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31 July 2023, 03:38 AM | #1 |
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Brand perception, bias and snobbery
This has the potential of becoming a polarizing thread but since this is a watch forum I'd like to share my experience and observations hoping for some civil interaction.
I recently acquired a Grand Seiko 44mm GMT. Always loved the design and features, never had tried one. Bought sight unseen and ended up loving it. In all honesty, it is the only watch I've evet had that gets noticed and complimented almost on daily basis. I am mostly not the one to strike a conversation so I casually thank or nod yet there's always the curious one asking what brand it is. I always respond that's a Seiko and there's where it gets awkward. Those who know me well are aware of my watch fetish so naturally want to know more. My employer was the first one to notice and was shocked that a Seiko can be of "decent quality" lol. Had a couple more chaps asking to handle the watch which I was happy to oblige. Which in turn raised the question about the "Grand" prefix. After some explaining on my part, one just sighed, (almost in relief of some sort?) while handing it back but the other one tossed it across the table scoffing and ranting how Seiko is of no value. The same person bashed on Datejusts because "they look like Seikos" while wearing knock-offs himself. As for myself, I wouldn't toss one's Q&Q across the table. Again, not seeking reassurance here, I couldn't care less how someone feels about a watch I'm wearing. Just sharing my experience which sadly serves to confirm how much the name on a dial matters when it comes to sentiment and bias and how the latter, combined with snobbery drive demand for certain brands while dictating the baggage for others to carry.
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31 July 2023, 04:30 AM | #2 |
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Most people don't know anything and just repeat brand names they've heard of our seen ads for. Others knock the well known brands they've heard of as junk or not worth their reputation. I've run into the anti-Rolex crowd. "Rolex aren't that great. They're not even accurate blah blah blah". Then I get to look at their confused face when I tell them Rolex standards are tighter than COSC, followed by an explanation of what the COSC standards are because the moron shouting accuracy has never heard of the COSC requirements.
So yeah, most people don't know much but they have a lot of opinions.
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31 July 2023, 07:49 AM | #3 |
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OP, your personal experience makes me want to go buy a GS.
I love the under the radar those who know…know brands Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
31 July 2023, 09:35 AM | #4 |
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Hang on, he tossed your watch across the table!? That just made me shudder.
Watches are splendid, but so is emotional intelligence. Hope your watch is unscathed and you can cut a wider berth of the sociopath in the room. Got a photo of the GMT? |
31 July 2023, 10:19 AM | #5 |
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This persons character is awful. Plain and simple. I would get the scuff fixed and give him the bill
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31 July 2023, 12:17 PM | #6 |
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The rest of it is indeed true,, but I feel like this pretty well sums it up.
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31 July 2023, 01:04 PM | #7 |
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It doesn’t matter. Anyone who knows Seiko history and their output knows there’s a good argument for them being GOAT. Any manufacturer that makes its own $5 quartz and $200k platinum grand sonnerie is to be treated with awe, not disdain.
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31 July 2023, 02:52 PM | #8 |
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I tell ppl my Credor is a seiko. Sometimes it’s better as to not draw attention. Seiko overall, across all three brands, offer the best value for quality, horological whatever of any brand. Unfortunately (or fortunately) their marketing is so bad that the appreciation potential is close to nil
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31 July 2023, 03:23 PM | #9 | ||
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Quote:
The watch is fine, by the way. Quote:
Now that you mention, he scoffed; the watch was unscathed, but I'd be tempted to send it to Japan for a spa and have him foot the bill. Makes me want to buy yet another one. Thinking of the SBGJ239. Spring Drive + Hi Beat duo I have two bespoke leather straps on order from Chile and only one watch atm...
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31 July 2023, 08:21 PM | #10 |
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There's no reasoning with idiots
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31 July 2023, 08:32 PM | #11 |
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It also depending where you live.
Where I'm from (Croatia) a Seiko 5 was THE watch to buy as they had a reputation of lasting a lifetime. When I was growing up, all the "adults" wore a Seiko 5, and it was also a standard gift a young man gets for his "confirmation" (I don't know if that's the term in english, the last thing you get in a catholic church). Even today, older people have respect for Seiko when they see you wearing one. Sent from my SM-A415F using Tapatalk |
31 July 2023, 09:26 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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31 July 2023, 10:18 PM | #13 |
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31 July 2023, 11:35 PM | #14 |
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People can only respond from their knowledge and perspective. Many, myself included at one time, are on the front end of knowledge and many more have no interpersonal skills to discuss what they do not understand. I will always be a Rolex fan and it is where I started and I will always probably have a few in the collection but Seiko is what I wear most of the time now. The saying, "Those that know, know", is perfect for the brand. OP, set those comments aside and smile to yourself, because you do know.
