Anyone Own Both Tudor Black Bay Black AND Seiko MM300 (SBDX0017 or SBDX017)??

[nvrp813]

Got a question for anyone who's owned both the Tudor Black Bay Black (79230N - in house movement) AND the Seiko MM300 (SBDX001 or SBDX017).

A little history, I was fully committed to buying a Seiko MM300 this summer. As luck would have it, Seiko decided to discontinue the model, driving pre-owned sales prices through the roof. What used to be $1,300 is now listed for $2k+. This got me thinking about the Tudor Black Bay, as pre-owned prices aren't much more.

I know both are terrific watches and owners are proud to wear either. With that said, the only real stats I'm concerned with are size, thickness, and lug-to-lug. On paper these seem to similarly sized. This is what I was able to find (with some wrist shots I poached off Google):

Tudor Black Bay 79230N
Case width - 41mm
Height - 14.8mm
Lug-to-Lug - 50mm
Name: BBB.jpg
Views: 12
Size: 5.3 KB


Seiko MM300 SBDX017 or SBDX001
Case width - 44mm
Height - 15mm
Lug-to-Lug - 50mm
Name: MM300.jpg
Views: 12
Size: 9.8 KB


The watch will be worn mostly to my business casual work place and on holiday to the beach and pool. Even though watch sizes on paper are so similarly spec'd, which wore more comfortable? Was one more durable (ie. less prone to scratches) than the other? Did not having a date bother you? This being a Rolex forum I fully expect the answers to be skewed towards the Black Bay, but you never know. Anyone who's owned both I would love to know your opinion on which watch you preferred. Thanks so much!

[daniyo]

No date is not an issue, just use the phone if you need to... honestly I prefer the BBB, have owned both and it's always been more comfortable despite both being "tall" watches. Can't go wrong with either really, excellent watches and pleasure to wear either way!

[BlackRose]

Two very different looks. The BB can be dressed up easier than the MM. An ETA BB would also be a touch slimmer but loses on the power reserve


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[nvrp813]

Appreciate the responses. How do you like the rivet bracelet on the BB? The MM bracelet I hear leaves a lot to be desired.

[oldman2005]

I'd get the MM300 now and save the money for Submariner later. When I was ordering my Basel 2018 Seiko diver watch, the store offered me his last brandnew MM300 for $2K out of the door.

[nvrp813]

Originally Posted by oldman2005

I'd get the MM300 now and save the money for Submariner later. When I was ordering my Basel 2018 Seiko diver watch, the store offered me his last brandnew MM300 for $2K out of the door.

I used to have a Sub. Both the 116610 and 16610. Unfortunately they both went the way of the dodo. I like the understated-ness of the Tudor and Seiko. Just a personal preference.

[BlackRose]

BB bracelet is excellent build quality but lacks the type of extension available on Rolex. ETA BB bracelet does not have rivets, which gives it a cleaner look


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[ap1]

BB by a mile

[bdex75]

BB by a country mile. Go with the blue eta and never look back in that price range.


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[Old Expat Beast]

I have the ETA BB, which is 12.8mm as I recall, and the new SLA019 which is the same specs as a MM300. Numbers are a bit misleading as I think the MM wears slightly smaller on the wrist, with its angled case sides and smaller dial. On a silicone strap it's as comortable as the BB, but I have yet to size and wear the bracelet.

[nvrp813]

Thanks for all the input guys. Very much appreciated!

[Jcy90]

Bb

[waterman1]

This may help you; I have the MM300, the Pelagos, the DSSD before selling, and the now the sd43 so I can compare the MM to several. I love the look and aesthetics of the MM, not to mention one hell of a serious dive watch and sturdy. The lume and clarity of it cannot be beat. The bracelet is weak. I have mine on a silicon strap and more comfortable than he rubber it comes with. Had the 001 and sold it....missed it and bought the latest 017. The diashield finish on the 017 works great! Will keep it from getting scratched even when very rough. But bottom line is I find the watch just uncomfortable enough to never wear for long. I think the watch is too heavy for 20mm lugs. They should have been 22mm and I think it would have made a large difference in comfort. I think your BB is going to be much more comfortable but MM is an excellent watch. Heck I bought it twice!

