Can someone explain the allure of Seiko to a Patek, AP, and VC guy?

[Locust]

Very well said SUPERDOC. My journey was much the same. Funny thing is for me that once I got a little money, I totally went away from seiko and fell in love with Tudor, JLC and to a lesser extent Rolex. Always loved Grand Seiko from afar but didn’t pick one up til just 2.5 years ago. My grail was always a royal oak. I think it took me acquiring some of the big dogs to really appreciate what you get for $400 with a turtle, or even the crazy value in my sla017 which is one of my most beautiful watches for how light plays, right up there with the royal oak (minus the bracelet of course, nothing can touch a royal oak bracelet). Seiko is just the best. Solidly built. Reliable. Beautiful dials and colorful. And that’s not even bringing grand seiko into the discussion. Everyone should go watch the Horology house video on the sbge245. Holy crap the micro finishing!!!!

[Locust]

Originally Posted by jcarm981

Same My box doesn’t discriminate. Not pictured is the SBGN005

I really think the sbge245 is one of the best modern watches available for sale today. It’s just on another level with the color scheme they chose.

[jcarm981]

Agree on sbge245

[daveathall]

I went into a Rolex AD the other month in Leeds, he noticed my Grand Seiko and said, "we like it when people come in here wearing Grand Seiko's, they know about watches." I thought it was very kind of him and I was quite chuffed that he had given me such a compliment.

I didnt tell him that I didn't really know a lot about watches but knew what I liked.

[efthi]

I would like to try a GS.. but which one? I have a 116520, Hulk and Batman in my collection along with an Omega PO Limited liquidmetal..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Locust]

Originally Posted by efthi

I would like to try a GS.. but which one? I have a 116520, Hulk and Batman in my collection along with an Omega PO Limited liquidmetal..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

See the above comments for my rec

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by efthi

I would like to try a GS.. but which one? I have a 116520, Hulk and Batman in my collection along with an Omega PO Limited liquidmetal..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

On the SBGE245 I have a hard time with the bezel. It is a personal preference, but it just seems overpowering to me.

I’ve got the SBGA031


I love it, but I wish it were a little thinner. It’s proportions are good with 44mm dia, but a little thinner would be awesome.

Most recent is the SBGN001.


I love all of the sbgn series. I’m still waiting to see a detectable variation in accuracy, but it has only been about 18days.

I’m looking hard at the SBGW231




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Fabrice M]

Originally Posted by SeikoBake

One way to get into Seiko is to try their hallmark SKX007J. Make sure to buy the made in “Japan” version, and outfit with a stainless MilTAT strap. This is how I caught the Seiko bug....

Unfortunately, the “made in Japan” is a very loose term. If the work is supervised by a Japanese national, under Japanese laws, it is considered made in Japan. I have read a few reports of people opening their made in Japan case to find out that some parts, such as the case had “made in China” inscribed inside the case.

[subtona]

Seiko was my first well made automatic watch.

Grand seiko is one of my more recent purchases and it shows the high level that seiko is capable of.

Overall just another worthwhile option among your choices. If you don’t get it now, maybe tomorrow. Inquiring is the first step

Ps. You received many thoughtful responses here and like others said, don’t focus on the negative.

Pps you have Adam, one of the finest and knowledgeable seiko advocates on the forum following along, enjoy.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Jostack

I love all of the sbgn series. I’m still waiting to see a detectable variation in accuracy, but it has only been about 18days.

I’m looking hard at the SBGW231




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

231 is a great looking watch! I have a 253 just a little larger/ better fit for me.

Big fan of the no date offerings by GS.
.

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by Fabrice M

Unfortunately, the “made in Japan” is a very loose term. If the work is supervised by a Japanese national, under Japanese laws, it is considered made in Japan. I have read a few reports of people opening their made in Japan case to find out that some parts, such as the case had “made in China” inscribed inside the case.

This infers that Seiko is guilty of this. Do you have any non-anecdotal evidence of this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by subtona

231 is a great looking watch! I have a 253 just a little larger/ better fit for me.

Big fan of the no date offerings by GS.
.

Thanks for complicating my 231 contemplation:)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[denmanproject]

The problem is most people associate Seiko with gold plated mall watches but once you step into the Prospex or Presage models its starts making sense, amazing build quality and value for the price point

My SPB051 gets a TON of wrist time and can hang with the best of them

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by Jostack

This infers that Seiko is guilty of this. Do you have any non-anecdotal evidence of this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Some basic googling does in fact show that Seiko does have subsidiaries in China.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Jostack

Some basic googling does in fact show that Seiko does have subsidiaries in China.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And some of their watches clearly say Made in China on the outer caseback, but I doubt that any Seiko marked Made in Japan was simply made in another country under Japanese supervision.

[jag32]

Originally Posted by Jostack

Some basic googling does in fact show that Seiko does have subsidiaries in China.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes, I’d expect that from Seiko, but the real question is does a Grand Seiko have them in China as well??

[Jostack]

Originally Posted by jag32

Yes, I’d expect that from Seiko, but the real question is does a Grand Seiko have them in China as well??

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

And some of their watches clearly say Made in China on the outer caseback, but I doubt that any Seiko marked Made in Japan was simply made in another country under Japanese supervision.