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1 August 2023, 01:12 AM | #15 |
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1 August 2023, 01:17 AM | #16 |
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I will agree there's no reasoning with the unreasonable. Also where I come from, the Seiko 5 had always been the watch to own and I had been gifted quite a few by my grandfather on various occasions.
Seiko was somewhat of a standard while Rolex, though attainable, was something aspirational, given the frugal family attitude or even something deliberately avoided later own due to the well known connotations. What I've progressively come to realize in this life however, is that clothes don't make the man. And this is liberating.
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1 August 2023, 01:31 AM | #17 |
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1 August 2023, 07:54 AM | #18 |
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I'm going to get a GS. But Snowflake or Skyflake? That is the question.
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1 August 2023, 11:45 AM | #19 | |
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Quote:
Sometimes I feel the less the general public knows, the better. |
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1 August 2023, 07:34 PM | #20 |
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2 August 2023, 08:31 PM | #21 |
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Been to the AD and it's Snowflake for me.
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3 August 2023, 12:10 AM | #22 |
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Grand Seiko should not be considered Seiko, the same way Bugatti should not be considered Volkswagen.
When you give people the keys to your Veyron, don't tell them it's a Golf unless you want them to handle it as they would handle a Golf. Notice I said the way THEY would handle a Golf. How careful you are with your stuff is irrelevant to the guy who barely cares about nice watches and cares not at all for non-nice watches. I've only let one stranger handle my GS - a Rolex dealer who was wowed by it from a distance and wanted to see it up close. |
3 August 2023, 02:00 AM | #23 | |
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4 August 2023, 02:44 AM | #24 |
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I am new to watch collecting and I want to add a Grand Seiko to my collection.
My question is, if I buy one what best represents the brand, what are the attributes that define GS? Are the known for the steel or titanium cases? While Seiko is known for pioneering the quartz movement, is the quartz, spring drive or mechanical the one to get? Looking at their website, they have so many models it is hard to decide. I want to narrow some of the characteristics to what GS is best known for to narrow the field. Thanks in advance.
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Rolex Day-Date 118208 YG/Datejust 116139 WG/GMT2 116710 BLNR SS Patek Philippe Calatrava 5096 RG - Omega Speedmaster 3861 Sapphire SS Cartier Tank Louis 1140 YG - Panerai GMT 233 SS - Zenith Chrono 01.0240.410 SS Laine V38 SS - JLC Reverso Duo Q2714910 SS - Grand Seiko SGBA407 SS - Baltic Aquascaphe SS TAG Heuer Formula One - Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon/Mercury/Jupiter/Neptune |
4 August 2023, 05:36 AM | #25 | |
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Look at the case alone and everyone in the know will immediately identify it as a GS. |
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4 August 2023, 05:58 AM | #26 |
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Thanks. That is the type of info I am looking for.
What about the movement? It seems like the Spring Drive is what they are known for? Self wind or automatic?
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Rolex Day-Date 118208 YG/Datejust 116139 WG/GMT2 116710 BLNR SS Patek Philippe Calatrava 5096 RG - Omega Speedmaster 3861 Sapphire SS Cartier Tank Louis 1140 YG - Panerai GMT 233 SS - Zenith Chrono 01.0240.410 SS Laine V38 SS - JLC Reverso Duo Q2714910 SS - Grand Seiko SGBA407 SS - Baltic Aquascaphe SS TAG Heuer Formula One - Swatch MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon/Mercury/Jupiter/Neptune |
4 August 2023, 10:14 AM | #27 | |
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A bit more about my 9F here: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=906326
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4 August 2023, 11:19 AM | #28 |
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6 August 2023, 07:17 PM | #29 | |
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Ah yes, big fan of the 9F series. Accuracy and durability at it's finest. I'm also a fan of the spring drive. GS is a superb watch.
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9 August 2023, 12:42 AM | #30 | |
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