[dubins930]

The MM300 is the type of watch that makes you go "How is my Rolex three times the price?". I would guess the BB by a mile people have never owned an MM300 because there is no theoretical "mile" between these watches. The only real issue is it is a big heavy watch. Its much better on an isofrane, as the bracelet is a bit lacking. You really cant go wrong with either of these. For an everyday watch, I would wait and get the BB. Im a reasonably big dude and the MM300 was a bit large for everyday.

[mtb]

I have the ETA BB, and I prefer wearing the MM300, simply due to the added comfort, esp when both are on the bracelet. I can get a better fit when wearing MM300.

[toxicavenger]

The MM takes up less real estate on the wrist since the case angles in at the bottom. I think it only takes up something like 40mm. But it wears top heavier than the Tudor imo.

[nvrp813]

And if the decision wasn’t hard enough I’ve added the Pelagos LHD to my list. As the watch will literally be worn from the boardroom to the beach the Pelagos was a natural addition to the search. I actually owned the ETA Pelagos and didn’t mind the size at the office, fit under sport shirt cuffs. The main issue I had, and why I sold it, was the black and white combo. Looked too stark in a business setting, but was great for casual/vacation wear. Maybe the cream indices and splashes of red will cure that.

All three are so similar on paper (just referring to size). I hear what everyone is saying about the MM wearing top heavy with the 20mm lugs. I’m definitely a bracelet guy so that’s a big deal for me.

[Jhowton23]

the pelagos is probably the most comfortable because of the titanium and the clasps. if its in your budget is day its a better every day watch than the other 2

but ive always wanted a mm300 and am kicking myself for not buying one when they were being produced

[KBM]

Originally Posted by nvrp813

And if the decision wasn’t hard enough I’ve added the Pelagos LHD to my list. As the watch will literally be worn from the boardroom to the beach the Pelagos was a natural addition to the search. I actually owned the ETA Pelagos and didn’t mind the size at the office, fit under sport shirt cuffs. The main issue I had, and why I sold it, was the black and white combo. Looked too stark in a business setting, but was great for casual/vacation wear. Maybe the cream indices and splashes of red will cure that.

All three are so similar on paper (just referring to size). I hear what everyone is saying about the MM wearing top heavy with the 20mm lugs. I’m definitely a bracelet guy so that’s a big deal for me.

Let me preface this by saying I have owned a blue ETA BB and the SBDX017 MM. Both great watches. The MM's bracelet is truly a notch below the construction quality of the watch itself.

I love the in-house BB black for its improvements in PR, but don't fancy the added thickness. Then again, 14.8mm isn't that bad in a 41mm diver. My SDc is 15.5mm thick in a 40mm case and I wear it without issues.

Adam's pictures of his green MM just made me really want one again (Dang it, Adam!). I'd say it's a coin flip between the BB and the MM, with the decision being influenced by which of the two styles you prefer, as they are very different.

Having said all that, if the LHD Pelagos is in the race, it appears to me as a superior watch in every technical aspect, so unless you really like the looks of the BB and MM, this would be an easy choice, imo.

[torifile]

I agree - the bracelet on the MM300 is sub-par. But it’s its own thing. By that I mean, it’s Seiko’s take on the sub and pays respect but doesn’t try to look like the Sub like the BB does. (I know that might be a controversial statement given Tudor’s history.) But it’s a Seiko and is easily confused with its far cheaper Sumo brothers, if that matters at all.

Were it me, I’d go for the Pelagos.

[Gnboy]

I wore an in house BBB on bracelet for close to a year, and have had 2 MM300s and now the green SLA019.

They are both great, that is certain. For me, the Black Bay is more versatile and feels to be better quality. The Black Bay also wears better for me, so even though I no longer have one, my vote is for the Tudor.

[nvrp813]

Appreciate the input from everyone. A quick trip to the Tudor AD, and I am now the proud owner of a Pelagos LHD. Thanks again.

[GodZji]

Wow Pelagos won!!!
Nice choice. Congrats

[Rashid.bk]

I think that was the best decision. The Pelagos looks wonderful, congrats.

[Gerry.GEG]

I owned a MM for a bit. Thought it was a grail but as nice as it is, I traded it. Just didn't hold my attention. I now own a BB and love it! Just has more style and I believe more longevity for me.

[rolexinfl]

Congrats! Tudor all the way!