Watches you wear...

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Thanks for the tip. Have you bought a watch from that site? Trustworthy? Or just a good yard stick for pricing?

Well that site is more of an aggregator, so it actually shows watches from different private sellers and vendors...however most of the watches are from sellers who list on Watchuseek and Timezone, two of the more trustworthy communities on the web. A lot of the sellers are established members/dealers... many who have long histories on the site. I trust it more than Ebay, that's for sure.

And yes, Ive bought stuff from WUS members before and have had no issues. Having said that, you always have to be cautious with any jewelry (so no, don't buy the Rolex Sub that's $3k less than anywhere else).

[greyshep]

I am no where near being able to afford many of the expensive watches I have seen posted in this thread. I am actually looking to get my first automatic and was considering a Seiko Orange monster. Any suggestions on the best place to get a good price on one of those?

Any comments on that watch in general? I believe its around the $300 mark so does that mean its gonna be junky compared the $1500+ automatics that I see posted on here?

[Table 5]

Seiko is probably the best bang for the money watch out there.

Unfortunately, most of the best Seikos aren't available in NA, but a great place to buy them online is http://www.seiyajapan.com. A reputed dealer, with good prices, where you can get a lot of quality Seiko watches.

[Red]

Originally Posted by greyshep

I am no where near being able to afford many of the expensive watches I have seen posted in this thread. I am actually looking to get my first automatic and was considering a Seiko Orange monster. Any suggestions on the best place to get a good price on one of those?

Any comments on that watch in general? I believe its around the $300 mark so does that mean its gonna be junky compared the $1500+ automatics that I see posted on here?

Love the OM. Got mine on amazon a few years ago.



http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss...ge%2Caps%2C587

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Seiko is probably the best bang for the money watch out there...

I find statements like this one are quite bizarre. This is like saying that Kia cars offer the best value. Which criteria do you use to make a "best bang for the money" conclusion? Best timekeeping? Best built quality? Best design? Best value keeping? Best price? A $20 Timex is by far the best bang for the buck out there then.

Seiko makes some good watches, some mediocre watches and some bad watches, just like any other manufacturer. The best value is only in the combination of criteria that are personally important to the purchaser.

[V]

The guy said he wanted to pay around $300. Table said Seiko provides the best option in that price range. I'm not sure what you see as bizarre.

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Seiko is probably the best bang for the money watch out there.

Unfortunately, most of the best Seikos aren't available in NA, but a great place to buy them online is http://www.seiyajapan.com. A reputed dealer, with good prices, where you can get a lot of quality Seiko watches.

I got my Orange Monster from Seiya Japan. Super happy with the transaction, no trouble at all. Love the watch.

If you want pics, let me know, and I'll send them over.

[DoubleF]

Amazon is pretty good for stuff like that. Just be careful of some of the occasional 3rd party guys. Usually 3rd party on Amazon is fine, but there's still a little bit of risk.

I've also found Costco randomly ends up with some nice Seiko pieces unavailable in Canada. I picked one up for about low $200 a few years back in store. I don't see them listed on the site though.

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by V

The guy said he wanted to pay around $300. Table said Seiko provides the best option in that price range. I'm not sure what you see as bizarre.

The statement is absolutely unqualified. What makes Seiko the best bang for the buck in watches? Just the price under $300? Then, like I said, a $20 Timex will keep the time as good or better than any $300 Seiko. Are they the most reliable, most durable or most beautiful under $300? No.

There are electronic, quartz, automatic and mechanical watches, with or without complications, with or without original design, original movements etc. etc. etc. Best bang for the buck is a very subjective statement to begin with... This is not a rant against Seiko, btw, they do make some nice watches.

[greyshep]

Originally Posted by bomber317

I got my Orange Monster from Seiya Japan. Super happy with the transaction, no trouble at all. Love the watch.

If you want pics, let me know, and I'll send them over.

Sure I would love to see them. I had a look at that site and couldnt find anything listed as "orange monster" though. The closest I could find is one called a Seiko Prospex.