I agree. Manufacture of some parts being done in another country shouldn’t surprise anyone. I would be shocked if assembly or any actual ‘watchmaking’ is being done by Seiko in China.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Old Expat Beast]

Some of thee cheapest Seikos are made in China and other countries, but Grand Seiko are made at a specific facility in Japan. Find the Hodinkee GS factory videos on Youtube.

[yoniman]

A thinking man's WISwatch

Cheers

[PJ S]

^
Two facilities – one which only does mechanical movement models, the other which does Spring Drive and Quartz.

http://www.timezone.com/2014/11/07/j...y-tour-part-1/
http://www.timezone.com/2015/01/08/j...james-dowling/

http://seiko.watchprosite.com/?show=...&ti=956308&s=0

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

And some of their watches clearly say Made in China on the outer caseback, but I doubt that any Seiko marked Made in Japan was simply made in another country under Japanese supervision.

Agreed. If you know the Japanese, you know there’s no way they’re taking responsibility (or blame) for something that they did not produce.

[BlueNote]

I have two collections. One made up of Rolex, VC, JLC, Omega plus some UG, Heuer and Breitling vintage chronos. The other is a Seiko collection, mostly vintage. They live happily together just as one can enjoy a fine suit as much as a well worn pair of comfortable jeans. Much of this very worthwhile and interesting thread centers on Grand Seiko. For good reason, GS offers innovative movements, stellar accuracy and superb fit and finish. I have an SBGE001 GMT Spring Drive, it’s my most accurate watch at <.25 / day.

But Seiko made many other interesting and innovative non GS watches that are fun to collect. Here’s a few that might help answer the OPs question.
This 6218 made in the early 60s is one of my fav Seikos. The 6200 movement series were capable of terrific accuracy and a 62 movement was used for early GS watches. Mine keeps COSC time after 50 years.

The 6127 World Time was made for the 1964 summer Olympics in Tokyo. It’s just a simple, fun and attractive watch.

The 5146 Presmatic hi-beat is one of my favorite weekend watches. I’m wearing it now. So called because you press a small button in the center of the crown to change the date, an innovative feature. Over 45 years old it keeps -2.5 time consistently.

I just love watches especially those with interesting stories and innovative features. And I can find those attributes in Seiko as well as in Rolex and other luxury brands.

[Old Expat Beast]

Yeah, vintage Grand Seiko vs vintage Rolex is a discussion well worth having in depth sometime.

Big Seikomatic fan here...you should post some pics in the Vintage Gallery: https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=618534

[Dubshack]

Originally Posted by BlueNote

I have two collections. One made up of Rolex, VC, JLC, Omega plus some UG, Heuer and Breitling vintage chronos. The other is a Seiko collection, mostly vintage. They live happily together just as one can enjoy a fine suit as much as a well worn pair of comfortable jeans. Much of this very worthwhile and interesting thread centers on Grand Seiko. For good reason, GS offers innovative movements, stellar accuracy and superb fit and finish. I have an SBGE001 GMT Spring Drive, it’s my most accurate watch at <.25 / day.

But Seiko made many other interesting and innovative non GS watches that are fun to collect. Here’s a few that might help answer the OPs question.
This 6218 made in the early 60s is one of my fav Seikos. The 6200 movement series were capable of terrific accuracy and a 62 movement was used for early GS watches. Mine keeps COSC time after 50 years.

The 6127 World Time was made for the 1964 summer Olympics in Tokyo. It’s just a simple, fun and attractive watch.

The 5146 Presmatic hi-beat is one of my favorite weekend watches. I’m wearing it now. So called because you press a small button in the center of the crown to change the date, an innovative feature. Over 45 years old it keeps -2.5 time consistently.

I just love watches especially those with interesting stories and innovative features. And I can find those attributes in Seiko as well as in Rolex and other luxury brands.

Awesome watches.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1William]

Nice collection.

[JParm]

I was in the same boat as you for awhile. I owned numerous Seikos growing up (I thought they were luxury in high school!), but once I got into "nice" watches, I didn't understand the allure of Seiko or Grand Seiko.

That is until I saw one in the flesh and I was floored, especially with the price. Nothing compared at the price point, and even in comparison to other high-end Swiss watches (VC, Patek, etc.), GS feels at least on par with them.

I think it's one of those brands that you just have to see for yourself; I know I found the perfect GS for me, and it isn't going anywhere...ever.

[Talbel]

Originally Posted by jcarm981

Agree on sbge245

Yep... love the 245

[pbhoro]

Unbeatable value for money

[subtona]

Originally Posted by jpeezy14@hotmail.com

I was in the same boat as you for awhile. I owned numerous Seikos growing up (I thought they were luxury in high school!), but once I got into "nice" watches, I didn't understand the allure of Seiko or Grand Seiko.

That is until I saw one in the flesh and I was floored, especially with the price. Nothing compared at the price point, and even in comparison to other high-end Swiss watches (VC, Patek, etc.), GS feels at least on par with them.

I think it's one of those brands that you just have to see for yourself; I know I found the perfect GS for me, and it isn't going anywhere...ever.

Great looking watch