The SLA079 is a 42.6mm steel/black dial 300m Marinemaster that is 13.4mm thick, has a steel bracelet (without push-button microadjustment), and uses Seiko’s 8L35 movement (50 hours of power reserve, 4 Hz, rated for -10/+15 seconds a day). To keep it simple, that means the new HBF001/002 is a bit thicker, has a longer power reserve (70 vs. 50 hours), is more accurate (-5 to +10/day), and comes with the microadjust-equipped bracelet.
Those are all solid improvements, but they come with a price. The SLA079 has a retail price of $2,900, while the new HBF001 is $700 more. Also, while not specifically a measurable improvement (more of a subjective one), the HBF001 has its date window at 3 o’clock, while the SLA079’s is at 4:30. Interestingly, the HBF001 appears to use a white date wheel vs the dial-matched black wheel of the SLA079, and only the LE HBF002 has a frame around the date aperture.
James Stacey
2026-03-23 13:28:00