Seiko MarineMaster 300 : The Real McCoy, Franken Mod, and Homages

The Real McCoy

Readers would know that I have great respect towards the MM300 and MM1000 range. Their pricing tend to be nearer to the mid-level Swiss counterparts, which was also the reason that many new collectors might not pick them up as they were more used to the RM1k - RM3k Seiko range.

To have just a Seiko e.g. the latest MM300 i.e. SLA021 pictured above, at a RRP : RM15,050 was just too much to apprehend for some collectors. I used to be one of them, actually.

However, the MM300 could certainly held its own candle when compared to the rest of its counterparts. Never mind the mid-level competitors e.g. Tag Heuer, Tudor, etc, let's take a look at these pictures comparison placed by a Seiko fan on the Net. He was comparing his MM300 against his Rolex SD43 and DSSD Blue.

Make no mistake. The MM300 was a piece with real wrist presence. A collector picked up 2 pieces of new SLA021 from me at 34% discount from retail over the weekend; and updated me that he loved the watches. One for wearing, and one for the BNIB collection status. Looks like reading this blog could spread the buy-2-pieces-1-for-wearing-1-for-keeping-new poison ;p

If there was a weakness in the MM300, it would be that of its bracelet. It was just not up to the Rolex and Omega range as yet. That's the reason that I tend to go with Isofrane or leather strap with the MM300 todate.

Franken Mod

I loved modding watches, particularly Seiko as these were cheap and cheerful and with parts aplenty. However, I have not ventured into modding the MM300 as the mono block construction was very different from the run-off-the-mill Seiko case construction. The shape rear case looked similar to the shape of the Sime Darby logo, no?

I have purchased many MM300 dials- the ones that I loved and used sparingly were the genuine SBDX017 dials and full handsets. I have utilised these for one of my Sumo projects @ http://andywristwatches.blogspot.com/2019/01/franken-mod-seiko-summo.html. I also have homage MM300 dials from micro brands but the genuine ones were the cream of the crop.

A quick Google on Seiko mods using the genuine MM300 dial would easily churned out SKX007,  Turtle, Samurai, etc. But you won't find many pictures of modders doing the deed on the actual MM300.

Homages

There were many homages of the MM300 in the market. These were also constructed of the mono block construction but with the more common NH35 movement instead of Grand Seiko-grade 8L35 movement. Prices tend to be circa RM1k - RM3k. There were some that utilised the ETA and Seagull movement too.

I recently touched base with a Seiko fan, whom bought a MM300 homage and added an anchor logo on the sterile MM300 dial. 

He shared with me on the method to access the movement, and it seemed viable. And given that it was a bronze case and Seiko did not have a MM300 in bronze case, I was game for a Franken Mod to transplant a genuine SBDX017 dial and handset into the homage case. Since the mod would be a desk diver, it seemed that the 300m WR would not be a main issue to worry about.

I contacted the seller and it seemed that the bronze case were all sold-out. However, the next batch was in production and I would be in line for a purchase from the new batch. The seller however, had the stainless steel case ready in stock, so I thought that I would purchase a set for the initial practise and trial.

However, I didn't want the Franken Mod to look exactly like the genuine MM300 that I had. I wanted it to be more special. Same same but different. So I discussed with the seller and he would assist to have mine with the LCBI bezel that I had on my SuMMo.

So keep your eyes posted on the upcoming posts when I would write about the first impressions of the homage piece, and the subsequent mod job.

Fun times ahead :)