Watches you wear...

[longsuffering]

Originally Posted by Table 5

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.

Well said Table 5 (and SinceDay1), it's hard to argue that Seiko watches, particularly their automatics, represent the best value in watches.

I've got several high-end watches in my collection but the collection also includes 4 Seiko's (including a Solar Quartz) and an Orient automatic.

If for no other reason you have to admire Seiko for the fact that they produce pretty much every component that goes into their watches. Only Rolex comes close amongst the higher end manufactures.

If I was getting into watches, I would jump into the pool with a $200 or $300 Seiko automatic.

[pylon]

I have a pretty soled collection of Seiko auto's, and bang for the buck, they cannopt be beat.

There is a huge difference between a Sears/Bay/Mall jewellery shop Seiko, and what you order from Japan. Some of the JDM stuff, has the fit, finish, and build quality of some of the nicest Swiss stuff.

I just got a Seiko SARB cocktail time Auto, and it is an absolutely gorgeous watch.



Most 6R15 movements are coming out of the box with chronometer accuracy. Seiko NA stuff, yes... pretty much crap. The overseas stuff, especially their auto's are amazing value. I know some guys that have some mega-expensive Swiss stuff, yet they still rock Orange Monsters, and SKX007's. The SKX007 below, can be argued to be just as iconic of a watch as a Submariner or Seamaster. It's a cool classic in the way a 1972 Datsun 240Z is. Where as a Seamaster would be more akin to an old 70's era Porsche 911. Both incredibly cool and well made, just different price brackets. True watch enthusiasts embrace the Seiko legacy, label snobs bash it, and look stupid for it:

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I just bought one of these

SEVENFRIDAY


It's one of the more affordable brands. It's nothing special as it has a miyota movement, but at least it is highly reliable. My first non swiss purchase that's over $1k.

[Doodlebug]

I would love to ad a Seiko SBBN series (Tuna Can) dive watch to my collection, love the Seiko professional divers series.

[Table 5]

Damn pylon, the Cocktail Time has been on my list for years now!

How is it in person, as good as it looks in photos?

[CroFlames]

It sounds like if a fellow is starting out, a Seiko is a good starting point.

I guess I don't wanna spend 2k on a piece I will regret.

[Table 5]

$2k is a weird spot for watches...it's quite a bit of money, but it's not enough where you'll necessarily get a respected watch-guy watch (i.e. an Omega or something). It tends to be the range where you get a lot of flash (lots of swiss sounding names, and off-the-shelf parts), but not a ton of substance or innovation. It tends to be the worst value imo.

If I had 2k..I would either buy vintage (save a few hundred for servicing though), keep saving till I have 3-4k, or buy yourself a great Seiko automatic and save yourself a crap-ton of cash.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

It sounds like if a fellow is starting out, a Seiko is a good starting point.

I guess I don't wanna spend 2k on a piece I will regret.

Always something you can be proud of owning regardless of what else you own IMO.

Man... you guys... I almost feel ashamed of my Seiko SNA525P1. But no, I won't feel ashamed! It is a handsome piece and I like it better than all your Orange Monsters!

Any votes to change the thread title to "Seiko's you wear"?


Seiko also ranges a lot. You have your lower end and higher ones as well. I love the clean Ananta look, but I can't justify the over $1k price yet.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Damn pylon, the Cocktail Time has been on my list for years now!

How is it in person, as good as it looks in photos?

It is one of those 'the pictures don't do it justice' watches.

It looks and feels like a $5000 Swiss piece, and the face is mesmerizing. I was looking at all sorts of $1-2k Dress pieces as I didn't have a real dress auto, and nothing looks even as remotely as cool as the SARB. It's got that amazing 50's/60's classic vibe to it. Amazing watch for the money, and two of my buddies ordered them from Seiya Japan when they saw mine. This is one of those must haves like the orange monster, and SKX007. In fact, if guy wanted to start a really cool collection, that covers all the bases, get a monster for weekends, a SK007 for casual/business casual, and a SARB cocktail time for suit/tie, and you have an amazing little collection for about a grand.

