The Watchdives WD1965 V2 suits buyers who want a compact, no-date quartz watch with 62MAS-style design. The Seiko SPB143J1 suits buyers who want a larger Seiko automatic with a date display. Movement, dimensions and the features you will actually use are the best starting points for choosing between them.
This comparison uses the current WD1965 V2 and the exact Seiko reference SPB143J1, commonly shortened to SPB143. Watchdives sells the WD1965 V2; the specifications below come from the two brands’ product pages.
WD1965 V2 vs SPB143J1: the specifications that matter
| Feature | Watchdives WD1965 V2 | Seiko SPB143J1 |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | VH31 sweeping quartz | 6R35 automatic with manual winding |
| Date display | No date window on the current Sunray Gray model shown below | Date display |
| Case diameter | 37mm; bezel diameter is 38mm | 40.5mm |
| Lug-to-lug length | 45.5mm | 47.6mm |
| Listed thickness | 11.1mm; the listing does not specify whether this includes the crystal | 13.2mm, as listed by Seiko |
| Lug width | 20mm | 20mm |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire with clear AR coating | Curved sapphire with an inner AR coating |
| Bezel | 120-click unidirectional bezel; aluminum insert | Unidirectional rotating bezel |
| Published water-resistance specification | 200m / 20 bar | 200m / 660ft diver’s |
Sources: current Watchdives WD1965 V2 listing and Seiko’s official SPB143J1 specifications. These are published measurements, with no shared measurement test behind them. Use each brand’s model-specific guidance for water use.
Start with size: 37mm case or 40.5mm case?
The WD1965 V2 product title includes “38mm,” which describes its bezel. Its case is 37mm across. That distinction matters if you are comparing it with the SPB143J1’s 40.5mm case.
Its shorter published lug-to-lug length also makes the WD1965 V2 a useful option to consider when you prefer a compact watch. The Seiko is the more relevant starting point if you want the larger case size. Compare both dimensions with a watch you already enjoy wearing; wrist circumference alone cannot settle personal fit.
Thickness deserves a separate check. The WD1965 V2 lists 11.1mm, but its product page does not state the crystal-inclusion basis. Avoid treating the two listed thicknesses as a verified, like-for-like difference in how they sit on the wrist.
Quartz convenience or automatic ownership?
The WD1965 V2’s VH31 is a battery-powered quartz movement with a four-ticks-per-second seconds-hand motion. The current Sunray Gray version has a clear three-hand layout without a date window. It is a practical shortlist choice if you want quartz operation and do not need a calendar.
The SPB143J1’s 6R35 is automatic, supports manual winding and provides approximately 70 hours of power reserve. It also has a date display. Those features matter if enjoying a mechanical movement and having a date are part of your reason for buying.
For a Seiko SPB143 alternative, decide which of those requirements you can change. The WD1965 V2 answers a compact quartz brief; someone specifically seeking a Seiko mechanical watch with a date has a different buying brief.
The current WD1965 V2 option to compare
The Sunray Gray WD1965 V2 with the standard 5-hole clasp was available at a displayed sale price of US$104 when checked on October 13, 2026. The page showed a US$129 compare-at price. This selection includes a stainless-steel bracelet and the standard clasp. OTF compatibility on the listing does not mean an OTF clasp is included in this selection.
Check that the Color and Buckle selections match your intended purchase, along with the current price and availability. The product page also offers a separately named upgraded applied metal logo clasp option.
Which one belongs on your shortlist?
- Consider the WD1965 V2 if your priorities are a compact case, no-date dial, quartz operation and the current Sunray Gray option’s price.
- Consider the SPB143J1 if you specifically want a Seiko, an automatic movement, a date display and the larger case size.
- Compare in person where possible if bracelet comfort, bezel feel or finishing will decide the purchase. A specifications table cannot establish those preferences.
For a broader choice of movements and case sizes, browse the 62MAS-style collection. For this particular comparison, settle the quartz-versus-automatic and size questions first.
A note on owner comparisons
A public owner comparison of the WD1965 and SPB143 discusses size and quartz convenience, but identifies the Watchdives watch as a V1. That discussion provides context for the buying questions here. This article compares current V2 specifications and does not present the earlier owner’s experience as a V2 test or a Watchdives hands-on review.
