Seiko SLA models - are they still good value?

[Loki324]

Before all the price increases by Seiko there were very few watches that used the 8L35 movement, but they used to be much cheaper than they are now. They were considered very good value for money, as they housed what is effectively a Grand Seiko movement. They were compared with more expensive watches, some even many times its value, and occasionally still come out on top.

These days as they have drastically increased in prices, are they still good value for money or are there better alternatives at this price point? Seiko always had the advantage of bringing inhouse movements at a lower price point than other watch companies. These days more and more watch companies are investing in their own watch movements, so Seiko no longer holds an advantage in that regard (I know they have much lower priced watches with inhouse movements but we are not talking about 4R35/6R35 here). They are now similarly priced to the likes of Tudor and other major watch brands.

Do you still think the Seiko SLA models represent great value? The SLA models do cover a huge price range, from £2.5k all the way up to £6k+ but most are about the £2.5k to £3.2k mark.

[PreacherCain]

Before all the price increases by Seiko there were very few watches that used the 8L35 movement, but they used to be much cheaper than they are now. They were considered very good value for money, as they housed what is effectively a Grand Seiko movement. They were compared with more expensive watches, some even many times its value, and occasionally still come out on top.

These days as they have drastically increased in prices, are they still good value for money or are there better alternatives at this price point? Seiko always had the advantage of bringing inhouse movements at a lower price point than other watch companies. These days more and more watch companies are investing in their own watch movements, so Seiko no longer holds an advantage in that regard (I know they have much lower priced watches with inhouse movements but we are not talking about 4R35/6R35 here). They are now similarly priced to the likes of Tudor and other major watch brands.

Do you still think the Seiko SLA models represent great value? The SLA models do cover a huge price range, from £2.5k all the way up to £6k+ but most are about the £2.5k to £3.2k mark.

I just bought an SLA061 (the Black Edition Willard) with a chunky discount from WatchO and being perfectly honest I would have struggled to get there at the £2,800 sticker price. It is a lovely thing, great finishing and a wonderful dial but there’s quite a lot out there at a similar price which would probably tempt me further. At a discount though, bringing it under £2,000, I feel it’s good value. Part of that is driven by resale value, of course - IME Seikos tend to depreciate like meteorites unless they are “halo” models so at full whack I’d be taking a bath if I decided to move it on.

The good news is that the SLA range seem to be offered at discount quite frequently, and that can make them great value.

BTW, there’s a lot of stuff online about the performance of the 8L35; for what it’s worth mine’s been running happily at about +4 seconds a day.

[Gomers]

Agree with all of the above on this. I believe a lot of the SLA models that come in around £2.8k still represent good value compared to the competition at that price point. An SLA021, for example, is cheaper retail than a Tudor Black Bay and I'd suggest a better finished product, having owned both.

Brand perception is what stifles Seiko in this area, they do their cheaper watches very well which leaves the higher-end stuff struggling amongst the Swiss alternatives and the vague snobbery amongst buyers, which in turn tanks the resale values.

That same SLA021 can be obtained gently used for £1.7k or less these days on the used market which makes it amazing value but it won't be new and it's just the way of things that purchasers of new watches will always want the more 'special' watch, with Swiss pedigree and storied history from an established name in that market, or they'll look for a pre-owned SLA to save a grand, which seems logical.

And to concur with Mr Cain, my 8L35 ran superbly (+3spd) when I had it.

[Foxy100]

I have an SLA023 and my only complaint about it is the bracelet, the quality of which I'd expect to find on nothing more expensive than a £500 watch. Compared to the build quality and feel of the watch head it's subpar. The clasp has sharp edges (I had an MM300 with a clasp that left two pinpricks and a line of blood on my wrist it was so sharp) and I couldn't wear the watch on it until someone on here said they'd moved the clasp so it sat differently (by moving one of the links to the other side of the clasp so it actually sits under your wrist properly). I wear the watch much more frequently than I'd thought I would and it's the watch I wear on holiday, to the beach, out in the summer when I don't want to draw attention to what's on my wrist and so on. To the point where three or so years ago some kid in his 20s, a friend of a friend, asked me in the pub if it was a Rolex. I said no it's a Seiko, and he gave it a dismissive look and an 'oh' and proceeded to tell me he'd recently gone to buy a Sub but the AD didn't have any so he'd bought a TAG instead! I kept a straight face as he showed it to me, knowing how good my SLA023 is.

From memory it cost me somewhere between £1800 and £2000 and was essentially brand new. I was happy with that and have no intention of selling it (no, Tony!).

The bracelet issue isn't unique to the SLA023, my Grand Seiko SBGH001 bracelet isn't exactly perfect either and needs a micro adjustment.

[Gomers]

I have an SLA023 and my only complaint about it is the bracelet, the quality of which I'd expect to find on nothing more expensive than a £500 watch. Compared to the build quality and feel of the watch head it's subpar. The clasp has sharp edges (I had an MM300 with a clasp that left two pinpricks and a line of blood on my wrist it was so sharp) and I couldn't wear the watch on it until someone on here said they'd moved the clasp so it sat differently (by moving one of the links to the other side of the clasp so it actually sits under your wrist properly). I wear the watch much more frequently than I'd thought I would and it's the watch I wear on holiday, to the beach, out in the summer when I don't want to draw attention to what's on my wrist and so on. To the point where three or so years ago some kid in his 20s, a friend of a friend, asked me in the pub if it was a Rolex. I said no it's a Seiko, and he gave it a dismissive look and an 'oh' and proceeded to tell me he'd recently gone to buy a Sub but the AD didn't have any so he'd bought a TAG instead! I kept a straight face as he showed it to me, knowing how good my SLA023 is.

From memory it cost me somewhere between £1800 and £2000 and was essentially brand new. I was happy with that and have no intention of selling it (no, Tony!).

The bracelet issue isn't unique to the SLA023, my Grand Seiko SBGH001 bracelet isn't exactly perfect either and needs a micro adjustment.

Yeah, the 021/023 bracelet didn't work for me either in that the watch felt even more massive. Put it on the ribbed rubber and it nailed that chunky, cool divewatch vibe perfectly.

[Foxy100]

Yeah, the 021/023 bracelet didn't work for me either in that the watch felt even more massive. Put it on the ribbed rubber and it nailed that chunky, cool divewatch vibe perfectly.

I'd be fine with that but the supplied rubber strap is black and the watch blue. I did try looking for a replacement at one point, and Seiko do some nice blue rubber straps just in 19mm (or at least they did last time I looked)

[Gomers]

I'd be fine with that but the supplied rubber strap is black and the watch blue. I did try looking for a replacement at one point, and Seiko do some nice blue rubber straps just in 19mm (or at least they did last time I looked)

https://www.seikoboutique.co.uk/prod...p-colour/blue/

See what you mean, there do appear to be limited choices. Not sure all their rubber options are offered here.

[Foxy100]

I just put it on a black Tropic I have, I'm still tempted to buy a blue one, maybe time to refresh my WTB! And in the best tradition of WISery, perhaps buy a black MM300 to wear on the black Tropic.

The other thing with the standard black silicone strap that came with the (blue) SLA023 is it flares out at the lugs to 22mm which, on 20mm lugs, just looks stupid to me, or I'd give that a go.

[ALindsay]

I had an SLA017 when it was released and kept it for while but moved it on as the accuracy was unacceptable to me. Especially at the price point at the time. Also, if it really matters, the box etc. and steel bracelet were pretty basic poor standard items compared to other watches in the same price range.


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