches. What happened, is probably a realisation that it was all about the hunt. Then began to tire of the grail. Sold it. Didn’t bat an eyelid when it went. Am I cured? We shall see.
Interesting. I find that lot of my emotion comes from the search, purchase, and delivery of the watch as well. After that, I find myself doing the same thing immediately afterwards.
Aged Indonesian whole beans, dark-roasted, ground with a burr-grinder, extracted with a French Press each morning. It was a long time getting there, but I know what I like. For Jeff, it's the higher-end Seiko divers with the 8L35 movement and now there's a realization that it might be time for a Grand Seiko Spring Drive. I would say that the worm has turned, and that's a good thing.
We are Sekio people Jeff, up late at night, looking at watches. We deserve a Spring drive.
Entitlement, it's a form or denial.
We deserve a Spring drive.
Then we'll be cured.
Enter full Shmeagle mode.
I think uncle straps have a bracelet for you
Jeffrey, why are you buying things like SLA 055 when you know the SLA 043 (proper heritage) is THE watch? I’ve got one and the thing puts this habit to bed
055 with the ever brilliant steel and that amazing dial is special. In person it’s the best watch I’ve ever seen. No need to buy another imo. Your watch is also incredible 👍
Must be a pride/ego thing. We're all in it with you 😄.
It is the nicest looking watch in the world but at what price your sanity that's how much
This SLA055 is the best, most incredible watch you ever presented on this channel. It has amazing movement, beautiful dial and Seiko divers heritage behind it. Service is relatively easy comparing to the monocoque case SLAs. You should stop buying more expensive watches and stick with this magnificent watch - pinnacle of Seiko design. SLA055 should be your endgame timepiece. Have fun with buying and selling lower tier Citizens and Seikos. Keep this SLA055 as your best, most valuable watch. You must stop at this point - you will still be reasonable in your watch journey. If you cross the gates of luxury and keep buying high end you will dwell into watch madness.
How do you compare this SLA055 to a comparable Grand Seiko diver?
You need a Spring Drive Tuna Jeff
Completely in agreement with this comment!
We all need a spring drive tuna
At the end of the day, you spent $3,500 on a Seiko. For that price you could have bought a Tudor BB, 2x Doxa 300T, or a Longines BigEye Chrono and Longines Hydroquest automatic w/ceramic bezel for the same amount. Let that sink in.
Well, you can say the other way around as well. For the Seiko fan base (which Jeff is a part of), if he bought a Doxa or Tudor or Longines, he could say "I could have gotten a SLA055 for that kind of money"... also, the Longines hydroconquest is a very pedestrian model by Longines. I would also say that the SLA055 is better finished and more solid feel than the Tudor BB.
@@debussychopin2766 totally agree with you the finish and look of the SLAO55 is perfect - better than a rolex submariner
None of those are made from ever bright steel. The quality and craftsmanship of making that case is amazing. Way above those watches you mentioned .
I think that it is good value for what you get.
I just bought a SLA 049 Willard. If I hadn't, I may be tempted to buy this one.
I certainly like the SLA055, however, it’s got a few problems that would NEVER make it a grail watch for me. I’d rather spend triple on a Rolex Submariner (and even I think that is worth only half of its MSRP at most). I think you’re blinded with lust MacMahon…. First major problem is there isn’t a bracelet available from the factory. Unfortunately that’s a deal breaker for me. While I don’t mind a diver on a rubber strap, I generally prefer bracelets. Second problem is the bezel insert. At this price it should without question be a ceramic insert. Unfortunately Seiko has cut corners once again and crafted a bezel that looks and feels like ceramic, but isn’t the real thing. Personally, I think all of their $1,000 and up Prospex divers should all be coming with ceramic bezel inserts. Seiko has some bizarre obsession with making fake look-alike ceramic style bezel inserts. Finally it’s just too big. This watch in a 40mm size with about a 45-46mm lug to,lug length would be amazing. Just my preference though, as it’s way too big for my 6.5” wrist. Good luck not buying a watch for a year. I’m so deep in this hobby I don’t think I’ll ever recover. I’m almost at the point where I need professional help to quit this unhealthy obsession.
You make good points, but I'm still in love with my 055.
Lol just made a peach cheese cake.