Seiko SBDX012 vs Rolex 114060: someone's gotta do it.

[mikeylacroix]

Both in house. Both 300m divers. Both awesome.
1 jap 1 swiss. 1 cosc 1 unregulated GS movement.
Some say the mm300 is superior by the $, some say its just plain better.
Some think the SubC is living on the Rolex mystique, some say it set the bar for all that followed.


The face:




u can see the uneven lume application on the mm300







SubC has the piano black dial. MM300 more matte with some brown in it.
The white gold indices are a nice little touch, while the gilt gold has me swooning.
Both are 4 liners.



the rehaut and raised chapter ring plus the domed crystal makes it a deep dial.

some find the rolex engraved rehaut an overkill, I don't mind it.


I like the mercedes hands.

the fat hands of the mm300 are pretty kick ass though.




lollypop vs traffic lights seconds hand









The case:

1 monocoque, 1 with the tightest caseback ever.

1's all angles and sharp machined edges, 1 is all curvy and flowy.









Both 40mm. 1 super top heavy, 1 fits like a glove.




1 with some manly lugs, 1 with the 4 o'clock crown. I am glad there's no HEV.


The misc:

ceramic bezel is a winner.

recessed lume pip is kinda cool though

the rolex bracelet is 2nd to none...i haven't even sized the seiko bracelet yet

unsigned crown is a bit sad



good thing the caseback is kinda fun



still very good lookin

no slouch either



The conclusion:
The mm300 is superb FOR the $, but the SubC is still miles ahead as far as fit finish prestige etc etc.
The argument tends to be that its not 6k better...I would say so what..better is better. There is a place for both in a collection.













Lume shots of course:
cool blue






nuclear

[Der Amf]

Why is lume so hard to apply in this world!?

Why do Rolex not have a problem doing it?

Why am I not starting a thread on this?

EDIT: http://www.intlwatchleague.com/showt...s-*how-much*-!

[I-B]

great thread! IMO the Seiko looks significant bigger than the Sub, yet they are the same size...

[Steppy]

Is the MM300 really 40mm? I thought it was 44mm? Thats quite a difference

[mikeylacroix]

Is the MM300 really 40mm? I thought it was 44mm? Thats quite a difference

i used a ruler to eyeball..the curved sides probably 'push' it out to 44...
but both are ~40mm

Nice comparison. I noticed you said both cases are 40mm, interesting. Seiko of course lists the MM at 44mm, but I just measured and both the Sub and MM bezels measure in at ~40mm. They really don't wear all that differently, except of the course the MM sits much higher. IMO the Sub is a 40mm that wears more like 42, while the MM is a 44 that wears more like a 42. To me the Sub is the much more refined of the two, the MM is more fun. When you have them both in your hands, the debate about which is "better" doesn't even really come into play, they're two completely different watches.

[Nokie]

Really like the patina on the Seiko dial. Very different bird from the Rolex. Great pictures too.

[tigerpac]

Now let's have a Grand Seiko v. Rolex discussion - go!

[CFR]

Thanks for the visual comparison, Mikey.

[CFR]

Now let's have a Grand Seiko v. Rolex discussion - go!

I'm sure that, somewhere else, this thread would start a bloody war!

[Domo]

I pretty much agree, Mikey. Fantastic comparison! The MM still takes the cake for me of course