Another question you guys may be able to help with. I see that there is a 2nd generation monster out. Does that mean the first generation are discontinued? I see the "number" markings are triangular but is there any other differences?

Like I said this will be my first automatic watch and I was honestly curious if it would be decent quality since it is quite a bit less than most of the automatic watches I see posted on here. I appreciated Table5's comment as it made me feel a bit more comfortable that I wouldnt be buying junk. I am not sure why that comment has resulted in such a dramatic response from others though.

Thanks

[Red]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

The statement is absolutely unqualified. What makes Seiko the best bang for the buck in watches? Just the price under $300? Then, like I said, a $20 Timex will keep the time as good or better than any $300 Seiko. Are they the most reliable, most durable or most beautiful under $300? No.

There are electronic, quartz, automatic and mechanical watches, with or without complications, with or without original design, original movements etc. etc. etc. Best bang for the buck is a very subjective statement to begin with... This is not a rant against Seiko, btw, they do make some nice watches.

A $5 quartz watch will tell time better than an expensive Rolex or Omega. But that's not the point for watch enthusiasts.

I don't know if Seiko is a good bang for the buck or not, but I respect them for being a watch maker that does everything in house. Glass, lume, movements, you name it. They are truly a one of a kind company. I own a couple of Omegas and neither is 100% in house.

Unless I was sold a bogus story

[DoubleF]

Most of my automatic watches (even weird brands like AMI) lasted a long time and work fine and are around 11-12 years old even without maintenance. My uncle has worn a Seiko automatic (no idea of model) for about 25 years now and it seems ok as far as I know, but holds a charge only for about half a day. (Might have been the maximum battery charge on that design when it was produced, not sure)

The only problem automatic watch I have is a Arden watch which was owned by my Grandfather so was probably purchased around 1970-1980 and started losing time hopelessly (like hours per day) about 5-6 years ago. Even after repairs, it keeps losing time. It's not worth the cost of repairs so I just keep it for sentimental value.

I don't think you will need to worry too much about automatics. Based on personal experience, you should be ok for about a decade and then perhaps a bit of proactive maintenance will be necessary? But overall, I wouldn't sweat it

[CaptainYooh]

Originally Posted by Red

A $5 quartz watch will tell time better than an expensive Rolex or Omega. But that's not the point for watch enthusiasts. ...

That's my point too. Like in any other hobby, as one learns more about horology and the history of watchmaking, various criteria become more and more significant in any single watch evaluation. People also learn to appreciate the actual watch rather than just the brand name, as even the biggest names out there make so-so watches sometime.

For instance, I could say that Casio G-Shock watches are a much better value than Seiko under $300 based on their durability, functionality and design originality. I can argue this statement well, but it's meaningless to someone who simply doesn't like their designs.

[SinceDay1]

I've purchased from Creation Watches on 3 occasions over the past 2 years with no issues (Seiko 2nd Gen Orange Monster, Seiko SKX007 and 2nd Gen Orient Bambino). They are based in Singapore and have a good selection of Asian market watches. Prices can be listed in Canadian dollars and include international express delivery from either Fedex or DHL. The last 2 watches I received were delivered by DHL and they did collect GST and their brokerage costs which was <$20 in both cases. Watches are legit and typically arrive within a week of placing the order. Here's a link to their current Seiko dive watch offerings: http://www.creationwatches.com/produ...iko-divers-60/

[Red]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Most of my automatic watches (even weird brands like AMI) lasted a long time and work fine and are around 11-12 years old even without maintenance. My uncle has worn a Seiko automatic (no idea of model) for about 25 years now and it seems ok as far as I know, but holds a charge only for about half a day. (Might have been the maximum battery charge on that design when it was produced, not sure)

The only problem automatic watch I have is a Arden watch which was owned by my Grandfather so was probably purchased around 1970-1980 and started losing time hopelessly (like hours per day) about 5-6 years ago. Even after repairs, it keeps losing time. It's not worth the cost of repairs so I just keep it for sentimental value.

