A dive watch has and will always be the main type of watch I go to as my "main watch". Having greatly downsized my watch collection AND being without a Seiko for several months, when the SLA077 & SLA079 were announced, I instantly got hooked on the "white" dial version with black bezel, SLA077.
It isn't a true pure white. But, more of an opaline white with slight silvery sheen to it. But, I'd say 95% of the time it appears as a white to my eyes when measured against the stainless steel case/bracelet and in strong contrast to the black bezel, black printed details, and dark polished hands and indices. As with the SLA079, this SLA077 also has a fine grain texture over the dial which tones down the dial to appear more matte like.
The proprietary Lumibrite does not disappoint and is very reactive and long lasting. No surprise here. It will often be visibly glowing green in the daytime. I've corrected the photos to tone down that look to more of what it may normally visually look like not fully charged.
A white dial with black bezel on a diver watch is my preferred color combo. It wasn't initially something I specifically sought out to have. But, it was the color combo of my first luxury watch I bought for myself back in 1994 with a TAG Heuer diver. Ever since, it's been a thing for me I've been fairly persistently after to include in my watch collection. I've tried many to fit this particular spot. And after having tried quite a few watches, here I am now with the Seiko Prospex Luxe SLA077 Marinemaster, a modern reinterpretation of one of Seiko's most iconic dive watches, the 6159-7001 from 1968.
It's very well sculpted and wears very comfortably on my 7" wrist. Perhaps not as drastic as prior Marinemasters, but, the sapphire crystal is dual curved and it still has a cool distortion when viewed at a more extreme angle and I also get a kind of bubble effect which I kind of like. See pic.
Yes, this is not an inexpensive watch. But, I didn't pay full retail for a new one, either. With all things considered, the original design, the build and finish, using an 8L family of movement, dual curved sapphire crystal w/ inner AR, etc.. I think this is actually less expensive than a comparable model from before, if I'm not mistaken. which is a rarity for Seiko to charge less than what was before. And, I don't find any noticeable compromise or getting less for the price.
I'm pretty happy with this purchase and addition to my watch collection. This will easily be my main watch moving forward.
