Is Seiko missing a huge opportunity?
Seiko Instruments movements have been used in microbrands and Seiko mods for several years (~10 years). I'm curious what everyone else thinks...
Could Seiko really crush the competition, Miyota mainly, but Seagull is starting to show growth as well, if they released a highbeat commodity movement?
Miyota has a pretty good hold on the microbrand market for affordable highbeats, although some people dislike the Miyota wobble so they still prefer the chunkier SII movements.
If Seiko released a thinner highbeat (28k), with say 50 hours PR to supplement the NH series...they could crush the market IMO.
The mod community would figure out a movement spacer to adapt it to SKX mods and even thinner cases... Just think an SKX that's less than 12mm thick...
What does everyone think...crazy idea or what? Comment below.
A watch enthusiast whose always been into watches...but just in the last few years really dove into the deep end of collecting and research.
It's possible that Seiko could dominate the micro brand market with the movement you are talking about but maybe they should just use a movement like that to keep in their own brand of Seiko and move the whole brand up-market and justify their increase in prices.
I do think that miyota snuck in there under Seiko and with their thinner movement (9000 series), really broke into the microbrand market. For example, Lorier switched from seiko to miyota and drastically increased the wearability of their watches!
I do think that miyota snuck in there under Seiko and with their thinner movement (9000 series), really broke into the microbrand market. For example, Lorier switched from seiko to miyota and drastically increased the wearability of their watches!
I have a Lorier with the Miyota in it and due to the thinner movement it really does give it a vintage vibe and the proportions are much better. Honestly if Miyota added a clutch system or bidirectional winding I'd be happy. That wobble can be annoying sometimes lol
It's possible that Seiko could dominate the micro brand market with the movement you are talking about but maybe they should just use a movement like that to keep in their own brand of Seiko and move the whole brand up-market and justify their increase in prices.
Well Seiko already has hibeat movements they use in their higher priced time pieces and ofcourse Grand Seiko. Those are way better finished too. My thought is a cheaper movement less PR than their 72 hour ones, and not as accurate and they'd sell like hotcakes.
It's possible that Seiko could dominate the micro brand market with the movement you are talking about but maybe they should just use a movement like that to keep in their own brand of Seiko and move the whole brand up-market and justify their increase in prices.
I agree. I do believe that Seiko is looking for ways to differentiate themselves through better movements from competitors that use the NH line or similar movements. I'm also not sure that it makes sense to use high beat movements in the lower end of the market, as even a clone like a PT5000 will have higher service requirements than the NH series.
I am no fan of the NH35 for many reasons. Inaccurate, too thick and ugly.
The Miyota 9000 series are my favorite movement. Love the wobble, too. Oddly enough I once again don’t have one in my collection.
Have repeatedly looked at the Lorier but won’t fit in my collection goals and likely won’t buy one. Would end up flipping it, not that there is anything wrong with that. Just not something I wish to do at present.
Owned two versions of the Citizen Signature with them but they were just too wide, sadly.
I am no fan of the NH35 for many reasons. Inaccurate, too thick and ugly.
The Miyota 9000 series are my favorite movement. Love the wobble, too. Oddly enough I once again don’t have one in my collection.
Have repeatedly looked at the Lorier but won’t fit in my collection goals and likely won’t buy one. Would end up flipping it, not that there is anything wrong with that. Just not something I wish to do at present.
Owned two versions of the Citizen Signature with them but they were just too wide, sadly.
NH are really good when regulated, positional variation is minimal too I have found 😀
I think Miyota is popping up in more watches lately, and should continue, as there is a shortage of the usual output of NH35 movements. While I love the reliability of the NH35, I've experienced a few Miyota 9000 series movements over the past few months, and I'm becoming quite fond of a smother seconds sweep at 28,800 vph. I have two Miyota movements right now and each are clocking quite accurate. A 9015 at +0.3 spd, and a 9039 at +4.7 spd. I heard the rotor spinning on the 9039 when the package arrived and laughed! But I've never heard or felt that while wearing on my wrist.
If Seiko offered a high beat movement to watch manufacturers, I would probably prefer it over Miyota simply for the Magic Lever system. But otherwise, I think Miyota is poised to increase their market share.