Just read the reviews on it, it's almost impossible to find a bad one.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Doodlebug

I would love to ad a Seiko SBBN series (Tuna Can) dive watch to my collection, love the Seiko professional divers series.

I have one, and they are amazing. It was tough spending a grand on a quartz, but the movement in that thing could survive a nuclear blast.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

You can get a dressy automatic like Tissot Le Locle for under $600cdn. It looks amazing and is perfect for a suit and tie occasion.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Any votes to change the thread title to "Seiko's you wear"?

Don't have to ask me twice, ha.

Heres my Seiko Samurai, a really nice, extremely well built, diver watch. Picked this guy up for about $200 a few years ago...they have a slightly cult following these days since they weren't in production for long, so the value has gone up somewhat. But still a hell of a quality watch for the price.




Here it is next to my Speedmaster...while I tend to wear it on a Nato strap, the bracelet itself is of really nice quality. Most people would have no idea that one watch was 10x the price of the other one.





prerequisite hairy arm photo.



I wear the Speedy 90% of the time (because hey, Im still in love even though its been 4 years since Ive had it, its my lifetime watch) but the Seiko is a great for those days where you don't want to be too careful about banging into stuff, or if you're travelling and don't want to be too paranoid.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by pylon

It is one of those 'the pictures don't do it justice' watches.

Ok that's all I need to hear....I already think it looks beautiful, so its good to hear its even better in person. So many watches out there look great in a photo, and let you down in person.

[Bean]

I'll also throw support behind Seiko as a friend of mine recommended Seiya Japan and I bought this 'Riki Watanabe'.

See through case back on leather and an automatic movement all for ~$300

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Don't have to ask me twice, ha.

Heres my Seiko Samurai, a really nice, extremely well built, diver watch. Picked this guy up for about $200 a few years ago...they have a slightly cult following these days since they weren't in production for long, so the value has gone up somewhat. But still a hell of a quality watch for the price.

Samarai is a cool watch. I have been trying to find an NOS one for a while. Quick question, is it hacking or no? I cannot remember which movement they have.

[Bean]

Originally Posted by pylon

I just got a Seiko SARB cocktail time Auto, and it is an absolutely gorgeous watch.

This watch has also piqued my interest but I fear that it won't fit my caveman wrists.

Great piece!

[pylon]

Originally Posted by Bean

I'll also throw support behind Seiko as a friend of mine recommended Seiya Japan and I bought this 'Riki Watanabe'.

Yeah, the guy who runs Seiya is a cool guy too. He is so polite in emails, and adresses you in a very traditional Japanese way. "Trevor'san', thank you so much for your purchase. I hope this spectacular watch brings you joy, and much happiness."

I love his email exchanges, and he is so quick to answer emails, and ship.

[SinceDay1]

Great pictures Table 5.

Gotta say there are some really great looking watches in the SARB line for well under $1000. The Cocktail Time is a winner. I really like the Alpinist and the SARB029 with it's crazy domed crystal.

I can sympathize Bean. I too suffer from the same ailment. Anything less than 39mm looks like a womans watch.

[pylon]

Originally Posted by SinceDay1

Great pictures Table 5.

Gotta say there are some really great looking watches in the SARB line for well under $1000. The Cocktail Time is a winner. I really like the Alpinist and the SARB029 with it's crazy domed crystal.

I can sympathize Bean. I too suffer from the same ailment. Anything less than 39mm looks like a womans watch.

I'm in the big wrist club as well, and 46mm seems to be the sweet spot for me. On the SARB at 40mm, it isn't out of place. It seems to fit more like a 42mm as well, also since it is auto, it has more thickness and presence. True dress watches almost never go over 42mm anyway.

[CroFlames]

This is great stuff boys. I feel a lot more informed