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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe original Seiko 62MAS reference 6217-8001 is the historical 1960s diver; the SLA017 is Seiko’s 2017 limited-edition recreation. The SLA017 keeps recognizable design cues but is larger and adds modern construction, including a sapphire crystal, screw-down crown and 200 m water-resistance rating. Choose the 6217-8001 for period authenticity and vintage ownership; choose the SLA017 if its updated specifications and contemporary usability matter more.
What are the 62MAS and SLA017?
Seiko dates its first diver to 1965, with an automatic mechanical movement and 150 m water resistance. Seiko also says the watch was used by the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition from 1966 to 1969 (Seiko, 23 March 2017).
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The 6217-8001 is the later, large-crown version of the original 62MAS. The specialist guide distinguishes it from the earlier small-crown 6217-8000; the larger crown was intended to improve operation, including when wearing gloves (The Seiko Guy). The SLA017, by contrast, is Seiko’s 2017 Prospex re-creation, announced as a limited edition of 2,000 pieces (Seiko, 23 March 2017).
Seiko described the SLA017 as “faithful to the original design, but thoroughly up-to-date in its technology.” That is the maker’s description of its own re-creation, not a claim that the watches are dimension-for-dimension identical.
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How do their specifications compare?
| Feature | 62MAS 6217-8001 | SLA017 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Vintage original; later large-crown 62MAS | 2017 limited-edition re-creation; 2,000 pieces announced by Seiko |
| Case diameter | 37 mm in Fratello’s 2017 direct comparison; 38.2 mm in The Seiko Guy’s technical listing. The sources give different figures, so neither should be treated as an uncontested measurement. | 39.9 mm, per Seiko’s 2017 specifications |
| Thickness | Not stated in the cited sources | 14.1 mm, per Seiko’s 2017 specifications |
| Movement | Caliber 6217/6217A; Fratello notes a date and no hacking seconds | Automatic Caliber 8L35; 50-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph and 26 jewels, per Seiko’s 2017 specifications |
| Water resistance | 150 m, as stated by Seiko for its 1965 diver | 200 m diver’s rating, per Seiko’s 2017 specifications |
| Crystal | Acrylic, according to The Seiko Guy | Box-shaped sapphire with anti-reflective coating, per Seiko’s 2017 specifications |
| Crown | No screw-down crown, according to The Seiko Guy | Screw-down crown, per Seiko’s 2017 specifications |
| Bezel | Bidirectional, according to Fratello’s 2017 hands-on review | Unidirectional, according to Fratello’s 2017 hands-on review |
Seiko’s 2017 release says the SLA017’s case diameter was increased by 1.9 mm from the original. The cited vintage diameter figures do not align exactly with that statement, likely reflecting differing measurement or reference conventions. The available sources do not resolve the discrepancy, so treat the 39.9 mm figure as the official SLA017 specification and the two vintage figures with their respective attributions.
What does the SLA017 preserve—and what does it change?
Design cues it carries over
Seiko points to the embossed hour markers, luminous dot at 12 o’clock, slim case profile and narrow bezel as elements carried forward. Fratello’s 2017 comparison likewise describes the recreation as visually faithful. The family resemblance is clear, even though the case is larger and the components are modern.
Construction and operating differences
The acrylic crystal of the vintage watch is replaced by sapphire on the SLA017, and the original’s bidirectional bezel becomes unidirectional, according to Fratello’s hands-on review. Seiko specifies a screw-down crown and 200 m diver’s water resistance for the recreation; the vintage watch is rated at 150 m and has no screw-down crown according to the cited specialist guide. These are meaningful construction changes, not merely styling updates.
Fratello also notes that the SLA017 uses a printed logo rather than the applied logo it describes on the original. This is an observation from that review, distinct from Seiko’s own specification list.
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Which one makes more sense for you?
Choose the original 6217-8001 if vintage authenticity comes first
The 6217-8001 is the actual historical watch, not a later interpretation. It suits a buyer who values period character and ownership of the original reference. Because it is a vintage watch, assess the individual example rather than relying on the model name alone: check originality, condition and service history. The cited sources do not establish current fair-market values or guarantee parts availability.
Choose the SLA017 if modern construction matters more
The SLA017 retains the 62MAS design vocabulary while offering Seiko’s stated 39.9 mm case, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, 200 m diver’s rating and 8L35 automatic movement. Those documented differences make it the more straightforward choice for someone who wants a recreation with updated specifications rather than the original vintage object.
Think about fit and collectability separately
The SLA017’s 39.9 mm diameter is larger than either vintage figure cited here, so compare those measurements with how you want a watch to sit and feel. Seiko announced a 2,000-piece edition in 2017; that production figure alone does not establish present-day availability, scarcity or resale value.
Quick Recap
What should you verify before buying?
- For a vintage 6217-8001: confirm that the watch is the large-crown reference, and ask for clear information about originality, condition and service history.
- For an SLA017: verify the reference and the condition of the specific watch. Its limited-edition announcement is historical and does not tell you what is currently for sale.
- For either: compare the individual watch and its fit, not just the nominal case diameter; the vintage dimensions cited by the sources differ.
- For price or availability: check current listings and condition-specific valuations. The cited sources do not provide current market data.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