I don't think you will need to worry too much about automatics. Based on personal experience, you should be ok for about a decade and then perhaps a bit of proactive maintenance will be necessary? But overall, I wouldn't sweat it

Hmm...hate to be the guy, but......

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by Red

Hmm...hate to be the guy, but......

Whatever the power storage part is. Perhaps wrong wording.

EDIT: Energy stored in mainspring.

You get the idea

[Red]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Whatever the power storage part is. Perhaps wrong wording.

EDIT: Energy stored in mainspring.

You get the idea

Got it Power Reserve.

[bomber317]

Originally Posted by greyshep

Sure I would love to see them. I had a look at that site and couldnt find anything listed as "orange monster" though. The closest I could find is one called a Seiko Prospex.

Another question you guys may be able to help with. I see that there is a 2nd generation monster out. Does that mean the first generation are discontinued? I see the "number" markings are triangular but is there any other differences?

Like I said this will be my first automatic watch and I was honestly curious if it would be decent quality since it is quite a bit less than most of the automatic watches I see posted on here. I appreciated Table5's comment as it made me feel a bit more comfortable that I wouldnt be buying junk. I am not sure why that comment has resulted in such a dramatic response from others though.

Thanks

Orange Monster is just the nickname for the watch.

The one I could find on the site is - http://www.seiyajapan.com/collection...omatic-sbdc023

The one I got is not listed there anymore, it had a black rubber strap instead of the steal strap.

I have owned 2 Seikos, 1 automatic, 1 quartz with moon phase complications. I have also gifted 4 Automatic Seikos to friends and family and they are decent watches for their prices. They have a higher time +- second rating then the more expensive automatics. The movement of the watches also isn't as smooth as a Rolex or an Omega.

[SinceDay1]

Originally Posted by bomber317

Orange Monster is just the nickname for the watch.

The one I could find on the site is - http://www.seiyajapan.com/collection...omatic-sbdc023

The one I got is not listed there anymore, it had a black rubber strap instead of the steal strap.

I have owned 2 Seikos, 1 automatic, 1 quartz with moon phase complications. I have also gifted 4 Automatic Seikos to friends and family and they are decent watches for their prices. They have a higher time +- second rating then the more expensive automatics. The movement of the watches also isn't as smooth as a Rolex or an Omega.

The watch you have linked to is a relatively new offering from Seiko. Some are referring to it as a 3rd generation Monster. The case and bracelet are the same as the 1st and 2nd gen Monsters. There have been some cosmetic changes to the dial. The 3rd gen has gone to more rectangular indices as compared to the triangular "sharktooth" indices on the 2nd gen. It also has a rather clumsy date magnifier on the crystal. The big change is the midrange 6R15 movement which accounts for the bump in price. This watch would slot somewhere between the 2nd gen Monster and the Sumo.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

I find statements like this one are quite bizarre. This is like saying that Kia cars offer the best value. Which criteria do you use to make a "best bang for the money" conclusion? Best timekeeping? Best built quality? Best design? Best value keeping? Best price? A $20 Timex is by far the best bang for the buck out there then.

Seiko makes some good watches, some mediocre watches and some bad watches, just like any other manufacturer. The best value is only in the combination of criteria that are personally important to the purchaser.

What a weird thing to get in a huff about.

Of course values change from person to person, but the qualities that most watch fans tend to look for...quality materials, in-house movements, legitimate watch making history, is there with Seiko at a price point that is not readily available with other companies.

The company has a long and respected history (one that is older than Rolex) of being an innovator. Seiko is also one of the few companies that still manufacture movements and parts in-house... something that you can't say with many fancier "Swiss" watch companies.

Find me another watch company that can make these claims, and still sell you a solid mechanical watch for $300-400. There are companies out that there that are selling watches for 3-4 grand that can't make claims that Seiko could. The only thing Seiko doesn't have is the snob-factor of a Swiss brand...so you're not getting the inflated prices.

Of course not all Seiko watches are great, but most of the time, what you get for your money is going to be...here it comes....a great value. If you want to change what value means to you, go nuts, but there's a reason why Seiko is one of the most respected brands in the watch community.